How to combine internal and external memory: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device is released with a 32 or 64 GB drive. The solution seems obvious – to buy a microSD card and expand storage. But simply transferring files to an external medium is not enough: applications still occupy space in internal memory, and games and media are scattered in two sections. In this article, we will discuss how to combine internal and external memory on Xiaomi so that the system perceives them as a whole – taking into account the limitations of MIUI, the features of Android and the nuances of different models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14).

It's important to understand that full memory gluing, like some custom firmware, is impossible in standard MIUI without root rights. However, there are legal ways to optimize the use of both drives, from formatting the card as internal storage to transferring applications and cache. We tested all methods on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and collected checklists with warnings so that you do not lose data and do not face a slowdown.

Why you can’t just combine memory on Xiaomi like on Windows

Many users expect an external microSD card to be a full extension of internal memory, like a second hard drive in a PC. However, the architecture of Android (and MIUI in particular) works differently.

• 🔒 Data protection: Android separates access to internal and external memory at the kernel level. SD-card without explicit permission.
• 📱 Performance: Internal Memory (eMMC/UFS) into 5–10 faster than the fastest microSD (class) A2 or UHS-I). Transferring system files to the map will slow down the work.
• 🛡️ Security MIUI: Xiaomi blocks features that may disrupt system stability (e.g. full formatting) SD How internal memory is not available on all models).

But there are workarounds, like:

• 🔄 Format the card as an internal storage (with speed losses, but with the ability to install part of the applications).
• 📲 Transfer the cache and application data to SD via settings MIUI.
• 🎮 Use the card exclusively for media files (photos, videos, music) freeing up internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If you format a microSD as internal memory, it can't be retrieved without losing data. The system will encrypt the card and it will become tied to a particular device.

Method 1: Formatting a microSD as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

This method is available on Xiaomi smartphones with Android 6.0+ (including MIUI 12-15), but has critical limitations.

• ⚡ Speed of applications installed on SD, It will fall (even with maps). UHS-I).
• 🔐 The card will be encrypted and linked to the device – it will not be read on another phone or PC.
• 📉 Not all applications support external memory installation (especially system and anti-cheat games).

How to perform formatting:

1. Insert microSD into the slot (check that the card supports A1/A2 class for applications).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → [Your name is yours. SD-map] → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
3. Select Internal Memory and confirm the formatting, and it takes 5-15 minutes.
4. After the restart, the system will offer to transfer some of the data to the map.

Backup card data | Check speed class (minimum A1)| Charge phone to 50%+| Make sure the card is not fake (use H2testw utility)

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⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) The option "Internal Memory" may not exist, and that's a manufacturer's limitation, which can only be circumvented through root access.

Method 2: Transfer applications and data to SD without formatting

If you don't want to format a card as internal memory, you can manually transfer individual applications and their data, which is less efficient but safer:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Spotify or Netflix).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer. Some data (such as cache) will remain in the internal memory.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all apps support portability (especially system and Genshin Impact games).
• 📎 Only parts of data are transferred – the main files remain in the internal memory.
• ⚠️ When extracted SD Maps of the transferred applications will stop working.

💡

Before you move the application, clear the cache in the storage settings, which will reduce the amount of data you move and reduce the risk of errors.

To transfer media files (photos, videos, music) use the built-in MIUI File Manager:

1. Open Files → Categories → Images / Videos.
2. Select files, press More. → Move it → SD-map.
3. To automatically save new files to the map, go to the camera settings → Warehouse → SD-map.

Method 3: Use Link2SD (routed devices only)

If your Xiaomi has root access, you can use the Link2SD app to deep merge memory.

• 🔗 Create symbolic links (symlinks) to transfer application data to SD without actually moving them.
• 📂 Transfer Dalvik cache and personal data of applications (including games).
• 🛠️ Set up automatic transfer of new applications.

Instructions for Link2SD:

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. Open the app and provide root access.
3. Select the file system for the second SD partition (ext4 or F2FS is recommended).
4. Reset the device.
5. In the list of applications, select the ones you want to move and click Create a link.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right Link2SD It can cause data loss or a cyclical reboot of the device. Create a backup through Settings before setting up. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 4: Alternative methods for optimizing memory

If memory unification is impossible or impractical, use these methods to make room:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. This will free up 1 to 5 GB without deleting important data.
• 🗑️ Removing Duplicates: Use Files MIUI → Analysis → Duplicate or App Files by Google.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos (compression without loss of quality) or Mi Cloud.
• 🎮 Cleaning up games: In Settings → Annexes → Games remove cache and unnecessary data (e.g. downloaded maps in Google Maps).

To automate the process, install SD Maid (requires root) or CCleaner. These applications will find:

• Residual files after deleting applications.
• Empty folders and temporary files.
• Cache system applications (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).

💡

Regularly cleaning the cache and duplicates can free up to 20% of internal memory without losing functionality.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to combine memory on Xiaomi, users face typical problems.

If after the memory is combined, the device begins to overheat or discharge faster, check:

• 🔋 Aren't they set up? SD background applications (for example, messengers or trackers).
• 🌡️ Is the card of poor quality used (check the temperature through the AIDA64).
• 🔄 Is not included indexing files for SD (turn off the settings → Additionally. → Search).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions