How to transfer the game to a memory card on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a shortage of internal memory after installing several heavy apps. This is especially true for fans of mobile games, which can take up tens of gigabytes. Standard storage capacity of 64 or 128 GB may not be enough for comfortable operation of the system and installation of the desired software.

Fortunately, most current models support microSD card installation, which allows you to expand the available space. However, just inserting the drive is not enough, you need to properly configure the system so that it transfers application data to that place. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of working with external storage on the shell of MIUI and HyperOS.

We're going to look at not only standard portability techniques, but also advanced ways that power users can use, and you'll learn why some games don't work from a flash drive and how to get around those limitations.

Preparation of memory card and device

Before you start any data manipulation, you need to make sure your equipment is ready to go. 3D-Read and write speeds directly affect level load times and app stability.

It is recommended to use cards of the standard Class 10 or higher, labeled UHS-I or UHS-II. Slow drives can cause "freezes" and long downloads, which will spoil the experience of the gameplay.

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Use memory cards with a capacity of no more than 256 GB for maximum compatibility with Xiaomi smartphones of the medium and budget segments.

Insert the card into the slot of the device. Modern models use a combined tray, so you have to choose between the second one. SIM-After physical installation, the system must automatically identify a new drive.

• 🔍 Check if the map is displayed in the Settings section" →"The phone" →"Warehouse".
• 💾 Format the card in an internal format if you plan to store only personal files, or leave it as a portable storage.
• 📂 Create a separate folder for games so you don’t get confused in files.

⚠️ Note: Formatting a memory card completely erases all data on it. be sure to back up important photos and documents before starting the procedure.

Basic storage configuration in MIUI and HyperOS

The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have their own memory management algorithms; by default, the system can only use the card to store media, photos and music; and to move games there, it often requires changing priorities or using special features.

Go to the storage settings. Here you will see the space distribution between system files, applications and media. If the map is installed, it will be displayed as a separate block. Click on it to see the available actions.

Some firmware versions have the "Use as internal storage" feature, which allows the system to consider the card as part of the system partition, but once this feature is activated, the card is encrypted and cannot be read on other devices without re-formatting.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → Memory.
• 🔄 Click on your name. SD-maps.
• ⚙️ Select "Format" and follow the instructions on the screen.

Once formatted, the system will suggest moving some of the data, agree if you want to automatically free up space, but for games, this method is not always effective, since many developers block installation on external drives.

Transferring games through system settings

The standard way to move apps is available in the program management menu, and it doesn't work for all games, but it's worth trying first, because it's the most secure and doesn't require root rights.

Open a list of all the apps installed. Find the game you want and click on it. In the app information menu that opens, look for the memory or storage button.

If the game supports portability, you will see the Change or Move button. SD-Click on it and select an external drive, and the system will copy the files itself and change the paths to them.

It's important to understand that even after the transfer, some files will remain in internal memory, which is necessary for the Android system to work properly and to run applications quickly.

Using a File Manager for Cache

Many heavyweight games, such as PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty, store the bulk of data (cache) in separate folders. These files can be moved manually using the built-in file manager.

Open the Explorer or Files app. You need to find the folder that contains the name of the game, which is usually located on the Android/data path or at the root of internal memory. Copy the cache folder to the memory card.

Once you copy, delete the original folder from your internal memory. Now start the game. Some games will find the files in the new location when they start, others may require you to manually specify the path to the data in the settings.

• 📂 Find the file. OBB Data or the root of internal memory.
• ✂️ Cut out the folder with your game name (e.g. com.tencent.ig).
• 💾 Insert it in a similar directory on a memory card.

This is a method that requires care, and if you mix folders or delete folders, you'll have to download the game again, and you'll always back up before you manipulate the system directories.

Advanced methods and working with paths

For power users, there are more sophisticated methods to circumvent system constraints, one of which is to create symbolic links, which requires root rights and custom software installation.

The idea is that we physically transfer files to a map, but tell the system they're in the old place, and we use the terminal and the ln-s commands to do that.

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




ln -s /storage/sdcard1/Android/data/com.game.folder /data/data/com.game.folder

Executing these commands requires precision, and a syntax error can cause an application to fail or even a device to reboot cyclically, and use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

⚠️ Note: Getting root rights (through Magisk or other utilities) will void the device warranty and may disrupt the operation of banking applications and services Google Pay.

There are also helper apps like Link2SD or App2SD that automate the link building process, but on newer versions of Android, their functionality is often limited due to increased security.

Addressing common problems

Users often experience errors in the transfer process, such as not starting the game, giving a "lack of space" error, or requiring re-loading of resources, most often the problem is access rights or card speed.

If the game stopped working after the transfer, try to return the files to their place. Perhaps the memory card is too slow to stream textures in real time, in which case it is worth considering buying a faster drive.

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The speed of the memory card is critical for open-world games, and a slow map will cause twitching images and long loads of locations.

Another common problem is that the system automatically returns files back to internal memory when an app is updated, a behavior that is embedded in the logic of how Google Play and some app stores work.

• 🚫 Application Not Installed Error: Check the file system format of the card (should be exFAT or FAT32).
• 🐌 The game slows down: the memory card does not cope with the speed of reading, try to clear the cache or reduce the graphics settings.
• 📉 Fast discharge: Constant work with a memory card can increase the power consumption of the processor.

In some cases, cleaning the app store cache helps. Go to the Google Play or Mi GetApps settings, select Storage and click Clear Cache. Then try running the installation or update again.

Optimization and care of the memory card

To keep the games on hold for a long time, the memory card needs to be taken care of. Flash memory has a limited resource of overwriting cycles. Active play, constantly keeping progress and updating the cache, quickly wears the drive.

It is recommended to check the card every few months for errors, there is a check feature in the storage settings, and you should not fill the card completely - leave 10-15% free space for the file system to function normally.

Regularly delete old, unused games. Cache files can take up gigabytes even after you delete the program itself. Use the built-in cleaning tools in Xiaomi's Security app.

Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to efficiently use external memory and enjoy your favorite games without constant notifications of space shortage.