How to transfer applications to SD-map 7A: full-length guide MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 7A — One of the most popular budget smartphones with limited internal memory (16/32 Owners often face a lack of space to install new applications, and the logical solution is to use the app. SD-The map is an additional storage unit. MIUI (Even in current versions, there is no standard "set on" function. SD" In this article, we'll look at all the working ways, from formatting a map as an internal drive to workarounds through the system. ADB and third-party utilities.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 7A runs on Android 9 Pie (MIUI 10/11/12), where Google has restricted the ability to port apps to SD for security reasons. Manufacturers including Xiaomi are further blocking this feature in their shells. But there is a way out – and we’ll look at it from all sides, including the hidden settings of the developer and ADB teams that work on this model.

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

Unlike older versions of Android (up to 6.0), which had the option of “Move to SD” in the settings of each application, modern systems use a different approach:

• 🔹 Adoptable Storage - Formatting SD-Cards as part of internal memory (not working on all devices and has limitations).
• 🔹 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi blocks the transfer of applications to SD Manually, even if Android allows it.
• 🔹 Productivity: SD-Cards (especially Class 10) are slower than internal memory, which can slow down applications.
• 🔹 Security: Android bans applications from installing on removable media due to the risk of data loss.

The Redmi 7A is more complicated by the fact that:

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 10-12 Android 9 Pie doesn’t support force-adoptable for everyone SD-Even after formatting as an internal drive, some apps (such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services) will refuse to be ported.

Method 1: Formatting SD-card-based

This is the official method from Google, which is partly powered by Redmi. 7A. Essence: SD-The card becomes an extension of the internal memory, and the system can install applications on it automatically:

1. Backup: All files from the card will be deleted!
2. Card Class: UHS-I (U1/U3) or Class 10 is recommended for acceptable speed.
3. Device binding: Once formatted, the card will not be read on another smartphone or PC without formatting.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-map 7A.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory.
3. Tap by name. SD-map → Settings (three dots in the upper right corner) → Storage settings.
4. Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
5. Confirm the action. The system will suggest that you move the data, you agree.

After formatting:

• 📌 New applications will be installed on SD Automatically (if the developer allows).
• 📌 Older apps can be manually transferred: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A After this method, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may start to slow down. SD-maps compared to eMMC.

Class of card not lower than 10 (U1/U3)

The card volume is not less than 32 GB (optimally 64+ GB)

Backup of all files from the card was made

Battery charge >50% (process takes 5-15 minutes)

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Method 2: Transfer applications over ADB (without root)

If formatting as internal memory didn’t work, you can try to force SD installation through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without root rights, but you need to:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi 7A: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times)
2. Enable USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type in: adb devices (you should display your device).
5. Run the command to allow installation on SD: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (this forcibly sets external storage as the default location).
6. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot:

• 📲 New applications will be installed on SD-map.
• 🔄 Older apps can be manually transferred through Settings → Annexes.

⚠️ Note: The pm set-install-location 2 command may cause errors in some applications (e.g., banking or other applications). DRM-If the application does not work after transfer, return it to internal memory.

💡

After the team ADB Applications are still installed in internal memory, try formatting first. SD-card as an internal drive (Method 1) and then apply ADB-It increases the chances of success.

Method 3: Manually move cache and application data

If the transfer of the applications themselves (.apk) is not possible, you can free up space by moving their data:

• 🎮 Game cache (files) OBB, Data).
• 📷 Media files (photos, video from the gallery).
• 📄 Downloads and documents.

How to do this:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Go to the Android/obb folder, where additional game files (such as PUBG or Call of Duty) are stored.
3. Copy folders with game names on SD-map (e.g. in the /SDCard/Android/obb).
4. Remove the original folders from your internal memory.
5. Start the game – it must download files from SD.

For media files:

• 📸 Use Google Photos to automatically upload photos to the cloud and delete them from your device.
• 🎵 Move the music to the folder SDCard/Music File Manager (for example, Mi File Manager).

Method 4: Use of root rights and specialized utilities

If previous methods didn't work, the last option is to get root rights and use utilities like Link2SD or App2SD.

• 🔓 Loss of warranty: Xiaomi cancels warranty if root is detected.
• 🛡️ Security Risk: Root Opens up System Files for Viruses.
• 🔄 Instability: Some Functions MIUI They may stop working.

If you are ready for this, follow the instructions:

1. Unlock the Redmi 7A bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install Link2SD from the Play Market and follow the application’s instructions for porting applications.

Advantages of this method:

• 📈 Any application can be moved, including system applications.
• 🔧 Flexible settings (e.g., transfer only part of data).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A s MIUI 12+ After receiving root, Mi Account (Xiaomi account) may stop working, as well as some features like Game Turbo or Second Space.

Alternative solutions: how to make room without SD-map

If the transfer to SD failed or the card did not work, try these methods:

• 🧹 Cache cleanup: Settings → Memory. → Clear cache (can release 1–3 GB).
• 🗑️ Removing unnecessary files: Settings → Memory. → Files. → Unnecessary files
• ☁️ Cloud storage: transfer photos/video to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk.
• 📦 Lite versions of applications: use lightweight versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔄 Limitation of background activity: Settings → Battery → Choice of applications → Limit background activity

For games:

• 🎮 Remove unused games or their cache through Settings → Annexes → [play-name] → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🖥️ Play through cloud services (Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce) NOW), Not to store games locally.

Clearing the cache|Transfer of files to SD|Removing unnecessary applications|Using the clouds.|I'm not doing anything, I've got enough memory.-->

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-map 7A Users are faced with typical problems:

If after the transfer the application stopped working:

1. Check if it supports installation on SD (information is available on the app page in the Play Market).
2. Clear the app cache: Settings → Apps → [name] → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Put it back in your inner memory.

💡

On the Xiaomi Redmi 7A, the most reliable way to port applications is to combine SD formatting as internal memory + ADB pm set-install-location 2. This works for 70-80% of applications without root rights.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions