How to transfer applications to SD-map MIUI 9: The full guide

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones on the basis MIUI 9 often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with a modest 16 or 32 GB. One obvious way to solve the problem is to transfer applications to the device. SD-However, unlike the newer versions of Android, where this feature works out of the box, the MIUI 9 The process has its nuances.

In this article, we will discuss all available ways to transfer applications to an external drive, including official methods through settings, workarounds using the use of the device. ADB, And also alternative solutions for memory optimization, and we'll focus on the limitations. MIUI 9 that do not allow porting some system and preinstalled applications.

Before you start, make sure that your SD-The card meets the requirements: it must be of class 10 (UHS-I) Also note that not all Xiaomi models support this feature – for example, on some devices with eMMC 5.1, the transfer can be blocked at the firmware level.

Why in the world MIUI 9 you cannot transfer all applications to SD-map?

The main problem lies in the policy of Google and Xiaomi: since Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the concept of Adoptable Storage was introduced, allowing you to tie the “Type” to the “Type” of the “Style” model» SD-It's a card as part of the internal memory. MIUI 9 (based on Android 7.0 Nougat) does not support this feature fully due to the fact that the:

• 🔒 Manufacturer restrictions: Xiaomi blocks the transfer of system applications (com.miui., com.android.) for stability.
• 🛡️ Security: Applications with root rights or using OBB-Files (e.g. games) may not work properly with an external drive.
• 📉 Productivity: SD-cardboard UHS-I slower-than-integrated memory eMMC/UFS, resulting in lags.

In addition, some apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook) explicitly prohibit porting to the Internet. SD-Map via manifesto (android:installLocation)="internalOnly.“ In such cases, only ADB or manual cloning.

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-The card can cause them to work unstable, especially if the card is extracted or damaged. → Memory. → Verification SD-map.

Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting and Selection of File System

Before transferring applications SD-The map must be formatted correctly. MIUI 9 two options available:

1. As a portable device (FAT32/exFAT): applications can only be ported manually, without being tied to the system.
2. As internal memory (ext4), the card becomes part of the system, but the compatibility with other devices is lost.

For most users, the first option is optimal.

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Choose Format as internal (if you want to link) or Format as portable.
4. Confirm the action. It'll take 1-2 minutes.

If you choose formatting as internal memory, consider:

• 🔄 The map cannot be retrieved without data loss.
• 📱 It will be encrypted and not available on other devices.
• ⚡ App performance will improve, but the map wears out faster.

Method 1: Transfer applications through standard MIUI 9 settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI function, but it doesn't work with all applications.

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change.
4. Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

If the Change button is inactive, it means:

• 🚫 The application does not support transfer (see manifesto).
• 🔐 It is system (com.miui.gallery, com.android.contacts).
• 📱 The device does not support a function (e.g., Redmi). 4A s MIUI 9 Global Stable).

Make sure that SD-The card is formatted as a portable

Check the free space on the map (minimum 1 GB)

Close the application before transfer

Reboot the phone after the transfer-->

⚠️ Note: After the transfer, the application may run slower, especially if the application is not SD-Class 4 or lower card for games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact: This method is not suitable – use it ADB data-cloning.

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to port even those applications that are locked in the settings.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB driver.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock Developer Settings).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm debugging.
2. Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd) and type: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications SD-default-card.
3. To transfer a specific application (e.g. Telegram): adb shell pm move-package org.telegram.messenger
4. Reset the device.

To get it back, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

(0 is internal memory, 1 is automatic choice, 2 is internal memory — SD-map).

Method 3: Cloning applications with Link2SD

If not the standard settings, or ADB They didn’t help, and the app will come to help. Link2SD. It allows you to create symbolic references to SD-It's a map, bypassing the system's limitations:

• 📲 Installed annex Link2SD (free version with limitations).
• 🔧 Root access (on some firmware) MIUI 9 can do without him).
• 💾 SD-map with second section in format ext2/ext3/ext4 (linkage).

Step-by-step:

1. Break it. SD-a two-part map (e.g., 80% — FAT32, 20% — ext2) MiniTool Partition Wizard.
2. Install Link2SD and grant root rights (if required).
3. Select the portable app and click Create a link.
4. Check Dalvik-cache, Libraries and Data.
5. Reset the device.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works even with system applications.
• ✅ No need to transfer the entire application – only selected files.
• ✅ Maintains performance (data stays on fast internal memory).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires root or modified firmware.
• ❌ When removed SD-Application maps will stop working.

💡

If you don’t have root rights, try an alternative app called AppMgr III. It can transfer cache and data from some apps without ADB, but it doesn’t work with all Xiaomi models.

Alternative ways to free up memory without transferring to SD-map

If porting applications is not possible or feasible, consider other memory optimization methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. That'll free up to 1 to 3 GB.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files: Use Files by Google or MIUI Cleaner for finding garbage.
• ☁️ Transfer media to the cloud: Upload photos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud and delete local copies.
• 🔄 Disabling pre-installed applications: C Settings → Find unnecessary services (Mi Video, Mi Music) and click Disable.
• 📦 Use Lite versions of apps: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Messenger with Messenger Lite.

For big games OBB-Files (such as Call of Duty Mobile:

1. Download the.obb file on PC.
2. Move it to SD-file-card Android/obb/[packet].
3. Install the game and manually specify the path to the file.

💡

If your goal is to make room for new applications, start by cleaning the cache and media files. SD-The card is only useful for rarely used programs or games with big data.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-map MIUI 9 Users often face the following problems:

• 🚫 The “Move to the button” SD-Card" inactive: Solution: Check if the application supports portability (see below. AndroidManifest.xml). Try it. ADB or Link2SD.
• 🔄 Application moved but not launched: Solution: Remove it and install it again by selecting SD-map as default installation location.
• 📱 The phone can't see. SD-post-format map: Solution: Reboot the device or format the card again via PC in FAT32.
• ⚡ Annexes to SD-Card braked: Solution: Use class map UHS-I (U1/U3) Or transfer only the data (OBB, leaving the cache APK inner-memory.

If after the transfer the application gives an error "Application not installed", try:

1. Clear the application data in Settings → Applications.
2. Transfer it back to your internal memory.
3. Remove and re-install, selecting SD-hand-write.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi devices (e.g. Redmi Note) 4X s MIUI 9.5) after the transfer of the annexes to SD-The card can get knocked down by the camera's autofocus, and it's because of a storage access conflict, and the solution is to put the camera back in internal memory.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions