How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi: all ways 2026

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory – especially if the device from the budget line of Redmi or the other devices. POCO s 32/64 GB drive. The first thing that comes to mind is to move the applications to the storage. SD-a map to make room for new photos, videos or games. MIUI (Xiaomi’s shell is nuanced: not all apps support moving, and some methods require root rights or technical tricks.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to transfer applications to a memory card in the 2026 year from standard functions MIUI 14 You will learn which applications can be moved without loss of functionality, how to circumvent system limitations, and why some programs fundamentally do not support external memory. We will also analyze the hidden risks of use. SD-map A1/A2 for storage of applications and give recommendations on the choice of a drive.

Before you start the instructions, check two key points: first, yours. SD-The card should be formatted as internal storage (if you want to port apps), and secondly, not all Xiaomi models support this feature at the firmware level. K60 Pros are often deprived of this option due to manufacturer policy, while budget models (Redmi) are often not available. 12C, POCO M5) keep it.

Preparation: which SD-map to select for applications?

Not every microSD is suitable for storing applications. If you plan to migrate programs to an external drive, look at the speed class and the Application Performance Class (A1/A2) standard.

• 🔹 Minimum class: Class 10 (UHS-I/UHS-II). Maps below this class will slow down applications.
• 🔹 The best standard: A2 (4000 IOPS for casual reading/write. Maps A1 (1500 IOPS) It is suitable for lightweight applications, but not for games.
• 🔹 Capacity: 64 GB (on cards less than 32 GB may not have enough space to transfer system files).
• 🔹 Brands: SanDisk Extreme, Samsung EVO Plus, Kingston Canvas Go! Plus – proven options for Xiaomi.

Important: if you format SD-The card will be an internal storage device, it will become part of the system and will not be read on other devices (for example, on a PC or camera), and after formatting all data from the card will be deleted - make a backup copy in advance.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-class A1 Or down to store applications, the system can start to slow down, and some programs can fly out. This is due to the low random write rate, critical for Android.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI feature, which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14 firmware, but there are limitations:

• 📱 Not all applications are supported (system programs cannot be moved).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Transferred applications can be reset back into internal memory.
• 🛑 Some games (such as Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) blocking work with SD-map.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-Card to smartphone and wait for its recognition.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the app you want to migrate (such as Telegram or Spotify).
4. Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait for the process to be completed (may take a few minutes).

If the Change option is inactive or absent, it means:

• 🔘 The app does not support portability (e.g. WhatsApp, Google Play Services).
• 🔘 SD-The card is not formatted as an internal storage (see Section 3).
• 🔘 Your Xiaomi model blocks this feature (relevant for flagships after 2021).

Method 2: Formatting SD-maps as internal storage

If standard transfer is not available, you can try combining SD-This is a method that allows you to put new applications directly on the map, but it has serious consequences:

• 🔒 The card will be encrypted and will work only on this smartphone.
• 📉 The speed of the system can be reduced (especially on cheap cards).
• ⚠️ When you remove the map, some applications will stop working.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
2. Press Three dots (⋮) → Storage settings → Formatting as an internal.
3. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (the process can take 5-15 minutes).
4. After formatting, restart the smartphone.

Now, when you install new applications, the system will ask you to choose a storage location, so you can transfer the programs that are already installed:

1. Go to Settings → Apps.
2. Select the application and click Storage → Change.
3. Specify the Memory Card and confirm.

⚠️ Note: After formatting SD-As an internal storage card, it cannot be used on other devices without completely erasing data, and some applications (such as Netflix, Banking applications) may refuse to work with external memory for security reasons.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for advanced users)

If the built-in methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to migrate even those applications that are blocked by MIUI, but requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Warning: misuse of ADB may cause system failures. make a backup of the data before starting.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode (go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times).
3. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
5. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install new applications on the SD-To transfer an already installed application (for example, Facebook), use:

adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana

Replace com.facebook.katana with your app’s batch name (you can find out through App Inspector or Google Play).

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

• 🔘 The app does not support portability (e.g. Google Play Store).
• 🔘 SD-The card is not formatted as an internal storage.
• 🔘 The manufacturer has blocked this function at the firmware level.

5. Method 4: Using third-party applications (without root)

If previous methods have not worked, you can try specialized utilities from Google Play. They do not guarantee 100% results, but sometimes help to bypass the limitations of MIUI.

• 📌 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — It analyzes the apps and suggests moving the supported ones.
• 📌 Files by Google – Built-in file manager with memory cleaning and data transfer function.
• 📌 Link2SD — requires root rights, but allows you to create symbolic links for applications.

Example of AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. In the Movable section, you will see a list of apps that can be moved.
4. Click on the app and select Move to SD card.

Restrictions of third-party utilities:

• 🚫 Cannot migrate system applications.
• 🚫 They do not work with games that use OBB-Files (e.g. Call of Duty Mobile).
• 🚫 Can slow down the smartphone when transferred to slow SD-map.

💡

Before using third-party utilities, check reviews from the past 2-3 months. Some portability apps contain adware or haven't been updated in years.

6. Why can some applications not be moved?

Not all programs support the work with SD-Here are the main reasons:

In addition, some developers explicitly prohibit the portability of their applications in the manifesto AndroidManifest.xml, specifying the parameter android:installLocation="internalOnly".

If you want to migrate an app like this, the only option is to use root rights and tools like Titanium Backup or Link2SD.

• 🔴 Xiaomi warranty breach.
• 🔴 Possible malfunctions of the application.
• 🔴 Risk of blocking an account in banking services (due to root detection).

💡

Transfer of system or banking applications to SD-The card may result in their inoperability or account being blocked.

7.Alternative ways to free up memory in Xiaomi

If the applications are transferred SD-The card is impossible or ineffective, try these methods:

• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. That could free up 1 to 5 GB.
• 📂 Remove duplicates: Use Files by Google or CCleaner to find unnecessary files.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (Xiaomi has a built-in sync feature).
• 🎮 Cleaning these games: In Settings → Apps select the game (such as Free Fire) and click Clear Data (delete progress!).
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Extreme measure, but effective if smartphone is clogged with trash!

MIUI also has a built-in Light Mode feature (Settings → Special Options → Light Mode) that simplifies the interface and reduces memory load. This won't free up space, but it can speed up the device.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-And these are the most common problems that people have with this map, and the ways that they can be fixed:

If after transferring applications, the smartphone began to slow down, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Clear the cache through Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
3. Turn off animation in Settings → For developers → Animation scale (off).
4. Return critical applications (messengers, launchers) to internal memory.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-card as internal storage, do not remove it without first safely disabling through Settings → Memory. → Otherwise, you risk losing data or damaging the file system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions