How to transfer data to a memory card in Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphone owners are facing a shortage of internal memory sooner or later. Even models with 128 GB and 256 GB are filled with photos, videos and applications in a matter of months. The solution is to use a microSD card, but not everyone knows how to properly transfer data to it without losing functionality. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways for modern versions of MIUI, including nuances with applications, media files and system restrictions.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi imposes certain restrictions on the work with the company. SD-For example, not all applications can be ported (especially system applications), and some functions can run slower. MIUI 12, 13 and 14 – from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 13 (SD + second-second SIM), Note that when installing a memory card, the second SIM-The card will be automatically disabled.

1.Preparation: Which Memory Card to Choose for Xiaomi

Before you can transfer data, you need to choose the right microSD card. Not all cards work equally well with Xiaomi, and some can even slow down the system.

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum class 10 (UHS-I), record 4K-video — U3 or V30. Class Cards 4/6 will be used when transferring applications.
• 🔹 Capacity: 64GB to 1TB. Note that Xiaomi supports exFAT for cards >32 GB, a. FAT32 limited to 4GB per file.
• 🔹 Brand: Samsung is preferred EVO Plus, SanDisk Ultra, Kingston Canvas. Cheap no-name cards are often forged.
• 🔹 Form factor: microSD only (not miniSD or microSD) SD). For hybrid slots - microSDXC.

Before buying, check if your Xiaomi model supports memory cards. For example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Redmi K50 Gaming do not have a microSD slot, and the Poco X3 Pro and Redmi Note 11 support. A full list of compatible models can be found on the official website in the specs section.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a memory card from an old device, be sure to format it in your phone via Settings → Memory. → Map. SD → Formatting on a PC can lead to reading errors.

2. Method 1: Transfer files (photos, videos, music) through Explorer

The simplest method is to manually move media files through the standard MIUI Explorer, which requires no root rights and works on all versions of MIUI.

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Internal Memory section → DCIM (for photo or music (for music).
3. Select files with a long press, then click Move (the arrow folder icon).
4. In the list of locations, select the SD Card and specify the destination folder (for example, DCIM/Camera).
5. Confirm the transfer with the button Ready.

To speed up the process, you can use the packet mode:

• 📁 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Choose all.
• 🔄 Use the filter by file type (e.g., only.jpg or.mp4).
• 📤 For large volumes (e.g, 10+ GB) connect the phone to charge - the process may take 10-30 minute.

⚠️ Note: When transferring a photo from DCIM You may not be able to display them on the gallery's memory card temporarily. → press three points → Update.

Make sure that the memory card is formatted in exFAT

Check the free space on SD (> 10% of the volume of data transferred)

Connect your phone to charge (for large volumes)

Close all applications that work with files (gallery, music player)

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Method 2: Automatically transfer photos and videos through Settings

MIUI has a built-in feature to automatically save new photos and videos to a memory card, which is convenient if you take a lot of photos and do not want to manually transfer files.

1. Open the camera. → press the gear (⚙️) open-set.
2. Scroll down to the Conservation Location section.
3. Select SD Card instead of Internal Memory.
4. Confirm the choice (the system may request permission to access the storage).

Once activated, all new photos and videos will automatically be saved to the memory card.

• 📸 Old files will remain in internal memory – they must be transferred manually (see Method 1).
• 🎥 Video in the video 4K/8K You can write more slowly on cheap cards (Class) 10 without UHS).
• 🔄 If you pull out the memory card, the camera will automatically switch to internal memory.

For models with MIUI 14, the option is dual-save (simultaneously on the map and in internal memory), activated in the same camera settings, but requires a lot of space.

SanDisk Ultra

Samsung EVO Plus

Kingston Canvas

Another (write in the comments)

I don't use a memory card.-->

Method 3: Transfer applications to a memory card (App2SD)

It is possible to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi, but with serious limitations, unlike files, it requires:

• 📱 Memory card formatted as internal (not removable drive).
• 🔧 Adoptable Storage (not available on all models).
• ⚠️ Loss of ability to use the card on other devices (it is tied to the phone).

If your model supports this feature (check in the table above), follow the instructions:

1. Put the memory card in the phone.
2. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
3. Press Three dots (⋮) → Storage settings → Formatting as an internal.
4. Confirm the formatting (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After rebooting, open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
6. Select the application → Storage → Change → SD card.

Important limitations:

• 🚫 Not all applications can be transferred – system (for example, Settings, Phone) remain in internal memory.
• 🐢 Performance may fall, especially if the card is slow (Class 10 without a card). UHS).
• 🔄 After the map is extracted, the transferred applications will stop working.

5. Method 4: Transfer data over PC (for large volumes)

If you need to move tens of gigabytes (like a movie collection or backup), it's easier to use a computer, faster and more reliable than moving through a phone.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (Preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 💾 Cardholder (if the phone is not recognized as a drive).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) – there will be two drives: internal memory and SD card.
3. Copy files from internal storage to an SD card.
4. To speed up, use archiving: select a folder → PCM → Add to the archive (ZIP/RAR) → transfer the archive to the map.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Speed: copying 50 GB is ~20 minutes against 1-2 hours on the phone).
• 🛡️ Security: if you fail, you can resume copying, whereas on the phone the process can zero.
• 🔍 Convenience: You can sort files directly to your PC (for example, by date or type).

⚠️ Note: If the memory card is not displayed on the PC, try: Reconnect the cable (use the port) USB 3.0 on PC. In your phone, set settings → Additionally. → Debugging by USB. Format the card in exFAT via phone.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (for power users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, you need to transfer the cache of applications or game data), you can use third-party utilities.

Example of Files by Google:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open the Cleanup section → Files.
3. Select a category (for example, Photos and Videos).
4. Press Move to Move to SD-card).

To transfer game data (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) you will need:

• 🎮 Use AppMgr III Root-rights (otherwise, games may not start).
• 🔄 After transferring, restart the phone.
• 📥 Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile) blocking work with SD-cards – they can only be transferred partially (for example, only cache).

💡

If the game is transferred to SD-The card is slowing down, put it back in your internal memory. III click on the app → Move it to the phone.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When working with memory cards on Xiaomi, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🚫 "Map. SD No detected": Check if the card is inserted correctly (contacts should be on top). Clean the contacts of the card and the slot with alcohol. Try another card - perhaps the slot is damaged.
• 🔄 "You can't move the appendix to SD": Make sure the card is formatted as internal (see Method 3). Check if the application supports portability (some games and system utilities - no).
• 📱 "Phone brakes after app transfers": Use the card UHS-I U3 Or faster. Move back the most resource-intensive applications (like games). Clear the cache to Settings. → Memory. → Clean up.
• 📁 "Files on the map are not displayed in the gallery": Update the media library: open the Gallery → Three points. → Update. Check that the files are not hidden (in Explorer, enable the display of hidden files).

If the memory card is damaged (the phone asks you to format it every time you connect), try:

1. Connect it to your PC and check for errors via chkdsk (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS).
2. Format in your phone in FAT32 (if the volume is <32 GB) or exFAT (if >32 GB).
3. If it doesn’t work, the card is faulty (especially if it’s cheap or old).

💡

Never remove a memory card while writing data (a burning indicator in a status bar) this can cause file loss and card damage.

8. Alternative solutions: what to do if the card does not help

Even if the data is transferred to SD-A map of the space is missing, consider alternative options:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: Google Photos (unlimited storage of compressed photos). Mi Cloud (5 GB free for Xiaomi owners.Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud (10-100 GB free on stock).
• 🔄 Cleaning Internal Memory: Remove the App Cache in Settings → Memory. → Clean it. Use it. SD Maid to search for junk files. Delete unused files APK-file from Download.
• 📱 Replacement with a model with more memory: for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Available in 256GB and 512GB versions. Use Xiaomi Trade-In for a discount when sharing an old phone.
• 🔌 OTG-Driver: Connect the flash drive through USB-C OTG-Use it as a removable media file disk.

For users who often work with large files (video editing, games), the best solution is to buy a phone with 256 GB of memory. microSD cards are suitable for storing media, but not for working with applications constantly.

Only internal memory.

MicroSD card

Cloud storage (Google Photos, Mi Cloud, etc.)

External SSD/Flash Drive via OTG

Another option-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions