How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 7A: all ways 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is a budget smartphone with 16 or 32 GB of internal memory that quickly ends when installing modern applications. Transferring programs to a microSD card seems like a logical solution, but in MIUI this feature does not work as well as on other Android devices. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer applications to an external drive, including hidden settings and bypassing system limitations.

It's important to understand that not all applications can be moved to a memory card. Xiaomi developers block this capability for system utilities and some games for security and performance reasons. However, for most user programs - instant messengers, social networks, media players - portability is possible. We tested all methods on Redmi 7A with MIUI 12.5 and Android 9 Pie, but the instructions are also relevant for newer versions of the firmware.

Why at Redmi? 7A You can't just move the app to the SD-map

Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell imposes strict restrictions on external drives, and here are the key reasons why the standard portability function may not work:

• 🔒 Security Policy: Xiaomi blocks the portability of system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.android.contacts) to prevent card retrieval failures.
• 🎮 Games and heavy applications: programs that use OBB-files (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, not all of it, but only part of the data.
• 📱 Architecture MIUI: The firmware has disabled the force-adoptable option for SD-This makes it impossible to format it as internal memory (unlike Samsung or Google Pixel).
• 🔄 System Updates: After Update MIUI Some ported applications can “fly” off the map and return to internal memory.

Another trap: even if you see the "Move to" button SD-The card in the app settings may be inactive, because the developer explicitly banned the transfer in the manifesto, such as WhatsApp, Telegram and most banking apps.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

This is the simplest method, but it only works for a limited number of applications, and the instructions are relevant for the Redmi 7A on MIUI 11-14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want from the list (like Facebook or VK).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, you will see the button Move to SD-map (in some versions - Modify) → SD-map).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it can take up to 1-2 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After the transfer, the app can run slower, especially if you use a cheap microSD Class. 4/6. For normal performance, a Class card is recommended. 10/UHS-I (For example, SanDisk Ultra or Samsung. EVO Plus).

Buy a Class memory card 10 or UHS-I|Format the map in FAT32/exFAT phone|Make a backup copy of important data|Charge your phone at least to 50%|Check the free space on the map (should be in the 1.5–2 size of the application)-->

If the transfer button is inactive or missing, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps to unlock the option.
• 📲 Update the app to the latest version via Google Play.
• 🗑️ Clear the app cache in the same Warehouse menu.

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually specify where to install an application, which requires a connection to a computer, but gives you more control.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).li>
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi 7A: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You've become a developer" appears. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging request.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
4. Run the command to port the application (replace com.example.app with your application package): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command installs the SD-Map as the default installation location for new applications.
5. To transfer an already installed application, use: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Services) MIUI System Apps will not be transferred even through ADB. Trying to do this can lead to a cyclical reboot of the phone.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → System system → Backup.

Method 3: Use SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

At Redmi. 7A Adoptable Storage (conversion) SD-The card to the internal memory part is disabled by default, but it can be activated via ADB, If you are prepared for some limitations:

• ✅ Pros: Apps are automatically installed on the map. There is no need to manually transfer each application.
• ❌ Cons: The map will be encrypted and not readable on other devices; when you remove the card, the applications will stop working; the speed can drop by 20-30% (depending on the class of the card).

Instructions for activation:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate ADB (as in the previous method).
2. Enter the command: adb shell sm list-disks Remember your ID SD-maps, for example, disk:179,64).
3. Format the card as internal memory: adb shell sm partition disk:179.64 private (replace 179.64 with your ID).
4. After the restart, the phone will offer to transfer the data to the map – agree.

⚠️ Note: This method irreversibly formats the map. Once you cancel the Adoptable Storage, all data on it will be erased. Also note that Xiaomi may roll back these settings after the update. MIUI.

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Before formatting your card as internal memory, check its speed with the A1 SD Bench app. If the write speed is below 10 MB/s, it is better to use the card only for storing files, not for applications.

Comparison of methods of transferring applications to SD-map

Third-party utilities for application transfer

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can try specialized apps from Google Play, and we've tested some popular tools on Redmi 7A:

• 📌 AppMgr III (App 2 SD): It shows you a list of portable applications. It supports batch transfer (multiple applications at once.
• 🔗 Link2SD: It creates symbolic links to move some of the data, it works without root, but with limitations.
• 🛠️ Files by Google: Does not tolerate apps, but helps clear cache and unnecessary files. Useful to free up space before porting.

⚠️ Note: Most application porting utilities contain aggressive advertising or require the purchase of a Pro version. III Free version limits portability to 3 apps per day, and be careful with programs that request root access, which can disrupt stability. MIUI.

💡

Third-party utilities can't get around the system-level limitations of MIUI; they only automate the same actions you could do manually through settings or ADB.

What to do if the application is not transferred to SD-map

If none of these methods worked, try the following alternatives:

• 🗃️ Move only the app data: Some programs (like Spotify or Netflix) allow you to save media files to a map. Go to the app settings and find an option like Memory. → Preservation site.
• ☁️ Use cloud storage: Apps like Google Photos or Mi Cloud can automatically upload photos/videos to the cloud, freeing up internal memory.
• 🧹 Clear cache and unnecessary files: C Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup can remove up to 1-3 GB of garbage (temporary files, APK installation packages, etc.).
• 🔄 Install lightweight versions of apps: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Messenger with Messenger Lite. They take up 2 to 3 times less space.

If you’re critically short on memory, consider buying a Redmi 7A with more internal storage (32GB instead of 16GB) or switching to a fresher model, such as the Redmi 9A or Redmi 10A, where the portability restrictions are milder.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map 7A