Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face a lack of internal memory, especially if they actively install modern games such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG. Even models with 128 GB can quickly fill up due to the weight of games (some take up to 15-20 GB with updates). The solution seems obvious - to transfer games to a microSD card, but here users are waiting for pitfalls: the limitations of Android, the features of the MIUI shell and the technical nuances of formatting drives.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer games to the SD-Xiaomi smartphone card (including Redmi and POCO), Android-powered 10-14 shelled MIUI 12-14. You'll know:
- 🔹 What type of memory card is suitable for gaming (and why exFAT may not work).
- 🔹 3 proven methods of transfer: standard (without root), through ADB and with superuser rights.
- 🔹 Why some games refuse to work with the map and how to get around it.
- 🔹 What to do if after the transfer the game slows down or gives errors.
1. Which memory card to choose for games on Xiaomi
Not every microSD is suitable for installing games. Cheap Class 4 or Class 10 cards (without A1/A2) can not only slow down games, but also lead to data loss due to low write speeds.
| Parameter | Minimum requirements | Recommended option |
|---|---|---|
| Class speed | UHS-I (U1) or Class 10 | UHS-I (U3) or A2 |
| Volume. | 32GB. | 64–256 GB (optimum for 5–10 games) |
| File system | FAT32 (up to 4 GB per file) | exFAT (for files >4 GB) |
| Brand | Anybody. | Samsung EVO Plus, SanDisk Extreme, Kingston Canvas Go! Plus |
⚠️ Note: ExFAT cards may not be supported on older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1). Before buying, check compatibility in the device specifications or format the card in the FAT32 computer.
If you plan to carry games over 4GB (like Honor of Kings or Free Fire Max), exFAT is a must, but note that some games (especially those with anti-piracy protection) may not be run from an external drive.
Method 2: Transfer games through MIUI settings (without root)
The simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, however, has a limitation: you can only transfer part of the game data (usually cache and additional files), and not the installation itself (APK + OBB).
Instructions:
- Insert the memory card in the smartphone and wait for its recognition.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Choose the game you want to migrate (like Brawl Stars).
- Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.
- Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5-10 minutes).
⚠️ Note: If the Change button is inactive, the game does not support porting through the standard settings. ADB or root rights (see the following sections).
Insert a memory card into the slot|Check the vacant space for SD (>10GB)|Close the game in the multitasking menu|Connect the charger (in case of a long operation)-->
This is suitable for light games (such as Clash Royale or Among Us), but is useless for heavy projects like Genshin Impact, where the main files weigh tens of gigabytes.
Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)
If the standard method didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually specify which apps to store on a memory card, which does not require root rights, but requires connecting your smartphone to your computer.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
- Turn on Xiaomi Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click 7 times on this item.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:
adb shell pm set-install-location 2This command forces the system to install new applications on the default memory card. To transfer the game already installed, use:
adb shell pm move-package com.name.packet /sdcard🔍 How to find out the name of the package? Install the App Inspector app from Google Play or use the command:
adb shell pm list packages | grep "game name"⚠️ Attention: Some games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Mobile Legends block startup from external drives ADB. In this case, only manual copying of files or obtaining root rights will help.
💡
If a pm move package error occurs [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], This means that the game refuses to work with the memory card. Try an alternative method with symbolic links (see the section on root).
Method 3: Complete Root Transfer (for Advanced)
If previous methods have failed, the radical option is root rights and manual file transfer, which is suitable for heavy projects like Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal, but has risks:
- 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
- 🚨 Possible problems with updates MIUI.
- 🚨 The risk of “bricking” the phone with incorrect actions.
If you are ready for this, follow the instructions:
- Get root rights with Magisk (see the XDA Developers forum for instructions for your model).
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to the game folder (usually /data/app/packet name or /Android/obb/packet name).
- Copy the folder to a memory card (e.g., in /sdcard/Android/obb/).
- Remove the original folder from the internal memory.
- Create a symbolic link using the command in Termux or ADB:
su
ln -s /sdcard/Android/obb/name of package /Android/obb/name of package🔹 Example: Genshin Impact: If the game files are in the /sdcard/Android/obb/com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact, And the original folder was in /Android/obb/, team:
ln -s /sdcard/Android/obb/com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact /Android/obb/com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact⚠️ Note: After updating the game via Google Play, the symbolic link may break. in this case, repeat steps 4-6 or update the game manually by downloading the game. APK + OBB official website.
What if the game doesn’t see files after transfer?
5 Why the game might not work with a memory card
Even after successful portability, some games fail to start or fail to work, and the reasons may be:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The game flies off at launch | Protection against piracy (for example, in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty) | Return the game to internal memory or use the Magisk module to bypass the check |
| Long loading of levels | Low speed memory card reading (Class 10 without A1) | Replace the SD with the model marked A2 (e.g. Samsung EVO Plus A2) |
| Files are corrupted error | Incorrect access rights or broken files when copying | Reinstall the game by pre-formatting the map to exFAT |
| The game doesn't keep progress | Preservations are tied to internal memory | Use cloud-based saves (e.g., through Google Play Games or Mi Account) |
🔹 Features of popular games:
- 🎮 Genshin Impact: No official support for porting SD, It works via symlink (see method 3).
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile: blocks startup from external drives on some firmware MIUI.
- 🎮 Clash of Clans: It is carried in the standard way, but can slow down with a large amount of cache.
- 🎮 Free Fire: Requires that files OBB remained in the internal memory.
If the game refuses to work from the card, the only way out is to release the internal memory in other ways:
- 🗑️ Remove unnecessary applications (use Settings) → Annexes → Cleanup).
- 🗑️ Transfer media files (photos, videos) to SD Or in the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
- 🗑️ Clean up the game's cache through SD Maid or Files by Google.
6. How to avoid data loss during transfer
Transferring games to a memory card is not a safe process, and copying errors or incorrect commands in ADB can lead to loss of progress or even damage to game files. To minimize risks, follow these rules:
Backup your saves (via Helium or the cloud)|Check the memory card for errors (chkdsk in Windows)|Close all background applications before the perenosom|Use the original cable USB for ADB-->
🔹 Backup of saves:
- 📱 For games that support Google Play Games (such as Clash Royale): sync your account in the game settings.
- 📱 For offline games (such as Minecraft): copy the folder /data/data/PC-package.
- 📱 Use specialized applications like Swift Backup (requires root).
🔹 Memory card check:
Check before the penosom SD-Error card with chkdsk (Windows) or fsck (Linux/macOS). For that:
- Connect the card to the computer through the card reader.
- Open the command line and enter:
chkdsk X: /f(where X is the letter of your disk SD-map).
⚠️ Note: If the memory card has been used in other devices (e.g., in your camera), be sure to format it in Xiaomi via Settings. → Warehouse → Memory map → Format as internal. This will eliminate any file system conflicts.
7.Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi
If the games are transferred SD-The card is not possible or does not solve the problem of memory shortage, consider alternative options:
- 📁 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select the game and click Clear Cache. For example, in Genshin Impact, the cache can take up to 5-7 GB.
- 📁 Transfer of media files: Photos and videos can be automatically saved to SD-Map through Camera Settings → Preservation site.
- 📁 Cloud storage: Services like Google Play Games or Mi Cloud allow you to store your saves in the cloud.
- 📁 Systemic debris disposal: Annexes SD Maid or Files by Google will find unnecessary files (for example, the file is not used, APK post-refreshment).
- 📁 Turning off preload: In Google Play, turn off auto-update games (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Never).
🔹 Hidden function MIUI: Some firmware has an option Light mode (Settings) → Special opportunities → Light mode, which reduces memory consumption by simplifying animations, won't free up gigabytes, but can help on weak devices like Redmi. 9A).
💡
If Xiaomi supports memory expansion through Virtual RAM (For example, the Redmi Note 11 or POCO X4 Pro), activate this function in Settings → Additionally. → Expanding memory. It's not a substitute for physical memory. SD-The map will help to optimize the work of heavy games.