How to transfer a photo from your phone to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi: all working methods

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory - especially if they are actively taking pictures on a 108-MP camera or shooting videos in 4K. A memory card (microSD) solves the problem, but how to transfer already taken pictures there? In this article - 5 proven ways for all Redmi models (including the Note 12 Pro +, K50, 10C and budget series).

Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to insert SD-And the map, and the photos will automatically start to be saved there. MIUI It requires manual adjustment, and in some cases (for example, when using a card as an internal drive), file transfer is nuanced, and we will analyze each method with the specific features of the firmware and the iron platform. Qualcomm/Mediatek.

If you are just planning to buy a memory card, pay attention to its speed class (UHS-I U3 or A2 is recommended) and volume. 64 GB is enough for a photo, but for a video in 4K@60fps it is better to take 128 GB+. Also check whether your Redmi model supports cards up to 1 TB - check the characteristics on the Xiaomi website.

1. Transfer through the standard file manager MIUI

The easiest way is to use the built-in File Manager (Files by Google or standard from MIUI), which is pre-installed on all Redmi smartphones and does not require root rights.

Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen). Go to the Images or Albums section where your photos are stored. Here you can select files one by one or use the All-Select function (the tick icon in the top right corner). → Move and point the path to the memory card (usually /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM, where XXXX-XXXX — Your unique identifier SD-map).

⚠️ Note: If the Move option is inactive, check that the memory card is not used as an internal drive (more on this below). SD-enough free space for the card, otherwise the system will give an error.

  • 📁 Step 1: Open the Files → Images.
  • 🖼️ Step 2: Select the desired photo (long press). → checkmark).
  • 🔄 Step 3: Press More → Move it → Memory map.
  • ✅ Step 4: Confirm the transfer (files will disappear from internal memory!).

Memory card inserted and recognized by the system | On the card there is enough free space | Photos are not protected DRM (for example, screenshots from banking applications) | The phone is not connected to the PC in file transfer mode-->

If the photos don't show up on the map after transfer, try restarting your phone or checking the DCIM/Camera folder via your PC. Sometimes MIUI creates duplicate folders (such as MIUI/Camera), which can be confusing.

2. Configure photo saving directly to the memory card

So that new photos are immediately saved to SD-Instead of the internal memory, change the camera settings. Open the Camera app, click on the camera. ⚙️ Settings (cogs) and find the Save Place or Save folder. Select the Memory Map (may be called the Reservation Store). SD-map or External Storage).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 11 Pro)+) This option only appears after inserting the memory card. If the item is not, check if it is formatted correctly. SD-map (must be in format) FAT32 exFAT).

Also, note that when you reset your phone to factory settings, the save path will reset to internal memory, so you'll have to reset the camera settings once you reset.

Model RedmiSupport for saving on SDMax. Map size.Notes
Redmi Note 12 Pro+Yes.1 TBExFAT required for >64 GB cards
Redmi 10CYes.512GBThe map is formatted as a portable
Redmi K50Yes.1 TBSupport for UFS 2.2 for fast recording
Redmi 9AYes (with limitations)256GBDoes not support Adoptable Storage

SanDisk Ultra|Samsung EVO|Kingston Canvas|Transcend|other|I don't use it.-->

3. Use of a memory card as an internal storage device (Adoptable Storage)

Adoptable Storage (in the MIUI It is called internal memory, which allows you to combine" SD-And this is a card with internal storage, and in this case, the photos and apps are automatically saved to the map, but there are serious shortcomings in this method:

  • 🔒 The card is tied to the phone and will not be read on other devices.
  • ⚠️ When you remove the map, applications and files will become unavailable.
  • 🐢 System speed may drop if the card is slow (class below) A1).

To activate this mode:

  1. Put the memory card in.
  2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
  3. Choose Internal Memory → Format.
  4. Wait until the map is finished (the data will be erased!).

Once formatted in Adoptable Storage mode, the photo transfer to the map is automatic — but it won’t be possible to roll back the changes without losing data, which is only suitable if you’re constantly using one card and don’t plan to retrieve it.

What if your phone doesn’t see the card in Adoptable Storage?
If the card is not defined as internal memory after formatting: 1. Reboot the phone. 2. Check the card on another device (if readable, a firmware problem). 3. Update the MIUI to the latest version (old versions had bugs with Adoptable Storage). 4. Try another card (some Redmi models do not support exFAT cards in this mode).

4. Transfer the photo through the computer (the most reliable way)

If there is little space on the phone or MIUI It's glutting, use a PC (Windows, Mac or Linux). Connect Redmi to your computer via USB-cable, select File Transfer Mode (MTP) and copy the photos manually.

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC and unlock the screen.
  2. On your phone, select File Transfer (if you request it).
  3. On your computer, open this computer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
  4. Find the Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera folder.
  5. Copy the files and paste them into the folder on SD-card (e.g. card) → DCIM).
  6. Remove the originals from internal memory (optional).

⚠️ Note: If the computer cannot see SD-The card is a disc, remove it from your phone and paste it into your card reader. Some Redmi models (like the Redmi Note 11) don't display the memory card in mode. MTP — it's a firmware restriction.

To speed up the process, use the hot keys:

  • 🖱️ Ctrl + A. Identify all photos.
  • 🖱️ Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V - copy/paste.
  • 🖱️ Alt + Tab – to switch between windows quickly.

💡

If photos take up tens of gigabytes, use an archiver (like 7-Zip) to compress them before transferring them, which will speed up copying and save space on the map.

5.Move over cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

If you don't have one on hand SD-For example, Google Photos allows you to upload images to the cloud and then download them back to the memory card).

Instructions for Google Photos:

  1. Install an app from the Play Market.
  2. Upload the photo to the cloud (click on the avatar → Photo library → Download).
  3. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
  4. Open Google Photos, select the desired pictures and click Save on the device.
  5. In the window that appears, select the Memory Card.

The alternative is Mi Cloud (cloud from Xiaomi), which gives 5 GB for free, but syncs only with the Mi Account.

    ⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud, photos are compressed to 16MP resolution (even if the original is 108MP). To maintain quality, choose Google Photos in Original Quality Mode (but it takes up space in the cloud).

    6. Transfer using third-party applications (ES Explorer, Solid Explorer)

    If the standard file manager MIUI You are not satisfied, set an alternative, for example, ES Explorer or Solid Explorer. These applications support packet movement, date/size sorting, and even FTP-server.

    Example from Solid Explorer:

    1. Open the application and give access to the files.
    2. Go to the Inner Memory → DCIM → Camera.
    3. Select a photo (long press → ticks).
    4. Click Move and select /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM (memory-card).

    Advantages of third-party conductors:

    • 🔍 Advanced search (e.g., by extension.jpg,.png).
    • 📊 Memory analysis – shows which files occupy the most space.
    • 🔄 Support for cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) right from the interface.

    ⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, ES The conductor requests extra permissions (access to contacts, SMS). Before installing, check reviews in the Play Market or use Solid Explorer (paid but no advertising and spy features).

    💡

    The file managers are convenient for mass transfer, but remember to clear the cache of applications after work – they can take up to 500 MB of memory.

    Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

    When you transfer photos to a memory card, Xiaomi Redmi users face typical problems, and here are the most common solutions:

    1. The memory card is not determined

    • 🔌 Reconnect the card or reboot the phone.
    • 🛠️ Check the card on another device (it may be damaged).
    • 📱 Update the firmware MIUI — In the old versions there were bugs with exFAT.

    2.Photos are not transferred (the option "Move" is inactive)

    • 📂 Make sure that the card is not used as internal memory.
    • 🔒 Make sure that files are not protected (e.g. screenshots from banking apps).
    • 🗑️ Free up space on the map (at least 10% of the volume).

    3.Photos moved but not displayed in Gallery

    • 🔄 Reboot the phone.
    • 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/Camera via file manager.
    • 🖼️ In the Gallery, click Update (swipe down).

    4.The transfer rate is very low

    • 🚀 Use the class map UHS-I U3 or A2.
    • 📶 Connect your phone to charge — MIUI Limits performance at low charge.
    • 🖥️ For large volumes (10)+ GB) use PC.

    If none of these methods worked, try formatting the card (pre-copying the data!). To do this, go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map → Format. Select exFAT (if the card is >64 GB) or FAT32 (for cards ≤32 GB).

    Can I transfer my photo to a memory card without losing quality?
    Yes, all of the methods described here are original, except for Mi Cloud, which compresses photos to 16 MP. For full-size shots, use File Manager, PC or Google Photos in Original Quality mode.
    Why do photos take place on the internal memory and on the map?
    Chances are you copied files, not moved them. manually delete the originals through Files → Recycle Bin or use the option to Move (do not copy).
    How to transfer a photo from the memory card back to the phone?
    Similar to transfer to the map: open the File Manager, highlight the photo on the map SD-map and select Move Move → Internal memory. → DCIM/Camera.
    Can I use a memory card as my primary storage for a photo?
    Yes, if you set up the camera save (section 2) or use Adoptable Storage (section 3), however, in the second case, the card will become "tied" to the phone and will not be readable on other devices.
    Which memory card is best to buy for Xiaomi Redmi?
    Recommended: For photo: SanDisk Ultra A1 (64–256 GB, U3 class). For 4K video: Samsung EVO Plus (128–512 GB, U3/A2 class). Budget option: Kingston Canvas Select Plus (32–128 GB, U1 class). Avoid cards without brand logos - they are often fake and slow.