Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They often face a lack of internal memory, especially when it comes to modern games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or the likes of the game. PUBG. Even models with 128GB are quickly clogged with cache, updates and app data. A microSD memory card seems like the obvious solution, but Android and Android are not the only ones that can be used. MIUI They impose strict restrictions on the transfer of games – many titles simply do not support this feature out of the box".
In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of transferring games to the SD-map 2026 Year: from standard instruments MIUI 14/15 bypassing the restrictions ADB We also explain why some games are fundamentally untransferable, and how to optimize storage so that you don't lose progress. 13/14, Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5 — The instructions are also suitable for you.
Before you start, check out two key points:
- Yours. SD-The card is formatted as an internal storage (not as a portable one), which is a prerequisite for most methods.
- The game supports porting to a memory card, you can find out in its description on Google Play or in the settings (Settings). → Annexes → [Game] → Warehouse).
1. Standard transfer through MIUI settings
The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI. It works for most games that initially support portability. SD-map (usually old or not too resource-intensive projects).
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the game on the list and tap it.
- Go to the Warehouse section.
- If the option is available, you will see the "Move to" button. SD-A map" (or similar). Press it.
- Wait until the process is completed (may take a few minutes).
⚠️ Warning: Some games may run slower after a transfer, especially if yours is a game that is not a game. SD-map UHS-I U1 (speed ~10 MB/s. Recommended for gaming UHS-I U3 or A2 (speed).
List of games that usually support standard portability:
- 🎮 Minecraft (up to version 1.20)
- 🎮 Brawl Stars (cache only)
- 🎮 Clash of Clans and Clash Royale
- 🎮 Gameloft (Asphalt 8, Modern Combat 5)
Format the card as an internal storage (Settings) → Warehouse → SD-map)
Check the speed class of the card (minimum) UHS-I U1, better U3/A2)
Free up at least 5 GB of free space on the map
Backup important data from the card (formatting will delete everything!)
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2. Transfer through ADB (power-user)
If the standard method does not work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — A debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system where to install applications, a technique that works for most games, but requires a PC connection.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
ADB Tools
Win + R → cmd
adb devicesIf the device appears in the list, enter:
adb shell pm set-install-location 2This command will force the system to install applications on default SD-map.
Google Play
⚠️ Note: The pm set-install-location 2 command does not work on all versions. MIUI. On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 15 for the global version) it can be ignored. Also, after the phone restarts, the settings can reset.
To return the installation to internal memory, use:
adb shell pm set-install-location 0What if the ADB can’t see the device?
3. Use of applications for forced transfer
If previous methods have failed, you can try third-party utilities that don't guarantee 100% results, but sometimes help you bypass the restrictions. MIUI. The most popular programs:
- 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — It allows you to port games even without root rights, but requires Android 8.0 or older.
- 📱 Link2SD — More powerful tool, but root rights are needed.
- 📱 Files by Google – built-in file manager with cache cleaning function (does not tolerate games, but helps to free up space).
Instructions for AppMgr III:
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Open it and provide all the necessary permissions.
- Find the game on the list and tap it.
- Select the Move to SD card option (if it is active).
- Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed.
⚠️ Attention: Apps like Link2SD require root rights, which cancels the warranty on Xiaomi and can lead to unstable operation of the system. MIUI These programs often stop working.
Comparison of transfer methods:
| Method | Root is required. | It's working at MIUI 14/15. | Supports heavy games | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard transfer | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No, only light games) | ❌ Low. |
| ADB | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially. | ⚠️ Depends on the game. | ❌ Low. |
| AppMgr III | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ Low. |
| Link2SD | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Medium. |
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Before using third-party utilities, back up the game via Google Play Games (if supported) or manually copy the folder. Android/obb/[PC title.
4. Manual transfer of game files (for advanced)
Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail) store the basic data in a folder. Android/obb. These files can be transferred to SD-hand-held map, but there are nuances:
Steps:
- Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb.
- Find a folder with the game name (e.g. com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact) and copy it.
- Put the folder in /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb on SD-map (where) XXXX-XXXX — card).
- Remove the original folder from the internal memory.
- Create a symbolic link (root or root required) ADB): adb shell ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact
⚠️ Note: This method doesn't work for all games! For example, Call of Duty Mobile checks file integrity and can block access if it detects a transfer.
Games for which manual transfer sometimes works:
- 🎮 Genshin Impact (Obbb folder only, no data)
- 🎮 Honkai: Star Rail
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile (Cash Cards Only)
- 🎮 Free Fire
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Manually transferring obb files does not free up internal memory completely – the game will still take up space in the data section (save, cache, updates).
5 Why some games cannot be transferred to the SD-map?
Not all games support external storage, but here are the main reasons:
1. Protection against piracy
- Online-authorized games (Genshin Impact, Diablo Immortal) often block the transfer to make it harder to hack or modify files.
- Annexes with DRM (For example, games from NetEase or Tencent check the integrity of the installation.
2. Android technical limitations
- Games that use Native Code (such as Unity or Unreal Engine) may not work with the game. SD-Cards due to file access restrictions.
- Android prohibits installing applications with services operating in the background on the memory card (for example, anticheats in the background). PUBG Mobile).
3. Performance
- SD-cards (even class) A2) slower-than-integrated memory UFS 2.2/3.1, What is critical for open world games.
- Frequent recording operations (such as saving in The Witcher: Monster Slayer) wear out the card’s flash memory faster.
A list of games that will almost never be resold:
- 🚫 Genshin Impact (fully)
- 🚫 Call of Duty Mobile
- 🚫 Diablo Immortal
- 🚫 Apex Legends Mobile
- 🚫 Lineage 2: Revolution
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If the game is not portable, try to free up space in other ways: clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clean or remove unused applications through Mi File Manager (Section "Storage Analysis").
6. Alternative ways to make room
If the game is postponed SD-The map is not possible, use these methods:
1. Clearing the cache and data
- 🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → [Game] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
- 🧹 For certain games (e.g, PUBG Mobile) you can delete downloaded cards in the game settings.
Transfer to an external storage device
- 💾 Connect. OTG-drive (flash drive) and transfer media files (screenshots, video from the game) to it).
- 💾 Use cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) to back up your saves.
3. MIUI optimization
- 🔄 Enable Adaptive Cleanup in Settings → Battery → Battery settings.
- 🔄 Turn off automatic game updates on Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications.
Systemic debris disposal
- 🗑️ Use the built-in Cleanup utility in Settings → Warehouse.
- 🗑️ Remove duplicate photos and videos through the Xiaomi Gallery (Section "Management").
Comparison of methods of memory release:
| Method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Requires root. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing the cache | ⚠️ Medium (1-3 GB) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Deletion of media files | ✅ Tall (5).+ GB) | ❌ Not (if backup copy) | ❌ No. |
| Transfer to OTG | ✅ Tall. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Disabling Auto-Updates | ⚠️ Low (saving traffic) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Systemic debris disposal | ⚠️ Medium (500 MB – 1 GB) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When transferring games to SD-And so, you know, people often have problems with this map, and these are the most common solutions:
1. "Move to the button" SD-card
- 🔹 Reason: The game does not support portability or the card is formatted as portable storage.
- 🔹 Solution: Check the card settings in Settings → Warehouse → SD-map and format it as an internal storage (data will be deleted!).
2.The game is dyed after the transfer
- 🔹 Reason: SD-The card is too slow (class below) UHS-I U1) damaged.
- 🔹 Solution: Check the card for errors through your PC (Chkdsk utility in Windows) or replace it with a faster one.
3 After the update, the game takes up internal memory again.
- 🔹 Reason: Updates are often installed in internal memory by default.
- 🔹 Solution: Before upgrading, transfer the game back to internal memory, update, and then transfer it to the internal memory again. SD-map.
4. There's not enough space for SD-map, though it is empty
- 🔹 Reason: MIUI Allows space for system needs.
- 🔹 Solution: Format the card as an internal storage (this will remove the backup).
5 The game does not see any preservation after the transfer
- 🔹 Reason: Saving files remain in internal memory.
- 🔹 Solution: Manually copy the folder Android/data/[title of the game SD-Use the cloud storage (if supported).
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If the game is unstable after transfer, return it to internal memory. Some titles (such as Free Fire) can be banned for modifying files, even if you just transferred them to the computer. SD-map.