How to find and install a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 8: a step-by-step guide

The memory card slot in Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the last things users often look for when faced with a lack of internal memory. Despite the fact that the model was released in 2019, its hybrid tray for the first time is a very useful device for the first time. SIM-The cards still raise questions: where exactly is the slot for the extraction, how not to damage the mechanism when installing a microSD, and why the phone sometimes “does not see” a new card. This article will help you understand all the nuances – from the physical location of the slot to the software settings that may be required after installation.

It is important to understand that Redmi 8 supports memory cards up to 512 GB (officially stated up to 256 GB, but tests show compatibility with more capacious media). SIM-So you have to choose between cards and microSD, and we're going to show you how to allocate resources optimally to keep the connection and expand the memory.

If you have never opened the door for SIM-If you are afraid to break the latch, don’t worry: the design of the Redmi 8 is designed to minimize the risks. But there are a few critical issues that the manufacturer is silent about, such as why the card may not be decided immediately after installation or how to format it correctly for Android.

Where is the memory card slot in Redmi 8 physically located?

In Xiaomi Redmi 8 slot for memory card is combined with a tray for SIM-It's on the left side of the case (if you look at the screen with the front side), which is a typical solution for most Xiaomi smartphones of the period:

• 🔍 Take the phone in your right hand with the screen to you - the slot will be under the thumb.
• 📏 Retreat approximately 1-1.5 cm from the lower edge of the body upwards.
• 🕳️ You will see a small hole (about 1 mm in diameter) – it is a slit to extract the tray.

The tray is structurally made of metal and plastic, and its mechanism is held by a spring. The phone comes with a special key-clip (if lost, an unbended stationery clip or a thin needle will fit). Importantly, do not use sharp objects (knives, toothpicks) so as not to damage the sealing ring, which protects the slot from dust and moisture (Redmi 8 has IP53 protection).

If you first remove the tray, be prepared for the fact that it may "snag." This is not a failure: often the spring is too tight. In this case, gently swing the key in the hole left and right without putting too much effort. If the tray does not come out even after 3-4 attempts, do not press harder - you better contact the service center, so as not to break the mechanism.

Types of supported memory cards and their features

Xiaomi Redmi 8 officially supports microSD memory cards (including microSDHC and microSDXC) with a maximum announced volume of 256 GB. However, user tests show that the phone recognizes and cards at 512 GB, but with reservations:

For stable work, it is better to choose cards marked UHS-I (U1 or U3) - they provide a recording speed of at least 10 MB / s, which is critical for recording video in Full HD. C4 or C6 cards can slow down when working with heavy applications or shooting video.

Important: Redmi 8 does not support adoptable storage, which means you can’t transfer system applications or data to a microSD, but you can store:

• 📷 Photos and videos (including backups of Google Photos)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts
• 🎮 Data from certain games (if the developer has provided such an opportunity)
• 📄 Documents and downloads from the browser

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Before buying a memory card, check it for authenticity with H2testw (Windows) or F3 (Linux/macOS).

Step-by-step: how to insert a memory card in Redmi 8

Installing a microSD in Xiaomi Redmi 8 requires care, especially if you’re doing it for the first time.

1. Turn off your phone. This is not necessary, but it is recommended to avoid failures in card recognition.
2. Take a key-clip (or replacement) and insert it into the hole on the left face before clicking. The tray should extend 2-3 mm.
3. Carefully pull the tray over and remove it completely. Don't make any effort -- if it doesn't go, check if the spring is caught.
4. Put the tray on a flat surface with the contacts upwards. You'll see three slots: 📱 The top two are for nano-SIM (slot 1 and slot 2). 💾 Lower - for microSD (marked with the memory card icon).

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Put the tray back on the phone to the point. Make sure it sits flat, and skewedness can lead to poor contact.

After switching on the phone, a notification will appear “New”. SD-Take your time to format it, first check if all files are copied (if the card has been used before:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🧹 Gently wipe the contacts of the card and slot with a dry soft cloth (without alcohol!).
• 🔧 Try another card to rule out hardware malfunction.

