Budget smartphone owners often face a lack of built-in storage, and the Xiaomi Redmi 7A model with its 16 or 32 gigabytes of memory is no exception. After installing a basic set of applications and several updates to the system, the free space is quickly running out, which leads to slowdown of the device and the inability to download new programs.
However, simply inserting a drive doesn’t always solve the problem, as current versions of the MIUI shell do not allow applications to be ported to an external medium by default, but for users on a budget, this creates significant inconvenience. In this guide, we will discuss proven methods to circumvent these limitations and fully use an external drive for storing data and programs.
It is important to understand that the transfer process requires carefulness and careful follow-up to the steps so as not to lose important data or damage the file system. Below are the methods that are relevant for current versions of firmware, as well as the nuances that you need to consider when working with the Android file system.
Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work
Before you start any manipulation of the file system, you need to make sure that your memory card is in good condition and has a sufficient write speed. To install applications, it is recommended to use drives of Class 10 or higher speed, since slow cards can cause critical delays in the operation of programs. If you use an old card that already has data, we strongly advise you to copy them to your computer, as during the setup it will be formatted.
Insert the memory card into the corresponding Xiaomi Redmi slot 7A, which is usually combined with the second slot for SIM-Once the smartphone is turned on, the system must automatically identify the new drive and suggest configuring it. If the notification does not appear, go to the settings section where the storage information is displayed.
- 📱 Make sure the smartphone is turned off before removing or installing the card tray.
- 💾 Check the card for errors using the chkdsk utility on your computer before installing it.
- 🔋 Charge your phone battery to at least 50% to avoid crashing during formatting.
⚠️ Note: The formatting process will completely destroy all files on the memory card. be sure to back up photos and documents before starting the procedure.
In the settings menu, look for "Storage" or "Memory." Here you will see information about the internal drive and connected storage. SD-Click on your card name to open the control menu. If the system offers you to select mode of use right now, select "Use as internal storage". If you don’t have that choice, the card will first need to be formatted as a portable storage and then change the type through an engineering menu or special commands.
Standard method of transfer through MIUI settings
Some versions of MIUI have a basic feature that allows you to port data without using third-party software, which is the most secure, but it doesn't work for all applications, because software developers can prevent you from installing it on external media. To check the availability of the feature, open the settings and go to the "Applications" section, then select "All Apps".
Find the program you want to move in the list and click on it. If transfer is possible, you will see an active memory or storage button, inside which there will be an option to change the installation location. SD-The system will copy the files and update the paths to them.
☑️ Verification of portability
However, it is often the case that the transfer button is inactive or absent, which means that the application is installed in the system partition, which is protected from modification by standard means, in which case the standard method will not help, and you will have to resort to more advanced techniques described below.
Use of the storage mode (Adoptable Storage)
The most effective way to solve the problem of space shortage is the Adoptable Storage mode, which turns into a new model. SD-Once activated, the phone stops distinguishing between internal memory and external memory, allowing you to install any applications directly to the card. 7A Often the use of debugging is required USB.
First, activate the developer mode. Go to About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on MIUI Version. Once you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and find a new option, "Additional" or "Extended Settings." Inside, find "Developers" and turn on the USB debugging switch.
adb shell pm set-force-true-external-sd-card-trueThis command, entered through a computer with an ADB installed, compulsorily allows the system to treat the external card as the main card. After completing the command, you need to restart the device. If the command did not work the first time, perhaps your version of Android blocks this feature at the kernel level, and then you will need to use specialized applications.
⚠️ Warning: Once this mode is enabled, the memory card will be encrypted and linked to a particular phone.
There is also a method using commands via the terminal on the device itself if there are root rights, but for the average user working with ADB via a PC is a safer option.Make sure the computer has drivers installed for Xiaomi, otherwise the computer won't see the smartphone in debugging mode.
Use of third-party slits for memory management
If you don't want to mess with the command line, you can use special applications like App2SD or Files by Google to scan the system and show you which apps you can move, and help clear the cache. They don't require root rights for the underlying functionality, but you can need extended permissions to fully port the system applications.
Install the selected application from the Google Play store and give it the necessary permissions. The program will analyze and offer optimization options. Often, such utilities are able to create symbolic links that “deceive” the system, making you think that the files are inside, although they are physically located on the inside. SD-map.
- 🚀 App2SD — Classical tool with a simple interface for transfer.
- 🧹 SD Maid – a powerful combine for cleaning and managing files.
- 📂 Total Commander – file manager with plugins for working with memory.
Using such software allows you to flexibly manage the space, moving the cache of heavy games or social networks that take up the most space, but it is worth remembering that the performance depends on the specific model of the phone and the version of Android.
Why can't some apps be moved?
Table of compatibility and speed of operation
When choosing a memory card for Xiaomi Redmi 7A, it is important to consider not only the volume, but also the speed of operation. Below is a table showing the impact of the card class on the performance of the smartphone.
| Type of card | Reading speed | Impact on games | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 4 | up to 20 MB/s | Long loads, lags | Not recommended |
| Class 10 | up to 60 MB/s | Stable work | Minimum for applications |
| UHS-I U3 | up to 100 MB/s | Fast loading | The best choice |
| UHS-II | up to 300 MB/s | Maximum speed | Oversupplied for this model |
As you can see from the table, using slow cards can negate all the benefits of porting applications. The Redmi 7A does not have the most powerful processor, and reading data from the card slowly will only make things worse.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Users may experience a variety of errors during the setup process, such as the phone may stop seeing the card after a reboot or apps will crash, often due to improper formatting or file system corruption, try reformatting the card to exFAT or FAT32 format via the computer.
Another common problem is the conflict of Android versions. Some MIUI updates can reset the port settings. In this case, you will have to repeat the procedure. Also, make sure that the memory card is not full, leave 10% of free space for normal operation.
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If the applications stopped running after the transfer, try clicking “Stop” in the application settings and then running it again, which will update the paths to the files.
If nothing works, you may need to reset your phone completely to factory settings.Be sure to save all the important data before you do so, as it will be deleted. After reset, set the memory card as your primary memory card immediately, before you install a large number of applications.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to transfer system applications to a memory card?
What happens if you remove the memory card after transferring the applications?
Can I use the same card on different phones after setting up?
Why does the phone work slower after the transfer?
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A properly configured U3 memory card can increase the useful memory capacity of the Xiaomi Redmi 7A several times, but requires a careful approach to formatting.