How to set up the installation of applications on SD-Map in Xiaomi: all ways 2026

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face a lack of internal memory, especially on budget models with 32-64 GB of storage. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in modern versions. MIUI (12-14) and Android (10-14), which is either hidden or limited, unlike the older versions, where you just clicked on "Move to" SD» In the application settings, a deeper setup is now required.

The problem is compounded by Google’s Android 6.0 ban on the arbitrary porting of apps to external media for security reasons, but Xiaomi has loopholes ranging from formatting the map as an internal drive to using it. ADB-In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including nuances for specific models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro, Mi 11 Lite, etc.).

It's important to understand that not all applications can be ported, system utilities, secure games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) and programs that actively use background processes (Telegram, WhatsApp) most often remain in internal memory, but for the rest of the methods below, they will save up to 50% of space.

Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?

Since 2019, Xiaomi has been consistently removing the “Move to SD” option from the MIUI interface, and the reasons are rooted in three key factors:

1. Google policy: Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the company has imposed strict restrictions on external media. SD-Cards that are slower due to low read/write speeds (especially on class cards) UHS-I instead UFS). In addition, it poses security risks – attackers could have swapped application files through physical access to the card.

Performance: Even SanDisk Extreme Pro cards (read speed 170 MB/s) lose 2 to 3 times to eMMC 5.1 or UFS 2.2 internal memory. When you transfer applications to SD, start-up time increases, device heat increases, and games lags are possible.

3. MIUI fragmentation. Xiaomi supports more than 200 smartphone models, and a universal application porting solution would have led to massive bug complaints. For example, on the Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5 after formatting the SD as an internal drive, users encountered an error "App is not responding" when starting Facebook or Instagram.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI Global Stable (e.g., Global Stable, POCO M3) After upgrading to Android 12, the formatting function SD-It's not a bug, it's a deliberate restriction.

However, there are workarounds, and their effectiveness depends on the version. MIUI, smartphone model and type SD-For example, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 13 works the method through ADB, on the Mi 10T s MIUI 14 – formatting only as an internal drive.

Method 1: Formatting SD-card-based

This is the most reliable method, but it has critical consequences: once formatted, the card cannot be used in other devices (for example, in a camera or on a PC) without being completely cleaned, and all data on it will be deleted, but the system will perceive SD as part of internal memory, and most applications can be transferred without restrictions.

Requirements:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone on Android 8.0-11 (on Android 12)+ function may not be present).
• 💾 SD-class UHS-I U3 or A2 (SanDisk Ultra or Samsung EVO Plus).
• ⚡ Battery charge of at least 50% (formatting process takes 5-15 minutes).

Step-by-step:

1. Put it in. SD-card to your smartphone if you notice "New" SD-map, click Set up.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map (on some models the path: Settings) → Additionally. → Memory).
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
4. Click Format as Internal → Clean and Format.
5. Wait until the process is complete (don't remove the card!) the smartphone will reboot.

After formatting, the system will offer to transfer some data (photos, videos, some applications) to the SD-To manually transfer applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Spotify or VK).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → choose SD-map.

Backup card data | Make sure the card is not fake (check speed via SD Card Tester) | Close all apps using the card (gallery, music players) | Connect your smartphone to charging

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Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It doesn't work on Android. 12+ (into MIUI 13/14 opportunity).
• ❌ The card cannot be removed without resetting the smartphone settings.
• ❌ Some apps (like Google Play Services) will still be in internal memory.

⚠️ Attention: On models POCO F3 redmi K40 post-formatted SD As an internal drive, you can lose access to the function of dual applications (cloning messengers). MIUI 12.5, amended only in MIUI 13.0.5+.

Method 2: Transfer applications over ADB (without SD formatting)

If your smartphone runs on Android 10-14, and the formatting option SD not available, it can be used ADB-This method does not require cleaning the card, but does not work with all applications (for example, you can not transfer WhatsApp or Banking applications).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Google's Platform Tools (download here).
• 🔐 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.

How to find out the package name of the application?

1. Install the App Inspector app on your smartphone (available on Google Play).
2. Open it, find the desired application in the list and copy the value from the Package Name field.

💡

If the pm move-package command returns the error "Failure" [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION]", So the application doesn't support portability. Try another one or use a formatting method. SD internal storage.

Examples of packet names of popular applications:

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work with system applications and games with protection (Call of Duty Mobile, Free Fire).
• ❌ After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• ❌ Nana MIUI 14 requires an additional command adb shell pm set-installed-location 2 before transfer.

Formatting as an internal storage device|ADB-team|Manual transfer through “Settings"|No one knew about these methods.|Another method-->

Method 3: Using Application Managers (without root)

If previous methods didn't work or seemed complicated, you can use third-party utilities. They don't give 100% guarantee, but they help you migrate some applications without ADB or formatting.

1. App Mgr III (App 2 SD)

• 🔹 Shows a list of applications that support transfer.
• 🔹 It works on Android. 5.0–12 (Android 13/14 demand ADB).
• 🔹 Free version with advertising, paid - without restrictions.

2. Files by Google

3. SD Maid (requires root for full functionality)

Instructions for App Mgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. Go to the Movable tab (Permanent).
4. Select the app and press Move to SD.
5. If the button is inactive, the application does not support the transfer.

⚠️ Attention: App Mgr type applications III Often show in the list of portable programs that do not actually support this feature (such as Chrome or Gmail). 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Method 4: Manual transfer of cache and application data

If the app itself cannot be moved, you can free up space by moving its cache and user data (such as downloaded songs to Spotify or maps to Google Maps), which does not require root or ADB, but does not work with all programs.

How to transfer the cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Google Maps).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache (this won’t delete the data, but will free up space).
4. If you have the option to Transfer to SD for data, use it.

Examples of applications that support data transfer:

• 🎵 Spotify (settings) → Memory. → choose SD-map).
• 🗺️ Google Maps (settings) → Offline maps → Storage settings).
• 📷 Google Photos (settings) → Backup and synchronization → Memory of the device).

Important: On Xiaomi models with MIUI 13+ Transfer of Google Maps offline to SD-This is due to Android 12’s security policy, which blocks access to external media for background processes.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do If Applications Are Not Portable?

Even after successful transfer, Xiaomi users face typical problems, including the most common ways to solve them:

1.The application has moved, but is not running

• 🔹 Reason: SD-The card is too slow (class) UHS-I U1 instead U3).
• 🔹 Solution: Buy a card with a marking A2 (for example, Samsung EVO Plus 128GB U3 A2).

2.After the update, the application returned to internal memory

• 🔹 The reason: Google Play defaults to install updates to internal memory.
• 🔹 Solution: After the update, re-transfer it through ADB App Mgr III.

3. you cannot transfer system applications (for example, Mi Video)

• 🔹 Reason: Xiaomi blocks the transfer of pre-installed utilities.

4. SD-The card does not appear as an internal drive after formatting.

• 🔹 Cause: Failure to MIUI card-inconsistent.
• 🔹 Solution: Reboot your smartphone. If it doesn't work, format your card on your PC. FAT32 and repeat the procedure.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to SD in Xiaomi

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The most reliable way to port applications to SD in Xiaomi is to format the card as an internal drive, but it is only suitable for Android 8-11. On new versions (MIUI 13/14) it is better to use ADB or optimize internal memory (cleaning cache, transferring media files).