How to transfer apps to a flash drive in Xiaomi smartphones: a complete guide to 2026

Why Xiaomi can’t transfer applications to the flash drive?

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially if the device is budget or released a few years ago. SD-The map seems like a logical solution, but in practice it's not that simple. MIUI (Starting from the 12th) this feature is limited due to the peculiarities of Android working with external drives.

Unlike older versions of Android (up to 6.0), where porting apps to a flash drive was a standard option, now this feature is either hidden in settings or works selectively: SD-lower-class A1 or A2 But you can get around the limitations, and we'll show you how to do it right.

It's important to understand that not all applications support portability, such as system utilities (com.miui.securitycenter, com.android.phone) and high-performance games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) most often remain in internal memory, but for most user programs — instant messengers, social networks, utilities — portability is possible.

Which flash drive to choose for transferring applications to Xiaomi

Not every microSD is suitable for installing applications. Xiaomi recommends using memory cards with a speed class of at least A1 (better A2).

• 🔹 Class speed: A1 or A2 (map markings. Class maps. U1/U3 or V30 It is suitable only for storing files, but not for applications.
• 🔹 Volume: 32 GB (optimally 64-128 GB) Cards less than 16 GB may not be supported by the system.
• 🔹 Manufacturer: SanDisk, Samsung brands are preferred EVO, Kingston Canvas. - Cheap no-name cards often fake speed classes.
• 🔹 Format: exFAT only or FAT32. Xiaomi doesn't support it NTFS for SD-map.

If you have already inserted the card into your smartphone, check its class in the settings: Settings → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → If it says Class. 10 marklessly A1/A2, Application transfer will be impossible or will lead to lags.

⚠️ Note: Using slow memory cards (such as Class 4 or Class 6) to port apps can lead to interface freezes and automatic smartphone reboots. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro and other models with a Mediatek processor are particularly sensitive to this.

Critical information: Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi smartphones block the transfer of applications to SD-cards with a volume of more than 256 GB, even if they correspond to the class A2. This limitation is due to the features of the exFAT file system.

Preparation SD-maps before transferring applications

Before you can port applications, the memory card needs to be formatted correctly, which will delete all data from it, so copy important files to the computer beforehand.

Formatting instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → Format → Internal memory.
3. Confirm action. The system will warn you that the card will be encrypted and only fit for this device.
4. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 5-10 minutes).

Once formatted, the card will become part of the smartphone's internal memory, which means:

• ✅ Applications can be ported without restriction (if they support this function).
• ❌ The map cannot be read on another device without formatting.
• ❌ When you remove the map, some applications may stop working.

⚠️ Note: If the card is not defined as internal memory after formatting, check: - Smartphone model compatibility (on some Redmis) 9A POCO M3 This feature is disabled at the firmware level. – No physical damage to contacts SD-card.

Copy important data from a flash drive to PC| Check speed class (A1/A2)| Format as internal memory |Reboot smartphone after formatting-->

Step-by-step: how to transfer applications to the flash drive in Xiaomi

If the card is formatted as internal memory, you can start transferring it. MIUI:

Method 1: Through application settings (MIUI 12–14)

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want to transfer (such as Telegram or VK).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer. The process may take a few minutes.

Method 2: Through ADB (for hidden applications)

Some apps (like Google Play Store) don’t have a port button in the interface, and the ADB team will help:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install new applications on the SD-The default card. To return the settings back, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

To work with ADB you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and Platform Tools drivers.
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times; then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).

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If the "Move to SD" button is inactive, try clearing the app's cache first (Settings → Apps → [Name] → Clear the cache).

Method 3: Through a file manager (alternative)

Some file managers (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) allow you to transfer files to the file. APK-application files to the map manually, but this method only works for non-systemic programs and requires:

1. Backup of application data.
2. Install APK from the memory card after transfer.

What applications can not be transferred to the flash drive

Even if SD-The card is formatted as internal memory, some applications will remain in internal storage:

If you try to migrate a blocked application through ADB or third-party utilities, the system can:

• 🚫 Return it to internal memory after rebooting.
• 🔄 Run with errors or crashes.
• 🛑 Completely remove the app (in rare cases).

Errors in transferring applications to the flash drive and their solutions

Even with the right preparation SD-And if you look at the map, you're going to see some of the most common errors:

Error: "Not enough space on the device"

Reason: The system reserves some internal memory for cache and temporary files.

Decision:

• Clean the cache in Settings → Storage → Clean.
• Transfer media files (photos, videos) to the map manually.
• Use it. ADB-command for forced transfer: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app (replace com.example.app with com.example.app) ID your application).

Error: "No application installed"

Cause: Damage APK-file transfer or incompatibility with the file system of the card.

Decision:

• Reformat the card to FAT32 (if exFAT was used).
• Remove and reinstall the app from the card.
• Check the card for errors through CHKDSK on PC.

3. Mistake: "SD-map damaged"

Reason: Physical wear of the card or improper extraction.

Decision:

• Connect the card to your PC and execute the command: chkdsk [disk letter]: /f (e.g., chkdsk E: /f).
• If the error is repeated, replace the card.

⚠️ Note: If after transferring the application to the map it starts to update itself and returns to internal memory, disable auto-updates in the Google Play Store (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Never).

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Transfer of applications to SD-A map of Xiaomi is only possible if three conditions are met: A1/A2, formatting as internal memory and supporting a function of a particular smartphone model.

Alternative ways to free up memory in Xiaomi

If transferring apps to a USB drive didn’t help or isn’t possible, try these methods:

• 🗑️ Cache cleaning: In Settings → Warehouse → You can delete up to 1-3 GB of unnecessary files.
• 📁 Media Transfer: Photos and videos take up the most space. Use Google Photos to automatically upload to the cloud or transfer them manually to a map.
• 🔄 Reset partition cache: In Recovery Mode (clip Power) + Volume up when booting) select Wipe Cache Partition.This won't delete personal data, but will clear system debris.
• 📦 Lite versions of applications: Install lightweight versions of social networks (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) – they take up 2-3 times less space.
• 🔧 Disabling Unnecessary System Applications: Through Settings → Annexes → You can turn off pre-installed services (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).

For advanced users, there is another way to link folders using applications like FolderMount or Link2SD, which create symbolic links by tricking the system into storing application data on a map, but require root rights to work, which makes it unsafe.

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If you install and delete applications frequently, turn on Memory Optimization in Settings → Special Options → Memory Optimization. It automatically cleans the residual files after uninstallation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring apps to the flash drive in Xiaomi