How to Convert a Memory Card to Internal Memory on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Nuanced Memory

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially on budget models of Redmi or the Redmi. POCO One solution is to use the microSD card not as a removable medium, but as part of the device's internal memory, a process called Adoptable Storage, which allows installed applications to store data directly to the device. SD-The card as if it were a built-in storage device.

However, the technology has limitations: not all Xiaomi models support this feature out of the box, and incorrect actions can lead to loss of data on the map or system failures. In this article, we will discuss how to safely perform the procedure, which cards are suitable, and what to do if the option is not available in the settings.

Adoptable Storage for Xiaomi

Adoptable Storage was introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow and allows you to format the memory card as an internal drive.

• 🔄 The map is encrypted and linked to a specific device – it will not be read on another smartphone or PC without formatting.
• 📱 The system combines the memory of the card and the built-in drive into a single space, but not all applications will be able to transfer to the memory of the card. SD.
• ⚡ The speed depends on the class of the card (recommended). UHS-I U3 or A2).

Important: on Xiaomi with MIUI shell, the feature can be hidden or disabled by the manufacturer. For example, on Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro models, the option is available, but on Mi 11 Lite it is not.

Requirements for a memory card and smartphone

Not every microSD is suitable for conversion to internal memory, but here are the key criteria:

⚠️ Note: Class 4 or Class 6 cards are not suitable, they are too slow to work as internal memory.

Also check if your Xiaomi model supports the feature. For example, on the Redmi 9A or POCO M3, there is an option, and on flagships (Mi 12, Xiaomi 13) it is often blocked to maintain performance.

Step-by-step: how to make a card internal memory

If your smartphone supports the feature, follow these steps:

1. Insert the memory card into the microSD slot (on Xiaomi hybrid models, you may need to sacrifice a second SIM).
2. Open Settings → Memory (or Settings → Storage in new versions of MIUI).
3. Tap by the name of the card (for example, SD-Card: 64GB) and select Set up as an internal drive.
4. Confirm the formatting. The system will warn you that all data will be erased.
5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take 5-15 minutes).

Backup card data | Check speed class (U3/A2) | Charge phone at least 50% | Make sure the card is not fake (check in H2testw)

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Once rebooted, the card will appear as part of the internal memory in the Storage section, but not all apps can be transferred to it – some (such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services) will remain in the internal memory.

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If the option “Configure as an internal drive” is missing, try updating. MIUI before the latest version or use it ADB-team (described below).

What to do if the option is not in the settings

Many Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI 12+) It's a hidden function. ADB-team:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB-tools, and execute the command: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true.
4. Restart the device and check for the option in the memory settings.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If the card does not appear as internal after the command, return the default settings:

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable false

Risks and disadvantages of using SD as internal memory

Before you convert the map, evaluate the possible problems:

• 🐢 Slowdown: Even maps UHS-I U3 into 3–5 time-slower than the built-in memory UFS 2.1/3.0.
• 🔌 Increased wear and tear: Frequent data overwriting reduces the life of microSD (especially cheap models).
• 🚫 Unretrievable: The card becomes “tied” to the phone – it cannot be used on another device without full formatting.
• 🔄 Update issues: After resetting to factory settings, the map may need to be reformatted.

Alternatively, you can use the card as a portable storage device and manually transfer files (photos, videos, music) to it through the File Manager, which is safer and does not affect performance.

How to transfer applications to SD-map

Even after successful memory integration, not all applications can be moved. Here's how to do it for supported programs:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Slip Warehouse and click Change (if the option is active).
4. Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Attention: System applications (MIUI Launcher, Google Play Store, and high-demand games (such as Genshin Impact) can’t be ported, and some programs (such as WhatsApp) can run unstable from external memory.

To check which apps support portability, use third-party utilities like AppMgr III (available on Google Play).

Alternative ways to expand memory on Xiaomi

If Adoptable Storage is not available or suitable, consider these options:

• 📁 Manual File Transfer: Use File Manager or Google Files to move photos, videos, and documents to the Internet SD-map.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Mi Cloud (5GB free), Google Drive or Yandex Disk for backups.
• 🔧 Memory optimization: Cache cleaning (Settings) → Memory. → Clean) and remove unused applications.
• 🔄 Use of the OTG-Driver: Connect the flash drive through USB-C/OTG-Adapter (works on most Xiaomi models).

For games and heavy applications, the best way to go is to buy a smartphone with a lot of internal memory, such as the POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+, which offers options with 256 GB, which solves the problem of space shortage.

FAQ: Frequent questions about using SD as internal memory