How to make a flash drive main memory on Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Are you tired of the constant notifications "Not enough memory" on your Xiaomi? Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary applications, the free space ends in a matter of days? The solution is: turn a regular flash drive into a full-fledged extension of internal memory. This method is especially relevant for the budget models of Redmi and POCO with 32-64 GB of internal memory, where every megabyte counts.

Unlike standard use USB-Storage as a portable storage device, Adoptable Storage technology (adopted in Android 6.0)+) It allows you to format a flash drive as part of a system partition, which means you can install apps, save game data, and even transfer cache, but there's a nuance: not all Xiaomi models support this feature out of the box, and the wrong actions can lead to data loss. In this article, three working methods taking into account the features of firmware MIUI HyperOS and the device compatibility table.

Why Standard Formatting as Internal Memory Doesn't Work on Xiaomi

Many users are faced with the situation: connect a flash drive, choose in the settings "Use as internal memory", but after rebooting the drive is defined as portable, the reason for this is the MIUI security policy and manufacturer restrictions.

Xiaomi blocks Adoptable Storage at the firmware level for:

• 📱 Devices with eMMC memory (most budget models until 2022)
• 🔒 The device with unlocked bootloader (if previously put custom firmware)
• 🔄 Phones where previously tried to format the flash drive as internal memory

In addition, the feature can be hidden in regional versions of the firmware (for example, for Redmi Note 10 in the global version of MIUI 13 option is available, and in Chinese – not).

Method 1: Official formatting via MIUI (for supported models)

If your device is on the supported list, you can do without third-party utilities, which is the most secure method, but only works on MIUI 12.5+ and HyperOS firmware.

1. Connect the flash drive to the phone through OTG-Adapter (or directly if supported) USB-C). Use the class drive A1/A2 (For example, SanDisk Ultra or Samsung. EVO Plus – Cheap no-name flash drives may not work.
2. Open the notification "USB-Driver is connected" and select Settings → Formatting as an internal memory.
3. Confirm the action. The system will warn you that all data will be erased, which is normal.
4. After formatting, go to Settings → Memory and check that the flash drive is displayed as part of the internal storage.

Make a backup copy of data from the flash drive|Charge your phone at least to 50%|Use it. OTG-fast-transmission adapter|Shut down. VPN/Proxy (can block system processes)

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Important: If the flash drive is redefined as portable after rebooting, then your model doesn't support this method. Go to Method 2.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) And when you format it, it can disappear from the system, and this is a firmware bug, and it's only going to help you reset or manually mount it through the system. ADB.

Method 2: Manual formatting via ADB (for power users)

If the standard method doesn’t work, you can force Adoptable Storage to activate via the command line, which requires an unlocked bootloader and USB debugging enabled, but works on 80% of Xiaomi devices.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and check the connection with the command: Adb devices If the device is displayed – you can continue.
4. Enter the command to check the connected flash drive: adb shell sm list-disks Remember the disk ID (for example, disk:179,64).
5. Format the flash drive as internal memory: adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

Once you do the command, the phone will restart and the flash drive will become part of the internal memory. If you see a Failed to partition disk error, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the flash drive and repeat the command
• 🛠️ Use a different flash drive (some models do not support exFAT)
• 📱 Reboot your phone to Fastboot and repeat the process

Method 3: Using third-party utilities (without root)

If the first two methods don't work, you can use apps like Storage Switch or Partition Wizard, which automate the formatting process, but you need to be careful.

Step-by-step instructions for Storage Switch:

1. Download the app from Google Play (or APKCombo if it’s not in your area).
2. Connect the flash drive and open the utility. Press Select Storage and select your drive.
3. Select the Format as Internal option and confirm the action.
4. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes) and restart the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No, he doesn't. ADB or unlock the loader
• ✅ It works on most firmware. MIUI HyperOS
• ✅ Supports flash drives up to 1 TB (tested on the Redmi Note 11 Pro)+)

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some utilities contain advertising or paid features
• ❌ There is a risk of "blocking" the flash drive when interrupting the process

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Before using third-party utilities, check reviews on 4PDA or XDA-Developers. For example, Storage Switch 2.1.5 is recommended for the POCO X3 Pro - newer builds may not work.

Compatibility table of Xiaomi devices

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support formatting the flash drive as internal memory, as follows: data on popular models (tested on MIUI 14 and HyperOS 1.0 firmware):

Important: On devices with MediaTek Helio G chipsets (such as Redmi 10A), after formatting the flash drive as internal memory, performance can decrease by 10-15%, due to the features of the memory controller.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users have problems, and here are the most common ones:

⚠️ Note: If the flash drive is identified as corrupt after formatting, do not attempt to format it via PC, this may result in the loss of the partition. ADB: adb shell sm forget disk:179,64 (replace 179.64 with your drive ID).

Top.-5 errors and solutions:

1. "Disk is encrypted or corrupted" Error Reason: The flash drive was removed during formatting. Solution: Reboot the phone, reconnect the flash drive and repeat the process. If it doesn't work, use another flash drive.
2. The flash drive does not appear in the list of disks Reason: Poor quality OTG-Adapter or flash drive. Solution: Check the adapter on another device. Use the flash drives that support it. UHS-I.
3. After rebooting the flash drive, portable again Reason: The firmware resets the mounting settings.Solution: Try the method with ADB or roll back to an older version of MIUI.
4. Lack of space despite formatting Reason: Applications did not move automatically Solution: Manually transfer them to Settings → Annexes → Move it to SD-map.
5. The phone brakes after plugging in the flash drive Reason: Low read/write drive speed Solution: Use a class A2 flash drive (e.g. Samsung PRO Endurance).

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If your device doesn’t support Adoptable Storage, the alternative is to use the flash drive as a portable storage device that transfers data through the Files by Google app. This won’t expand internal memory, but it will help free up space.

How to transfer applications to a flash drive after formatting

Even after the USB drive is successfully formatted as internal memory, applications are not automatically portable, so you need to do this manually to make room in the internal memory.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like WhatsApp or Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer. Some apps (e.g. Google Play Services) cannot be moved.

What can be transferred:

• 📱 Most user applications (social networks, instant messengers)
• 🎮 Game data (e.g. Call of Duty Mobile cache or Genshin Impact)
• 📁 Media files (photos, videos, music)

What can't be transferred:

• ❌ System applications (MIUI Launcher, Security)
• ❌ Annexes with OBB-files (e.g. Asphalt 9)
• ❌ Widgets and services (Google App, MIUI Gallery)

To speed up the process, use AppMgr III (available on Google Play), which allows you to batch-transfer applications and clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions