How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 7A: 3 proven ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7A often face a shortage of internal memory — only 16 GB (of which about 10-12 GB are available to the user). Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system stubbornly issues a notification “Memory is full”, blocking the installation of new applications. The solution seems obvious: transfer programs to a microSD card. But here users are waiting for an unpleasant surprise — in MIUI this feature is either hidden or works with restrictions.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to transfer applications to SD-map 7A, including official Android settings, workarounds ADB, And alternative methods like creating internal storage from a flash drive, and explain why some apps (like WhatsApp or Google Play Store) are fundamentally unmovable, and what to do in such cases.

Important: Redmi 7A runs on Android 9 Pie with MIUI 10/11, where Google and Xiaomi have tightened security policies. Methods that worked on older versions of Android (like App2SD) are often useless here.

Why at Redmi? 7A You can't just move the app to the SD-map?

Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage, the ability to format a memory card as internal storage, thereby expanding the memory of the smartphone. However, in MIUI, this feature is either disabled or does not work correctly.

• 🔒 Security policy MIUI: Xiaomi blocks the portability of system and some user applications to avoid failures in the extraction SD-map.
• 📱 Android 9 Pie Architecture: Apps that use Android OBB-files (such as games) do not support external media transfer.
• 💾 Type of File System: Maps FAT32 They do not support file sizes >4GB, and exFAT may not be readable by some apps.
• 🔄 Productivity: SD-Cards (especially Class Class Class Classes) 4/6) They work slower than the internal memory, which leads to lags.

In addition, many applications (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, bank clients) explicitly prohibit SD porting in their AndroidManifest.xml. Trying to circumvent this restriction through ADB or root rights can lead to the crash of the application or lock the account (as in the case of Sberbank Online).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card as a portable storage (not internal), the transferred applications will stop working after the card is removed or the device is rebooted.

Method 1: Officially ported through Android settings (not working for all apps)

The easiest way is to use the built-in Android feature, but in MIUI 10/11, it's not available for all apps.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If there is a button Change or Move to SD-If you don't have a button, it won't work.

This method has critical limitations:

• 🚫 It does not work for system applications (Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher and others.).
• 🚫 Many games, for example, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty are blocking the transfer due to the OBB-file.
• 🚫 After transferring some data (cache, settings) can remain in internal memory.

An example of successful portability: apps like VK, Yandex.Maps or 2GIS often support this feature, but WhatsApp or Google Photos do not.

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If you don't have a port button in your settings, you can try forcefully moving the application over the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires connecting the smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install. ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
• 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on the Redmi 7A: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).

Step 2: Transfer commands:

1. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Find out the package name of the application (for example, for Telegram it is org.telegram.messenger): adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword word" For example: adb shell pm list packages | grep "telegram".
4. Move the app to SD-map: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 Then: adb shell pm move-package org.telegram.messenger Replace org.telegram.messenger in the name of your package.

Possible errors and solutions:

⚠️ Note: After transfer through ADB Some applications may freeze when you start up or lose data when you restart.We recommend first migrating unnecessary applications (for example, Duolingo or Stepmer) for the test.

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If the pm move-package command doesn't work, try an alternative: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 && adb shell cmd package install-existing org.telegram.messenger. This sometimes works for stubborn applications.

Method 3: Use SD-The card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage)

If previous methods have not worked, you can combine them. SD-It's a radical way to do this, but it gives you maximum freedom. The important thing is that after this procedure, you can't retrieve the card without losing the data, it becomes tethered to the phone.

Step 1: Preparation of the map:

• 📤 Make a backup copy of all data with SD-The maps will be completely formatted.
• 🔄 Use the class map 10 (UHS-I) not less 32 GB (optimum) 64–128 GB). Class cards 4/6 They'll slow down the system.
• 📱 Put the card in Redmi. 7A.

Step 2: Formatting as an internal repository:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
3. Click Format as internal.
4. Confirm the action. It'll take 5-10 minutes.
5. After formatting, select Transfer Data to move photos, videos, and some apps to the map.

Pros and cons of the method:

• ✅ Applications are installed on the card automatically (if the developer allows).
• ✅ Free up to 50-70% of internal memory.
• ❌ The map cannot be extracted; it becomes part of the system.
• ❌ If the card breaks, the phone may stop loading.
• ❌ Speed is lower than that of internal memory (especially noticeable in games).

Alternative methods: what to do if nothing works?

If none of these methods worked, consider alternative options:

• 🧹 Cache and garbage cleanup: Use the built-in Cleanup utility in Settings → Storage or application SD Maid (requires root rights).
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos to Google Photos, files to Yandex.Disk or Mega.
• 🔄 Media transfer: Music, video and documents can be manually moved to SD-map.
• 📦 Removal of System Applications: With the ADB Root rights can remove unnecessary services MIUI (For example, Mi Video, Mi Music).
• 🛠️ Ruth-Right. + Link2SD: If there is a root app Link2SD It allows you to link applications to a memory card, but it is risky (you can lose the warranty).

Example of optimization without transfer:

If you have Facebook installed, it can weigh 500MB+ just by cache.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Facebook → Storage.
2. Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: Sign Out!).
3. Turn off Auto Update in Google Play for this app.

This will free up 300-800MB without the risk of failure.

Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map 7A?

Even with root rights or ADB, some apps are fundamentally untransferable. Here's the full list:

For such applications, the only options are:

• 🗑️ Clean cache regularly (for example, on WhatsApp: Settings) → Warehouse → Clean up).
• ☁️ Use cloud backups (e.g., Telegram chats can be exported to the cloud).
• 📥 Remove and reinstall the application when there is a lack of memory (inconvenient, but it works).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When transferring applications to SD-mapping 7A They often have typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

⚠️ Warning: If the app stops opening after the transfer, don't rush to delete it! Try: Reboot the phone. Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps. Put it back in your internal memory. If nothing works, delete it and re-install it.

Error 1: “Not enough space on the device” after transfer

Reason: Part of the application data is left in internal memory (for example, cache or other data). OBB-Files: Decision:

• Use SD Maid or Files by Google to search for large files.
• Transfer media files (photos, videos) manually to SD-map.

Error 2: Memory card is not defined after formatting as internal storage

Reason: file system incompatibility or formatting failure.

• Reformat the card to your PC in FAT32 (via SD Formatter).
• Try another card (preferably SanDisk or Samsung Class 10).

Error 3: Apps are crumbling after rebooting

Reason: SD-The card is too slow (class) 4/6) Or it's connected to portable storage:

• Buy a UHS-I card (such as SanDisk Ultra A1).
• Format the card as an internal storage (mode 3).

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If after all the manipulations, the memory still runs out, consider buying a Redmi 7A with a large storage capacity (32 GB) or switching to a newer model (for example, the Redmi 9A with 64 GB).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions