How to transfer a photo from your phone to a memory card Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still a popular smartphone due to the reliability and ability to expand memory with a microSD card. However, many users face the problem: the default photos are stored in internal memory, quickly filling it. Transferring media files to a memory card not only frees up space, but also simplifies backup.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to move photos from Redmi Note 4 to the SD-map - from standard tools MIUI We'll focus on the nuances of formatting the map as an internal storage device, which often cause errors. SD — Here you'll find a solution.

1.Preparation: checking the memory card and phone settings

Before transferring files, make sure your microSD card is compatible with the Redmi Note 4 and properly formatted.The smartphone supports cards up to 256 GB (officially) and FAT32/exFAT formats. Using NTFS can cause crashes.

To avoid mistakes:

• 🔍 Check the file system of the card: go to Settings → Warehouse → Map. SD. If so, RAW Unknown – the map needs to be formatted.
• 📏 Make sure there's enough space on the map to carry 1,000 photos in format. JPEG (medium size 3-5 MB will be required ~3-5 GB.
• 🔄 Remove and re-paste the card if the phone doesn't recognize it. Sometimes it helps to reboot the device.

If the card is new or has been used in other devices, it is recommended to format it directly in Redmi Note 4:

1. Open the Settings → Storage → SD card.
2. Click Format → Format as a portable device (do not select "Inner Memory" unless you plan to use the Adoptable Storage feature).
3. Confirm the action. It'll take 1-2 minutes.

⚠️ Note: Formatting will remove all data from the card. If it has important files, pre-copy them on the PC.

2. Method 1: Transfer through the standard MIUI gallery

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI gallery, which is suitable for moving individual photos or albums, but does not allow you to set up automatic saving of new images on the SD.

Instructions:

1. Open the Gallery app (a flower icon).
2. Select an album with photos (such as Camera or Screenshots).
3. Press and hold your finger in any photo to activate the selection mode. Mark the desired files (or click Select All in the upper right corner).
4. Put it on the icon. ⋮ (three-point) → Move it.
5. In the window that opens, select the SD Card, then the destination folder (e.g. DCIM/Camera). Click Move here.

Limitations of the method:

• ⏳ Moving a large number of files (500)+) It can take 5-10 minutes. Don't interrupt the process!
• 📁 folder DCIM The memory card is automatically created, but if it is not available, the gallery will offer to create a new one.
• 🔄 Once transferred, the original photos will be deleted from the internal memory. If you want to save copies, choose Copy instead of Move them.

3. Method 2: Using a file manager (advanced version)

The built-in MIUI file manager (or a third-party one like Solid Explorer) gives you more control over the process, a method that is suitable for transferring not only photos but also other types of files, and also allows you to create backups.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to Images or manually open the path /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera (where the camera photos are stored).
3. Select files with a long tap → press More → Move.
4. At the top of the screen, select the SD Card, then the destination folder. If the folder is not available, create it through the + button.
5. Confirm the movement. Progress will be displayed in the top notification bar.

Advantages of the method:

• 🗂️ The ability to transfer files from any folder (not only) DCIM).
• 🔄 Support for batch renaming (through more) → Rename).
• 📂 Creating nested folders for structuring a media library.

⚠️ Note: If there is an error “Inadequate rights” when moving, check that the memory card is not connected to the PC in mode MTP. Turn it off. USB-cable and try again.

Method 3: Configure automatic photo saving on SD

To save new photos to the memory card instead of the internal storage, you need to change the camera settings, which does not transfer old files, but prevents the phone from filling up in the future.

How to set up:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the icons ⚙️ Settings (cogs) in the upper right corner.
3. Scroll down to the Warehouse section.
4. Select the SD Card in the Save in option.
5. Confirm your choice. All new photos and videos will now be saved to an external drive.

Important nuances:

• 📸 This setting is only valid for the Camera app. Screenshots and files from messengers will still be saved to internal memory.
• 🔄 If the memory card is removed, the camera will automatically return to the internal storage, and once the card is returned, the setting will have to be turned on again.
• 🚫 Some firmware MIUI (especially custom) may not support the preservation of SD. In this case, only manual transfer will help.

💡

To record video in 4K resolution, use a UHS-I U3 or V30 memory card. Class 10 cards may not be able to handle the data flow, which will lead to a recording break.

5. Method 4: Transfer via computer (for large volumes)

If you want to move thousands of photos (like a few years' worth of archives), it's easier to use a PC, which is also useful if your phone is stuck with large files.

Instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Connect Redmi Note 4 to your computer via USB-On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. On a PC, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). The smartphone will appear as a removable disk.
3. Go to the Internal Memory → DCIM → Camera (or other folder where the photos are stored).
4. Copy files (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) into a folder on a memory card (e.g., SD Card → DCIM → Camera).
5. Wait until the copy is completed. 10,000 photos (~30 GB) can take 15 to 30 minutes.
6. After checking the integrity of the files, delete the originals from the phone’s internal memory.

Tips for speeding up the process:

• 🖥️ Use it. USB 3.0 (blue connector) and quality cable, and the transmission speed will increase by 2-3 times.
• 🗃️ For archiving, it is convenient to use programs like FastCopy (Windows) or rsync (macOS/Linux).
• 🔍 Before deleting the originals, compare the size of the folders on your PC and memory card to make sure all files are copied.

⚠️ Note: If your phone starts to run out when you connect to a PC, use a Y-shaped phone. USB-Powered cable or plug charging.Redmi Note 4 has a current limit through USB-port, which can lead to discharge during active data transmission.

💡

If the memory card is not detected on the PC, try connecting it through the card reader. USB-port.

6. Method 5: Using Adoptable Storage (card as internal memory)

Adoptable Storage (called Internal Memory in MIUI) allows you to combine the memory card with the main storage of the phone, and then applications and files (including photos) will automatically be saved to the SD.

How to turn on:

1. Put the memory card in the phone.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card.
3. Press Set up. → Internal memory.
4. Read the formatting warning and click Clean and Format.
5. After formatting, select Move Data Now (optional) or Move Later.
6. Reboot the phone.

Benefits and risks:

⚠️ Note: Once activated, the Adoptable Storage card will be encrypted and will only work on this phone. If you try to connect it to another device or PC, the data will not be available without resetting the Redmi Note 4.

7. Solving common mistakes

When transferring photos to a memory card, Redmi Note 4 users often face problems. Let's consider the most common and ways to fix them.

Error 1: “Not enough space on the map” even though memory is free.

• 🔧 Reason: The map is formatted in FAT32, file-free >4GB if you are trying to transfer a video or RAW-A large photo will appear, this error will appear.
• 🛠️ Solution: Format the card in exFAT via phone or PC (use utility) SD Formatter).

Error 2: Photos are moved but not displayed in the gallery.

• 🔧 Reason: Gallery MIUI Scans media files only in standard folders (DCIM, Pictures. If you created a custom folder, the files may not show up.
• 🛠️ Solution: Move the photo to the folder DCIM/Camera Update the media base through Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data (files will not be deleted).

Error 3: The memory card is not determined after the files are transferred.

• 🔧 Reason: Maybe the card is damaged or the contacts are contaminated, and you may also have a problem when you extract the card while you're recording.
• 🛠️ Solution: Clean the card contacts with dry soft cloth. Try pasting the card into another phone or card reader. If the card is not readable, use PhotoRec (PC) to recover files.

Frequently asked questions