Setup of the memory card after installation

When Redmi 8 recognizes a new memory card, the system will offer two use cases:

1. Portable storage – the card will be used as a removable drive (photo, music, documents).
2. Internal Storage – Android will offer formatting the card as part of the system (but Redmi 8 doesn’t support this mode, so the option will be inactive).

Select Portable Storage and click Ready.

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Tap your name. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB»).
3. From the menu, select “Format” (if the card is new) or “Transfer data” (to move the photo/video from internal memory).

To automatically save photos and videos to a memory card:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ «Settings» → «Preservation site».
3. Choose «SD-map».

If you want to use the card to install applications (despite the limitations of Redmi 8), you can use the workaround:

• 📲 Install the app App2SD Google Play.
• 🔗 In the application settings, select the option “Move to” SD» for supported programmes.
• ⚠️ Note that this can slow down applications, as microSD read speeds are lower than internal memory.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with the right memory card installation in Xiaomi Redmi 8, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If the card starts to warm up or run out quickly after installing the card, remove it immediately, which may indicate that the card is incompatible with the memory controller or that it is physically damaged.

Particular attention should be paid to the message «SD-The card was deleted incorrectly. It appears if you extract the card without first "Safe Retrieval." To avoid data loss:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on the card name → «Extract».
3. Wait for the “Safely Removed” notification before you physically delete it.

If the card is no longer defined after the MIUI update, try resetting the storage settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap on. ⋮ (three-point) → «Reset the settings».
3. Select “Storage Settings” and confirm the reset.

How to transfer data to a memory card without losing quality

You can transfer files from internal memory to microSD in Redmi 8 in several ways, the easiest way is through a standard File Manager:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the “Internal Storage” section.
3. Select files (press your finger on the file → mark the rest).
4. Tap "Move» → choose «SD-map» → destination.

To transfer photos and videos from the gallery:

1. Open the Gallery» → select the album.
2. Tap "Edit" (pencil) → highlight the files.
3. Press "More» (⋮) → «Move it» → «SD-map».

If you need to transfer the cache of apps (such as offline maps Google Maps or Spotify music), do so through the settings of the apps themselves:

• 🗺️ Google Maps: “Offline Maps» → select a map → «Settings» → «Move it to SD».
• 🎶 Spotify: "Settings» → «Warehouse» → «Download folder» → point the way SD.

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Do not transfer files of system applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram data) to the memory card, which can cause malfunctions in their work, since the microSD has a lower read/write speed than internal memory.

For mass data transfer, it is convenient to use a PC:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your computer via USB-cable.
2. In the phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. On the PC, open "This computer» → Find the Redmi 8 device and SD-map.
4. Drag files with the mouse or use the Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V combination.

Alternative ways to expand memory if microSD is not suitable

If for some reason you can’t or don’t want to use a memory card in Redmi 8, consider alternative storage expansion options:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: Google Drive (15 GB free) Yandex Drive (10 GB free) Mi Cloud (5 GB free for Xiaomi users) Plus: data is available from any device. Minus: requires the Internet and can slow down when the signal is weak.
• 🖥️ USB-OTG Related: Redmi 8 supports OTG (USB On-The-Go, so you can connect the flash drive via an adapter USB-C → USB-A. Read/write speeds will be faster than microSD, but the media is less compact.
• 📱 Wi-Fi File Transfer: Use applications like Send Anywhere or Xender to wirelessly transfer files between devices.

If you’re critically short on app memory and microSD doesn’t help (due to Redmi 8 limitations), try:

1. Clear the cache: Settings → Apps → Select the app → Clear the cache.
2. Remove unnecessary APK-Files via File Manager (Download folder).
3. Disable autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

For advanced users, there is a radical way to partition internal memory using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty.

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true


adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This procedure can cause complete data loss or a “bricking” of the phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Memory Card Questions in Redmi 8