How to save a video from WhatsApp to a gallery on Xiaomi: 5 working ways (2026)

Get an important video on WhatsApp, but can't save it on Xiaomi? The problem is familiar to many users of smartphones with MIUI firmware. The fact is that the default messenger does not always offer the option of saving media files directly to the gallery, especially if the video came in the format of "watch once" or from an unsaved contact. In addition, setting up access rights to files in MIUI has its own nuances that are often confusing.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to save videos from WhatsApp on Xiaomi Redmi, Poco or Mi – from standard messenger functions to workarounds through the file manager and third-party applications. Particular attention will be paid to the problems with MIUI 14/15, where due to privacy policy, media preservation can be blocked. All methods are relevant for 2026 and tested on the latest versions of the application.

Why is WhatsApp video not saved to a gallery on Xiaomi?

Before we get to the instructions, it’s important to understand the root of the problem: On Xiaomi smartphones, saving WhatsApp videos may not work for several reasons:

• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: The firmware blocks the automatic saving of media from instant messengers to the gallery without the explicit permission of the user.
• 📁 Hidden folders: Videos are saved to the system folder WhatsApp/Media, but not displayed in the gallery due to settings MIUI.
• 🔄 Videos with this status are not physically saved to the device without workarounds.
• 📱 Older version of the app: In older versions of WhatsApp (up to now) 2.23.x) The media preservation algorithm was different.

For example, MIUI 14 introduced Privacy Protection, which by default hides messaging files from the gallery, and MIUI 15 added a separate section to manage the access of apps to media files, and if you didn't give WhatsApp permission to write to the storage, the videos simply can't be saved.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global and MIUI China file access settings may vary. If you use Chinese firmware, some menu items will be called differently (e.g., "" instead of "" Permissions").

Method 1: Save video through the built-in WhatsApp feature

The easiest method is to use the standard messaging functionality, which works for most videos, except those sent with the option of "watch once." Here's how to do it:

1. Open a chat with a video on WhatsApp.
2. Click on the video to open it to the full screen.
3. In the upper right corner, tap on the icon. ↓ (Download) or ⋮ → Save.
4. Confirm your retention if you receive a request from MIUI.

If there is no save button, check:

• 🔄 The video is not sent as a "watch once"?
• 📥 Does WhatsApp have permission to write to storage? → Annexes → WhatsApp → Permits → Warehouse)
• 📂 folder WhatsApp/Media Not hidden in file manager settings?

Check out WhatsApp version (update to Google Play)

Permission to access the vault.

Turn off "View Once" from the sender (if possible)

Make sure there is enough memory on the device.-->

Once saved, the video should appear in the WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video folder. If it is not in the gallery, manually update the media library:

1. Open the gallery.
2. Tap on. ⋮ → Update or pull the screen down for an update.

Method 2: Manual copying through file manager

If the video is saved to the WhatsApp folder but not displayed in the gallery, it can be transferred manually, which works even for hidden files:

1. Open Files (standard MIUI manager or Google Files).
2. Go to Internal Memory → WhatsApp → Media → WhatsApp Video.
3. Find the right video (sorting by date will help).
4. Hold the file. → Copy.
5. Go to DCIM → Camera or create a new folder.
6. Press Insert.

If the WhatsApp folder is not visible:

• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings.
• 🔧 Check if access to the folder in Settings is disabled → Confidentiality → Special access → Access to all files.

💡

If the video is not copied, try using a third-party file manager like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer – these often bypass the limitations of MIUI.

Method 3: Saving through Screen Recording (for video "watch once")

If the video is sent with the option "watch once", standard saving is not possible, in which case the recording of the screen will help:

1. Activate screen recording in the notification curtain (icon) 📹 or settings → Additionally. → Screen recording).
2. Open the video on WhatsApp and start the recording 1-2 seconds before playing.
3. After watching, stop the recording.
4. The video will be saved in the Gallery → Screen recordings.

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ The quality will be lower than the original (depending on screen resolution).
• ⏱️ There will be a delay in sound if the microphone is on.
• 📱 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) Screen recording is blocked on WhatsApp by security policy.

⚠️ Note: Screen recording on WhatsApp may violate the messenger’s privacy policy if the video contains personal data. Use this method only for legitimate purposes (for example, saving memes or work instructions).

Method 4: Using Google Photos to Automatically Backup

If you often save media from WhatsApp, set up automatic sync with Google Photos:

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Slip on the profile avatar → Photo settings → Backup.
4. Enable Backup and Synchronization.
5. Return to WhatsApp, open the video and click Share → Google Photos.

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Videos are automatically uploaded to the cloud and do not take up space on the device.
• 🔍 It is easy to search by date or keywords.
• 📱 Access from any device (even if your smartphone is broken).

Limitations:

• 📶 It requires a stable internet connection to download.
• 💾 Free storage in Google Photos is limited to 15 GB (for original quality video).

Built-in WhatsApp feature

File manager

Screen recording

Google Photo/Cloud

Another way.-->

Method 5: Save via PC (for large files or MIUI issues)

If Xiaomi cannot save video on your smartphone due to MIUI limitations, connect the device to your computer:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On PC, open Explorer and go to Internal Memory → WhatsApp → Media → WhatsApp Video.
4. Copy the desired video to your computer or to another folder on your phone (for example, DCIM).

If the WhatsApp folder is not visible:

• 🔧 Enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer settings (View) → Hidden elements).
• 📁 On your Mac, use Android File Transfer (official software from Google).

This method is suitable for:

• 🎥 Larger videos (over 100MB) that you don’t want to process MIUI.
• 🔄 Videos of corrupted metadata that won't open on your phone.
• 📂 Folders with many files (more convenient to manage via PC).

💡

PC connectivity is the most reliable way to do this if MIUI blocks access to files, and it works even on root-righted or custom-built devices.

Additional advice and solution of common problems

If none of these methods worked, check out these points:

• 🔄 Update WhatsApp: Older versions (up to 2.23.12) had bugs with saving media on the site MIUI. Update the app in the Play Market or through APK official website.
• 📱 Check the settings. MIUI: Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → WhatsApp → Additionally. → Permits. Make sure the Warehouse, Camera and Microphone are on.
• 🗃️ Clear WhatsApp cache: Settings → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Sometimes a damaged cache interferes with file retention.
• 🔧 Reset Gallery settings: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear Data Warning: This will remove all gallery settings, but often solves the problem with displaying files.

If you are using MIUI 15, please note the new Media Privacy Protection feature:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Protection of media privacy.
2. Turn off the option for WhatsApp or add the app to exceptions.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60 Pro after updating to MIUI 15, the WhatsApp folder in the file manager may disappear, and this is due to the new security policy. ADB-commands to unlock access or install an alternative file manager.

FAQ: Frequent questions about saving videos from WhatsApp on Xiaomi