How to transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways + restriction

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory – especially if the device is budget or released 2-3 One obvious way to solve this problem is to move apps to the next one. SD-But in the MIUI This process is not as straightforward as in “pure” Android: the manufacturer imposes restrictions, and some features are hidden in the depths of settings.

In this article, we will analyze all working methods for transferring applications to an external drive for different versions. MIUI (12 to 14), including workarounds for applications that "don't want" to move, and explain why some programs are fundamentally unmodified, and what to do if the application stops working after the transfer. SD-cards as an internal drive - this method gives maximum freedom, but has critical pitfalls.

We warn you right away that not all applications support portability, and some applications may be slower or no longer be running after this operation, but if you're ready to experiment, let's get started!

Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?

The manufacturer has made it more complicated than that, because of the technical limitations of Android and the MIUI security policy.

• 🔒 Data security: Annexes to the SD-It is easier to steal or replace cards, especially if the cards are retrieved and used on other devices.
• ⚡ Productivity: SD-cards (even class) A2) They are slower than the built-in memory. eMMC/UFS, what might cause the lags.
• 📱 Android Limitations: Starting with version 6.0, Google has tightened the rules for porting apps, leaving it to manufacturers to choose from.
• 🔄 System Stability: Some System Applications MIUI They are tied to internal memory and cannot work with external storage.

Xiaomi is also pushing for Mi Cloud cloud storage and memory optimization through built-in tools (like Settings → Memory).

Method 1: Standard portability through settings (for supported applications)

This is the easiest method, but it only works for applications that the developer has allowed to port, most often games, instant messengers (such as Telegram), or utilities.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, you will see the button Move to SD-Map (or Modify in new versions) MIUI).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove after transfer SD-card without first returning the application to internal memory, otherwise the program may disappear from the menu or give errors when running.

Make sure that SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage (not as an internal memory)

Check the free space on the map (you need at least 20% more than the weight of the application)

Close the application before transferring

Make a backup of important application data-->

If the buttons are moved to SD-No card, so the app doesn't support this function.

Method 2: Formatting SD-Cards as internal memory (extended method)

This method allows you to install applications on SD-The default card, but has serious consequences:

• 🔐 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🚫 It cannot be extracted without formatting (otherwise the data will be lost).
• ⚠️ Application speeds may drop (depending on class) SD-map).

If you are prepared for these restrictions, follow the instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
4. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Storage Settings.
5. Choose Format as internal and confirm the action.
6. After formatting, restart the device.

Now, when you install new applications, the system will ask you to choose a storage location, so you can transfer the programs that are already installed:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and tap the Warehouse.
3. Click Change and specify SD-map.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but allows you to migrate even those applications that don't normally support this feature.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB Use this method only if you are confident in your actions and have made a backup copy of the data.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. On your smartphone, turn on Developer Mode (go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your smartphone to your computer and enter:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, type a port command (replace com.example.app with your application’s batch name):

adb shell pm set-install-location 2


adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

To find out the batch name of the application, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | find "appendix name"

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If the team makes a Failure error [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], This means that the application cannot be transferred to SD-map.

Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Even with ADB, some programs remain untouchable, and here is a list of categories that are almost always tied to internal memory:

• 📱 System applications (MIUI Launcher, Settings, Phone, Messages).
• 🔒 High security applications (bank clients, Google Pay, Mi Wallet).
• 🎮 Anticheat games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile – they block the launch from external media).
• 🤖 Google Play Services (Google Play Services, Google Play Store).
• 📊 Apps with widgets (they may stop showing on the home screen).

Also, you should consider that some applications are formally portable but not working properly.

• VK may not notify you of new communications.
• YouTube will be buffering videos for longer.
• Google Maps may lose its cache of maps.

If you moved the app and it started to behave strangely, put it back in your internal memory.

What to do if the application does not work after the transfer?

Transfer to SD-The map doesn't always go smoothly:

If the application is unstable after transfer, but you do not want to return it to internal memory, try:

1. Clear the app cache (Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear the cache).
2. Reboot the smartphone.
3. Update the application to the latest version.

💡

If the application is transferred to SD-The map has stopped updating through Google Play, return it to internal memory, update, and then transfer it again.

How to choose SD-Map for Xiaomi to make applications work quickly?

Not all. SD-If you plan to actively use an external drive, pay attention to the following parameters:

• 📌 Speed class: Minimum A1 (optimally A2). Class cards C10 or U3 They are suitable only for file storage, but not for applications.
• 📊 Size: 64-128 GB is enough for applications. 256 GB cards and more often are forged.
• 🏷️ Brand: Preference SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston or Lexar. Cheap no-name cards can be slow or unreliable.
• 🔍 For most, Xiaomi is a microSD fit (including hybrid slot models).

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with H2testw (for Windows) or SD Insight (for Android).

💡 Tip: If you format the card as internal memory, take a model with a margin of volume - after encryption, the available space will decrease by 5-10%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map