How to transfer applications to the flash drive in Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is budget or released a few years ago. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in MIUI Unlike pure Android, where the portability function is built into the system, Xiaomi's firmware is either hidden or limited.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to insert a flash drive and click "Move" in the application settings. In practice, it is more difficult: since MIUI 12 and later, the manufacturer has removed the standard port option, leaving only partial solutions. In this article, we will analyze all working methods from built-in tools to manual transfer over ADB, and also explain why some applications cannot be moved to a memory card.

Not all apps support portability, such as Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher and messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) remain in internal memory. SD-cards - for smooth operation of applications, a drive is not lower UHS-I (U1) Class 10 with a high read/write speed.

Why Xiaomi restricts the transfer of applications to the flash drive?

The manufacturer argues the lack of a full-fledged transfer function for three key reasons:

1. Performance. Annexes to SD-The card is slower due to the limited read/write speed (even if the card is not a good read). UHS-II). This is critical for games and heavy programs.

2.Security: Flash drives are easier to remove or lose, which creates a risk of data leakage (e.g. from banking applications).

3. MIUI Stability: The firmware is optimized to work with internal eMMC/UFS memory, and porting to SD can cause crashes.

However, partial transfer is possible - more on that.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is an internal memory (Adoptable Storage function in Android), and once it is removed, the applications will stop working.

Method 1: Built-in portability (for older versions of MIUI)

If your smartphone is running MIUI 11 or older (e.g. Redmi Note 8, Mi A2), there is a chance that the port option is still available.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Press Warehouse. → Move it to SD-card (if the button is active).

If it doesn't, your version of MIUI doesn't support it, so move on to the following methods.

• 📱 Works on: MIUI 9–11, Android 8–9.
• ⚠️ Limitations: Not all applications support portability (especially games and system utilities).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI function may disappear.

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Before transferring, clear the application cache in the Storage section - this will reduce the amount of data moved and speed up the process.

Method 2: Use of the SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method allows you to “mix” the flash drive with internal memory, but has serious disadvantages, it is only suitable for devices on pure Android (for example, Xiaomi Mi). A3) Or root rights. MIUI function.

If you are willing to take risks, follow the instructions:

Back up your data from the flash drive | Check that the card supports high speeds (UHS-I/U3) | Connect the charger (process will take 10–30 minutes) | Make sure there are no important files on the card (everything will be erased)

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1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
3. Select the internal memory and confirm the formatting.
4. After the restart, the system will suggest moving the data. Choose Move now.

Important: After that, the card will not be retrieved without losing data, and it will be "tied" to the device and will not be readable on other gadgets.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) After formatting the card as internal memory, there may be lags. MIUI Adoptable Storage.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the built-in methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool, which is the only way to port applications on modern versions of MIUI 12/13/14, but requires a connection to a PC.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux;
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB);
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original);
• 📂 Installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the smartphone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
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 or the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "app name"
5. Move the app to SD-map: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 Then reinstall the application - it will automatically install on the flash drive.

Critical nuance: after using this command, all new applications will be installed on the SD-Default card. To return the settings, type in:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Method 4: Transfer of cache and media files of applications

If the app itself cannot be moved, you can free up space by moving its cache and downloaded files (for example, music in Spotify or maps in Google Maps). Many programs allow you to manually specify a folder for storing data.

How to do this:

1. Open the application settings (for example, in Spotify: Settings → Storage).
2. Find an option like a Download Folder or Storage Location.
3. Show the way to SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/1234-5678/Music/).
4. Restart the application and wait for the data transfer.

Examples of applications with support for data transfer:

This method won’t free up much space, but it will save a few gigabytes. The main thing is to regularly clean the cache manually through Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (with reservations)

Google Play has a utility like AppMgr. III or Link2SD, promise to transfer applications to SD-However, on modern Xiaomi, they only work with root rights or have serious restrictions.

What you need to know:

• 🔓 Without root, such applications can only show which programs can theoretically be ported, but they don’t.
• 🛠️ With root rights, the risk of bricking up the device increases, especially on new models (Redmi Note 12, Poco) X5).
• 📉 Application performance after transfer may fall by 30-50%.

If you want to try it, here is a quick guide for Link2SD (root required):

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. Open the application and provide root access.
3. Select the application from the list and click Create a link.
4. Indicate. SD-card.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and newer use Link2SD Google Play Services may crash. Create a backup through Settings before experimenting → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Why can't some apps be moved?

Even if you use all of these methods, some of the programs will remain in your internal memory, due to technical limitations.

1. System applications. MIUI blocks the portability of services such as Google Play Market, MIUI Security or Theme Manager, as they are critical to the work of the firmware.

2. widget applications: Programs that display widgets on the home screen (such as Weather or Calendar) are not portable to avoid lags.

3. High-demand games. PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile block the transfer due to the need for quick access to files.

4.Banking and payment applications: SberBank Online, Tinkoff or Google Pay remain in internal memory for security reasons.

How to check if the application can be moved?

• Open Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → Storage.
• If the button is moved to SD-card is inactive or absent – transfer is not possible.
• In ADB, type the command: adb shell pm get-install-location Result 0 – internal memory, 2 – external (SD).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you migrate applications to a flash drive, users face typical problems.

1. "Move to the button" SD-card

• 🔹 Reason: The application does not support transfer or SD-The card is formatted as portable (not internal).
• 🔧 Solution: Try it. ADB or format the card as an internal memory (see Method 2).

2.The application has moved, but is not working

• 🔹 Reason: Low speed SD-card-in-conflict MIUI.
• 🔧 Solution: Buy a class card UHS-I U3 Or return the app back to internal memory.

3.The application data was lost after the transfer

• 🔹 Reason: When transferring through ADB or Link2SD cache and settings can be reset.
• 🔧 Solution: Before transferring, back up via Titanium Backup (requires root).

4. SD-The card is not defined as an internal memory.

• 🔹 Reason: MIUI Blocks Adoptable Storage on most models.
• 🔧 Solution: Use ADB Or install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience).

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If your Xiaomi is working on MIUI 12 and later, the only working means of transfer — ADB formatting SD-The internal memory function is "Move to the internal memory". SD" removed.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions