Transferring photos from Xiaomi’s internal memory to a microSD card is a challenge that every smartphone owner of the brand sooner or later faces. even models with 256 GB of memory (Redmi Note 12 Pro).+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra is clogged with thousands of photos SD-The map becomes the escape route, but how to do it quickly, without loss of quality, without risking damage to files?
In this article, we’ll look at 5 current ways to transfer photos to a memory card, including hidden MIUI features, computer and cloud services. We’ll go through the nuances for different firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15), explain why files sometimes don’t copy, and show you how to automate the process. And also a unique life hack for POCO F5 and Redmi K60 owners who don’t have a memory card on their standard file manager.
1. Transfer through the standard file manager MIUI
The most obvious way is to use Xiaomi’s built-in file manager, which is pre-installed on all the brand’s devices and supports microSD (if the card is properly formatted as portable storage).
Open the Files app (yellow folder icon). From the bottom menu, select the Images tab → click on the three dots in the top right → Select. Tick the desired photos or folders (like Camera or Screenshots). Then tap the Copy icon (or Cut if you want to delete the originals).
- 📁 Go back to the root directory, select Device → Memory card (or SD card).
- 📂 Create a new folder (like Photos Backup) or select an existing folder.
- 🖼️ Click Insert and wait for the copy to be completed (the status bar will display progress).
⚠️ Note: If the memory card is formatted as internal memory (rather than portable), the system can block file transfer.
The memory card is inserted to the end in the slot (check the click)
There is enough space on the map (photos take ~3-5 MB each)
The card is formatted in FAT32/exFAT (NTFS not supported)
The camera settings have the correct save path (Settings → Camera → Storage)
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2. Automatic transfer of new photos to SD-card
To save new photos to the memory card, rather than internal memory, change the camera settings:
- Open the Camera app.
- Put it on the gear (⚙️) top-right.
- Select Warehouse. → Memory map.
- Confirm your choice (the system can warn you of a slowdown in the shooting speed on Class 4/6 slow cards).
Important: This setting only works for new photos. The images already taken will remain in internal memory - they must be transferred manually (see the first method).
Why can't the camera see the memory card?
🔹 Advice for Xiaomi 12T Redmi Note 11 Pro+: If the camera still saves the photo to internal memory after changing the settings, restart the phone. MIUI Resets settings after updating.
3. Transfer over a computer (the most reliable way)
If your phone is running out of space or your MIUI file manager is buggy, use a computer, a technique that can carry thousands of photos without the risk of interrupting the process.
Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-Cable (preferably original) In the phone's notification curtain, select File Transfer (or) mode MTP). Open This Computer (My PC in Windows 7) – Your phone will appear as a removable disk.
- 🖥️ Open the Internal Storage folder → DCIM → Camera (camera photos are stored here).
- 📁 Copy files (Ctrl)+C and insert (Ctrl)+V) to a folder on the memory card (it will appear as a separate disk, for example, SD Card (E:)).
- ⏳ For 10 000 Photo process can take 15-30 minutes - don't turn off the cable!
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| The computer can't see the phone. | Check the cable (try another), enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shackle 7 times) → For developers → USB debugging |
| Memory card not displayed | Reconnect your phone or remove/paste the card. If it doesn't work, format the card (see section below). |
| Files are copied with errors | Use Teracopy (free) – it skips broken files and continues to copy. |
Through file manager on phone | Through computer |Automatic save on SD|Cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)|Another way-->
4. Memory card formatting for Xiaomi
If the memory card is not identified or if it gives an error "Map damaged", it must be formatted.
Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map → three dots in the top right corner → Storage settings → Format. Select Portable Storage (not internal!), then confirm the action. After formatting:
- The card will be visible in the file manager as a separate disk.
- It can be extracted and used on other devices.
- The speed of recording photos will be higher than with the format of internal memory.
⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F3, Redmi K40) After formatting the card as internal memory, it can't be retrieved without resetting the phone to factory settings!
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Before formatting, check the class of the memory card. 4K-Video and Serial Photography Needs a Class UHS-I U3 or V30 (Class 10 cards without markings, for example, SanDisk Extreme. UHS can slow down.
5.Photo transfer via Mi PC Suite (official utility) If standard methods do not work, use the proprietary Mi program PC It is free and supports all Xiaomi models, including the old ones (Redmi). 4X, Mi A1). Download it from the official website and install it on your PC. USB, launch Mi PC Suite and follow the steps: In the main menu, select File Management. Go to Internal Memory → DCIM → Camera. highlight the photo (you can choose everything through Ctrl)+A) and click Export. Specify the path on the memory card (it will appear as SD Card). 🔹 Advantage of the method: Mi PC Suite copies files faster than standard MTP-It's a protocol, it's less likely to give you errors, and it also allows you to back up all your photos and videos in one click.
6. Alternative methods: cloud and third-party applications
If physical portability is not possible (for example, a broken card slot), use cloud services or third-party apps.
Method 1: Google Photos
Upload the photos to Google Photos, then download them to the memory card:
- Install Google Photos.
- Enable autoboot: Settings → Backup and synchronization.
- After downloading, open the web version of photos.google.com on your computer.
- Select a photo → Download → save the archive to the memory card.
Method 2: Files app by Google
This application can find and transfer duplicate photos, as well as clear the memory:
- Install Files by Google.
- Open the Cleanup tab → Files for transfer.
- Select a photo and specify the memory card as the target.
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Cloud services are convenient, but remember: free storage in Google Photos is limited to 15 GB. For large photo libraries, it is better to use physical transfer.