How to transfer files to a Xiaomi memory card: all ways 2026

Transferring data to a microSD card in Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that most users face when they lack internal memory. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process has nuances, ranging from limitations to limitations. MIUI In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer files, including hidden system functions and workarounds for applications.

It is important to understand that modern versions of Android (starting with 11) and shell MIUI 12+ They have significantly limited the ability to work with external drives compared to earlier versions. MIUI 14, function “Mobilization to SD" For applications, it's completely removed from the interface, but it can be returned through hidden settings, we'll show you how to do this, and we'll also look at alternative methods for different file types.

This article is relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Android-based 10-14 (including MIUI 12/13/14/15). If your smartphone is released after 2020 You probably have one of these firmware versions installed in the year. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

1. Memory card preparation: formatting and file system selection

Before transferring data, the memory card must be properly prepared. Xiaomi supports two microSD modes:

• 📁 Portable storage – the card is used as a removable drive (files are copied manually).
• 🔄 Internal Storage – The card is formatted as part of the system (you can port applications).

For most tasks, portable mode is enough, but if you need to move applications, you will need internal formatting.

• ⚠️ The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• ⚠️ After the map is extracted, some applications may stop working.
• ⚠️ The speed of applications from the card is lower than from internal memory.

To format the card as an internal storage:

1. Insert the card in the slot (if your model supports hybrid). SIM, You may have to choose between the second. SIM or SD).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Press Format. → Internal memory.
4. Confirm the action (the process will take place) 1-3 minute).

⚠️ Note: After formatting as internal storage, the card will not be used in other devices without completely erasing the data. POCO X5) This may not be possible due to manufacturer restrictions.

For most Xiaomi users, exFAT is the best choice.It supports large files (for example, video in the video). 4K) It works without any problems on modern versions. MIUI. If your card is formatted in NTFS, It will have to be reformatted, since Android does not support recording on such drives without additional utilities.

2. Transfer files through the built-in file manager

The easiest way to move photos, videos or documents is to use Xiaomi’s standard File Manager, which is pre-installed on all devices and supports basic memory card operations.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
2. Go to Device (Inner Memory) and find the files you need to move.
3. Select files with a long tap (or check the boxes in the upper right corner).
4. Click More → Move (or Copy if you want to leave the original).
5. In the top menu, select Memory Map and specify the destination folder (for example, DCIM photo).

If you MIUI 14/15, The interface is slightly different:

Check that the memory card is inserted and recognized|Open permissions for "Files" in Settings → Annexes|Create a folder on the map in advance (for example, "Photos")|Close all applications that work with files (gallery, music)

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Pay attention to a few nuances:

• 📸 Photos and videos from the Gallery can be transferred directly from there: open the album, highlight files → More. → Move it → Memory map.
• 🎵 Music files should be placed in the Music folder so that they automatically appear in the player.
• 📄 Documents (.pdf,.docx) should be folded into Documents or Download.

⚠️ Note: If there is an error “Not enough space” when transferring files, check that the card is formatted in exFAT. FAT32 Does not support files larger than 4GB (e.g. long video in the Internet) 4K).

To speed up the process, you can use the packet mode:

1. In Files, go to Categories → Images (or other file type).
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Choose everything.
3. Move it and enter the memory card.

3. Transfer applications to a memory card (hidden method)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi removed the standard feature of porting applications to the SD-But you can return it through hidden developer settings or through the use of a map. ADB. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Through Developer Settings (without PC)

This method works with most Redmi models and POCO s MIUI 13/14:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to force the transfer to SD (Or similar, and turn it on.
4. Reset the device.

After that, in the application settings, the possibility of transferring:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → Warehouse.
3. Tap Change. → Memory map.

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If there is no option in the developer settings, use ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your phone via USB and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings.
3. Open the command line in the adb folder and type:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install applications on SD To get your settings back, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all applications support portability (especially system applications).
• ❌ After updating MIUI settings may reset.
• ❌ Some applications (such as WhatsApp or Banking applications) block the work of the Internet. SD for security reasons.

💡

Before transferring applications, check the speed of the memory card using the application A1 SD If the recording speed is below 10 MB/s, the applications will slow down.

4. Automatically transfer photos and videos via Google Photos

If you need to free up space on internal memory, but manually transfer files is inconvenient, use the automatic download to Google Photos.

• 📤 Automatically copy all new photos/video to a memory card.
• 🗑️ Remove originals from internal memory after transfer.
• 🔍 Quickly search for files by tags and dates.

