How to set up the installation of applications on SD-map 6A: full guide 2026

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 6A often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is used as the main smartphone for installing instant messengers, games and multimedia. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in MIUI This process has nuances: not all applications support portability, and some methods require root rights or ADB-In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to set up the installation of applications on an external drive, from standard Android features to advanced tricks for power users.

Redmi 6A

Android 8.1 Oreo

MIUI 10/11/12

1. Preparation SD-maps: formatting and class selection

Before transferring applications, it is necessary to prepare correctly SD-map. Redmi. 6A It supports memory cards up to 256 GB, but not only the size but also the speed class is critical to install applications:

  • πŸ“Œ Class class 10 (UHS-I) β€” It's a must for stable applications. 4/6 can cause lag.
  • πŸ”„ Format exFAT/FAT32 β€” MIUI It will automatically offer to format the card as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage), but this mode has limitations.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Original card – cheap fakes are often not recognized by the system as removable drives.

To check the speed SD-maps, use the app A1 SD Bench (available on Google Play) If the write speed is below 10MB/s, the card is not suitable for installing applications. Also note that once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be retrieved without losing data, the system encrypts it for a specific device.

πŸ“Š What's the volume? SD-You use the cards in Redmi. 6A?
16-32GB
64GB
128GB
256GB
I don't use it.

2. Standard method: setup via MIUI

The easiest way to migrate applications is to use the built-in MIUI features, but it doesn't work for all applications. Here's how to do this:

  1. Put it in. SD-card to slot (microSD up to 256 GB is supported).
  2. Go to Settings. β†’ Warehouse.
  3. Tap on point. SD-map and select Storage Settings.
  4. Click Format as internal memory (all data will be deleted!).
  5. After formatting, go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  6. Select the application you want to transfer and click Storage β†’ Change. β†’ SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps support portability, such as WhatsApp, Facebook and system utilities will remain in internal memory, and some apps may run slower after portability, depending on speed. SD-map.

Insert SD-class-file+

Make a backup copy of data from the card

Formatting as an internal memory

Reboot the phone after formatting

Check the available space in the settings-->

3. Transfer applications via ADB (without root)

If the standard method does not work, you can use it. ADB-Android Debug Bridge, which doesn't require root rights, but it requires a computer and enabled debugging. USB.

First, turn on the Developer Mode:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ The phone.
  2. Slip on the MIUI version 7 times until you become a developer.
  3. Back to Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers.
  4. Activate Debugging on USB.

Now connect Redmi 6A to your PC, install ADB Tools (you can download from the official Android website) and execute the commands:

adb shell


sm list-disks




sm partition disk:179,64 mixed 50

The last team will break SD-Two-part card: 50 percent internal memory and 50 percent removable. Replace 179.64 with your drive ID (you'll find out after sm list-disks).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you are not sure about the commands, use the standard portability method.

What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Make sure that Xiaomi drivers are installed (download Mi). PC Suite from the official website. Try another one. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi) Include in the developer settings the item "Allow debugging by USB (Safe Mode)" Restart your phone and PC.

4. Annexes that can and cannot be moved

Not all applications support the transfer to SD-The table below shows the popular programs and their compatibility with this feature in Redmi. 6A:

AnnexIs transfer possible?Notes
WhatsApp❌ No.It requires internal memory to work with media files.
Telegramβœ… Yes.It is partially transferred (the cache remains in the internal memory).
Facebook❌ No.Blocks the transfer due to security policy.
Google Mapsβœ… Yes.The cards can be saved on SD-hand-write.
Games (PUBG, Free Fire)⚠️ Partially.The main files remain in the internal memory, but the cache can be transferred.

Apps with Android Instant Apps (such as some games from Google Play) cannot be migrated to the Internet SD-It's also impossible to move system utilities (MIUI Security, Google Play Services).

Alternative methods: Link2SD and App2SD (require root)

If you're ready to get root rights, you can use applications like Link2SD or App2SD, which allow you to port even programs that are blocked by the system.

  • πŸ”“ Loss of warranty (Xiaomi does not support root devices).
  • πŸ› οΈ The ability to β€œbrick” the phone with the wrong actions.
  • πŸ”„ Magisk needs regular security updates.

Instructions for Link2SD:

  1. Set root rights through Magisk.
  2. Download Link2SD from Google Play.
  3. Select the file system ext2/ext3/ext4 second-part SD-map.
  4. Restart your phone and transfer applications through the Link2SD interface.

⚠️ Note: After obtaining root rights, some functions MIUI (For example, Mi Cloud or Find Device may stop working, and banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) often block access on rooted devices.

πŸ’‘

Before you get root, make a full backup via TWRP or MIUI Backup, which will help you recover data when you crash.

6.Memory optimization without application portability

If porting apps isn’t possible or doesn’t solve the problem, try alternative ways to free up space:

  • 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the cache. It can release until 1-3 GB.
  • πŸ“‚ Media transfer: Photos, videos and music can be manually moved to SD-map.
  • πŸ”„ Cloud Storage: Use Google Photos (up to 15GB free) or Mi Cloud (5GB for Xiaomi).
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Removing duplicates: Apps like Files by Google find unnecessary files.

You can also disable preloading updates: go to Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system β†’ Settings (βš™οΈ) β†’ Autoload updates and turn it off. This will save you up to 500MB per month.

πŸ’‘

Regular cache cleaning and media file transfer often solves the memory shortage problem without the risks associated with porting applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map

Can I transfer WhatsApp to WhatsApp? SD-map 6A?
No, WhatsApp blocks the transfer to external drives due to security policy. However, you can: Move media files (photos, videos) manually through Settings β†’ Storage β†’ WhatsApp β†’ Data Management. Use GBWhatsApp (an informal client), but this violates WhatsApp rules and can lead to a ban of the account.
Why After the Application Is Transferred to SD-The map is slower?
This is due to the speed of reading/write. SD-Even a class 10 (UHS-I) slower than the internal memory of eMMC 5.1 in Redmi 6A. Solutions: Use the maps UHS-II (If the slot supports it, don't tolerate games with high performance requirements (like Call of Duty Mobile) Clear the cache of ported applications more often.
How do I get applications back into internal memory?
Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management, select the desired application and click Storage β†’ Change β†’ Internal Memory. If the option is inactive, uninstall and reinstall the application.
Can I use it? SD-The card as internal memory on two devices?
No. Once formatted as internal memory, the card is encrypted for a specific Redmi 6A. If you insert it into another phone, the data will not be available. To use the card on another device, it must be formatted again (all data will be deleted).
Why? MIUI not offering to format SD-map as an internal memory?
Possible reasons: The card is too slow (grade below 10). The card is damaged or fake (check with A1 SD Bench). The phone already uses another card as internal memory (only one can be used). The MIUI update resets β€” try restarting the phone. Solution: try formatting the card on a PC in FAT32, then paste it back into the phone.