How to transfer everything to Xiaomi memory card: apps, photos and files

Transferring data to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face when there is a lack of internal memory, POCO Mi and are equipped with drives for 128-256 GB, photos in format RAW, Game cache and updates to system applications quickly fill the available space. MIUI imposes restrictions on the work of SD-- cards, especially after version 12, when the Adoptable Storage feature was removed).

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to transfer data to a memory card in Xiaomi, from standard MIUI tools to application bypass solutions. We will focus on the nuances of formatting, compatibility with different versions of the shell and hidden settings that allow you to bypass the portability restriction of some applications. If you are using the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or older model on MIUI 11, here you will find the current instructions.

Why Xiaomi is limiting data transfer to SD-map?

With the exit. MIUI 12 Xiaomi has abandoned the Adoptable Storage feature SD-The card to the part of internal memory that was available in Android 6-9:

• 🔹 Productivity: SD-cards (even class) A2) They are slower than the built-in memory. UFS 2.2/3.1, brake.
• 🔹 Security: Data on removable media is easier to steal or damage.
• 🔹 Compatibility: Some apps (such as WhatsApp or banking) refuse to work with external memory.

However, the transfer of media files, documents and parts of applications remained possible, and below we will consider what can be moved and how to do it without risking data.

Preparation of a memory card: formatting and class selection

Before transferring data, be sure to check compatibility SD-Xiaomi devices support cards up to 1TB, but there are nuances:

• 📌 For media files (photos, videos, music) a class map is suitable UHS-I (U1/U3) or A1.
• 📌 Applications (if they can be moved) need a class A2 — It provides a minimum recording speed of 4000. IOPS.
• 📌 MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) and microSDXC (64-1024 GB) cards are supported by all models after 2018.

If the card is new, it should be formatted directly in the smartphone:

1. Insert the card into the slot (some POCO and Redmi models require you to turn off the phone).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Choose Format as internal (if you need it for applications) or Format as portable (for files).

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If your smartphone doesn’t see the card, try formatting it on your PC in FAT32 (for cards up to 32 GB) or exFAT (for cards over 64 GB), then reconnect.

⚠️ Warning: Formatting the card as internal memory will bind it to a particular smartphone, and once extracted, the data on it will not be available on other devices without re-formatting.

Transfer of media files (photos, videos, music) to SD-card

This is the easiest way to free up internal memory, and MIUI has a built-in tool for moving files:

1. Open the Files (or Explorer) application.
2. Go to Images, Audio or Video.
3. Select files (long tap → ticks) and click Move.
4. In the list of folders, select the Memory Map and confirm the action.

Automatically save new photos/videos SD-map:

1. Open the camera. → Settings (cogs).
2. Find the item in the save folder or storage.
3. Select a Memory Card (if the option is active).

If you use Google Photos, you don't need to migrate -- the service automatically optimizes the storage, leaving only thumbnails on the device. SD-map.

Transferring applications to a memory card: limitations and workarounds

V MIUI 12-14 cannot be transferred to all applications SD-The cards are only those that support this feature, VK Music often lets you move, but WhatsApp, Google Maps or banking apps don’t.

To check the possibility of transfer:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Spotify).
3. Click Warehouse → Change (if the button is active).
4. Select a Memory Card and confirm.

The memory card is formatted as an internal|Free at least 2 GB per SD-map|Application supports transfer (checked in settings)|Backup of the application data (if important)-->

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-The card can cause them to slow down or automatically delete data when the card is extracted. For example, Spotify can reset downloaded songs, and VK — photocache.

If the Change button is inactive, try the ADB workaround (PC required):

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install new applications on the SD-Default card, however, does not work on all models and may cause errors.

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Even if the application is transferred to SD-The card, some of the data (cache, settings) will still remain in the internal memory.

Automatic file transfer with MIUI Optimizer

V MIUI There is a hidden autoclean feature that can automatically move rarely used files to the SD-To activate the map:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Click on the Cleanup (in the upper right corner).
3. Activate the Autoclean switch.
4. In the autocleaning settings, select Move files to the memory card.

The system will analyze files older than 30 days and suggest them to be moved, with the downside of the method being that not all file types are supported (e.g.,.pdf documents or.zip archives are often ignored).

For more flexible customization, use the Files by Google app:

• 📁 Go to the Cleanup section.
• 📁 Choose to vacate the seat → Move it to SD-map.
• 📁 Mark file types (such as Downloads or Screenshots).

Transferring data over a PC: a reliable but long-term way

If the built-in MIUI tools fail, you can transfer files over your computer, a method that is suitable for large amounts of data (such as backups or movie collections).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🖥️ Card reader for SD-cards (if there is no slot in the PC).
• 🖥️ Total Commander or Windows Explorer.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the internal memory folder on your phone and copy the data you want (e.g. DCIM, Downloads).
3. Put it in. SD-card in the card reader and paste it into the PC.
4. Transfer files to the map (preferably to the appropriate folders: DCIM for photo, Music for audio).
5. Securely remove the card and paste it back into the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Do not copy system folders like Android or MIUI — Also, avoid manually transferring the WhatsApp folder: the messenger may stop seeing media files.

To speed up the process, use archiving:

• 📦 Compress folders to.zip on PC (for example, via WinRAR).
• 📦 Move the archive to SD-map.
• 📦 Unpack it directly on your phone with the help of RAR for Android.

What can't be transferred to SD-map?

Not all data can or should be moved to an external drive, but here is a list of banned and unrecommended files:

Also avoid transferring:

• 🚫 Folders. Android/data and Android/obb — This is a game cache that can get damaged.
• 🚫 Files with.apk extension (installers) – they may not be updated.
• 🚫 Encrypted data (e.g. from Google Drive or Google Drive) 1Password).

If you are critically short of space, consider alternatives:

• 🔄 Cleaning the cache through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage (Google Photos, Yandex Drive).
• 🔧 Reset to factory settings (if internal memory is clogged with garbage).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer to SD-map