Setting:

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Put it on the avatar. → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
4. Turn on the option and select High Quality (free) or Original Quality (cloud credit).
5. In the Device section → Backup folders select Memory Card.

To make room after the transfer:

1. In Google Photos, go to Settings → Free up space.
2. The app will prompt you to delete files that have already been uploaded to the cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you use a memory card as internal storage, Google Photos may not see it as a removable drive.

Alternative applications for automatic transfer:

5. Transfer data over a PC (the most reliable way)

If you need to move a large number of files (such as a backup or music collection), it is more convenient to use a computer, which ensures that there are no crashes and allows you to control the process.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Card reader (if you want to copy directly to the card).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (or MTP) mode.
3. Open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and your Xiaomi will appear there.
4. Copy the files you need from the phone’s internal memory to a card (or to a PC, and then to a card through a card reader).

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Transfer speeds are higher than Wi-Fi or file manager.
• 🛡️ Minimum risk of data loss (file integrity can be checked).
• 📂 Ability to structure files before transfer.

If the memory card is not displayed on the PC:

1. Make sure it is inserted correctly into the phone.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → Memory card and press Extract, then insert again.
3. If you use a card reader, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).

6.Move over cloud services (for backups)

If you don't have access to a PC or card reader, you can use cloud services as a middle ground, which is a way to transfer backups, documents or media files.

Popular services for Xiaomi:

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud – built-in cloud from Xiaomi (5 GB for free).
• 🌍 Google Drive – 15 GB free, Android integration.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk – 10 GB free, convenient for users from Russia.
• 📦 Dropbox – 2GB free, but high sync speed.

Instructions on the example of Google Drive:

1. Install Google Drive on your phone.
2. Upload files to the cloud (select) → Send. → Drive).
3. On the memory card, create a folder (for example, Backup).
4. Open Google Drive, select files → Download and point the folder to SD.

For Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired types of data (contacts, notes, photos).
3. After downloading, download files to the map through Files → Mi Cloud.

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud, note that Xiaomi servers are located in China and download/download speeds may be low in some regions (>1GB – Google Drive or Local Transfer.

7. Solving problems when transferring files

When working with memory cards on Xiaomi, users often encounter typical errors. Let's consider the most common and ways to fix them.

Error: "Memory card damaged"

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Improper extraction: Always use Safe extraction in Settings → Memory.
• 🛠️ File system: Reformat the card to exFAT via PC.
• 💥 Physical damage: Try the card on another device. If it doesn't work, replace it.

Mistake: "Not enough rights to record"

What to do:

1. Check that the card is not protected from recording (lever on the adapter).
2. Format the card via phone (Settings) → Memory. → Memory map → Format).
3. If the card is used as internal memory, some applications may block the recording.

Error: "The app does not work from the memory card"

Possible causes:

• 🚫 The application does not support external drives (for example, Netflix or Banking applications).
• ⚡ Low speed card (class below) UHS-I).
• 🔒 Android restrictions for high-rights applications (e.g, VPN).

Decisions:

• Transfer only the app cache (in the storage settings).
• Use it. ADB, to force the application to be placed on SD (see section 3).
• Buy a class memory card A2 (optimized for applications).

💡

If the memory card is no longer defined after the update MIUI, Try resetting the storage settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting application settings.

8. Optimization of work with a memory card on Xiaomi

To make the memory card last longer and work faster, follow these recommendations:

Selection of memory card:

• 📌 For applications: class A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme A2).
• 📌 For photo/video: class U3 or V30 (for example, Samsung EVO Plus).
• 📌 For music/documents: class U1 or A1.

System settings:

• Turn off caching on the card: Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• Regularly check the card for errors through the PC (right mouse button) → Properties → Service → Check it out).
• Do not fill the card more than 80%, it reduces its speed.

Safety:

• Do not store confidential data on the card (passwords, scans of documents).
• Encrypt the card if it is used as internal storage (Settings) → Memory. → Memory map → Encrypt).
• Periodically back up important files on your PC or in the cloud.

To check the speed of the card, use the applications:

• A1 SD Bench – Read/Write Test.
• AndroBench is an advanced diagnostics.
• SD Insight – authentication of the card.

💡

If you often shoot videos in 4K, Choose cards with a write speed of at least 90 MB/s (for example, SanDisk Extreme Pro).

FAQ: Frequent questions about file transfers to Xiaomi