Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners know that embedded storage tends to end at the wrong time. Modern cameras create high-quality images that take up a significant amount of space, and multimedia messages and app cache only speed up this process. When memory is full, the system starts to work slower, and new photos simply stop saving, requiring immediate user intervention.
Fortunately, many models support MicroSD card installation, allowing you to expand the available space without buying a new device.Transferring accumulated photos to an external medium is not only a way to free up space, but also a reliable method of backup. In this article, we will detail all the available ways to move files so that you can easily manage your gallery.
Before you start, make sure that your memory card is formatted in the FAT32 or exFAT file system for full compatibility with the MIUI shell. Incorrect media preparation can lead to read errors or inability to write files, so you should not ignore this step.
Preparation of memory card and compatibility check
The first step is to physically install the media if you haven't already.Most modern Xiaomi smartphones use a hybrid slot, so it's important not to confuse the device. SIM-Carefully remove the tray with a paper clip, make sure the contacts are clean, and paste the card before the characteristic click, observing the correct orientation.
Once turned on, the phone will automatically suggest setting up a new drive, the system may suggest using it as internal memory or as portable storage, and the second option is better for transferring photos, since this will allow you to easily retrieve the card on other devices without the need for formatting.
⚠️ Note: If you choose to format the card as internal memory, it will be encrypted and cannot be read on another phone or computer without being reset.
Check the amount of space available in the settings. Go to Settings section → The phone. → A vault to see the status of the card"SD-card is “damaged” or asks you to format an already filled disk, make sure it does not have important data, as formatting will completely destroy the information.
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Use UHS-I or higher speed memory cards for quick uploads of photos in the gallery and comfortable high-resolution video shooting.
Transfer of photos through a standard Explorer
The easiest and most reliable way to move files is to use the built-in Explorer app. This method does not require third-party installation and works consistently on all versions of MIUI. Open the application and you will see the division into categories and the path to the file system.
To get started, click on the folder icon to go to the root directory. You need to find the DCIM folder where the camera snaps are stored by default, or the Pictures folder for screenshots and downloads from instant messengers. You can select files in a long tap on one image, after which you can select all the others.
☑️ Process of moving files
Once highlighted, press the button Still at the bottom of the screen and select Move action. Don't confuse it with Copy if your goal is to make room on the internal drive. SD-map and target folder.
The process of moving a large number of files can take time, depending on the speed of writing the card and the amount of data, during the operation, it is better not to run heavy applications or games, so as not to create unnecessary strain on the processor and memory controller.
Use of the Gallery app for sorting
The MIUI Gallery app, which is built-in, has powerful media-file functionality that allows you not only to move photos, but also to create smart albums that physically fit on a memory card, which is convenient for those who want to structure the archive by year or event.
Open the gallery, go to the Albums tab and click on the three-dot menu. Select the option to create a new album and specify your storage location. SD-Now, any new photos you add to this album will automatically be saved to an external medium.
To transfer existing images, highlight them in a shared feed, click Add to Album and create a new folder on the memory card, while the originals may remain in internal storage if you do not manually delete them after you have created a copy, so watch the volume.
⚠️ Note: When moving through the Gallery, file metadata (shoot date, geolocation) is stored, but sometimes the order of sorting inside the folder may be confused.
This method is especially useful for users who share photos frequently, and by creating a separate album on a map, you can easily find the right shots without going through thousands of snapshots in internal memory.
Configure automatic saving to SD-map
To avoid worrying about file transfers in the future, you can set the camera to automatically save images immediately to an external medium, eliminating the need to regularly clean internal memory and manually move gigabytes of data.
Go to the Camera app and click on the menu icon (three bars) in the top right corner. In the settings list that opens, find the item that is responsible for storing priority. In different versions of MIUI, it may be called differently, but the essence is one - the choice of save location.
Activate the switch Save to SD-From now on, all new photos and videos will be written directly to the flash drive, and the internal memory will remain free for the system to run and install applications, which will positively affect the speed of the smartphone.
Note that when shooting high-resolution (4K or 8K) video, card recording speeds may not be sufficient, and in such cases, the system may automatically switch to internal storage or interrupt recording, so only use fast memory cards.
Moving files through the computer
If you have a lot of files, or you want to do a deep cleaning and sorting, it's most convenient to use a computer. USB-cable and select file transfer mode MTP on the phone screen.
On your computer, open "My Computer" and find your device, and you'll see two disks: internal memory and SD card. Just drag and drop the photo folders from the internal storage to the corresponding folder on the external media.
Internal memory: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera
SD-Map: /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/CameraThis is a good way to visually assess folder structure and avoid duplicates, and it's also easier to sort through successful frames from a marriage on a large monitor before transferring.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductor | Medium | High. | Low. |
| gallery | Medium | Average. | Medium. |
| Computer | Tall. | Low (PC needed) | Minimum |
Once you have finished copying, be sure to check if files are opening on the card before you delete the originals. Safely extracting the device on the computer will also help avoid damaging the file system.
Decisions and errors in the movement
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the phone does not see the memory card or refuses to write files to it, often the problem lies in physical contact: try to remove the card, wipe the contacts with soft cloth and insert again.
If the system says "File is too big," it means that the card file system does not support files larger than 4 GB (FAT32), in which case formatting in exFAT will help, but it will delete all data.
What if the photo is not opened after the transfer?
Also worth checking for access rights. In rare cases, after an Android update, apps may lose permission to read external memory. Go to the application settings, look for Explorer or Gallery and make sure that access to the storage is allowed.
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Regular backup to a memory card is the best insurance against data loss in case of system failures or smartphone breakdown.