Owners of the popular model Redmi Note 9S Often face a lack of built-in storage, especially if the basic version of the device is selected at 64 gigabytes. MIUI They occupy a significant amount of space, leaving the user with a limited amount of space to install applications and store media files. The built-in memory allocation mechanism does not always effectively use the free space on the inserted space. SD-The card, leaving the internal memory overflowing.
Fortunately, there is a technical possibility to force the physical memory of a flash card to be combined with the system partition of a device, a process known as Adoptable Storage that allows the system to perceive an external drive as an integral part of internal memory. However, on the MIUI shell, this feature is often hidden or limited by the manufacturer, requiring deeper interference with settings via the computer.
This operation requires care and strict follow-up to the instructions, as all data on the map will be irretrievably deleted. Before starting any manipulation, you must make sure that the memory card is healthy and that there is a stable connection to the computer. ADB irreversible and transform SD-a card to the system partition that cannot be used on other devices without re-formatting.
Preparation of equipment and software
The first step is to prepare a high-quality external drive, since the speed of the entire system after the combination will depend on the characteristics of the card. For the Redmi Note 9S, it is recommended to use cards of the UHS-I standard or higher with a speed class of at least 10. Cheap cards of unknown brands can cause unstable smartphone operation, interface freezes and data loss.
The second important component is a Windows, macOS or Linux computer that needs to be installed with drivers and debugging tools, and you need to download the Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot) from the official Android developer website, and you can't interact with the phone's file system at a low level without it.
⚠️ Note: Use of the original USB-Cheap cables may not provide a stable connection, which will interrupt the formatting process and possibly damage the file table of the map.
You also need to activate the developer mode on the smartphone itself. To do this, go to the Settings menu → About the phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Once you notice that you have become a developer, a new debugging menu will appear in the advanced settings.
- 📱 MicroSD memory card with a volume of 32 GB (speed class) A1/A2 preferably)
- 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot
- 🔌 Original. USB-wire-line
- 🔋 Charge of the smartphone at least 60% to avoid disconnection
Setup of the developer mode and debugging
Once the developer menu is activated, you need to set the connection settings correctly so that the computer can give commands to the phone. Go to Settings → Additional settings → For developers. Find Debugging on USB and activate it with a slider.
When you first connect to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen, and you'll check the box "Always Allow from this computer" and click "OK." If you don't, the ADB command won't be executed, and the process will stop at the authorization stage.
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If your computer can’t see your phone, try installing Xiaomi drivers. USB Driver separately or use another USB-port, preferably USB 2.0.
In some versions MIUI It is also necessary to include the paragraph “Install through USB» and “Debugging by USB (only security settings...” Insert may be required to activate the latter SIM-cards with active mobile Internet to confirm identity through your Mi Account.
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave your phone unattended during settings. If the screen goes out and locks on, connect to the phone. ADB It may break and the team will have to repeat.
Memory integration process through ADB
Now, to the main technical part, connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable, and open the command line or terminal in the ADB tool folder. Enter the adb device command to check the connection. If done correctly, you'll see the device serial number and device status.
To start the process of formatting the memory card as internal memory, a special command is used. Enter the following line in the terminal: adb shell sm partition public,0:169.0.3 mixed 50. The number at the end indicates the percentage ratio: 50% of the card will become internal memory, and 50% will remain removable for files.
☑️ Pre-formatting verification
If you want to use 100% of the card volume to expand the system, replace the last number with 100: adb shell sm partition public,0:169.0.3 private 100. Once you enter the command, a request for formatting confirmation may appear on the phone screen - agree with it. The process will take from 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the storage volume.
- 🔄 Open the command line in the folder ADB
- 📡 Enter Adb devices and confirm access on the screen
- 💾 Run the sm partition command with the desired parameters
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed and the system restarted
Table of parameters of formatting commands
Understanding the syntax of commands allows for flexible memory partition management, and the following are the main ways to use the sm partition command for different use cases.
| Parameter of the team | Description of action | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| private 100 | The whole map becomes an internal memory. | Maximum expansion for games and applications |
| mixed 50 | 50/50 separation between system and files | Balance between installation and storage of photos |
| public | Resetting the card to normal storage mode | Return the card for use in the camera or PC |
| private 75 | 75% for the system, 25% for files | For heavy users of applications |
What to do if the team is not executed?
Application portability and work optimization
Once successfully combined, Android will automatically move some of the data and cache of applications to a new partition, but this process can be slow, and you can manually move heavy applications through the program management menu to accelerate.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired program (for example, a navigator or a social network) and click Memory. If the application supports portability, the Move button will be active. Not all programs allow porting to an external drive for security or stability reasons.
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Automated data migration takes time. Don't load your phone with heavy tasks in the first hour after memory is combined, let the system optimize the file structure.
You can use developer mode to force any applications, even those that normally block this feature, and find the option "Allow external storage" and activate it, which will allow you to move almost any software, but remember that such programs can become less stable.
- 🚀 Heavy games are best transferred manually to free the system partition
- 📸 The default camera can continue to write to the internal drive
- 📂 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) require separate path configuration
- 🛑 Do not delete apps immediately after transfer, let the system update the indexes
Return of the card to its original state
If you decide to sell your phone or use the card on another device, it must be returned to standard mode.The data on the card will be deleted, so back up important information to your computer or the cloud in advance.
To return to the Settings menu → The vault, find yours. SD-Select the option "Format" or "Clear internal storage" and the system will warn you of data loss, and once the operation is complete, the card will again become a normal removable media.
⚠️ Note: Formatting the card back to Portable mode will remove all apps installed on it. Make sure you have installation files or access to the Play Market to re-download them.
In some cases, if standard formatting doesn’t work, you can use the ADB command: adb shell sm partition public,0:169.0.3 public. This will completely recreate the filesheet in a compatible FAT32 or exFAT format.
Possible problems and solutions
There are specific problems with combined memory, the most common being slowing down the interface, because microSD cards typically have lower read/write speeds than embedded eMMC or UFS.
Another problem is data loss when power failures or emergency reboots occur, and the file system on the external media is more sensitive to abrupt shutdowns, and back up important documents and photos regularly.
- 🐌 The phone started to run slower – reduce the percentage of internal memory in the formatting command
- ❌ Apps fly out – try to transfer them back to internal memory
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption - background indexing of files on SD-The map requires energy.
- ⚠️ Reading errors – check the card for errors via PC or replace it with a faster one
If the smartphone stopped booting after manipulating partitions, you will need to log in to Recovery mode and completely reset the settings (Wipe Data), which will delete all data from the phone, but restore the system to work.