How to transfer the application to the memory card on Xiaomi: Full instructions

The problem of lack of built-in storage on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is familiar to many users, especially owners of budget models with 32 or 64 GB of memory. When system notifications begin to warn about overflows and installing new programs becomes impossible, the question of optimizing space arises. One of the most effective solutions is to use an external microSD card to accommodate heavy files and programs.

However, modern versions of the MIUI shell and Android have significantly limited the ability to easily transfer data. Developers are trying to protect users from data loss when retrieving the drive, but for owners of devices with low memory, this creates serious inconvenience. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, including standard settings and advanced methods through the computer.

Not all apps support the move function, as it depends on the developer of the specific software. System programs and critical services, such as Google Play Services or bank clients, often remain on the internal drive in a forced manner.

Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work

A poor or damaged memory card can lead not only to errors in writing, but also to the freeze of the entire MIUI interface. It is recommended to use Class 10 or higher drives, since the read and write speed directly affects the speed of application launch.

Insert a microSD card into your Xiaomi device slot and wait for the corresponding notification to appear in the notification curtain.The system will automatically prompt you to format the drive if it has previously been used in other devices or has a file system that is incompatible with Android. The formatting process will destroy all data, so save important files in advance on your computer or in the cloud.

⚠️ Note: Formatting a memory card as an internal storage encrypts the data, and then the card will not be read on other devices without re-formatting and data loss.

After the physical installation, we move to the software part. Go to the Settings menu and find the About Phone or Storage section. Depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14), the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. The system must correctly determine the amount of space available and show the total memory of the device.

• 📱 Make sure that the memory card is displayed in the list of drives and has the status of "Connected".
• ⚡ Check the recording speed with test apps to rule out card defects.
• 🔒 Unlock the screen and allow all access requests when the card is first launched.
• 📂 Create a test folder and try to save a file there to check the record.

An important step is to update all system components. Before you start active data porting, make sure that your Xiaomi is running the current version of the firmware. Often manufacturers fix external drive errors in security patches, which can solve the problem without complex manipulation.

Standard method of transfer through Android settings

The easiest and safest way for every user is to use the operating system’s regular functionality. In most cases, Android allows you to transfer the cache and some of the app’s data, unless the developer has banned this feature. First, open Settings and go to the App section, which displays the full list of installed software.

Select from the list the program you plan to move. This can be a heavy game or a social network that takes up a lot of space. Click on the name of the application to open the page with detailed information. Here you are interested in the Storage or Memory button, which shows the detail of the volume occupied.

If portability is possible, you'll see an active Change or Use button as internal. By clicking on it, the system will suggest you select the target drive. Select your memory card and confirm the action. The process can take from a few seconds to several minutes depending on the size of the application.

However, users often find that the transfer button is inactive or not at all, which means that the app developer has rigidly prescribed the path of installation into internal memory, in such cases, nothing can be done through the smartphone menu using standard methods, and you will have to resort to more complex solutions.

Use of Adoptable Storage

Adoptable Storage, which is introduced in Android 6.0, allows the system to perceive the memory card as part of internal storage.This means that new applications will automatically be installed on the map, and old ones can be moved there entirely. Unfortunately, Xiaomi in the MIUI shell often hides or disables this feature by default.

To activate the memory merge option, you sometimes need access to a hidden developer menu or use special commands. If the standard card formatting menu does not have an option "Use as internal storage", then the manufacturer has blocked this option for this model, which is often found in smartphones with low RAM.

If you're lucky enough to have an option available, the process is this: when formatting the card, select Use as internal storage. The system will warn you that the card will be formatted and encrypted. Once the procedure is complete, the smartphone can reboot, and the card will become an integral part of the system.

⚠️ Note: After activating Adoptable Storage, it is strictly impossible to remove the memory card without pre-mounting in the settings - this will lead to a file system error and loss of application data.

Even if you successfully activate this feature, your smartphone performance can decrease. Built-in flash memory (UFS) speed is much faster than most microSD cards. Launching heavy apps from the card can be accompanied by increased loading time and slowdowns.

Advanced Method through ADB and Computer

For users who are not afraid to work with a computer, there is a more powerful tool - debugging. USB team ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method allows you to force the configuration of the system to allow the transfer of applications even where the standard menu is powerless, USB-cable and installed drivers for your device.

The first step is to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item Version MIUI. Once you have the "You've become a developer" label, go back to the main settings menu, find the Additional section and select For Developers. USB.

adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2

This command tells Android that the preferred place to install new applications is an external memory card (value 2). A value of 0 returns the default settings (internal memory), and 1 allows the system to decide where to install the application. Once the command is entered, the changes take effect immediately, a reboot is usually not required.

💡

Use the original. USB-Cheap cables often only support charging and don't transmit data, leading to a connection error. ADB.

But you have to understand the limitations of this method. The team gives preference, but it doesn't guarantee that a particular application can be moved. If the manifest is strictly prohibited, the system will ignore the ADB setting. Also, after resetting or flashing, these changes will fly away, and the procedure will have to be repeated.

Transfer of data messengers and media files

Often, the bulk of the memory is not the apps themselves, but the content of the apps: photos, videos, voice messages and cache. Messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp allow you to flexibly configure the ways to save files, which is a great alternative to porting the application itself, which gives you a gain in space without the risk of unstable programs.

In Telegram settings, go to Data and Memory, then select Memory Use, where you can clear the cache and, more importantly, change the save folder. While direct transfer of the database to the card may be limited to access rights in new versions of Android, you can set up automatic upload of media files to the cloud or another folder.

• 📸 In Camera, change the way you save photos and videos to a microSD card in the application settings.