Why turn MicroSD into internal memory?
Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a lack of internal memory, especially on budget models like the Redmi 9A or Poco C31, where the storage starts from a modest 32 GB. The solution seems obvious: buy a microSD card and use it as an extension of the main storage. But just inserting a flash drive is not enough – by default it works as a removable drive on which you can download photos or music, but not install applications.
Adoptable Storage, which first appeared in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, allows you to format a memory card as part of internal storage, which means that it can transfer applications, cache and even system data. However, the method has pitfalls: from reducing speed to the risk of losing data when you extract the card, in this article, we will discuss how to properly configure microSD as internal memory on Xiaomi, which models support the function, and when to abandon this idea.
Now, let me warn you right away, the procedure is irreversible for a memory card -- once formatted, it can't be used on other devices without being cleaned, and not all applications work properly with the "accepted" storage, but if you're ready to experiment, read on.
Which Xiaomi models support Adoptable Storage?
Theoretically, the ability to format microSD as internal memory is available on all Xiaomi smartphones running Android 6.0 and later.
- 📱 Stock-stock MIUI: The feature is present in clean firmware, but can be hidden in regional versions (for example, for Russia or India).
- 🔄 Brush firmware: In LineageOS or Pixel Experience, the option is always available, but requires unlocking the bootloader.
- ⚠️ Budget models: On Redmi 5A, Redmi 7 and similar devices with low-power processors (Snapdragon) 425/435) Working with "accepted" memory can slow down the system.
- 🚀 Flagships and the middle segment: Xiaomi 11T, Poco X3 Pro or Redmi Note 10 Pro cope better thanks to fast flash memory UFS 2.2 and powerful chips.
To check support on your device, go to Settings → Memory. → [Name of the map] → Threefold (⋮) → Storage settings. If you have "Internal Memory" or "Format as internal storage" on it, the function is available.
Requirements for a memory card: speed, volume and class
Not every microSD is suitable for internal memory.
| Parameter | Minimum. | Recommended | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class speed | Class 10 | UHS-I (U1/U3) or A1/A2 | Class 4/6 cards will slow down the system, the optimal – SanDisk Ultra A1 or Samsung EVO Plus. |
| Volume. | 8GB | 32–128 GB | There is little space left on cards under 16GB after formatting under ext4. |
| File system | FAT32/exFAT | exFAT | After formatting as internal memory, ext4 or f2fs will be used. |
| Manufacturer | Anybody. | SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston | Cheap no-name cards are often forged, indicating overrated characteristics. |
Critically, if the card write speed is below 10MB/s, the system will lag when installing apps or updates. You can check the real speed using applications like A1 SD Bench (available on Google Play). If the test results show less than 8MB/s when writing, you should use the card as a removable drive.
⚠️ Note: MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) and microSDXC (64)+ HB) supported, but for SDXC On older models of Xiaomi (until 2017) there may be problems with cards larger than 64 GB.
Next Next post: How to Make a MicroSD an Internal Memory
Before the procedure begins, it is mandatory to:
Backup your card (it will be erased)| Charge your phone at least 50% | Connect to stable Wi-Fi (required to optimize applications) | Make sure there are no important files on the card-->
Now let's get to the setup:
- Insert a microSD card into a phone slot. If you use a hybrid slot (for example, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro), you will have to choose between the second one. SIM-flash-card.
- Go to Settings. → Memory (or Warehouse) Tapping by the name of your card (e.g, SD-map: 64GB).
- In the upper right corner, click on the tri-point icon (⋮) and select "Storage settings".
- Tap "Inner Memory" (or "Format as an internal drive"). The system will warn that all data will be deleted - confirm the action.
- After formatting, the phone will suggest transferring data (photos, videos, some apps) to the new memory, and you can choose to move it now or postpone it.
- Restart the device. Ready! Now the combined volume will be displayed in the Memory section (e.g. Internal Memory: 64 GB + 64 GB).
Important: once formatted, the card will be encrypted and tied to your phone, and you can't extract it and use it on another device without completely erasing it.
adb shell sm set-force-adoptable trueThen restart your phone and repeat the steps.-->
How to transfer applications to microSD after formatting
Even after converting the card to internal memory, the applications are installed in the built-in storage by default, to change this:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want (like Facebook or WhatsApp).
- Slip the Storage" → "Modify" (or "Move to" SD-map").
- Confirm the transfer. Some system applications (e.g. MIUI Launcher) cannot be moved.
Please note:
- 📲 Not all apps support portability, such as Google Play Services or banking programs like SberBank Online will remain in the internal memory.
- ⚡ Performance: MicroSD applications can run slower, especially if a class card is used U1 (not U3/A2).
- 🔄 Automatic installation: B MIUI 12+ You can set the card as the default storage in Settings → Memory. → Default storage.
⚠️ Note: Moving applications to a microSD can cause crashes if the card suddenly shuts down (for example, due to poor contact in the slot.
Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
When using microSD as internal memory, Xiaomi users often encounter common errors.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The map is not formatted as an internal | Outdated firmware or regional MIUI restrictions | Update the system or use it ADB-command (see spoiler below) |
| The phone brakes after formatting | Slow card (Class 10 without A1) | Replace with an A2-marked card (e.g. SanDisk Extreme) |
| Apps fly out after transfer | Incompatibility with ext4 file system | Return the app to the internal memory or use f2fs (requires root) |
| The card is not determined after extraction | Damage to the section in case of incorrect disconnection | Format the map as a removable and start over. |
ADB-The command to force the inclusion of Adoptable Storage
If after formatting the phone stopped booting or constantly gives an error "There was an error when mounting internal storage", try:
- Remove the card and reboot the device.
- Reset the settings to factory (Settings → About phone → Reset settings).
- Swipe your phone through Fastboot (see instructions for your model on 4PDA or XDA Developers).
When to use microSD as internal memory
Despite the obvious advantages (increasing storage without buying a new phone), there are situations when this idea is better to abandon:
- 🎮 For gamers: Games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile require high read/write speeds, and on a microSD, they will slow or hang.
- 📸 For photographers: When shooting a video in 4K or a serial photo card may not cope with the data flow, which will lead to missed frames.
- 🔋 On older phones: Android 7.0 and lower (e.g. Redmi) 4X) Often not optimized for Adoptable Storage.
- 💼 To work with sensitive data: Bank applications, messengers with encryption (Telegram Secret Chats) can block work on external drives.
Alternative solutions:
- Use microSD as a removable drive, transferring only media files to it.
- Connect OTG-A flash drive (e.g., SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive) for temporary memory expansion.
- Clean the application cache manually (Settings → Memory → Clear the cache).
💡
If your phone supports two-way slots SIM-cards and microSD at the same time (for example, Xiaomi 11 Lite) NE), Use the memory card only as a removable storage, and the risk of loss of communication due to a flash drive failure is not worth the extra gigabytes.