Formatting a memory card as internal memory on Xiaomi: instructions and nuances

Formatting a microSD card as internal storage on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to expand the amount of memory for installing applications, cache and system files. This feature is especially relevant for devices with 16-32 GB of internal memory, where each megabyte counts. However, the procedure has its pitfalls: from loss of warranty on the card to possible system failures. In this article, we will discuss how to properly format on different versions of MIUI, which memory cards are suitable, and what to do if the system refuses to recognize the drive as internal.

It is important to understand that once formatted, the map will become incompatible with other devices without first resetting. All data on it will be erased, and the file system will be converted to ext4 or f2fs - formats that can not be read on PCs or other smartphones without additional manipulation. Before you start, make sure that you have a backup of important files and the memory card meets Xiaomi's speed and class requirements.

What memory cards Xiaomi supports for formatting as internal storage

Not every microSD card is suitable for use as internal memory, Xiaomi has strict requirements for speed and reliability of the drives.

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum UHS-I (U1) class 10. Optimally — UHS-I (U3) or A1/A2 (application).
• 🔹 Capacity: from 16 GB to 2 TB (but cards up to 512 GB are really stable).
• 🔹 Manufacturer: Samsung brands are recommended EVO Plus, SanDisk Ultra, Kingston Canvas Go!.Cheap no-name cards often cause errors.
• 🔹 File system: before formatting, the card must be in FAT32 exFAT.

Xiaomi smartphones based on Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or Snapdragon) POCO X3 Pro) usually works better with maps A2, Because these chips are optimized for high-speed read/write, and here are the devices on MediaTek Helio (like Redmi). 9A) They can even slow down with cards. U3 Due to the limitations of the memory controller.

⚠️ Attention: Memory cards UHS-II or UHS-III will not give speed gain on Xiaomi smartphones, as their slots support only UHS-I. Paying too much for them makes no sense.

Preparation of a memory card before formatting

Before you format your card as internal memory, follow a few steps:

1. Back up. All the data on the map will be deleted. Use Google Photos for photos, Mi Cloud for contacts, or connect the card to your PC via a card reader.
2. Check the card for errors. Insert it into your smartphone, go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map and select Check (if available).
3. Format the card in FAT32/exFAT. If the card has been used on another device, reset it via your PC using the SD Formatter utility.
4. Make sure it's compatible. Put the card in your smartphone and wait for it to be recognized. If the system says format as portable storage, then the card is right.

If the card is not determined, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🔌 Insert the card in another slot (if any).
• 🛠️ Update MIUI up to the latest version (old firmware may have bugs supporting new cards).

Create a backup copy of the data|Checking the card for errors|Formatting in FAT32/exFAT|Checking compatibility with a smartphone-->

Step-by-step: how to format a card as internal memory on Xiaomi

The formatting process varies depending on the version of MIUI, and the following is a general-purpose algorithm that is relevant to MIUI 12-14:

1. Put the memory card in your smartphone and wait for it to be recognized, make sure it doesn't have any important data on it.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Click on the line with the name of your memory card (for example, SD-map: 128GB).
4. In the upper right corner, tap three points (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
5. Click Format as Internal (or Internal Memory in newer versions of MIUI).
6. Read the data loss warning and confirm the action.
7. Wait until the process is complete (it can take 5-15 minutes).

Once rebooted, the map will be displayed as part of internal memory, which can now be used to transfer applications and data, but there is a caveat: not all applications support installation on adoptable storage (as this feature is called in Android), for example, system utilities (Google Play Services, Mi Account) will remain in internal memory.

On some devices (e.g. Redmi 9C or POCO M3), the option may be hidden in a different menu:

Settings → Additional → Memory → Memory Map → Format as an Internal

Transferring data and applications to a formatted map

Once the map is formatted as internal memory, Xiaomi will automatically suggest that you move some of the data, but the user has complete control over what goes where and where.

• 📱 Application Transfer: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Select the application you want to migrate. Click Storage. → Change. → Select a memory card.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps support portability, such as WhatsApp or Mi Fit may refuse to work from a memory card.

File transfers

1. Open Files (Mi File Manager app)
2. Select files (photos, videos, documents) and click Move.
3. As your destination, select a folder on your memory card (e.g., SDCard/DCIM).

Note that the speed of applications from the memory card will be lower than from the built-in drive, due to the limitations of the microSD interface, especially noticeable braking in games (eg, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) and heavy applications (Lightroom, CapCut).

SanDisk Ultra|Samsung EVO Plus|Kingston Canvas|Another (write in the comments)|I don't use it.-->

Post-formatting problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users often encounter errors.

If the application refuses to move to the map through the standard settings, you can use the ADB-For this, for this:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on the line, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will cause the system to install applications on the map by default.

💡

If the card is “invisible” to the PC after formatting, but it works on a smartphone, don’t panic. This is normal: Android converts it to ext4, which is not readable by Windows. To return compatibility, format the card back to FAT32 through Xiaomi’s settings (with loss of data).

How to return the memory card to its original state

If you decide to stop using the card as internal memory (for example, to transfer it to another device), you need to format it back.

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
2. Press three points (⋮) and select Format as portable.
3. Confirm action. All data will be deleted and the map will become compatible with other devices.

If the option is unavailable (for example, due to a failure), use one of the alternative methods:

• 🖥️ Through PC: Connect the card to your computer via card reader. Open Disk Management (Win) + R → Diskmgmt.msc. Find the map (it will be marked as RAW), Remove the volume and create a new one in FAT32.

Through Recovery Mode

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Power + Volume Up to log in to Recovery.
2. Select Advanced → Format SD Card.

💡

Formatting a card as internal memory is not a panacea, and for most tasks, it is enough to transfer media files and clear the cache, which is safer and does not affect performance.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory card formatting