How to transfer data to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory - especially if the device is equipped with a modest 32 or 64 GB. The microSD card becomes a salvation, but how to transfer data to it so as not to lose files and slow down the phone? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways for MIUI 14/15, including hidden functions and bypassing the system's limitations.

It is important to understand that not all data can be transferred to SD-For example, applications often run slower from an external drive, and some system files are not moved at all, and we will tell you which types of files are safe to transfer to the memory card and which are best left in internal memory to avoid crashes. You will also learn how to get around the restrictions. MIUI with hidden settings and third-party utilities.

Why Xiaomi is limiting data transfer to SD-map?

The manufacturer deliberately complicates the work with external drives in MIUI — for good reason. First, the read/write speed of most microSDs (even A2 class) is 2-5 times lower than that of the built-in UFS 2.2/3.1 memory. This means that applications installed on the card will run longer, and games can slow down.

Second, Xiaomi is keeping data secure: External drives are easier to lose or damage, and some viruses target SD-Therefore, the system by default blocks the transfer of critical files (for example, data). Android/data or MIUI/backup).

• 📉 Productivity: applications for SD They work 30-70% slower.
• 🔒 Security: Risk of data loss when retrieving a card.
• 🛠️ Technical limitations: not all models support Adoptable Storage (formatting a card as internal memory).

However, for photos, videos, music and documents, transfer to SD-The map is the optimal solution. Next, let's look at how to do this without risking the system.

Method 1: Transfer files through Explorer (for photos, videos, music)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Explorer, which is suitable for moving media files, documents and archives, and important, it does not allow applications or their data to be migrated.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Device → select a folder (e.g. DCIM for photo or Download for downloads).
3. Press and hold the file/folder → select Allocate or mark the desired items.
4. Slip the Move button (arrow icon to folder).
5. In the top menu, select SD-map → Specify your target folder (or create a new one).
6. Confirm the transfer button Move here.

If the Move button is inactive, check:

• 🔌 The memory card is correctly inserted and recognized by the system (check in Settings). → Memory).
• 📁 Files are not protected from changes (e.g. screenshots or files from the Android/data may be blocked).
• 🔄 The map is formatted in FAT32 exFAT (NTFS unsupported).

If you're carrying a lot of data (like a 10+GB photo), connect your phone to charge, which can take 10 to 30 minutes, and interruption can lead to file loss.

Method 2: Automatic transfer of photos and videos in the Gallery

Annex Gallery in MIUI It can automatically save new photos and videos SD-This is convenient if you take a lot of pictures and don't want to manually move files.

How to set up:

1. Open the gallery. → slip on ⋮ (three-point) → Settings.
2. Select Save Photos.
3. In the section The place of conservation specify SD-map.
4. Create a new folder (for example, Camera_SD) or select an existing one.

Please note:

• 📸 Photos taken before the change of settings will remain in internal memory.
• 🎥 Video in the video 4K or 1080p60 may be slower to write SD-class A1.
• 🔄 If the card is filled, the system will automatically return to saving to the internal drive.

💡

Before shooting important videos (such as concerts or events), check the recording speed of your video. SD-Start the recording. 4K-10 seconds video – if in Task Manager (Settings) → Annexes → Task Manager) will not appear lag, the map fits.

If the option to save on SD-No map, update the Gallery via Google Play or check if your model supports this feature (relevant for devices on the Internet). MIUI 12 and older).

Method 3: Transfer applications to SD-map (with limitations)

Xiaomi severely limits the ability to migrate applications to an external drive, and unlike older versions of Android, MIUI 14/15 either doesn’t have this feature or works selectively.

Official method (if available):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → Warehouse.
3. If there is a button Change, tap it and specify SD-map.

If the Change button is not available, try alternative methods:

Let's take a closer look. ADB-method):

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and install ADB Tools.
4. Follow the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (this will force the system to install new applications on the SD by default).

⚠️ Note: Transfer system applications (e.g. Gallery or Settings) to SD-The card can cause crashes, and some games (such as Genshin Impact or the game). PUBG Mobile will refuse to work with external storage.

Method 4: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method allows us to combine SD-A card with internal memory, making it indistinguishable from the main drive, but it does not work on all Xiaomi models and has serious shortcomings:

• 🔐 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🚫 After the card is removed, the phone may not start (if it had system files on it).
• ⚡ The speed of work depends on the class. SD-maps (recommended) UHS-I U3 or A2).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory.
3. Tap it on. SD-map → ⋮ → Storage settings.
4. Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
5. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

After formatting, the system will offer to transfer data from internal memory to SD. You can choose:

• 📱 Move now – the data will be automatically moved.
• 📥 Move it later – you can do it manually.

⚠️ Attention: If you extract SD-After this formatting, Xiaomi may require a factory reset, and some applications (such as WhatsApp or Banking apps) will refuse to work with an encrypted card.

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

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we recommend Files by Google or Solid Explorer, which allows you to manage files flexibly and bypass some system limitations.

Instructions for Files by Google:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the files.
3. Go to the Cleanup section. → Files.
4. Select a category (such as Images or Videos).
5. Mark the files. → press Move Move Move → point to the folder SD-map.

Advantages of third-party conductors:

• 🔍 More convenient interface for selective transfer.
• 📂 Support for cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive).
• 🔄 Ability to create automatic transfer tasks (e.g., move screenshots to the SD weekly).

To port apps without root, try AppMgr III (formerly App2SD).

• 📦 Move the cache and application data to SD.
• 🔄 Cleaning unnecessary files after transfer.
• 📊 Show which applications support the transfer.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) They block the work from external storage because of DRM-If the application comes up with an error after the transfer, return it to the internal memory.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When transferring data to SD-Xiaomi users often face typical problems. Let's analyze the most common and ways to solve them.

If the gallery does not see the photo on the SD-map:

1. Open the gallery. → ⋮ → Update media files.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Check if the folder with the photo is hidden (in Explorer, turn on the display of hidden files).

If the memory card suddenly becomes "damaged":

• 🛠️ Connect it to your PC and check for errors (chkdsk E: /f into CMD).
• 🔄 Format the map (the data will be deleted!).
• 🔋 Check the card on another device – if the error repeats, replace it.

💡

Before the purchase SD-Xiaomi cards check for authenticity with the help of the utility H2testw. Fake cards (especially "128GB for 500") ₽») They often have a real volume of 16-32 GB and fail after a few months.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions