How to transfer data from internal memory to SD-Map in smartphones Xiaomi Redmi: 5 working ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal memory. 64 or 128 GBs are filled with photos, videos, cache of applications and system updates, and the solution seems obvious: move some of the data to the computer. SD-But here, users are waiting for nuances: not all files can be moved by standard means, and some applications refuse to work with an external drive. 5 Proven ways to free up memory on Redmi 9, Redmi Note 8/10/11 and other models under control MIUI 12-14, including hidden functions and circumvention of restrictions.

It is important to understand: performance of microSD (even class) A2 or UHS-I) lower than the internal memory eMMC/UFS. Therefore, only media files (photos, music, videos), documents and some applications that do not require high read/write speeds are to be transferred to the map. System files, game cache and instant messengers are better left in internal memory. Also note that Xiaomi blocks the porting of certain apps (such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services) to the Internet. SD-security card.

Preparation: which SD-Choose a map for Xiaomi Redmi

Before transferring data, make sure your SD-card meets the requirements MIUI. Not all drives work equally well with Redmi — cheap models without certification can cause lags, read errors, or even file corruption:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum Class 10 (U1), better UHS-I U3 or A2 Class maps for applications. U1 Suitable only for photos and music.
• 🔹 Size: 32GB (for media files) to 512GB (for apps). Redmi Note 10 Pro and later support cards up to 1TB, but older models (for example, Redmi). 5A) limited to 256 GB.
• 🔹 Brand: Give preference to proven manufacturers – SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas - Avoid no-name cards without warranty.
• 🔹 Formatting: MIUI requires an exFAT file system or FAT32 (card up to 32 GB). NTFS unsupported!

Before buying, check the compatibility of a particular Redmi model with the selected card. For example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro may not recognize exFAT cards without first formatting through a PC. Also note that a hybrid slot (instead of a second SIM) is not available in all models - check this in the specifications of your device.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is an internal memory (Adoptable Storage in Android), which cannot be retrieved without data loss, and can also slow down your phone.

2. Method 1: Transfer files through the "Conductor" (photos, videos, documents)

The simplest method is manually moving files through Xiaomi’s standard File Manager app, which is suitable for media files, documents, downloads and other user data, but does not affect applications or system files.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Internal Memory → select a folder (for example, DCIM for photos or Download for downloads).
3. Press and hold the file/folder → select Allocate or mark the desired items.
4. Slap the icon. ⋮ (three-point) → Move to.
5. Choose. SD-map → Specify your target folder (or create a new one).
6. Confirm the transfer with the Move button.

To speed up the process, you can use batch mode: select all files in the folder (for example, Camera) and transfer them at a time. However, note that when you move photos and videos, some applications (for example, Google Photos) may lose connection to the files and stop displaying them, in which case you will have to manually update the library in the application settings.

📷 Photos and videos (folders) DCIM, Pictures)

🎵 Music and Podcasts (Music folder)

📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX)

📥 Downloads from the browser (Download folder)

🎮 Preservation of games (if supported)

-->

Method 2: Transfer applications to SD-map (with limitations)

MIUI It allows you to transfer only a part of installed applications to SD-Map, not all of them: system applications, Google services and some games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact will remain in internal memory, and after transfer, the application can run slower – this is normal due to speed limits of the card read.

How to migrate supported applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app from a list (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, click Change → choose SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).

Important nuances:

• 🔄 After transfer, the application is not updated automatically – you need to return it to internal memory for updates.
• 🚫 Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Banking apps) block the transfer for security reasons.
• ⚠️ If you're SD-The card, the transferred applications will cease to work until it is returned.

💡

Before transferring the application, clear its cache in the storage settings - this will reduce the amount of data moved and speed up the process.

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

Adoptable Storage (in the MIUI It is called “Inner Memory” and allows you to format SD-It's a map as part of the system storage, and it allows you to install applications directly on the map, but it has serious disadvantages:

• 🔒 The card cannot be removed without resetting the phone to the factory settings.
• ⚡ Productivity decreases (especially on class cards) U1).
• 🔄 In case of card failures, data loss or system freeze may occur.

If you still decide to use this method, follow the instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. When a notification is received, a new SD-smack it on the map. → Choose Set Up.
3. Select Internal Memory (not Portable Device).
4. Confirm the formatting (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After completion, transfer files and applications through Settings → Storage.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 12 and later, Adoptable Storage can be hidden. To activate it, you need to use the Adoptable Storage function. ADB-Also note that after formatting, the map cannot be read on a PC without special software.

5. Method 4: Transfer data over PC (for large volumes)

If you need to move tens of gigabytes (like a movie collection or backup), it's easier to use a computer, faster than moving through a phone, and avoids errors when copying large files.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect Redmi to the PC via USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. Open This Computer → Find the Redmi device and open the internal memory.
4. Copy the folders you want (like DCIM or Movies) to your desktop.
5. Open the section SD-map and paste files into the desired folder.
6. Securely remove the device through the USB icon in the tray.

MacOS requires you to install Android File Transfer (the official software from Google). Also note that some files (such as screenshots from the Pictures/Screenshots folder) may not be copied due to MIUI limitations. In this case, move them to the Download folder via your phone first, and then copy them to your PC.

Through the Conductor on the phone

Through the PC (USB-cable)

Adoptable Storage (SD as internal memory)

ADB-team

I can't stand it, I have enough internal memory.

-->

6. Method 5: Advanced settings via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not work (e.g., application portability option is not available), you can use the ADB-This method requires command line skills and is suitable for MIUI 12-14. Important: Incorrect use ADB It can cause system failures or data loss.

Step-by-step:

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

ADB-driver

Mi PC Suite

Platform Tools

Google

Win + R

cmd

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell

sm list-volumes

(remember the ID SD-maps, for example, 192d-1b01)

sm set-force-adoptable true

sm partition 192d-1b01 private

(Replace 192d-1b01 with your ID)

After you've done the commands, reset the phone. SD-The card will be available as an internal storage.

This method circumvents MIUI's restrictions on application portability, but has risks:

• 🔴 If the team error is made, the card may become unreadable.
• 🔴 Some apps (such as Netflix or Banking apps) will not work with an adoptable drive.
• 🔴 After the card is removed, the phone may not boot.

7.Alternative solutions: cloud storage and memory optimization

If the transfer is SD-The card does not solve the problem of memory shortage, consider alternative options:

• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Google Photos (Free to Use) 15 GB, compression photo. Mi Cloud (5 GB is free for Xiaomi users.Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud (10-20 GB free).
• 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Annexes → Delete the cache. Use the built-in Security app).
• 🔄 Transfer to the outside SSD: Connect. OTG-drive (e.g. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive) via adapter. Transfer movies or backups directly to SSD.

To automate the process, you can use applications like Files by Google or SD Maid that analyze memory and suggest removing unnecessary files (duplicates, old APKs, temporary data). MIUI also has a built-in Light Mode (Settings → Special Features → Light Mode), which reduces the cache size of system applications.

💡

Cloud storage is a good alternative SD-map for photos and documents, but they require a stable Internet and can consume traffic when synchronized.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer to SD-map