How to transfer applications to SD-map in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways and nuances

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with a modest 32 or 64 GB. SD-map, but in MIUI Unlike pure Android, where portability is available out of the box, Xiaomi firmware often has a hidden or limited function. Why this happens and how to circumvent these limitations, we will discuss in this article.

It is worth clarifying right away that not all Xiaomi models support porting applications to a memory card, depending on the version of MIUI, the type of card (eMMC or UFS) and even regional firmware. For example, in European versions of MIUI, the function can be blocked, whereas in global versions it is available. We have tested all current methods on devices with MIUI 12-14 and are ready to share working solutions, including workarounds for “persistent” cases.

Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?

At first glance, the limitations seem counterintuitive: Why block a feature that helps save internal memory?

• 🔹 Productivity: SD-cards (even class) A2) They are slower than the built-in memory. UFS 2.1/3.0. Transferring applications to the map can lead to lags and hangs.
• 🔹 Security: Annexes to SD-It is easier to steal or replace cards, especially if the cards are retrieved and used on other devices.
• 🔹 Fragmentation: Frequently write/delete files on SD-The card causes its rapid wear, especially in cheap models.
• 🔹 Google Policy: Starting with Android 6.0, Google has tightened the rules for working with external drives, and Xiaomi follows these guidelines.

However, for users with budget models (such as the Redmi 9A or Poco C31), application portability remains relevant, and we will look at all possible ways, from standard to advanced, requiring root rights.

Method 1: Standard portability through settings (for supported models)

If your Xiaomi smartphone officially supports app portability, the algorithm will be as follows:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Click on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, a button will appear to Move to SD-Change or change (in new versions) MIUI).

Important: Even if the button is active, not all of the app data will be transferred. Generally, only a portion of the files (cache, media) are moved to the map, and executable files (.apk,.odex) remain in internal memory, a limitation imposed by the Android architecture itself.

Format the card in FAT32 or exFAT (NTFS is not supported)

Use a Class A2 (UHS-I) card for minimum lags

Check the free space (at least 10% of the map size)

Turn off "Adaptive Brightness" during transfer (saves charge)

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⚠️ Note: After the application has been moved to SD-The widgets may stop working, because the system does not guarantee permanent access to the external drive, and some applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) block the transfer for security reasons.

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

Adoptable Storage feature, which appeared in Android 6.0, allows you to format SD-It's the most efficient way to port applications, but it has critical flaws:

• 🔹 The map becomes tied to the device and will not be read on other gadgets.
• 🔹 After extracting the map, the application will stop working on it.
• 🔹 Application speeds will drop by 30-50% compared to internal memory.

If you are willing to accept these disadvantages, follow the instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Press on. SD-map → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
4. Select Internal Memory and follow the instructions (the card will be formatted!).
5. After formatting, restart the device.

Critical nuance: on some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi A3), Adoptable Storage is disabled at the firmware level, in which case only manual editing of the fstab file via root access will help.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but allows you to transfer even those applications that are usually blocked by the system.

You'll need:

• 🔹 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 🔹 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔹 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified.
3. Run a port command (replace package.name to the application package name, such as com.whatsapp): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the application package. SD-default-card.
4. To transfer an already installed application: adb shell pm move-package package.name

To get it back, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

(where 0 is internal memory, 1 is automatic choice, and 2 is external memory).

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g, MIUI Launcher or Security cannot be ported even through the ADB. Trying to do this can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device.

Install App Inspector from Play Market or use it ADB-team:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, for Facebook, type "facebook" into grep.

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Method 4: Transfer through third-party applications (without root)

If previous methods have failed, you can try the specialized tools from Google Play, which do not give a 100% guarantee, but sometimes help to transfer at least some of the data.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 🔹 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Analyzes which applications can be ported and offers optimal settings.
• 🔹 Link2SD — Creates symbolic links (requires root for full functionality).
• 🔹 Files by Google – has a built-in memory manager with the function of cleaning the cache and transferring media files.

Example of AppMgr III:

1. Install the application and give it access to the storage.
2. In the main menu, select Transfer to SD-map.
3. Check the boxes of the applications you want to transfer.
4. Click Transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Restrictions of third-party utilities:

• 🔸 Cannot carry system applications.
• 🔸 Part of the data (e.g, OBB-Game files remain in internal memory.
• 🔸 On some firmware MIUI Applications can “fly” after rebooting.

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Third-party utilities only work with applications that initially support portability, and they do not circumvent the limitations of MIUI, but only automate the process.

Method 5: Manual file transfer (for advanced users)

If you can’t migrate the application itself, you can manually move its data (cache, media, downloaded files) without freeing up a lot of space, but it will help to clear the internal memory of unnecessary files.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Open the Internal Storage → Android → Data folder.
3. Find a folder with the name of the application package (for example, com.instagram.android).
4. Copy it on. SD-map → data.
5. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
6. Create a symbolic link (root or terminal required): -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/data/com.instagram.android /sdcard/Android/data/com.instagram.android (substitute XXXX-XXXX on ID yours SD-map).

This method doesn’t work for all applications, such as WhatsApp blocking the transfer of its Databases folder because it contains encrypted messages, but for games (like Genshin Impact) or streaming services (like Spotify), it can free up several gigabytes.

⚠️ Note: Manually moving files without creating symbolic links will result in data loss the next time you update the application. -s Specialized tools like FolderMount.

What do you do if nothing works?

If none of the methods worked, radical measures remain:

• 🔹 Root rights: Magisk or SuperSU can unlock full access to the system and manually edit configuration files, but this is insecure and can disrupt the operation of the system. MIUI.
• 🔹 Install custom firmware: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience has no restrictions on porting applications, but installing them requires unlocking the bootloader.
• 🔹 Cleaning the system: Use the built-in Cleanup utility in MIUI application SD Maid to delete unnecessary files, cache and duplicates.
• 🔹 Cloud storage: Move media files (photos, videos) to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, and music to Spotify or Yandex Music.

If you decide on root or custom firmware, consider the risks:

• 🔸 Loss of warranty (for official devices).
• 🔸 Possible bugs in the camera operation, NFC or wireless modules.
• 🔸 Difficulties with updates MIUI (You'll have to hand-write).

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map