How to correctly switch to a memory card in the Xiaomi phone: instructions with nuances

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with a modest 32 or 64 GB. The solution to the problem often lies on the surface - transferring data to a microSD memory card. limiting MIUI It's not like you need to format the drive properly. Not all users know that it's easy to insert. SD-The map is not enough - you need to properly configure its use.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways of transferring data to an external drive: from standard functions. MIUI You will learn how to migrate apps (yes, it is possible despite the limitations of Android), photos, music and documents, and how to avoid common mistakes. 2023–2026 years MIUI 14/15, where the algorithm has changed compared to older firmware versions.

Why Xiaomi is restricting memory cards?

Many users wonder why Xiaomi does not allow free porting of applications to the Internet. SD-It's a map, like it was in older versions of Android, and it's because of Google's policies and the file system. MIUI:

• 🔒 Data security: Android restricts writing to external drives to prevent malicious applications from accessing system files.
• ⚡ Productivity: SD-cards (especially class) A1 or lower) are slower than the internal memory UFS/eMMC, What can slow down applications.
• 📱 Optimization MIUI: Xiaomi firmware uses internal memory for caching and background processes, which speeds up the system.

However, the limitations are not absolute. MIUI 14/15 The function "Adoptable Storage" was created, which allows you to combine the internal memory. SD-But this mode has its pitfalls, which we'll talk about below.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is a portable storage device (without formatting for internal memory), so you can only transfer media files and documents to it.

Preparation of a memory card: selection and formatting

Before you can transfer data, you have to prepare the map correctly, and that depends on whether you can use it for applications or just for file storage.

Selection criteria SD-maps for Xiaomi:

• 📌 Speed class: Minimum A1 (for applications, better A2 or UHS-I U3 speed-record.
• 💾 Size: 64 GB (32 GB may not be enough to expand internal memory).
• 🏷️ Brand: Preference give to SanDisk, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas – Optimized for Mobile.

After buying the card, you need to format. Xiaomi has two options:

1. Portable storage – the card is used as a removable disk (can be retrieved and connected to other devices).
2. Internal storage – the card becomes part of the system (you can’t retrieve without losing data, but you can port applications).

To format the card as an internal memory:

1. Put it in. SD-card to slot (if it is hybrid, you will have to choose between the second one) SIM memory-card).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Click "Format as internal" and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal storage, the card cannot be read on a PC or other phone without completely erasing the data, and it will be encrypted, and when the phone is reset to factory settings, all data on it will be deleted.

Method 1: Transfer files (photos, videos, music) to SD-map

If you format your card as a portable storage, you can manually or automatically transfer media files, a method that works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13.

Manual transfer through the file manager:

1. Open the Files app (or any other file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the Internal Storage folder and find the files you want to transfer (for example, DCIM for photos or Download for downloads).
3. Select files, click Move and select a memory card (SD Card) as your destination.

Automatic transfer through camera settings:

• 📷 Open the "Camera" appendix".
• Press on. ⚙️ "Settings" → "Warehouse".
• Select Memory Card – now all new photos and videos will be saved to SD.

For music and documents, you can use a similar approach or set up default saves in the relevant apps (e.g., Google Play Music or WPS Office).

Method 2: Transfer applications to SD-map (with limitations)

Unlike files, transfer applications to SD-A map in Xiaomi is not always possible:

• 📱 Phone models: On some devices (e.g, POCO F5) Available on other platforms (e.g. Redmi) 10A) — no.
• 🔧 Versions MIUI: V MIUI 12 and newer application transfer is often blocked.
• 🛠️ Application Types: System Applications and some games (e.g, PUBG Mobile cannot be moved.

How to check the possibility of transfer:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. If there is a "Storage" item" → "Change, so the transfer is possible.

If there is no option, you can try to circumvent the restrictions:

• 🔄 Use the card as internal memory (see the Formatting section).
• 🛠️ Install the annex on SD through ADB (power-user).

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD This can cause them to slow down, especially if the class card is A1 Also, some applications (for example, banking) may refuse to work with an external drive.

Method 3: Use SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

Adoptable Storage (or "Expand internal memory") MIUI) combine SD-This is a map with the main storage:

• 📲 Install applications directly on the map (the system decides where to place them).
• 🔄 Automatically transfer some data to an external storage device.
• 💾 Increase the total memory for cache and temporary files.

How to activate the mode:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Click "Format as internal" and confirm the action.
4. After formatting, select "Move Data" (optional).

Pros and cons of the method:

This is the best way to use Xiaomi Redmi. 9A, POCO M4 Pro and other budget models with limited memory. However, on flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) it is better to use it. SD-card as a portable storage, so as not to lose productivity.

💡

If after formatting as internal memory, the phone began to slow down, try to transfer only heavy games and media files to the map, leaving system applications in the internal memory.

Solving problems when working with a memory card

Even after the correct setting with SD-There may be problems with the map. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

1.The phone doesn't see the memory card

• 🔌 Restart the device – sometimes a simple reboot helps.
• 🔄 Remove and insert the card again (check if the slot is not contaminated).
• 🛠️ Format the map on PC in format FAT32 ExFAT (if not formatted for internal memory).

2.The card is defined as damaged

• 🚨 Try scanning it for errors on your PC (use chkdsk on Windows).
• 🔄 If the card is old, replace it – they have a limited resource of records.

3. Applications are not portable to SD

• 📱 Check if your Xiaomi model supports this feature (in the case of the MIUI 14/15 It's often offline).
• 🔧 Try formatting the card as an internal memory (see section above).

4. Slow operation of applications with SD-map

• ⚡ Buy a class card A2 or UHS-I U3 — They are optimized for applications.
• 📉 Only transfer heavy games to the map, and leave system applications in internal memory.

💡

If the memory card is no longer defined after the MIUI update, try resetting your phone to factory settings (don't forget to make a backup!).

Alternative ways to free up memory in Xiaomi

If the transfer is SD-The card does not solve the problem of memory shortage, consider additional methods:

1. Clearing cache and unnecessary files

• 🧹 Use the built-in Cleanup utility (Settings) → Memory. → Clean up).
• 🗑️ Remove the app cache manually: Settings → Annexes → Management → Clear the cache.

2. Transfer data to the cloud

• ☁️ Set up automatic photo uploads in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📁 Transfer documents to Google Drive or Yandex Drive.

3.Use of OTG-accumulator

• 🔌 Connect the flash drive through OTG-Adapter and transfer rarely used files to it.
• 💾 Automatic mounting can be configured for permanent use OTG vault.

Systemic debris disposal

• 🛠️ Install the app SD Maid (root rights required) for deep cleaning.
• 🔍 Check Download, Bluetooth and DCIM/.thumbnails — There's a lot of garbage in there.

These methods will help free up extra gigabytes, even if you’re already using them. SD-map.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cards in Xiaomi