How to transfer games from internal memory to memory card in Xiaomi: 4 proven ways

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with a modest 32 or 64 GB. The main “eaters” of space are games with heavy graphics like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG, which can take 2-5 GB each. Transferring such applications to a microSD card seems a logical solution, but here users are waiting for restrictions from Android and the MIUI shell.

Unlike media files (photos, videos, music) that are easily moved by hand, games and apps are installed in internal memory by default. SD-The card is blocked for most applications, but Xiaomi has workarounds – as official (via settings) MIUI), and not obvious (with the use of ADB In this article, we will discuss all current methods, including nuances for different versions. MIUI (12 to 14) and types of memory cards.

⚠️ Important: Not all games support the work with SD-For example, Honor of Kings or Free Fire can give up launch errors if their data is stored on an external drive.

Method: Transfer through MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in MIUI feature to port apps, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12/13/14, but does not work with all games.

To reschedule the game:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the right game (such as Brawl Stars or Clash of Clans).
• 💾 Slip on the item Storage (or Memory in older versions).
• 🔄 If the option is active, select Move to SD-map (or modify) → SD-map).

⚠️ Note: The transfer button may be inactive if:

✅ The game does not support work with external memory (most often these are online games with anticheat). ✅ The memory card is formatted as a portable storage (not as an internal memory). ✅ You're set. MIUI for global firmware (in the Chinese version, the restrictions are stricter).

If there is no transfer button, try alternative methods in the following sections. Also note that after transferring some games may load more slowly, this is due to the speed of reading / writing a memory card (optimal class is A2 or UHS-I).

Format the map in FAT32/exFAT (not NTFS)|

Check the speed class (minimum A1, better A2)|

Free up at least 5 GB of free space on the map |

Disconnect the card from the PC before transfer |

Back up your data on the map (they will be deleted when formatted)

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2. Method: Use of ADB (for power users)

If MIUI does not have a port option, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manually specify the location of the application installation, which works on all versions of Android (including MIUI 14), but requires connecting the smartphone to a PC.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times tap on the MIUI Version. Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and activate Debugging over USB.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive into a separate folder.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\path\k\folder\platform-tools
5. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list, execute the port command (replace com.example.game with the game package): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the game. SD-default-card.

⚠️ Note: After completing the command, all new applications will be installed on the memory card. To return the installation to internal memory, use the:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Critical nuance: Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal) block the launch when a modified installation path is detected. ADB-The method will not work and you will have to use alternative methods.

3. Method: Formatting the card as an internal memory

If your Xiaomi runs on Android 9.0 Pie or later, you can format it. SD-It's like an internal storage device, and it allows you to install games directly on it, but it's very limited:

• 🔒 The card will be encrypted and tied to the device – it will not be read on another smartphone or PC.
• 📉 The speed of the game may drop (depending on the class of the card).
• 🚫 Not all cards support this regimen (recommended). UHS-I class A2).

How to format:

1. Put the card in your smartphone.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map.
3. Put three points on it (⋮) → Storage settings → Formatting as an internal.
4. Confirm the action (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After formatting, restart the device.

Now, when you install games, the system will suggest you choose a storage location.

⚠️ Note: If you remove the card, all the games installed on it will stop working, and this method is not recommended for cards with a capacity of less than 64 GB, the system reserves some memory for your needs.

Method 4: Transfer through third-party applications (without root)

If previous methods didn't work, you can use utilities like AppMgr III or Files by Google, which don't require root rights, but their effectiveness depends on the version of MIUI and the smartphone model.

Instructions for AppMgr III:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. Select the Move to SD-card tab.
4. Find the right game in the list and tap Move.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. AppMgr) III) The free version often limits the size of the files to be ported (up to 1 GB).

Alternatively, Files by Google:

• 📁 Open the application and go to the Cleanup tab.
• 🔍 Select the Applications → find a game.
• 💾 If the option is available, move to SD, activate it.

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Before using third-party utilities, check reviews on 4PDA or XDA Developers – some applications may contain ads or may not work on the latest versions of MIUI.

5 What to do if the game is not transferred?

If none of the methods worked, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔐 The game uses Anti-Tamper (protection against modifications, for example, in the game). PUBG Mobile or Fortnite).
• 📱 You're set. MIUI China (restrictions are more stringent).
• 💾 Memory card damaged or has a low write speed (class below) A1).
• 🔄 In the developer settings, the option is enabled to Forced allow the transfer to SD (may conflict with ADB).

In such cases, two options remain:

1. Clean up the game's cache: Go to Settings → Apps → [Game] → Storage → Clear the cache. This will free up a few gigabytes, but it won't carry the game itself.
2. Cloud Storage: Some games (such as Roblox or Minecraft) allow you to save progress to the cloud and then reinstall the game on a clean system.

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If the game categorically refuses to be ported, the only reliable way to free up space is to remove it and install it on a clean system with extended internal memory (for example, after resetting to factory settings).

6. How to avoid problems after transfer?

Even if you managed to move the game to SD-map, there may be errors:

To minimize the risks:

• 🔄 Regularly reboot your smartphone after transfer (this resets the cache).
• 📥 Save progress through your Google Play Games account or social media before transferring.
• 🛠️ Do not remove the memory card while playing (this can damage files).

FAQ: Frequent questions about SD gaming portability in Xiaomi