Owners of the popular budget smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4X often face a lack of free space in internal memory. Despite the fact that the device came to market as an affordable solution with good characteristics, modern Android applications have become much “heavier” and require more resources to install and operate. Standard 16 or 32 gigabytes, of which the system is available even less, critically not enough for comfortable use of instant messengers, navigation and social networks.
Fortunately, the Snapdragon 435 processor architecture and MIUI shell optimization are partly responsible for this problem. Transferring data to an external drive is not just a copy of files, but a complex procedure that affects system partitions. In this article, we will examine all the available methods, from standard settings to advanced root rights manipulation, which will help free precious megabytes.
It’s worth noting that some programs may change speeds, with a Class 10 or UHS-I memory card running slower than a smartphone’s built-in flash module, but for storing photos, music and heavy gaming cache, this method remains the only way to save when the built-in storage is overcrowded.
Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work
Before you start transferring data, you need to make sure that the drive is serviceable and compatible. Xiaomi Redmi 4X supports microSD cards up to 128 gigabytes, although many users successfully use 256 GB. It is critical that the card has a high write speed, otherwise the system interface may start to slow down when accessing files.
Insert the card into a slot compatible with one of the SIM-Once the device is turned on, the system will suggest formatting the drive. Choose "Use as a portable storage" if you plan to move the card to other devices often, or "Use as internal memory" if you want to integrate it into the system as much as possible. The second option is preferable for installing applications, but it will encrypt the data so that the map will no longer be read on other devices without formatting.
It is recommended to pre-copy all important data from the card to the computer, as the formatting process will completely destroy existing information. Also make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 40-50% to avoid accidental shutdown at a critical time of writing system tables.
- 📱 Make sure the memory card is inserted correctly and is identified in the Settings menu → The phone. → Warehouse.
- 🗑️ Back up important files as formatting will delete all content.
- ⚡ Check the speed of writing the card using test programs on the PC before installing it on the phone.
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Use memory cards only from proven brands (Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston). Cheap counterparts often have real capacity 10 times less than claimed, resulting in data loss and errors when installing applications.
Standard Application Transfers through MIUI Settings
The MIUI shell on the Xiaomi Redmi 4X has a built-in memory management mechanism that allows you to move some applications to an external medium. This method is the most secure and does not require superuser rights. However, it is worth noting that not all programs support this feature due to the limitations of the Android operating system itself.
To start, go to the settings menu and find the section responsible for installed programs. Here you will need to find a specific application that takes up a lot of space and check the availability of the port function. If the button is active, the system will move the main files of the program to the map, leaving a minimum set of data in internal memory for proper start-up.
Importantly, system applications and some critical Google services are not portable, and this is done to ensure that the device is stable, and if you try to force them to move, it can lead to cyclical reboots or interface errors.
- 📂 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 🔍 Choose a heavy app (such as a game or social network).
- 📤 Click the “Move” or “Change” button in the storage section if it is active.
⚠️ Warning: After transferring the application to the memory card, the widget or shortcut of the program may temporarily disappear from the desktop. MIUI.
Adoptable Storage (Inner Memory)
Since Android 6.0, the system has introduced Adoptable Storage, which allows you to combine internal memory and microSD card into a single space. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is often hidden by manufacturers, but on Redmi, this feature is often hidden by the manufacturers. 4X It can be activated through a hidden engineering menu or ADB-This turns a normal flash drive into a full system partition.
Activating this feature requires caution. The system will format the card in the ext4 or f2fs file system, after which it will become an integral part of the smartphone. All new applications will try to install on this expanded volume by default, which solves the problem of space shortage dramatically.
However, this method has a significant disadvantage - a decrease in the overall speed of the device, if the memory card is not in the top class of speeds, and it will be impossible to extract such a card without losing data and disrupting the application without re-formatting and reinstalling programs.
- 🔧 Connect the phone to the computer with debugging enabled USB.
- 💻 Enter the adb shell sm list-disks command for identification disk.
- 🚀 Execute adb shell sm partition disk:XXX private to create partition.
Risks of using Adoptable Storage
Advanced Method: Root and Link2SD Rights
For users who aren’t afraid to experiment, the best solution is to get root rights and use specialized software like Link2SD, which allows you to create symbolic links, tricking the system into thinking that the application is in internal memory, even though it is physically located on the map.
The process requires installing an ext2, ext3 or ext4 file system on the second partition of the memory card. Xiaomi Redmi 4X does this perfectly thanks to the stable operation of the kernel. Once the partitions are created, Link2SD automatically prompts you to move the system libraries (dalvik-cache) and application data, freeing up to 90% of the internal space.
Using root rights removes most of the restrictions imposed by the manufacturer and Google, you can freeze unnecessary system applications, remove MIUI advertising modules and manage autoload, which will further speed up the device.
adb shell
su
pm setInstallLocation 2⚠️ Note: Getting root rights (via Magisk or SuperSU) will void the warranty and may disrupt the banking applications and services of Google Pay.
☑️ Checklist before obtaining Root rights
Cleaning cache and junk files
Even after transferring applications to a memory card, internal storage continues to fill with temporary files, messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp store thousands of thumbnails of images and videos in internal memory, ignoring the SD card settings for the main cache.
Regularly cleaning this data helps keep Xiaomi Redmi 4X running. The built-in Cleanup tool in MIUI works superficially, so it’s better to use file managers with access to system folders, such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer, for deep analysis.
And you should pay special attention to Android/data and Android/obb folders, which store game cache and app data, and if you delete the game but those folders are still there, they continue to take up gigabytes of space, and you can safely remove them manually if you're sure the app is no longer needed.
Comparison of data transfer methods
The method you choose depends on your goals and your level of training. Standard transfer is safe but ineffective. Adoptable Storage is convenient but risky for the card. Root method gives you complete control, but it is difficult to set up. Below is a table to help you decide on your choice.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (MIUI) | Low. | Low. | Absent. |
| Adoptable Storage | Medium | Tall. | Depreciation of the map |
| Root + Link2SD | Tall. | Maximum | Loss of guarantee |
| Clearing the cache | Low. | Medium | Resetting application settings |
To sum up, the Xiaomi Redmi 4X is still a great device if you manage its memory correctly, and the combination of a quality memory card and the right software allows you to extend the life of this smartphone for several years.
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The most reliable way to free up space is by combining the transfer of media files to the SD-map and regular manual cleaning of messenger cache folders, not just transferring the applications themselves.