How to transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Why you can’t move the app to the SD-map?

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially on budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage. SD-map, but in MIUI This feature doesn't work like it does on pure Android, because it's about the manufacturer's limitations and the shell.

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has made it much easier to set up the interface by removing the direct “Move to SD” option from the app menu, which is due to Google’s policy: with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, porting apps to external media has become partially blocked due to security and performance risks, but workarounds do exist — and we’ll talk about them.

It's important to understand that not all applications can be ported, such as system services (com.miui.home, com.android.phone) and copy-protected programs (bank clients, some games) will remain in internal memory. SD-The card must be formatted as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage), otherwise the transfer will not be possible.

Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting as an internal storage device

Before you try to migrate applications, you need to properly prepare the memory card. In Xiaomi, this is done through the settings menu, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Use the class map UHS-I (U1/U3) MicroSDXC with high write speeds – cheap cards can slow down the system.
• ⚠️ All the data on the map will be deleted during formatting!
• 🔄 After formatting as internal storage, the card cannot be removed without resetting the settings.
• 📉 The total memory of the smartphone will increase, but part of the space will take service information (about the same time). 10-15%).

To format the card as an internal storage:

1. Put it in. SD-card to slot (some Xiaomi models require a reboot to recognize).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → Threefold (⋮) → Storage settings.
3. Select Internal Storage and confirm formatting.
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If after formatting the smartphone began to brake, check the speed of the card using the application A1 SD Cards with write speeds below 10MB/s are not suitable for use as internal storage.

Method 1: Transfer through MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest but limited way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It doesn't work for all applications, but it's suitable for most custom programs.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Press Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, a button will appear to Move to SD-Map (or Modify in new versions) MIUI).
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It does not work for system applications and some games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• 🔄 After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 📱 On some models (Redmi Note 10, POCO X3) The option is hidden in deep settings.

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

If you don't have portability in your settings, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a computer debugging tool that works even for applications that aren't normally portable.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (or Terminal) and type:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

This team will establish SD-map as the default installation location for new applications. To migrate programs that are already installed, use:

adb shell


pm move-package com.example.app

(Replace com.example.app with a real-life app package, such as com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

⚠️ Note: Some applications after transfer through ADB They may not work smoothly or stop running altogether. Before the procedure, check the reviews about the compatibility of a particular application with external storage.

💡

To find out the batch name of the application, use the App Inspector utility (available on Google Play) or the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "name"

Method 3: Forced transfer through file manager (risky method)

This is a tool that's suitable for users who aren't afraid to dig through system files, and it allows you to manually move application folders to the system. SD-card, but requires root rights and can lead to unstable operation of the system.

What needs to be done:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/app, where all user applications are stored.
3. Find a folder with the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.instagram.android).
4. Copy it on. SD-map /Android/obb or create a new one).
5. Remove the original folder from /data/app.
6. Create a symbolic link using the Terminal Emulator command:

su


ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.instagram.android /data/app/com.instagram.android

(substitute XXXX-XXXX real ID yours SD-map).

Risks of the method:

• 💥 If you do not do the right thing, the smartphone can stop loading.
• 🔄 After Android update or reset, links fly off.
• 🛡️ Some applications (for example, banking) refuse to work with simlinks.

What applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Even if you've successfully formatted your card as an internal storage, some programs don't support portability at all. Here's the full list of limitations:

You should also avoid transferring:

• 📱 Lounchers (POCO Launcher, Nova Launcher – can cause a cyclical reboot.
• 🔒 Password managers (1Password, KeePassDX – risk of data leakage.
• 🎮 Emulators (PPSSPP, Dolphin – brakes when loading games.

💡

If the application is unstable after transfer, return it to internal memory. ADB Use the pm move-package command -k com.example.app (flag) -k retain).

Optimizing memory without transferring: alternative solutions

If the transfer is SD-The card is impossible or does not help, try these methods of vacating space:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clean up. MIUI automatically finds unnecessary files (cache, temporary data, duplicates).
• 🗑️ Removal of unnecessary APK: In a file. /sdcard/Download Installators (.apk) are often accumulated that can be removed.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (Xiaomi has built-in sync).
• 🎮 Cleaning these games: In Settings → Annexes → [Game] → Warehouse → Clean up data (remove progress but free up gigabytes!).
• 🔄 Dalvik Cache Reset: In Recovery Mode (Power) + Vol Up, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik Cache.

To automate the process, use the utilities:

• Files by Google – Finds and removes garbage.
• SD Maid – Cleans the residual files after uninstallation.
• App Cloner – creates “light” copies of applications without cache.

⚠️ Please do not use cleaners such as Clean Master or DU Speed Booster – They often delete files and show false virus warnings. MIUI It has a built-in optimizer that is sufficient for most tasks.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi users face typical problems:

If none of these methods have worked, consider the following options:

• 📱 Buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 256 GB).
• 🔧 Install custom firmware (like LineageOS) where portability restrictions are removed.
• ☁️ Use Google Play Games to stream games without installing.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions