How to transfer applications to the memory card Xiaomi Redmi 7A: all ways + limitations of MIUI

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7A sooner or later face a lack of internal memory - especially if you actively install games, messengers or multimedia applications. the smartphone is equipped with only 16/32 GB of ROM, of which the user is even less available (MIUI system takes up to 8-10 GB). MicroSD card seems to be a logical solution, but here there is a problem: not all applications can be transferred by standard means.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods for transferring applications to SD-map 7A โ€” built-in MIUI to manual methods using ADB And we'll also explain why some programs are fundamentally unmovable, and we'll offer alternative ways to free up memory. If you've tried to migrate applications through settings and you've got a bug, here's an explanation and workarounds.

Why Xiaomi 7A You cannot transfer all applications to SD-map?

The main reason for the restrictions lies in the architecture of Android and Xiaomi policy. Since Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage, the ability to format a memory card as part of internal storage. However, manufacturers, including Xiaomi, often turn this feature off in their MIUI firmware for several reasons:

  • ๐Ÿ”น Security: Annexes to SD-The card is slower and less protected from hacking.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Performance: Class Memory Cards UHS-I (Even the fastest ones are inferior in the speed of the built-in memory eMMC.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Fragmentation: Frequent entry on SD This leads to reading errors and error.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Politics MIUI: Xiaomi blocks transfer of system and key applications (for example, com.miui.home โ€“ launcher).

In addition, many apps (especially games and instant messengers) explicitly prohibit transfer in their manifesto (android:installLocation), such as WhatsApp, Telegram or PUBG Mobile can only be moved through workarounds - but this is fraught with malfunctions.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-The card can cause them to work unstable, especially if the card is slow (class below). UHS-I U3). Widgets of such applications will stop updating, and notifications may come with a delay.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI function, which is suitable for a limited number of applications that support portability.

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or Spotify).
  3. Slip on Warehouse.
  4. If the option is available, a button will appear to Move to SD-Map (or Modify in new versions) MIUI).
  5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Please note: the Transfer button will be inactive for:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ System applications (Settings, Phone, Camera).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Anti-piracy games (such as Clash of Clans).
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Encrypted messengers (Signal, Viber).
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Applications that use OBB-Files (additional game data).

The memory card is formatted as a portable storage (not as internal memory)|

The amount of free space on the SD is larger than the size of the application |

The application is not system or secure |

The smartphone is not connected to charging (to avoid overheating)-->

If there is no Transfer button at all, the application does not support this function, in which case you will have to use alternative methods (see the following sections).

Method 2: Formatting a memory card as an internal storage device

This method allows us to combine SD-A card with internal memory, but with serious limitations:

  1. The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
  2. After removing the map, the applications will stop working on it.
  3. Application speeds will drop (especially if a UHS-I U1 or lower card is available).

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

  1. Insert the memory card into the Redmi 7A slot.
  2. Go to Settings โ†’ Storage โ†’ Memory Map.
  3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
  4. Click Format as internal memory.
  5. Confirm the action (all data on the map will be deleted!).
  6. After formatting, select Transfer Data to move supported applications.
What if the option โ€œFormat as internal memoryโ€ is not available?
In some versions of MIUI (especially for regional firmware), this feature is disabled. Try: 1. Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ System Update. 2. Install custom recovery (such as TWRP) and manually format the card as adoptable storage through ADB. 3. Use third-party utilities like App2SD (but they require root rights).

โš ๏ธ Note: Once formatted as an internal storage card, it cannot be used in other devices without completely erasing the data, and it is not recommended to remove the card while the applications are running, this can lead to their collapse.

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 allows you to migrate more applications, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

You'll need:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (download).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Included debugging by USB on the Redmi 7A (Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI โ€” Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ For developers โ†’ Debugging by USB).
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Memory card formatted as portable storage (not internal!).

Steps for transfer:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer mode.
  2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows) and go to the folder with ADB.
  3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your Redmi 7A.
  4. Find out the batch name of the application (for example, for Facebook it is com.facebook.katana). This can be done through the App Inspector utility or the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "facebook"
  5. Move the app to SD-Map command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 Then reinstall the application - it will automatically install on the map.

If you need to transfer the already installed application, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.name.package

Example for WhatsApp:

adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp

๐Ÿ’ก

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings โ†’ System โ†’ Backup. Errors in commands can cause applications to crash!

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can try Google Play's specialty apps, which don't require superuser rights, but they're limited in scope:

AnnexFunctionsLimitationsReference
App2SDTransfer of supported applications, clearing the cacheDoes not work with games and system applicationsGoogle Play
Files by GoogleMemory analysis, file transfer (not applications!)It does not carry APK, only media files.Google Play
SD MaidCleaning up garbage, looking for duplicatesIt does not carry applications, only optimizes memoryGoogle Play

It is important to understand that no application without root rights can transfer all programs to the Internet. SD-They're just automating the standard process from the settings. MIUI Or help to clean up unnecessary files.

Standard settings MIUI|

Formatting the card as internal memory |

ADB-team|

Annex side (App2SD, etc.)|

I haven't tried it yet.-->

What to do if transfer is not possible: alternative solutions

If none of the methods worked, consider the following options:

  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Especially a lot of garbage accumulates Facebook, Instagram and browsers.
  • โ˜๏ธ Cloud storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive. This will free up a few gigabytes.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Offline Game Cache: In game settings (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) disable downloading additional data to the map.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Install Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Spotify Lite โ€“ they take up 2-3 times less space.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Archiving rarely used apps: Google Play has an archiving feature โ€“ the app is deleted, but its data is stored.

Itโ€™s also worth checking which apps take up the most space:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Sort the list by size (slip on the filter icon in the upper right corner).
  3. Remove or clean the most โ€œheavyโ€ programs.

๐Ÿ’ก

If your application is not transferred to SD-If you want to make room in other ways, you can often solve the problem without drastic measures!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-map 7A And these are the most common problems that people have, and the ways that they can be addressed:

Mistake.Reason.Decision
The "Transfer" button is inactive.The application does not support transfer or is system-based.Use ADB or remove/reinstall the application
The error "Not enough space on the map"SD-map formatted as FAT32 (maximum 4GB per file)Reformat the card to exFAT or NTFS (adapter required)
App dyes after transferThe memory card is too slow or damagedCheck the speed of the card (A1/A2) and replace it if necessary.
I don't see the option of "formatting as internal memory"Obsolete version of MIUI or regional restrictionsUpdate your firmware or use ADB for forced formatting

If the app stopped updating through Google Play after the transfer, try:

  1. Put it back in your inner memory.
  2. Update through Play Market.
  3. Move it back to SD-map.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) refuse to work with the bank. SD-Cards for security reasons, and transferring them may result in account suspension.

Can I transfer WhatsApp to a memory card in Redmi 7A?
Officially no. WhatsApp blocks portability through settings MIUI and ADB. Alternative ways: Use backup chats on SD-Install GBWhatsApp (an informal client) which supports the transfer, but this violates WhatsApp rules.
Why after the game is transferred to SD-card she's slowing down?
Read/write speed of memory card (UHS-I U1 or below) not enough for modern games. UHS-I U3 or A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme, transfer only additional data (OBB-files) manually via file manager. Turn off background synchronization of the game in the settings.
How to return the app back to internal memory?
You can do this in two ways: Settings: Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ [Select App] โ†’ Storage โ†’ Transfer to internal memory. Through ADB: adb shell pm move-package --internal com.name.packet If there is no transfer button, reinstall the application - it will automatically install in internal memory.
Can I use it? SD-A card as internal memory without formatting?
No. To merge the card with the internal storage, you have to format it completely, and that's all about: Encrypting the data (for security), changing the file system to ext4 or f2fs, linking the card to a particular device, and if you don't want to lose the data on the map, you have to pre-copy it on your PC.
Which memory card is better for Redmi 7A?
Recommended Features: Volume: 64โ€“128 GB (32 GB can run out quickly). Speed class: UHS-I U3 or A2 (for applications). Brand: SanDisk, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas. Format: exFAT (if card >32 GB). Avoid cheap no-name cards - they are often forged and have low speeds.