How to install applications on a memory card in Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners (including the Redmi and POCO lineups) often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with 32 or 64 GB of storage. One way to solve this problem is to transfer applications to a microSD card. However, in MIUI this feature does not work as clearly as in “pure” Android. Depending on the firmware version and phone model, various methods are available, from standard settings to using ADB or formatting the card as internal storage.

It is important to understand that not all applications can be transferred to the SD-System utilities, Google services and some games (such as those with anti-piracy protection) will remain in internal memory, and the performance of applications on the memory card may be lower due to read/write speed limitations. In this article, we will discuss all working methods, including hidden functions. MIUI, team ADB and nuances of working with cards of different classes (Class) 10, UHS-I, A1/A2).

Why Xiaomi is limiting the installation of applications SD-map?

The manufacturer deliberately complicates the transfer of applications to external drives for several reasons:

• 🔒 Security: Annexes to SD-It is easier to steal or replace cards, especially if the cards are retrieved and used on other devices.
• ⚡ Performance: Even class maps A2 They are slower than the built-in memory. eMMC/UFS, what might cause the lags.
• 📱 Fragmentation MIUI: In different versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 12 vs MIUI 14) the mechanisms of working with memory differ.
• 🛠️ Android technical limitations: Starting with Android 6.0, Google has tightened the rules for external drives, and Xiaomi follows these standards.

However, you can bypass these limitations. Below we will look at methods from the simplest (built-in settings) to advanced (via ADB).

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

This is the easiest method, but it doesn't work on all MIUI models and versions. For example, in the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13, the option may not be available, and in the POCO X3 NFC with MIUI 12.5, it may be available.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. Press the storage (or memory)
4. If the option is available, the button Change or Move to SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Even if the button is active, some applications may not work as well after the transfer, such as Google Maps or banking applications (such as SberBank Online) often refuse to run from an external drive.

Buy an A1/A2 class memory card (SanDisk Extreme or Samsung Pro Endurance is recommended)

Format the card in FAT32/exFAT via your phone (Settings → Storage → Memory Map → Format)

Create a backup of important data from the card (photos, documents)

Charge your phone at least to the minimum. 50% (process 10-30 minute)-->

Method 2: Formatting a memory card as an internal storage device

This method allows us to use SD-card as part of system memory, but has critical flaws:

• 🔄 The card cannot be removed without resetting the phone – it will become “tied” to the device.
• 📉 Application speed may fall by 20-40% (depending on the class of the card).
• 🚨 If the card is damaged, the phone may stop loading.

If you are prepared for these risks, follow the instructions:

1. Insert the card into your phone and go to Settings → Storage.
2. Click on your name. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
3. Select Settings → Format as an internal drive.
4. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes).
5. After formatting, restart the phone.

Important: This method does not work on devices with MIUI 14 and later due to changes in security policy, and it is not available on flagships (Xiaomi 13, Redmi K60) with UFS 3.1/4.0, where the manufacturer blocks the function at the firmware level.

Method 3: Transfer applications over ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting the phone to your computer and knowing the basic commands.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on most Xiaomi models (including Redmi). 9A, POCO M4 Pro).
• ✅ Allows you to transfer even those applications that are blocked in the settings.
• ✅ It does not require formatting the card as an internal storage.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires the inclusion of Developer Mode and Debugging by USB.
• ⚠️ Incorrect commands can disrupt the system.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI It may be necessary to repeat the procedure.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version (you will be notified "You've become a developer").
2. Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on the USB Debugging Switch.

ADB

official website of Android

Win + R → cmd

adb devices

(Your device name should appear. If not, check the drivers or cable.)

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

(This command forces the system to install applications on SD-default-card.)

adb shell pm get-install-location

(Testing: If it comes out with 2 [external], it's all set up correctly.)

⚠️ Note: After these commands are executed, new applications will be installed on the memory card, but already installed will remain in internal memory:

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

(Replace com.example.app with the real app package, which can be found through the App Inspector app or Google Play site, as shown in the page address.)

💡

If the pm move-package command is giving an error, Failure [NOT_MOVED]", Try to first transfer the application through the standard settings MIUI (Even if the button is inactive, repeat the command.

What applications can be transferred to SD-maps and which ones don't?

Not all programs work correctly with external memory, and the following is a compatibility table for popular applications:

If you use Xiaomi with a Snapdragon processor (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G), then games on an A2 memory card may work well, but on budget models with Helio G88 (like the Redmi 10A), lags will be noticeable even in light games.

Errors in transferring applications to SD-map and their solutions

When working with external memory, Xiaomi users often face typical problems.

• 🚫 "Not enough space on the device despite free card: Reason: The application does not support installation on the device SD. Solution: Try it. ADB-The method or release of internal memory.
• 🔄 The app disappears after the card is extracted: Reason: The card is formatted as a portable storage (not internal).Solution: Either format as internal memory or don't retrieve the card.
• ⚡ Phone brakes after transferring applications: Reason: Memory card too slow (Class 4 or Class 10 without) A1). Solution: Buy a card A2 (For example, Samsung Pro Plus).
• 🛑 "Unfortunately, the app stopped": "Cause: Damaged files on the map or incompatibility.Solution: Reinstall the app or format the map.

If none of the methods worked, check:

1. Memory card compatibility with your Xiaomi model (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro does not support cards larger than 256 GB).
2. MIUI updates (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).
3. Integrity of the card file system (use SD Card Formatter from the SD Association).

💡

If you use a memory card as an internal storage device, back up your data regularly, and if you damage your card, your phone may stop loading and it will be difficult to recover the data.

Alternative ways to free up memory in Xiaomi

If the applications are transferred SD-The card didn’t solve the memory problem, consider other methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clean. Click Clear cache of applications (can be released) 1-5 GB).
• ☁️ Transfer media to the cloud: Use Google Photos (up to 15 GB free) or Mi Cloud (5 GB) and enable autoloading photos/video in the app settings.
• 📂 Remove unnecessary files: Files by Google app will help you find duplicates and large files.Remove downloads from Download and old ones APK-file.
• 🔄 Factory reset: The last resort if the phone is full of junk. First back up to Settings → System system → Backup.

Also, you should pay attention to the Lite-version of applications (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite), which take up 2-3 times less space than their “full” counterparts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing applications on SD-map