How to transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 proven ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 sooner or later face a lack of internal memory - especially if the smartphone is used for games, social networks or storing photos. SD-The map seems like an obvious solution, but in reality the process is complicated by limitations. MIUI Unlike older versions of the system, where the feature was available out of the box, it is now either hidden or selectively operated.

This article will help you understand which applications can be transferred to the memory card in Redmi 9 and which can not, and why. We will look at 3 working methods: through system settings, using ADB and third-party utilities. It is important to understand that not all programs support portability – it depends on the developer and version of Android (in Redmi 9 it is Android 10/11 with the shell of MIUI 12-14).

If you have already tried to migrate applications and received the message "Can not be moved to the SD-Do not be too desperate, but often the problem is solved by the proper preparation of the drive or using alternative methods, and for those who are planning to buy a memory card, we have prepared recommendations for choosing the right option for the Redmi 9.

Why Redmi 9 can’t be used to transfer all applications to the SD-map

Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage – the ability to format. SD-However, manufacturers like Xiaomi often block or restrict this feature in their shells. In Redmi 9, you will face two key limitations:

1. Application Developer Policy: Many programs (especially games and instant messengers) explicitly prohibit transfer to external drives through the AndroidManifest.xml manifest. For example, WhatsApp, Telegram or PUBG Mobile will never offer the option of transfer – their data must remain in internal memory for security and performance.

2. MIUI Limitations. Even if the application technically supports portability, the Xiaomi shell can hide this option. For example, in MIUI 12 for Redmi 9, the function is only available for some applications, and in MIUI 14 it could be removed from the interface altogether.

In addition, it is worth considering the technical nuances:

• 🔹 Speed of operation. Class memory cards. UHS-I or A1/A2 They are faster, but they still lose the built-in eMMC memory. 5.1 redmi 9. Portable applications can be launched longer.
• 🔹 Security, data SD-It is easier to steal or damage the card (for example, when retrieving the card while the program is running).
• 🔹 Fragmentation: Frequent recording/deleting of files on the map causes wear and deceleration.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card as a portable storage (rather than as part of internal memory), the transferred applications will stop working after the card is removed or connected to another device.

Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting and Selection of File System

Before you can port applications, you need to properly prepare the memory card. Redmi 9 supports two modes of operation. SD-map:

1. Portable storage: The card is used as a removable drive (photo, music, documents) and cannot be moved to it.
2. Internal memory – the card is formatted as part of the system (Adoptable Storage), in which case you can transfer applications, but the card will no longer be used in other devices without full formatting.

You need the second option to migrate applications, but before formatting, consider:

• 📱 All data on the map will be deleted.
• 🔄 The card cannot be removed without resetting the phone settings.
• ⚡ Recommended class of card — A2 or UHS-I U3 (For example, SanDisk Extreme, Samsung EVO Cheap class cards C10 will slow down.

To format the card as an internal memory:

1. Put it in. SD-Redmi 9 slot card (up to 512 GB cards supported).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Press "Configure" → "Internal memory".
4. Confirm the formatting (the process will take 1-3 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be read on a PC without special utilities (e.g. DiskInternals Linux Reader) and some applications (e.g. banking) may refuse to work with transferred data for security reasons.

💡

If you don't have an app port option after formatting the card as internal memory, restart the phone. Sometimes MIUI requires a restart to apply the changes.

Method 1: Transfer applications through MIUI settings (official method)

This is the easiest way, but it doesn't work for all applications. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 on Redmi 9:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2. Select the app you want to migrate (e.g. Facebook or Spotify).

3.Push "Storage" → "Modify" (or "Move to" SD-map").

4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (may take up to several minutes).

If there is no "Transfer" button, it means:

• 🚫 The application does not support portability (see list below).
• 🔄 The memory card is not formatted as internal.
• 📱 The phone has custom firmware without support function.

Example of applications that can be transferred in a standard way:

The card is formatted as internal memory.|The application supports transfer (there is a button in the settings)|There is enough free space on the map (minimum 1.5).× size)|Phone connected to charging (process can drain battery)-->

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system which apps to port, which requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Download. ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 In the phone, activate the “Developer Mode”: go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on "Version" MIUI".
• 🔧 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include "Debugging by" USB".

Step 2: Connect and Commands

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).

2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows) and go to the folder with ADB.

3. Enter the commands in turn:

adb devices

(Serial number device should appear)

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

(This will force the system to install applications on the default SD-map)

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

(Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the desired application, such as com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

Step 3: Checking

After completing the commands, restart the phone and check if the application has moved through Settings → Memory.

⚠️ Note: Some applications after transfer through ADB They may stop updating through Google Play, and then they'll have to come back or manually install updates (APK-file).

Method 3: Third-party utilities (AppMgr III, Link2SD)

If the first two methods don’t work, you can try the specialized apps from Google Play, which don’t guarantee 100% results, but sometimes help bypass the limitations of MIUI.

1. AppMgr III (App 2 SD)

• 📌 Pros: Simple interface, shows which applications can be ported.
• 📌 Cons: Does not work with system applications, requires root rights for full functionality.

Instructions:

1. Install AppMgr III from Google Play.

2. Open the application and select the "Permanent" tab.

3. Click on the application and select "Move to" SD-map".

2. Link2SD

• 📌 Pros: Can create symbolic links to transfer some data.
• 📌 Cons: Requires root and is more difficult to set up.

Instructions:

1. Install Link2SD.

2. provide root access (if any).

3. Select the application → “Create a link” → specify data to transfer (for example, cache or libraries).

Important: Most utilities require that SD-The card was formatted as internal memory, and some antiviruses (such as Avast) can block the transfer of suspicious applications.

💡

Third-party utilities cannot bypass the limitations set by the app developer. If the program explicitly prohibits portability (for example, games with protection), no software will help.

What to do if the application is not portable or is unstable

Even after a successful transfer, you may face problems:

• 🔄 App crashes: Try clearing the cache (Settings) → Annexes → Clear the cache).
• 📱 No notifications: Move the app back to internal memory or turn off battery optimization for it.
• 🔒 Not working after the update: Updates through Google Play automatically return the application to internal memory.

If the app is not portable at all, try:

1. Remove and re-install it (sometimes helps).
2. Use ADB with the pm move-package command (see Method 2).
3. Check if the app settings have an option called “Light Version” (for example, Facebook Lite is often easier to port).

For games (e.g. Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact) transfer to SD-The card is not recommended - they will slow down or give out errors due to low read/write speed:

• 🎮 Transfer only the game cache (via Settings) → Memory. → Application data).
• 🗑️ Clean up unnecessary files regularly (for example, through Files by Google).

How to Free Memory on Redmi 9 Without Porting Applications

If the transfer is SD-The card is not helpful or impossible, try alternative ways to vacate the space:

• 📸 Optimize your photos and videos: Enable "Compress Photos" in your camera settings. Use Google Photos to automatically back up and delete originals.
• 🧹 Clear the cache: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. Use utilities like CCleaner or SD Maid.
• 📦 Delete unnecessary files: Check the Download folder – unnecessary files often accumulate there APK Remove old updates (Settings) → Memory. → System files).

You can also disable pre-installed applications that cannot be removed:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an unnecessary system app (such as Mi Video or Mi Music).
3. Click Disable (this will remove the updates and hide the program, but won’t free up much space).

If there is a critically low amount of free memory (less than 500 MB), the phone will start to close the background processes on its own, which will lead to brakes.

• 🔄 Transfer media files to SD-map.
• 🛒 Buy a larger memory card (recommended 128 GB class) A2).

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map 9