How to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi map: Complete guide 2026

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory – especially if the device from the budget line of Redmi or the other devices. POCO s 32/64 GB of storage. One way to free up space is to move applications to the storage area. SD-But in the modern versions. MIUI (12 And more recently, this function is often hidden or limited, and why this happens, and how to get around the constraints, we'll look at this guide.

Not all apps can be migrated to a memory card, but manufacturers (including Xiaomi) are blocking this capability for system utilities, high-performance games and programs running in the background (messengers, banking apps), but for most user applications, from photo editors to offline navigators, portability remains a viable solution.

In this article you will find:

• 🔹 3 working methods of transferring applications to SD-map (including hidden settings) MIUI).
• 🔹 Table of compatibility of methods with different versions of firmware and models Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.
• 🔹 Step-by-step instructions with screenshots and commands for ADB (rootless!).
• 🔹 Discuss common errors (e.g., “Not enough space on the map” or “No transfer is possible").

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

In older versions of Android (up to 6.0), porting apps to an external drive was standard. However, with the release of MIUI 8 (based on Android 6.0+), Xiaomi began gradually removing this option from the interface.

• 📉 Productivity: SD-Cards (especially Class Class Class Classes) 4/6) They are slower than the built-in memory. eMMC/UFS. This can cause lags in applications.
• 🔒 Security: Data on removable media is easier to steal or replace (risk for banking applications, instant messengers).
• 📱 Google policy: With Android 9, the corporation has tightened the requirements for working with external drives, which forced manufacturers to hide the function.
• 💾 Technical limitations: Not all SD-The cards support the exFAT format or F2FS, necessary for the correct operation of applications.

However, in MIUI 12-14, the application portability function is not completely removed – it is simply hidden in the developer settings or requires activation through ADB.

Method 1: Transfer over standard MIUI settings (without ADB)

This method works on Xiaomi with MIUI 12–14 (including Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4), but only for individual applications that support portability.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Google Maps or VK).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, a button will appear to Move to SD-map (or modify) → SD-map).

⚠️ Note: If there is no button, the application does not support portability or your firmware blocks the function. In this case, proceed to Method 2 (via the application). ADB).

Format the card in FAT32/exFAT (not NTFS!)| Check the write speed (minimum Class 10)| Free up ≥2 GB of free space on the card | Disable "Storage as internal memory" (if enabled)

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If the gray-colored transfer button is inactive, the reasons may be as follows:

Method 2: Transfer through ADB (without root rights)

If the standard method didn’t work, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually specify which apps to port to your system, which works on all Xiaomi models (including Redmi 9/Note 9 Pro, POCO F3) with MIUI 11-14.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB smartphone.
• 💾 Utility. ADB Tools (download from Google website).

Step-by-step:

1. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to unlock Developer Settings. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging and confirm permission.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC: Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
3. Launch it. ADB: adb devices If the device appears in the list, type: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command allows the application to be migrated to the list. SD-default-card.
4. Move the application: Now in the application settings (as in Method 1) a button Transfer to the app should appear. SD-map.

⚠️ Note: pm set-install-location 2 is only valid until the device restarts:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2


adb shell settings put global package_verifier_user_consent 1

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If ADB does not recognize the device, install Xiaomi USB Drivers from the official website or use the Mi PC Suite utility.

Method 3: Forced Link2SD Transfer (requires root)

If the first two methods fail, the radical solution is forced porting using Link2SD, which requires root rights but allows you to port any application, including system applications (except for critical ones like the Miui System).

Pre-launch warnings:

• 🚨 Root strips of warranties and can disrupt work MIUI (Google Pay, banking applications, Widevine will not work L1 for Netflix HD).

Instructions:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk). Xiaomi is relevant methods of unlocking the bootloader and firmware TWRP.
2. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
3. Launch the application and provide root access.
4. Select the application → Move it to SD-map → Link up.
5. Confirm the transfer of all components (APK, data, cache).

🔹 Important: After transferring through Link2SD keep out SD-The card without first returning the applications to internal memory, otherwise they will stop running!

Errors in transferring applications to SD-map and their solutions

Even if you did everything right, you can make mistakes.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔧 Version MIUI: In some regional firmware (for example, India or China), the port function is disabled at the kernel level.
• 🔧 Type SD-MicroSDHC cards (up to 32 GB) may not support application portability – use microSDXC (64 GB or more).
• 🔧 Security settings: C Settings → Privacy disable Application Protection (may block portability).

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If your smartphone is on MIUI 14 and up, the standard app port can be completely removed, in which case the only working options are ADB (without root) or Link2SD (with root).

How do I get applications back into internal memory?

If the application is unstable after transfer or you decide to free up space for the SD-It can be returned to the internal memory:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the transferred application → Storage.
3. Transfer to internal memory (or change it) → Internal memory).
4. Wait a few seconds, the data is copied back.

⚠️ Please note: if you have used Link2SD, before extraction SD-Make sure that all applications are returned to internal memory through the same application, otherwise they will stop running!

If no return button:

• For applications that have been migrated over ADB, follow the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 0 (resets the default port settings).
• For Link2SD, open the application → select the program → Return to internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map