How to transfer data to a memory card in Xiaomi: photos, videos and applications

Saving data to an external memory card in Xiaomi smartphones is a pressing task for users with limited internal storage. Even models with 128 GB of memory quickly fill up with high-resolution photos, 4K video and app cache. Fortunately, MIUI firmware provides flexible tools for working with microSD, but not all functions are available out of the box. In this article, we will examine the official and hidden ways of transferring data, including restrictions for different types of files and shell versions.

It is important to understand that the capabilities of the memory card depend on its speed class (UHS-I/UHS-II) format (FAT32/exFAT/NTFS). For example, video recording. 8K requires a card marked V90 or A2, Otherwise, the smartphone may give the error "Not enough speed." Also on Xiaomi with Android 11+ Google has restrictions on the portability of applications – more about this in the relevant section.

If you’re just planning on buying a card, look for the SanDisk Extreme Pro or Samsung EVO Plus models – they’re optimized to work with Xiaomi and have passed MIUI 14 compatibility tests. Older devices (like the Redmi Note 5) may need to format the card manually via PC.

Preparation of a memory card: formatting and verification

Before setting up the storage memory card must be formatted in a file system compatible with Xiaomi. by default, the system offers FAT32, but files larger than 4 GB (for example, 4K video) will require exFAT.

To check the current file system:

1. Put the card in your smartphone.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
3. Click Format and select exFAT (recommended) or FAT32.

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If the smartphone doesn't see the card after formatting, remove it and repaint it, sometimes rebooting the device helps.

For Android 9 and lower devices (like Redmi 6), you may need to format via PC using the SD Card Formatter utility from the SD Association, which ensures that sectors are aligned correctly, which is especially important for cards with 256 GB or more.

• 🔍 Speed Check: Use the App A1 SD Bench for reading/write speed testing. Minimum requirements 4K-Video: 30MB/s recording.
• ⚠️ Beware of counterfeits: Cards with labels C10 Check the serial number on the manufacturer's website.
• 📱 Compatibility: Xiaomi devices support cards up to 2TB, but for models up to 2019 (for example, Mi 8) the maximum volume is 512GB.

2. Configure the saving of photos and videos on the memory card

By default, Xiaomi's camera saves media files to internal memory. To change this:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (settings) in the upper corner.
3. Select a Retention Site → Memory map.
4. Confirm your choice and restart the camera.

On some models (e.g. Poco X3 Pro), the path may be different: Camera settings → Additional → Storage → SD Card. If the option is inactive, check that the card is formatted as portable storage (not as internal).

Map formatted in exFAT|Free ≥20% of the map space |In camera settings selected "Memory card" |Tested recording speed (for 4K)

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Critical feature: When shooting in HEIF format (used by default on new models), the card must support exFAT. Otherwise, the files will be saved to JPEG with loss of quality.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ when shooting in Pro mode (RAW) The memory card can automatically switch to internal storage, due to Android's limitations on large files (>1 GB) on external media.

3. Transfer of applications to a memory card: limitations and workarounds

With Android 9, Google banned porting apps to a memory card as “internal storage,” but Xiaomi has partial features:

• 📱 MIUI 12 and below: You can transfer some applications through Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Change.
• 🚫 MIUI 13+: The option is blocked for most apps (except for some games via Game Turbo).
• 🔧 A workaround: Use the card as a portable storage and manually move the cache through the file manager.

For root-access devices, you can use the App2SD app, but that requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk. Without root, the only working way is to force the application data to be stored on the map via ADB:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install new applications on the memory card by default, but it does not work for system applications and can cause errors on some models (for example, Redmi 10).

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to the class map A1 It's going to lead to a lot of lags, and it's going to require a card marked to work properly. A2 (For example, SanDisk Ultra A2).

I keep photos and videos | Application portability | Backup | Other | Do not use-->

4. Automatic backup to memory card

Xiaomi offers a built-in backup feature that can save data to a memory card to configure autosave:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the storage location → memory card.
3. Activate Automatic Backup and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).

Backup includes contacts, SMS, call log, system settings, data from some applications, but not saved: Wi-Fi passwords, Google Account data, and application files (such as Telegram cache).

For full backup, it is recommended to use third-party applications such as Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup. They allow you to save application data and system settings to the memory card in encrypted form.

5. Optimization of work with a memory card: cache and temporary files

Many apps (e.g. YouTube, Netflix) allow you to save cache to the memory card.

• 🎥 YouTube: Settings → Background reproduction → Saved videos → Memory. → Map. SD.
• 📺 Netflix: App settings → Video preservation → Memory of the device → Map. SD.
• 🎵 Spotify: Requires manual folder transfer Android/data/com.spotify.music/files via file manager.

To clean the application cache stored on the map:

1. Open the Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
2. Select Clear Cache (available only for applications that support external storage).

Devices with MIUI 14 have a Deep Clean feature that analyzes unnecessary files on the memory card, but it can delete temporary game files (such as Genshin Impact), so check the list of deleted data before cleaning.

⚠️ Note: When you remove a memory card while recording a cache (for example, when downloading a YouTube Premium video), the files may become corrupted. Always use the Safe Retrieval feature in the notification curtain.

6. Solving memory card problems on Xiaomi

If your smartphone doesn’t see the card or if it says “Memory Card is damaged,” follow these steps:

1. Reboot: Remove the card, restart the device and insert it again.
2. PC Check: Connect the card to your computer via a card reader and run chkdsk /f [disk letter]: in the Windows command line.
3. Formatting: If the data is not critical, format the card in exFAT via your smartphone.
4. Replacement card: If errors are repeated, the card may be physically damaged (especially if it is heated frequently).

For the error "Memory card is slow" (appears when shooting 4K):

• Check the speed class of the card (should be U3 or V30+).
• Turn off the shooting in HEVC (camera settings → video format → select MP4).
• Clear the camera cache in Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage.

If the card is defined as “read only”, the reason may be:

• 🔒 Write Protection: Check the physical switch on the card adapter.
• 🦠 Virus: Scan the card with an antivirus (e.g. Malwarebytes).
• 📉 Cell wear: Cards after 10,000 write/erase cycles go into read-only mode».

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If the memory card stopped being determined after the MIUI update, try rolling back the firmware or resetting the storage settings to Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting the storage settings.

7. Alternative ways to use a memory card

In addition to standard file storage, Xiaomi memory card can be used to:

• 🎮 Installations of games: Some games (such as Call of Duty Mobile) allow you to save additional data (≥2 GB to the map via game settings.
• 📁 Encrypted Storage: Applications like Cryptomator create encrypted containers on a memory card.
• 📡 File sharing over Wi-Fi Direct: The card can serve as a flash drive for transferring files between devices without the Internet.
• 📱 Custom firmware installations: The memory card is used to store.zip files when running through the firmware TWRP.

For supportive devices OTG (for example, Xiaomi 12T) The memory card can be connected via the adapter simultaneously with other USB-However, in this case, the read/write speed can decrease by 20-30%.

On Black Shark models, the memory card can be used to expand memory in games through Shark Space, which allows you to download textures of high-resolution games without taking up internal storage.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cards in Xiaomi