How to transfer games to SD-Xiaomi Redmi 9: All working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9 — popular budget smartphone with 32/64 GB of internal memory, which is often lacking for modern games. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in MIUI This process is nuanced: not all games support movement, and some methods require additional manipulation. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from standard system functions to workarounds for stubborn applications.

It's important to understand that even after you transfer the game to the memory card, some of the data (cache, updates) can remain in internal memory, this is due to Android restrictions and developer policies. However, it is possible to free 1-3 GB. We tested all the methods on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5/13 - the results are summarized in the comparison table below.

Preparation: what SD-I need a map for Redmi 9.

Not every memory card is suitable for porting games. Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports microSD up to 512 GB (officially confirmed by the manufacturer), but there are critical nuances:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum Class 10 or UHS-I (U1). For heavy games (such as Genshin Impact) U3 or A2 — They provide high speed reading / writing small files.
• 🔹 Format: the card must be formatted in exFAT or FAT32. NTFS unsupported!
• 🔹 Manufacturer: avoid no-name cards - they often fake a speed class.Optimum brands: SanDisk Extreme, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas.

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with H2testw (Windows) utility or SD Insight (Android) - counterfeits are not only slower, but can damage data when used intensively.

⚠️ Note: If you use the card as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage), it cannot be retrieved without data loss.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI feature, which works for most games, but there are limitations:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the game you want to migrate (like Brawl Stars).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → choose SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take 1-5 minutes).

If the Change button is inactive or absent, it means:

• 🚫 The game does not support portability (for example, Clash of Clans blocks this feature).
• 🚫 The memory card is formatted as internal (you need to reformat it as portable).
• 🚫 There is not enough space on the map (free space is required). 1.5-2 game-size).

Map formatted in exFAT/FAT32|

There's plenty of free space on the map.|

The game supports portability (check out Google Play) |

The smartphone is not connected to charging (recommended)-->

Check the game performance after the transfer: some titles (like Free Fire) may slow down from the Class 10 card, but work normally with the A2.

Class 10 (up to 30MB/s) |

UHS-I U1 (30-90 MB/s) |

UHS-I U3/A2 (90+MB/s) |

I don't know/don't use/-->

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method doesn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — a debugging tool that allows you to forcibly transfer the application to SD-This method requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step 1: Preparation

1. Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
2. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.

Step 2: Connect and commands:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (the device should appear) adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (This is a mandatory application for all new applications SD-map) adb shell pm move-package com.example.game /sdcard (Replace com.example.game with a real-world game package, such as com.supercell.clashofclans).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔸 Not all games are transferred even through the ADB (depends on the developer).
• 🔸 After updating the game, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 🔸 The pm set-install-location 2 command must be repeated after resetting.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not enter commands that you do not understand the purpose of. For example, adb shell pm uninstall without specifying the package will delete all user applications!

Method 3: Use of the card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

MIUI Supports Adoptable Storage, which allows you to "unite" SD-It's a radical way to do this, but it has serious flaws:

Pros:

• ✅ Applications are installed on the map automatically.
• ✅ Up to 70% of internal memory is released.

Cons:

• ❌ The map cannot be extracted without formatting (data will be lost).
• ❌ The speed of the system may fall 10-30%.
• ❌ Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile Refuse to Work with "External" Memory.

How to turn on:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. When a notification appears, select Use as internal memory.
3. Follow the instructions of the system (the map will be formatted!).
4. After formatting, restart the device.

If the notification does not appear, go to Settings → Warehouse → SD-map → Menu (three dots) → Storage settings → Internal memory.

💡

Before using Adoptable Storage, back up the data on the map – it will be completely erased!

Method 4: Hand-carrying cache and game data

If the game itself cannot be moved, you can move its cache and additional files (for example, downloaded maps in Google Maps or resources in Genshin Impact).

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).
2. Go to /Android/obb/ or /Android/data/.
3. Find a folder with the game name (e.g. com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact) and copy it to SD-map.
4. Return to the obb or data folder and create a symbolic link (root rights required) or simply leave the folder blank – some games will automatically find files on the map.

To create a symbolic link (if there is root):

su


ln -s /storage/1234-5678/Android/obb/com.game.package /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game.package

Where 1234-5678 — Your real identity is yours SD-maps (you can find out through Mi File Explorer in the address bar).

⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Clash Royale) check file integrity and can block an account for “interfering” with game data, a method only suitable for offline games or titles without strong protection.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring games to SD-Redmi 9 users are facing typical problems, and we've collected the most common and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔧 Is the firmware updated (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔧 Are there any viruses on the memory card (scan through Google Play Protect).
• 🔧 Is the application protection function included in MIUI (may block access to SD-map).

💡

The most reliable way is to combine the methods: transfer the game itself through ADB, and the cache manually, which frees up maximum space without a critical drop in performance.

Alternative solutions: cloud and optimization

If the transfer is SD-The card is impossible or ineffective, consider alternatives:

• 🌥 Cloud-based saves: Games like Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars sync progress with Google Play Games or Supercell ID. You can delete the game and reinstall it if necessary.
• 🗃 Cleaning the cache: in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [play] → Warehouse → Clear the cache can be released 100-500 MB.
• 🔄 Lite versions of games: PUBG Mobile Lite, Call of Duty: Mobile Lite are in the 2-3 lesser.
• 📱 External drive: USB-adapter-drive OTG (Redmi 9 supported – some games (e.g. Minecraft) allow you to store worlds on an external drive.

To automate memory cleaning, use the following utilities:

• Files by Google – Finds and deletes unnecessary files.
• SD Maid (requires root) – clears residual files after uninstalling games.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions