How to properly transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially if the device from the budget line of Redmi or the other. POCO from 32-64 GB of storage. SD-The map seems like a logical solution, but in reality it is not so simple: MIUI (Xiaomi's firmware imposes severe restrictions, and Android after version 6.0 radically changed the way it works with external media. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of porting applications, from standard system functions to manual methods using the use of manual methods using the use of external media. ADB.

It’s important to understand that not all apps can be migrated to a memory card. Many modern programs (especially games and instant messengers) block this capability for security or performance reasons. Furthermore, since MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has completely removed the built-in app portability feature from the settings menu, leaving users only workarounds. But not all is lost — there are working solutions, and we’ll take a closer look at them.

Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?

Xiaomi smartphones are powered by MIUI, which is built on top of Android, and it is Google’s policy, not the manufacturer’s, that has been the main reason for the restrictions:

• 📱 Data security: Annexes to the SD-It is easier to steal or replace the card because external media are not encrypted by default (unlike internal memory).
• ⚡ Performance: Class Memory Cards UHS-I class 10 It is slower than the built-in flash memory (eMMC/UFS), What's stopping apps.
• 🔄 System Stability: Android does not guarantee that applications from external media will work properly, especially after the card is extracted.
• 📉 Outdated Standards: Adoptable Storage (Transform) SD The internal memory part available in Android 6-8 has been removed in new versions due to frequent crashes.

However, MIUI had a portability option built in before version 12.5, which was removed and is now only available through ADB or third-party utilities, more on this in the following sections.

Preparation SD-maps: which format to choose?

Before you can port applications, you need to format the memory card correctly, which depends on what transfer methods are available:

For most modern Xiaomi smartphones, the best choice is exFAT. It is supported by all devices on MIUI 11 and later, and it also allows you to store files of any size.

1. Put it in. SD-card to slot (if microSDXC is supported, use it).
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
3. Select formatting → portable.
4. Specify the exFAT file system (if available) or FAT32.

⚠️ Note: If you choose formatting as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage), the card cannot be retrieved without data loss.This mode only works on Android 6-8 and can cause update malfunctions. MIUI.

Method 1: Transfer through MIUI settings (if available)

Older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5) had a built-in app portability feature. If you have an Android 9-10 device (like the Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9T), try the following algorithm:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. Click Warehouse → Change → SD Card.
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).

If there is no Modify, your version of MIUI does not support this method, in which case move on to the following methods.

Memory card formatted in exFAT

There is enough free space on the map (minimum 2x of the application size).

Application supports transfer (non-system)

- The smartphone is not connected to charging (to avoid failures)-->

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is an Android debugging tool that allows you to manually transfer applications to the Android Debugging Site. SD-map, even if MIUI It works on all versions of Xiaomi, but requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your PC

Install ADB

• Download Platform Tools from Google.
• Unpack the archive in the folder C:\adb.
• Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\adb
• Check the connection: Adb devices (Your device name should be displayed).
• Transfer the application: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (This command installs the SD-map as the default installation location for new applications.) To transfer an already installed application (e.g. com.whatsapp): adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp

⚠️ Note: Once activated, the Adoptable Storage card will not be retrieved without completely resetting the smartphone.In addition, many Xiaomi users complain of slowing down the system and frequent errors when using this mode.

If your device is running Android 9+, this method is probably not available, leaving only ADB or third-party utilities.

Method 4: Third-party applications for transfer

Google Play has utilities that promise to transfer applications to the Internet SD-circumvention MIUI. The most popular:

• 📲 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Shows you which apps you can transfer and does it in one click.
• 🔧 Link2SD — Creates symbolic links, saving space in the internal memory (requires root).
• 🗃️ Files by Google – helps clear cache and transfer media files (but not the apps themselves).