How to transfer applications to a memory card in a Xiaomi phone: 3 proven ways

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a shortage of internal memory — especially if the device from a budget or medium-range (Redmi Note 10, Poco X3, Mi A3). Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system persistently says: “Memory is full.” The solution seems obvious — to transfer applications to a microSD card, but here users are waiting for pitfalls.

Unlike the “pure” Android, the firmware MIUI It limits the ability to work with external drives. Not all applications support portability, and some begin to malfunction after moving. In this article, we will discuss 3 working ways to transfer applications to the portable device. SD-map in Xiaomi (including models without a slot for a memory card), and also tell you which programs are strictly not allowed to move and why. MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14.

Why Xiaomi can’t just migrate any app to Xiaomi SD-map?

The Case for Android Architecture and Politics MIUI. Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage, the ability to “tether” to the Internet» SD-However, Xiaomi has disabled this feature in its firmware, leaving users only partial solutions:

• 📱 Limited portability: Only a fraction of apps (usually games and instant messengers) support moving to the map through settings.
• 🔒 Data Protection: Google’s system applications and services are blocked from portability for security reasons.
• ⚡ Performance: Class Memory Cards A1/A2 slower-than-integrated memory UFS 2.1/3.0, What can slow down applications.

Moreover, after the transfer, some programs (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may stop sending notifications or synchronizing data, which is because MIUI limits the background activity of applications installed on the external drive.

⚠️ Note: Transferring system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) or Google Play services can result in a cyclical reboot of the phone.

Method 1: Transfer over standard MIUI settings (for supported applications)

This is the safest method, but it only works with programs that the developer has labeled as portable, like moving Facebook, VK, or Genshin Impact, but not Google Chrome or Mi Browser.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the appropriate app (such as Instagram).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, the Change → button will appear, select Memory Card.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5 minutes).

SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage (not internal memory)|

Card size is at least 16 GB (optimally 32-64 GB) |

Class A1 or A2 card (for read/write speed) |

There is enough free space on the map (at least 20% more than the size of the application)

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After the transfer, the application will remain on the menu, but its data will be stored on the menu. SD-But take note:

• 🔄 When you update the app, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 📶 Some functions (such as widgets) may stop working.
• 🚫 If you pull out the memory card, the application will become unavailable.

💡

Before transferring the game (for example, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG) copy the folder Android/obb memory-only SD-This will save traffic when you re-upload additional files.

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

If you don't have portability in your settings, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a computer debugging tool that works even with apps that MIUI blocks to move around, but you need to be careful.

Preparation:

1. Turn on the phone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the item MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Download. ADB-Drivers on PC and connect the phone to USB (Select the File Transfer Mode).

Next, run commands in Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux):

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2 # Set SD- map as default installation location




pm move-package com.example.app # Replace com.example.app with the app package

To find out the application package, use the command:

pm list packages | grep 'keyword word'

For example, for WhatsApp, type grep whatsapp.

⚠️ Note: Transfer system applications (packets start with com.miui. or com.android.) ADB This can cause a loss of warranty and unstable phone operation.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → System system → Backup.

Method 3: Formatting SD-Cards as internal memory (only for older models)

On Xiaomi smartphones with Android 8.0 Oreo and below (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) It was possible to format SD-The map is like internal storage through standard settings. MIUI This option is hidden, but it can be returned by workarounds.

Advantages of the method:

• 📲 Applications are installed on the map by default.
• 🔐 Data is encrypted (like in internal memory).
• 🔄 No restrictions on transfer of system applications.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ The card cannot be used in other devices without formatting.
• ⏳ Application speeds can drop by 30 to 50%.
• 🔧 When you remove the card, the phone will stop loading (if it has critical applications installed).

Instructions for MIUI 9-11:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Tap it on. SD-map → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
4. Choose your internal memory and follow the hints.

For MIUI 12+, you will need to use ADB:

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true


adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

SanDisk Ultra (A1)|

Samsung EVO Plus (A2)|

Kingston Canvas Go! Plus (A2)|

Another (write in the comments)|

I don't use a memory card.-->

What applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Even if it is technically possible to transfer, some programs will not work properly or even start up after the transfer.

• 🔒 System Services: Google Play Services, Miui System, Android System WebView.
• 📱 Launchers: POCO Launcher, Nova Launcher, Standard Launcher MIUI.
• 🔐 Banking applications: SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online (due to security requirements).
• 🎮 Online games with anticheat: Free Fire, Garena RoV, Mobile Legends (can block an account).
• 📧 Email clients: Gmail, Yandex Mail (synchronization issues).

It is especially dangerous to transfer applications that work in the background and use push notifications (messaging, mail, social networks). SD-Notification card can arrive with a delay of up to 10-15 minutes.

What to do if Xiaomi does not have a memory card slot?

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 11, Redmi K40 or Poco F3) are devoid of a microSD slot, leaving alternative ways to free up memory:

1. Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Apps, select a program, and click Clear Cache. For example, on YouTube, the cache can take up to 1-2 GB.
2. Media Transfer: Photos and videos can be automatically saved to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) or to an external one SSD-storage OTG-adapter.
3. Use of the USB-Driver: Connect the flash drive through OTG and set up file storage on it (for example, in FX File Explorer).
4. Removing duplicates: Apps like Files by Google or CCleaner can help you find duplicate files.

For models with UFS 3.0/3.1 (for example, Xiaomi 12 or Redmi K50) It's better not to risk porting apps, but to consider buying a phone with a lot of storage. 128 GB and 256 GB is often all-inclusive 1–2 Thousands of rubles, which is cheaper than buying a high-speed SD-map.

💡

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support memory cards, the best way out is to clean your cache regularly and use cloud storage. USB-storage OTG It is possible but inconvenient for everyday use.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi users are facing typical problems. Let's analyze the most common problems:

If the app stopped updating through Google Play after the transfer, try:

1. Clear the Google Play Market data (Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear data).
2. Remove and reinstall the application.
3. Update Google Play Services manually.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions