How to turn the game into SD-Map in Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Transfer of games to SD-The map in Xiaomi smartphones is a pressing task for owners of devices with limited internal memory. POCO They get stuffed with heavy projects like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, and cleaning up the cache is temporary, but just copying the folder with the game to the memory card is not going to work: Android and the other two. MIUI Restrict direct recording of application data to external media due to security policies.

In this article, we will analyze all working methods of transfer – from standard functions. MIUI bypassing the restrictions ADB We'll talk about the nuances of choice. SD-maps (not all of them will work!), common errors and ways to fix them. MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14, Some of the methods also work on older versions.

Why the games are not transferred to SD-standard-map

Since 2016, Google has tightened its rules for external media in Android, and now apps are installed only in internal memory by default, and porting to SD is blocked at the system level.

• 🔒 Data security: Games and applications can store sensitive information (logins, progress) that can be easily stolen from external media.
• ⚡ Productivity: SD-cards (even class) A2) slower-than-integrated memory UFS 2.2/3.1, resulting in lags.
• 📱 Politics MIUI: Xiaomi has removed the option “Move to” SD" from settings, leaving it only for media files.

But you can get around these limitations. Below are all the ways you can get from simple to complex.

Preparation: what kind SD-play-card

Not every memory card is suitable for installing games, but here are the key requirements:

⚠️ Note: Cheap cards without markings A1/A2 For example, Genshin Impact requires a record speed of at least 40 MB/s, otherwise the texture will be loaded with a delay.

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with H2testw (Windows) or F3 (Linux/macOS).

💡

If the game weighs more than 4 GB (for example, PUBG Mobile or Honor of Kings), format the card in exFAT via phone settings: → Warehouse → SD-map → Formatting as an internal.

Method 1: Transfer over MIUI settings (for supported games)

Some games (usually lightweight) allow you to partially transfer data to the Internet. SD-This is a simple, rootless, no-root approach that's good for beginners.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a game from a list (such as Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer. The system will copy some of the data (usually cache and updated files).

⚠️ Note: This method only carries additional data, not the application itself. The main.apk file will remain in internal memory.

Format SD-map|Create a backup copy of the saves|Battery charge >50%|Turn off optimization MIUI play-->

Method 2: Use of the SD-maps as internal storage

The function "Format as internal" allows you to combine SD-The card with the main memory of the phone, and then the system will install games on it automatically.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-slot card (some Xiaomi models require a nano-SIM adapter).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map → Settings (⋮) → Storage settings.
3. Select Format as Internal → Clean and Format.
4. After formatting, restart the phone.
5. Now, when installing the game, the system will prompt you to choose a storage location (internal memory or SD).

🔹 Pros: games are installed on the map automatically, there is no need for manual transfer.

🔸 Cons:

• 📉 The card is encrypted and works only on this phone.
• ⚡ Read/write speed is lower than that of built-in memory (lags in heavy games).
• 🔄 After the map is removed, the applications will stop working.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the previous methods didn’t work, try Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — a debugging tool that allows you to forcibly transfer the application to SD-This requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Click 7 times on the line with the version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.

USB debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect your phone to your PC and install it. ADB-Drivers (download Platform Tools from Google).
• Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
• Run a port command (replace com.example.game with a game pack, for example com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.example.game

⚠️ Note: Not all games support cross-over ADB. For example, Genshin Impact and Free Fire block this feature at the code level.

💡

The pm set-install-location 2 command is SD-map as the default installation location for new applications. To return settings, use pm set-install-location 0 (internal memory).

Method 4: Applications for forced transfer (without root)

If ADB didn't help, try specialized utilities. They don't require superuser rights, but they can run unstable on newer versions of MIUI.

Top.-3 portability:

• 📲 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — It shows you which games you can migrate, and it does it in one click.
• 🔄 Files by Google – Built-in file manager with cache cleanup and data transfer function.
• 🛠️ Link2SD — Creates symbolic links for transferring games (requires root for full functionality).

Instructions for AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. In the list, find the game (such as Clash Royale) and click Move to SD-map.
4. Confirm action. The application will copy possible data (not always the entire volume).

🔹 Important: Check the game's health after the transfer. Some titles (such as Mobile Legends) may give an error "Files are corrupted.

Method 5: Complete root-right transfer (for advanced)

If you're ready to root, you'll have additional features, such as force-transfer.obb files from games (which typically weigh a few gigabytes) or change the default install path.

What you need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader) on Xiaomi.
• 📱 Installed by Magisk or SuperSU.
• 🛠️ Root Explorer app or app or FX File Explorer.

Instructions:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /data/app (there are installed applications stored).
2. Find a folder with the game (for example, com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact) and copy it to SD-map Android/obb).
3. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
4. Create a symbolic link (symlink) with the command: su ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.game.package /data/app/com.game.package (substitute XXXX-XXXX on ID yours SD-map).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions with root can lead to a "brick" of the device (complete failure). TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

Typical errors and their solutions

When transferring games to SD-And these are the common problems that people have with maps, and the ways that they can be addressed are the most common:

If the game is not fully downloaded after the transfer (for example, Asphalt 9), try:

1. Delete the game and download it again.
2. Transfer only the.obb file (usually in Android/obb).
3. Disable MIUI optimization for playing in the battery settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting games to SD in Xiaomi