How to transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi: full instructions with nuances

Transfer of applications to SD-The map in Xiaomi smartphones is a pressing task for users with limited internal memory, POCO And Mi is getting bigger and bigger, and many people are still running out of space because of heavy gaming, social media and multimedia, but not everyone knows that the portability process has its limitations at the Android level. MIUI, Which are very different from the older versions of the system.

In this article, we'll not only look at the standard way through settings, but also at alternative methods for applications that don't support default porting, which memory cards are suitable for this task, how to format them correctly, and why some programs will still remain in internal memory, and what to do if the application stops working or errors occur after the transfer.

Why not all applications can be moved to SD-map

The main problem lies in the architecture of Android and Google's policy. Since the version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the system allows you to transfer to the Internet. SD-The only applications that explicitly support this feature in their manifesto are the ones that do:

• 📱 Most system applications (MIUI Launcher, Security, Gallery can not be transferred – they are tightly tied to internal memory.
• 🎮 High-demand games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) often block the transfer due to the risk of losing performance.
• 🔒 Applications that use OBB-files (additional game data) may not work properly after transfer.
• 🛡️ Banking apps and instant messengers (such as SberBank Online or WhatsApp) generally prohibit transfers for security reasons.

Xiaomi also adds additional limitations to its MIUI firmware, such as the portability of MIUI 12+ versions may be hidden for some regions or models, and it’s important to understand that even if the application is successfully ported, its cache and temporary files will still take up space in internal memory.

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-Class-class 4 or lower can lead to slow operation or frequent failures. UHS-I Class 10 or A1/A2.

What? SD-map to select for transfer of applications

Not every memory card is suitable for installing applications. Xiaomi is critical to follow three parameters:

1. Class 10 minimum (optimally A1 or A2) Class A2 cards are specifically optimized for application and provide faster random read/write speeds.
2. Capacity: from 32 GB (but 64 GB+ is better, as part of the memory will be occupied by system files after formatting as an internal drive).
3. Manufacturer: Preference should be given to the brands SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston or Lexar – they are less forged and work more stable with MIUI.

Important: If you plan to use SD-The card is like an internal drive (which allows you to carry more applications), it will have to be formatted, and it will no longer be read on other devices without additional manipulation.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is like an internal drive, and it can't be removed to transfer files to another device without full formatting, and it can slow down your smartphone if the card isn't fast enough.

Preparation SD-maps before transferring applications

Before you can port applications, the memory card needs to be properly prepared, and this is a phase that is often missed, causing problems with the software.

1. Check the card for errors: connect it to the PC through the card reader and check using the utility chkdsk (Windows) or fsck (Linux/Mac), which will help avoid failures during the transfer.
2. Format the map in Xiaomi: Go to Settings → Warehouse → SD-Click Format. → As an internal drive (if you want maximum compatibility) Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (can take up to 10 minutes).

Reboot your smartphone

If you choose formatting as an internal drive, the system will offer to transfer some of the data (photos, videos, some applications) automatically, but this process does not always go smoothly - sometimes you have to port applications manually.

Check the card for errors via PC|

Format as an internal drive in the settings Xiaomi|

Reboot the smartphone after formatting |

Check the free space on the map (should be ≥10% of the volume)-->

It's worth noting that once formatted as an internal drive, the card will be encrypted and tied to your device, and if you retrieve it and paste it into another smartphone, the data on it will be unavailable without being reset to factory settings.

Standard way to transfer applications to SD-map MIUI

If your app supports portability, you can do this through the standard MIUI settings. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14 firmware:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Click on Warehouse (or Memory in some versions).
4. If the option is available, you will see the Change or Move button. SD-Press it.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (may take seconds to a minute).
6. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original) and select File Transfer mode.
7. Install ADB on your computer: Download Google’s Platform Tools. Unpack the archive and open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).

Check the connection.

adb devices

The serial number of your device should appear.

Move the app.

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command tells the system to install applications on SD-The default card, but it doesn't work with all the programs.

specification

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find out through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

Important: not all applications can be migrated even through ADB. For example, Xiaomi system utilities or high-security programs (banking, instant messengers) will block this operation.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change the settings of applications whose packages you do not know, and do not use commands found in questionable forums.

💡

If the pm move-package command returns the error [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], This means that the app is not completely portable, try other methods or free up space in the internal memory in another way.

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

Sometimes after the transfer to SD-The map of the application starts to fly, slow down or not start at all. Here are the most common causes and ways to fix them:

• 🐢 Slow work: SD-The card is not fast enough (replace the card with a class card) A2 Or move the application back).
• ❌ App won't start: Check if you've retrieved the card after transfer. Reboot the smartphone. Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → [Name of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Data reset: some applications do not save settings when you migrate. Solution - back up the data before transferring it.
• 🚫 Error "Application not installed": this means that the file APK Delete and install the app again.

If the problem is not solved, return the application to internal memory:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → Storage.
2. Click Change and select Internal Memory.
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

💡

If the application is transferred to SD-The card is unstable, so first of all, check the speed class of the card — A1, But for games and heavy utilities it is better to use A2.

Alternative ways to free up space without transfer

If the applications are transferred SD-The card is not possible or does not solve the memory problem, consider alternative methods:

• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: Regularly delete the app cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache. It can free up a few gigabytes.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive, and then delete local copies.
• 🔄 Transfer media files: Move music, movies and documents to SD-a hand-held card through any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).
• 📦 Lite versions of apps: replace heavy social networks (for example, Facebook) with their lighter versions (Facebook Lite).
• 🔧 Factory reset: extreme, but effective.Before reset, back up your data via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

It's also worth checking which apps take up the most space.

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Click on the Apps and sort them by size.
3. Remove or remove unnecessary programs.

If you install and delete games frequently, look for the Android/obb folder on your internal drive, which can leave gigabytes of unnecessary files from long-deleted applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map