How to move Xiaomi applications to SD-map: all ways and nuances

Why Xiaomi is not always able to transfer applications to Xiaomi SD-map

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often face a lack of internal memory. SD-map, but in MIUI This feature doesn't work like it does on pure Android, because it's about the limitations of the operating system and the manufacturer's policies.

Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage, allowing you to format SD-The card is like internal storage, but Xiaomi has disabled this feature in most firmware. MIUI — Instead, users are offered partial solutions that do not work with all applications.

There are technical nuances: not all SD-For example, low-cost Class 4 or Class 6 cards can slow down the system due to low read/write speeds, and some applications (especially system ones) do not support portability because of security requirements.

What are they? SD-Cards are suitable for transferring applications

Not every microSD card will be able to extend memory for applications, but here are the key requirements:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum class 10 or UHS-I (U1/U3). For modern smartphones optimally UHS-I U3 or A2 (specially).
• 🔹 Capacity: from 32 GB (on cards less than 32 GB, the transfer function is often blocked). Better 64 GB or 128 GB.
• 🔹 Manufacturer: avoid no-name cards.Recommended brands: SanDisk, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas, Lexar.
• 🔹 Formatting: The card must be formatted in exFAT or FAT32 (But it is better to let the smartphone do it automatically).

Important: Even if the card meets the requirements, MIUI can restrict the portability of applications to it, for example, in the models of Redmi Note 10 and later, the function works selectively, and in the Poco F3 – only for some applications.

⚠️ Note: Class 4 or Class 6 cards can cause app lags and crashes. If you have slowed down after transferring the game or messengers, return them to internal memory.

Official method: transfer via MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which doesn't work on all models, but it's worth a try.

1. Put it in. SD-Card to smartphone and wait for its recognition.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or Spotify).
4. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).

If there is no Modify, the app does not support portability, as is typical for system utilities (Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher) and some games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact).

⚠️ Note: After the transfer, the application may run slower, especially if SD-card A2. Test performance after the transfer.

Insert SD-class UHS-I U3 or A2

Check the free space on the map (at least 50% of the application volume)

Close the application before transfer

Make a backup copy of the data (in case of failure)

Reboot the smartphone after the transfer-->

Alternative method: formatting SD as internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support porting apps through settings, you can try enabling Adoptable Storage manually, which works on some models with MIUI 12 and older, but requires caution.

Steps:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Press on. SD-map → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
4. Choose your internal memory (if you have an option).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen (the map will be formatted, all data will be deleted!).

After formatting SD-The card as internal memory cannot be used in other devices without re-formatting, and this method can lead to lags if the card is slow.

If you don't have internal memory, Xiaomi has locked it in your firmware. ADB-team (described below).

Transfer applications over ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but gives you more control.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and install it ADB-driver.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to default to install applications on SD-To transfer the already installed application, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard

(Replace com.example.app with a batch name for the app, such as com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability ADB. For example, Google Play Store or MIUI Security will return the Failure error [NOT_MOVED: -100].

💡

To find out the batch name of the application, install the App Inspector utility on your smartphone (available on Google Play) or use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "name".

What to do if the application is not portable

If none of these methods worked, here are the alternatives:

• 📁 Cache and data transfer: Even if the application itself is not portable, you can free up space by clearing its cache (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Lite versions: Many apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) take up less space.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move your media files (photos, videos) to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive.
• 🔧 Ruth and custom firmware: at your own risk you can get root access and use applications like App2SD or Link2SD.

If the problem is in a particular app (like Instagram or TikTok), check if there is a modified version (like Instagram Lite or TikTok Mod APK) that supports SD porting.

💡

Transfer of applications to SD-Xiaomi card is often limited to the manufacturer.If standard methods don't work, try ADB Or optimize your internal memory usage in other ways.

Errors and their solutions when transferring applications

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi may have errors, and here are the most common and corrective ways to do so:

If the application stopped working after the transfer, try:

1. Reboot the smartphone.
2. Clear the app cache (Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear the cache).
3. Return the app to internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to SD in Xiaomi