How to Change Storage to a Memory Card in Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to 2026

Ever wondered why even with a microSD card installed on Xiaomi, apps default to internal memory? The manufacturer limits this feature due to the features of Android and the F2FS/ext4 file system, but you can get around the restrictions. In this article, 3 working ways to transfer data to an external drive, including hidden MIUI settings, ADB commands and bypassing restrictions for modern versions of Android.

Internal memory of Redmi smartphones, POCO And Mi clogs faster than it looks: app cache, updates, high-resolution photos, and a memory card can be a lifesaver, but not everyone knows that it can be used for more than just media files. We will discuss legitimate methods (through system settings) and advanced ones (with developer rights), and explain why some applications fundamentally refuse to work with the software. SD-card.

⚠️ Note: Transferring applications to a memory card can reduce their performance – the read/write speed of microSD in the memory card 2-5 times lower than the built-in storage UFS Critical system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) cannot be ported, causing crashes.

1.Preparation: Which Memory Card Is Right for Xiaomi

Not every microSD can handle the role of primary storage. Xiaomi officially supports cards class A1/A2 (Application Performance Class) with read speeds of 90 MB / s.

• 🔹 Volume: 32 GB (optimally 64–128 GB for applications) 16 GB cards often don’t support the exFAT format required for files >4GB.
• 🔹 Class speed: UHS-I U3 or V30 (Minimum Class 10 Cards UHS-II Not give speed gain – the controller in Xiaomi smartphones does not support this standard.
• 🔹 File system: exFAT (for cards) >32 GB) or FAT32 (map ≤32GB). MIUI automatically prompts you to format the card when you first connect.
• 🔹 Brand: SanDisk Ultra, Samsung are preferred EVO, Kingston Canvas. - Cheap no-name cards often fake speed class.

Before buying, check the compatibility of your Xiaomi model with memory cards. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ supports up to 1 TB, and the POCO X3 NFC only up to 512 GB.

⚠️ Note: MicroSDXC memory cards (capacity) >32GB) require formatting in exFAT.If your smartphone is released before 2018 (e.g. Redmi) 5A), You may need to update your firmware – old versions MIUI They don't support exFAT.

2. Method 1: Transfer files (photos, videos, documents) through the "Conductor"

The simplest method is manual file transfer, which requires no developer rights, and is suitable for media files, documents and downloads.

1. Open the Files app (or Explorer in older versions of MIUI).
2. Go to Internal Memory → select a folder (for example, DCIM for photos or Download for downloads).
3. Press and hold the file/folder → select Allocate or mark the desired items.
4. Slap the icon. ⋮ (three-point) → Move to → Please provide a memory card.

To automatically save new photos/video to the map:

1. Open the camera. → press the gear. ⚙️ → Camera settings.
2. Find the item Storage or Memory → choose SD-map.

Memory card formatted in exFAT (for cards >32 GB)

There is enough free space on the map (at least 10% of the volume)

Files are not used by other applications (for example, music in the player)

Created a backup copy of important data-->

⚠️ Important: Some system folders (such as Android or Android) MIUI) You can't move it manually, it will cause errors in the smartphone, and avoid transferring the WhatsApp folder without a backup, the messenger can lose the chat history.

Method 2: Transfer applications to a memory card (for MIUI 12 and older)

From the version MIUI 12 Xiaomi has limited the ability to transfer applications to the SD-The map was created by Google's policy (starting with Android 9 Pie), but the workaround remained through the app's settings:

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

If the option to change is inactive, it means:

• 📌 System application (cannot be transferred).
• 📌 Developer has blocked the transfer (e.g. Netflix or banking apps).
• 📌 The memory card is formatted as a portable storage (you need to make it internal - see method 3).

Through the app settings |With ADB|Formatted the card as internal memory |Never tried-->

Critical information: Transfer of applications to SD-The card can cause them to run unstable, especially if a Class 4 or Class 6 card is running, tests show that applications on such cards run 30-50% slower, and games can slow down.

Method 3: Formatting a card as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

This method allows microSD to be used as part of internal storage, but has serious limitations:

• 🔸 The card will be encrypted and tied to the device – it will not be read on another smartphone or PC.
• 🔸 Speed depends on the class of the card – for comfortable work you need UHS-I U3 or A2.
• 🔸 When you remove the map, the application will stop working on it.

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Put the memory card in the smartphone.
2. When a notification is received, a new SD-smack it on the map. → select Settings.
3. In the window that opens, select Internal Memory (not Portable Storage!).
4. Confirm the formatting (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. Once completed, restart the device.

If the notification does not appear:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Tap it on. SD-map → ⋮ (three-point) → Storage settings.
3. Choose to format as internal.

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be used on other devices without completely erasing the data, and Xiaomi does not recommend this method for cards with a capacity of less than 64 GB, due to the risk of rapid wear and tear of memory cells.

5. Advanced method: transfer via ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods do not work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to forcibly transfer supported applications to the SD-map, even if the option is hidden in the interface.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included Developer Settings and Debugging by USB smartphone.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Find out the package name of the application (for example, for Telegram it is org.telegram.messenger): adb shell pm list packages | grep "name application"
5. Move the app to SD-map: adb shell pm move-package org.telegram.messenger android Replace org.telegram.messenger with the desired package.

If the team returns a Failure error [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed, then:

• 🚫 Application does not support transfer.
• 🚫 The memory card is not formatted as internal.
• 🚫 V MIUI Force-adoptable function is disabled (solved by editing system files).

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This will save all applications and their data to the backup.ab file on PC.-->

6 Problem Solving: Errors and Limitations

When working with memory cards on Xiaomi, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If after transferring applications to the map they started to slow down, try:

• 🔧 Clear the application cache in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔧 Disable animation in Developer Settings (reduce the load on the card).
• 🔧 Transfer back to internal memory critical applications (such as launcher or keyboard).

💡

On Xiaomi smartphones with Android 11+, Adoptable Storage can be disabled at the kernel level, in which case the only way out is to use ADB or root rights for forced transfer.

7.Alternative solutions: cloud storage and memory optimization

If the transfer is SD-The card has not solved the problem of memory shortage, consider alternatives:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: 📁 Mi Cloud (5GB) is free for Xiaomi users). 📁 Google Photos (unlimited storage of compressed photos). 📁 Yandex Disk (10GB free).
• 🔄 Optimizing internal memory: Cleaning the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up. Removing duplicate photos through the Gallery → Control: Disabling Automatic Media Downloading in Messengers.
• 🔧 Use of the OTG-Drivers: Connect the flash drive through USB-C/OTG And transfer to it rarely used files.

For automatic memory cleaning in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Activate the Auto Clean option and set up a schedule.
3. Add important apps (such as WhatsApp) to the exceptions.

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)