How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 5: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 5 sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal memory — especially if the device has a lot of apps or games. Even with the fact that the model was released with options for 16, 32 and 64 GB, system files and cache quickly eat up free space. Transferring applications to a microSD card seems logical solution, but in MIUI this process has its nuances.

Unlike many Android devices where application portability is built into the system, Redmi 5 running MIUI 9/10/11 often limits this ability, and the reasons are due to Xiaomi’s security policy and memory partitioning. However, there are both standard and alternative methods, from using embedded tools to manually porting with ADB or superuser rights. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, their pros and cons, and also explain which applications can be ported and which can not.

Why Redmi 5 can’t just move apps to the same place SD-map?

The main problem is the MIUI architecture and the limitations of Android 7.1 Nougat, which runs most of the firmware versions for Redmi 5.

• 🔒 Xiaomi's security policy: The company blocks the transfer of system and some user applications to prevent unstable operation of the device.
• 📁 Formatting SD-Cards as internal memory: Even if you format the card as internal storage, MIUI It does not always allow you to transfer applications to it due to the features of partition mounting.
• 🛠️ Chip Manufacturers Restrictions: Redmi 5 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, which does not support full emulation of internal memory on the chip. SD-Maps (unlike some devices on Mediatek).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: In new versions of the firmware (starting with the MIUI (12) the application port function may be completely removed or hidden.

Also, even if you can move the app, it may be slower or incorrect — especially if you’re not using it. SD-The card has a low speed class (Class) 4/6). For stable operation, it is recommended to use cards not lower UHS-I (Class 10).

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-The card can cause them to work unstable, especially if the card is removed or damaged. System updates and some features (such as widgets) may stop working.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through Settings (without root)

It's the simplest method, but it doesn't work for all applications. MIUI 9–12:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or WhatsApp).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, click Change and select SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Please note: the Change button will be inactive for:

• 📱 System applications (Settings, Phone, Messages).
• 🔒 Applications with Administrator Rights (e.g. Google Play Services).
• 🎮 Games with high performance requirements (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

If the Change button is missing or inactive, proceed to the following methods:

Method 2: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

This method allows us to use SD-The card is part of the internal storage, but has serious limitations:

• 🔄 After formatting, the map cannot be retrieved without losing data.
• 📉 Application speed may decrease (depending on class) SD-map).
• 🚫 Not all applications will work properly (especially system applications).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-map in Redmi 5.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Tap by name. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 32GB).
4. Select Settings → Format as internal.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the formatting to be completed.
6. After rebooting, try migrating apps through Settings → Apps (as in Method 1).

⚠️ Note: After formatting SD-It's not going to be read on other devices (PCs, laptops, cameras) without completely erasing the data!

Method 3: Transfer applications over ADB (without root)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which does not require root rights, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 5 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 5 to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

1. This command sets the priority of installation on SD-Map for new applications. To migrate applications that are already installed, use:

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

(Replace com.example.app with a real-life app package, such as com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

A list of packages of installed applications can be obtained by the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f

💡

To return the priority of the installation to internal memory, run the command pm set-install-location 0.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all applications support portability (especially system applications).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI settings may reset.
• 📛 Some apps (such as WhatsApp) won’t work properly with the app. SD-map.

Method 4: Root-rights Transfer (for power users)

If you have root access on Redmi 5, you can use apps like Link2SD or App2SD to force applications to be ported, which is the most flexible, but also the most risky.

What needs to be done:

1. Get root rights (for example, via Magisk or SuperSU).
2. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
3. Open the application and provide root access.
4. Select the application from the list and click Create a link.
5. Check Dalvik-cache, Library and Data, then click OK.

Important: Forced transfer of system applications can lead to a cyclical restart of the phone or complete inoperability! it is recommended to port only user applications (for example, VK, Instagram, instant messengers).

⚠️ Note: Once you have root rights, you lose the ability to receive official updates. MIUI airborne (OTA). In addition, some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.

Method 5: Alternative solutions for memory release

If the applications are transferred SD-The card is not possible or feasible, consider other ways to make room on the Redmi 5:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache. This can release up to 1 to 3 GB.
• 🗑️ Delete Unnecessary Files: Use the built-in File Manager or Google Files to find large and duplicate files.
• ☁️ Transfer media to the cloud: Upload photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive, then delete local copies.
• 🔄 Use Lite versions of apps: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Messenger with Messenger Lite, etc.
• 🛠️ Disabling Pre-installed Applications: Through Settings → Applications can be disabled from unnecessary system programs (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).

It’s also worth checking which apps take up the most space:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Sort by size.
2. Delete or clear the data for the most “heavy” applications.

Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Even with root or ADB, some applications cannot be migrated to an external drive, and here is the full list:

• 📱 System applications: Settings, Phone, Contacts, Messages, Camera.
• 🔒 Applications with administrator rights: Google Play Services, Mi Account, Find Device.
• 💳 Banking and payment applications: Sberbank Online, Tinkoff, Google Pay (due to security requirements).
• 🎮 Anticheat games: PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile (transfer may cause a ban account).
• 📊 Apps with widgets: After the transfer, widgets will stop working.

It is also worth considering that some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) can be ported technically, but:

• 📥 They will not be able to automatically upload media files to the map.
• 🔔 Notifications may be delayed.
• 🔄 When extracted SD-The app will stop working.

💡

Transfer of applications to SD-The card in Redmi 5 is a temporary solution. For long-term use, it's better to consider buying a phone with a large amount of memory or cleaning the cache regularly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to Redmi 5