How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi: 3 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their price-performance ratio, but even the most advanced models face a shortage of internal memory over time. Especially acute problem is in budget devices with 32 or 64 GB of storage, where after installing a dozen applications and a few photos, free space melts before your eyes.

In this article, we will explore all possible ways to free up Redmi’s internal memory, including official methods through system settings, workarounds for stubborn applications, and even radical formatting options. SD-It's important to understand that not all applications can be moved, and some applications can be unstable once they're moved, and we'll explain in detail why this happens and how to minimize the risks.

Before you start the transfer, check two key points: first, yours. SD-The card must be of class 10 (UHS-I) Cheap memory cards often cause lags and crashes, and second, make sure there is enough free space on the map (at least 20% more than the weight of the portable application). If these conditions do not exist, it is better to consider alternative methods of memory release, which we will also mention.

1. Official method: transfer via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI feature to port applications. It works on most Redmi models running MIUI 12/13/14, but there are nuances: not all applications support portability, and some may lose notifications or background synchronization after moving.

To take advantage of this method:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, a button will appear to Move to SD-Change or change (in new versions) MIUI).

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Note: After the transfer, some applications (such as messengers) may stop showing notifications, due to the limitations of Android to work with external drives, the solution is to return the application back to internal memory or use alternative methods (see section 3).

Here is a list of applications that are most often successfully ported without loss of functionality:

• 📱 Social media: Facebook, Instagram, VK (But notices may be missing).
• 🎵 Music players: Spotify, Yandex Music, VLC (The cache stays on the map).
• 📺 Video players: MX Player, Kodi (video files are best stored on the site) SD separately).
• 📖 Readers and offline maps: Google Maps (maps), Moon+ Reader.

2. Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

If the standard transfer does not work or you need to free up as much space as possible, you can take a radical step - formatting. SD-So the system will think of it as part of the main memory, and the applications will be able to install it by default. after extracting the card, the applications will stop working, and the data on it will be encrypted (you can not just connect to another device).

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
4. Click Format as an internal drive (Warning: All data on the map will be erased!).
5. After formatting, select Transfer Data if the system offers.

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Note: This method is not recommended for memory cards with a capacity of less than 64 GB – after formatting, part of the space will be occupied by Android service files. SD-security map.

Comparison of two transfer methods:

3. bypasses: transfer via ADB (for experienced)

If your app doesn’t want to be ported in the standard way, you can try forced porting over the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and working with the command line, but allows you to move even those programs that are usually blocked.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the smartphone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the batch name of the application (for example, for Telegram it is org.telegram.messenger). You can do this through the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name"
5. Move the app to SD-Adb shell pm move-package org.telegram.messenger If the operation is successful, you will see Success.

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Note: Some system applications (such as Google Play Services) cannot be ported, this will cause malfunctions in the smartphone, and after updating the application through the Play Market, it can automatically return to internal memory.

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If the pm move-package command doesn't work, try the alternative method via pm set-install-location 2 (sets). SD-map as the default location for new applications. After installing the desired programs, return the value back to pm set-install-location 0 (internal memory).

4. Alternative ways to free up memory

If porting apps hasn’t solved the problem or your Redmi model doesn’t support this feature, consider other memory optimization methods:

Cleaning cache and unnecessary files

• 🧹 Use the built-in Cleanup utility in Settings → Warehouse.
• 🗑️ Remove the cache of individual applications in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📂 Transfer media files (photos, videos) to SD-hand-card through the conductor.

Use of cloud storage

• ☁️ Set up automatic photo uploads in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📁 Transfer rarely used files to Yandex.Disk or Dropbox.

Disabling pre-installed applications

Many Redmi models come with unnecessary Xiaomi services (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) that cannot be removed completely without root rights, but you can disable:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (this will remove the updates and freeze the program).

5. Why can't some applications be moved?

Not all programs support the transfer to SD-This is due to Android restrictions and developer security policies:

1. Use of widgets or background services

Apps that add widgets to the home screen (like the Weather or Google App) can’t work with the app. SD-The same applies to programs with constant synchronization (messaging, mail clients).

2. Secure data

Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff), payment systems (Google Pay) and some messengers (WhatsApp) store sensitive information that cannot be transferred to external media for security reasons.

3. Android technical limitations

Starting with Android 6.0, Google has tightened the rules for working with SD-Applications can only write data to an external drive in their folder (/Android/data/Application package, which limits its functionality.

4 Manufacturers block the transfer

Some developers (such as Netflix or Fortnite) explicitly prohibit installations on the Internet. SD-Map in the application manifest to prevent piracy or ensure stable operation.

1. Use the Lite version (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main client).

2. Clear the cache and application data more often.

3. Install a similar application that supports portability (e.g. Telegram X instead of the usual Telegram).-->

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When transferring applications to SD-And so, you know, people often have these typical problems, and here are the most common ones and the ways that they can be solved:

Error: “Not enough space on the device” when transferring

Reason: SD-The card may not have enough space for service files (Android reserves) ~10% of the space. Solution: free up an extra 1-2 GB or use a larger card.

Error: The application has moved, but does not start

Reason: The memory card is too slow (class below 10) or damaged.

• Check the card speed with the SD Card Tester (available in the Play Market).
• Format the card in FAT32 or exFAT (not NTFS!).
• Try another card (preferably the original SanDisk or Samsung).

Error: After the update, the application returns to internal memory

The reason is that Google Play defaults to install updates to internal memory.

1. Move the app back to the SD-hand-write.
2. Turn off auto-update for this app in the Play Market.

Error: I don't see the option "Move to" SD-map"

Reason: Your Redmi model may not support portability due to manufacturer or MIUI limitations.

• Update the firmware to the latest version.
• Use the ADB method (Section 3).
• Try formatting the card as an internal drive (Section 2).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions