How to transfer applications to the memory card Android in Xiaomi smartphones: all working ways

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO sooner or later face a lack of internal memory – especially if the device is budget or released 2-3 Even after cleaning the cache and deleting the files, the system insists on saying, "Memory is full." The solution seems obvious: transfer the applications to a microSD card, but in the case of a microSD card. MIUI This feature is often hidden or not working properly. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to move applications to the Internet. SD-map, including official settings, commands ADB and methods for sewn devices.

It is important to understand that not all applications can be ported, such as system services (com.android.systemui, com.miui.home) and some games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) blocks the default move. Also starting with Android 9.0 (MIUI 10+) Google has limited the ability to transfer applications to SD But there are workarounds, and we've tested them on Redmi Note 10 Pros, POCO X3 Pro and Xiaomi 11T.

If you use a memory card as an internal drive (Adoptable Storage in Android), some of the problems are solved automatically - but this mode has its pitfalls (we will discuss them in the appropriate section).

1. Compatibility Check: Can I migrate apps to your Xiaomi?

Before you try to migrate apps, make sure your device supports it. MIUI This feature is not available on all models and firmware versions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select any user application (such as Telegram or VK).
3. Scroll down to "Storage" if there's a "Change" or "Move to" button. SD-map, which means the function is supported.

If the button is not present, your device will either:

• 📱 It works on Android 9.0+ (Google's restrictions).
• 🔒 It has a blocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠 Uses custom firmware without transfer support.
• 💾 The memory card is formatted as a portable storage (not as internal memory).

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 12.5+ Android 11/12 Standard application porting is often disabled, and in this case, you'll have to use the ADB or alternative methods (about them below) also check that your SD-card meets the requirements:

⚠️ Note: If you use a memory card as an internal storage device, it cannot be removed without data loss.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through Settings MIUI (for supported models)

If your device supports application portability by standard means, follow this instruction. MIUI 10–12.5 and Android 8.0–10.0 (newer versions may be disabled).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Click on "Storage."
4. Slip the "Change" button (or "Move to" button) SD-map").
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (may take 1-5 minutes).

After the transfer:

• 📲 Some of the application data will remain in internal memory (usually 10–30%).
• 🔄 Some apps may be slower, especially games).
• 🔌 When extracted SD-Maps of the transferred applications will stop working.

If the "Move to" button SD-The card is inactive or not, try it:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI.
• 💾 Reformat the memory card to exFAT (via computer).

⚠️ Note: Not all apps work properly after porting, for example, WhatsApp and Banking apps may block access due to a changed storage path.

3. Method 2: Use of ADB (Android 9.0 and newer)

Starting with Android 9.0, Google removed the ability to port apps to the Internet SD It's a graphical interface, but you can do it with Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — The method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires a connection to a computer.

You'll need:

• 🖥 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠 Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on "version" MIUI". Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn on "Debugging by" USB".
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select the File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
4. Check the device connection: Adb devices If the smartphone is detected, you will see its serial number.
5. Run the command to port the application (replace com.example.app with the application package): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.example.app To find out the application package, use: adb shell pm list packages | find “appendix name"

If the command is successful, the application will be transferred to SD-To get it back, use the map:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app 0

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Services) MIUI System Launcher) cannot be moved - this will cause system failures.

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

If your device does not support application porting, you can try formatting. SD-This method works on most Xiaomi Android 6.0-10.0, but has serious limitations:

• 🔒 The map cannot be retrieved without data loss.
• 🐢 Application performance may fall (depending on class) SD-map).
• 📵 Certain functions (e.g, OTG) stop working.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Tap by name. SD-map → "Settings” (three dots in upper right corner).
4. Select "Inner Memory" → "Clean and Format".
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).
6. After formatting, the system will offer to transfer the data - agree.

All new applications will be installed by default on SD-To return standard behavior, format the card as a portable storage (but all data will be deleted!).

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Before formatting SD-Cards as internal memory make a backup of important data – after the procedure, all files will be deleted!

5. Method 4: Transfer applications using third-party applications (without root)

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Allows you to transfer applications and clear the cache.
• 🛠 Link2SD — It requires root rights, but it gives you more opportunities.
• 🔄 Files by Google – helps to free up space, but does not tolerate apps.

Let’s look at the AppMgr III:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to special features (in Android settings).
3. Select the “Permanent” tab – here you will see applications that can be moved.
4. Slip on the app and click "Move to" SD-map".

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all applications will appear in the list of portable applications.
• 🔄 After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 🛡 Some utilities require debugging by USB or root rights.

Link2SD requires:

1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
2. Break it up SD-Two-partition map (one for files, one for applications).
3. Configure the installation of the second section as /data/sdext2.

⚠️ Attention: Using root rights can lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation of the device. On Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader, it is impossible to get a root without unlocking.

Method 5: Manual transfer of cache and application data

If the application itself cannot be transferred, you can free up space by moving its cache and data to the SD-This works for many games and instant messengers (for example, Telegram allows you to select a folder for downloads).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB (File transfer mode).
2. Go to the Android folder → Data (may need to enable the display of hidden files).
3. Find the folder with the data of the desired application (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
4. Copy it on. SD-map (e.g. in /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/AppData).
5. In the application itself, change the way you save files (if you have such an option).

For some applications (such as Google Chrome), you can only transfer cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Chrome → Storage.
2. Click "Clear Cache" (this will not delete the login details).
3. Install an extension to transfer the cache to SD (For example, Cache Mover).

This method won't free up much space, but it will help in critical situations. PUBG Mobile folder with cache can weigh 1-2 GB – its transfer significantly relieves internal memory.

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Cache and application data transfer does not require root rights, but it does not work for all programs, and is best suited for instant messengers and games.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi users often encounter errors. Let's consider the most common and ways to fix them.

If after the transfer the application stopped working:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📥 Reinstall the app.
• 💾 Check it out. SD-Error card (via chkdsk on PC).

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 13+ Android 12+ Application transfer is often blocked at the system level:

• 🛒 Buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory.
• 🗑 Clean the cache regularly and delete unnecessary files.
• ☁ Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).

8.Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi

If porting apps is not possible, try these methods to free up space:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clean (releases 1-3 GB).
• 🗑 Removing duplicates: Use Files by Google or CCleaner.
• 🎵 Media transfer: Music, photos and videos can be easily moved to SD manually.
• 📦 Archiving of rarely used applications: B MIUI There is a function "Archive" (analogous to deletion, but with data storage).
• ☁ Cloud services: Set up automatic photo uploads in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.

For deep cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click "Optimize" - the system will prompt you to delete unnecessary files.
3. Use the built-in antivirus MIUI for garbage retrieval (Safety) → Scan).

If the internal memory is 90 times full%+, The system starts to brake:

• 🛑 Stop background processes in Settings → Battery → Battery mode.
• 🔄 Restart the device (releases RAM).
• 📵 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

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Regular cleaning of cache and transfer of media files to SD-The card can free up to 5-10 GB of memory without risk to the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions