How to transfer games to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 7A: 5 proven ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7A They often face a lack of internal memory, especially if they are actively installing games from Google Play or third-party sources. Even with a 32–128 GB microSD card, the system defaults to save applications to the internal drive, quickly clogging it. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of transferring games to the SD-map - from standard functions MIUI to advanced tricks with ADB.

It's important to understand that not all games support external storage, and developers often block this feature due to piracy risk or performance issues. However, for most casual games (e.g. Candy Crush, Clash of Clans) and emulators (PPSSPP, Dolphin), portability is possible. We tested all methods on Redmi 7A with MIUI 12.5 and Android 9 Pie, the results are summarized in the table below.

1. Standard transfer through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in function. MIUI. It is suitable for games that initially support the installation of the SD-map (usually listed in the game description on Google Play) Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the game you want to migrate (such as Subway Surfers).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is active, the Change button will appear – click it and select the Memory Card.

⚠️ Note: After a transfer, some games may run slower, especially if yours is a game that is not a game. SD-The card belongs to class 4 or class 6. UHS-I Class 10 (e.g. SanDisk Ultra or Samsung) EVO Plus).

If the Change button is inactive, the game does not support porting through the standard settings, in which case move on to the following methods.

2. Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

This trick tricks the system into thinking of the microSD as part of the built-in drive, and the advantage is that the games will be automatically installed on the card, but the disadvantage is that the card cannot be retrieved without losing data, and it will only work on that device.

Instructions:

• 📱 Put it in. SD-card to slot (cards up to 256 GB are supported).
• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Memory map.
• 🔄 Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
• 🖥️ Click Format as Internal (all data on the map will be deleted!).
• ⚙️ After formatting, select Move Data to move some of the applications.

⚠️ Note: After this procedure, the card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty may refuse to work with external memory, even formatted as internal!

3. Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the game is not portable by standard methods, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a connection to a computer, but works even for stubborn applications.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 7A: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install all new applications on the SD-To transfer an already installed game (for example, Brawl Stars), use:

adb shell pm move-package com.supercell.brawlstars

Where com.supercell.brawlstars is the batch name of the game (you can find out through the App Inspector app or the Google Play website).

USB debugging enabled

Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC

SD-map formatted and pasted

Battery charge >50%

Backup copy of data created-->

4.Use of application managers

If you don't want to work with ADB, you can use third-party utilities.

AppMgr III is the easiest solution.

1. Open the application and provide access to Special Opportunities (required for work).
2. Select the Moving tab – games that support transfer will be displayed here.
3. Slip on the game and click Move on SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like Link2SD Require root rights that cancel the Redmi warranty 7A. We do not recommend this method if you are not confident in your skills.

💡

Before using third-party managers, check the reviews from the last month – some apps may contain advertising software or not work with newer versions of MIUI.

5. Manual transfer of game files (for advanced)

Some games (such as Minecraft or GTA: San Andreas) store the basic data in the Android/obb or Android/data folder.

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Go to the Internal Memory folder → Android → Obb (or Data).
3. Copy the folder with the game (for example, com.mojang.minecraftpe) SD-map (SD-map → Android → obb).
4. Remove the original folder from the internal memory.
5. Create a symbolic link (root or terminal emulator required):

ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.mojang.minecraftpe /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/com.mojang.minecraftpe

Where XXXX-XXXX — identifier SD-maps (you can find it through File Manager with root access).

This method doesn’t work for all games, but it saves up to 1-2 GB of space, such as the obb folder for GTA: San Andreas weighs ~1.5 GB.

Comparison of methods: what to choose?

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For most users, a combination of standard portability (for supported games) and ADB (for the rest) is optimal. Formatting SD as internal memory is only suitable if you do not plan to retrieve the card.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring games to SD-map 7A And so, users often have problems, and these are the most common ones and the ways to fix them:

• 🚫 "Not enough space on the device" - even after the transfer: Clear the game's cache in Settings → Annexes → [Game] → Warehouse → Clear the cache. Delete unnecessary files from the Download folders and DCIM.
• 🔄 "The game does not start after transfer": Reboot the phone. Transfer the game back to internal memory and try again. Check the compatibility of the game with the "Switch" SD-maps on forums (e.g, 4PDA).
• 🛑 "Transfer button inactive: The game does not support transfer - try ADB Or the manual method. MIUI Up to the latest version (newer versions support for portability is better).

If none of these methods have worked, consider alternatives:

• 🎮 Use cloud saves (such as Google Play Games) and delete games after you play.
• 🔄 Clean your cache regularly through CCleaner or Files by Google.
• 📱 Buy a Redmi. 7A with a large amount of memory (for example, 32 GB instead 16 GB) or consider Redmi models 8A/Redmi 9A.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions