Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 5 often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device has been in use for several years. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, system updates, photos and instant messengers quickly fill the limited 16-32 GB. The solution seems obvious – to transfer applications to a microSD card, but in MIUI this process is not as simple as in other Android devices.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer applications to SD-map in Redmi 5, including official methods through settings, advanced solutions using ADB, And also workarounds for applications that refuse to move. MIUI 9-12 that block most programs from being ported using standard tools, and show how to get around them without root rights.
Important: the procedure depends on the firmware version and the type of memory card (Redmi 5 supports microSD up to 256 GB of FAT32 or exFAT format). If you use the card as an internal drive (Adoptable Storage), the algorithm will be different - we will consider both options.
Why Redmi 5 can’t be used to transfer all applications to the SD-map?
The main problem lies in the policy of Xiaomi and the features of MIUI. Since the version of MIUI 9, the company has limited the ability to migrate applications to external media for the following reasons:
- 🔒 Security of data: MIUI blocks the transfer of system applications and programs with high rights (bank clients, encrypted messengers) to prevent information leakage when card loss.
- 🛠️ Stability of work: Annexes to SD-The card is slower due to limited read/write speed, which can cause lags.
- 📱 Optimization for eMMC: The Redmi 5’s built-in memory (eMMC 5.1) is faster than most microSDs, so it’s a good idea to have a better memory. MIUI Default installs programs there.
In addition, many modern applications (such as WhatsApp, Viber, Google Play Services) explicitly prohibit the transfer to external media in their manifesto (android:installLocation), which is the decision of the developers, not Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: If you use a memory card as an internal drive (formatted as Adoptable Storage), then you can only transfer applications that support this function!
| Type of application | Can I transfer to SD? | Reason for limitation |
|---|---|---|
| System (MIUI Launcher, Security) | ❌ No. | Protection against firmware damage |
| Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact) | ⚠️ Partially. | Only cache or data can be transferred |
| Social networks (Facebook, Instagram) | ❌ No. | Prohibition in the annex manifesto |
| Media Players (VLC, MX Player) | ✅ Yes. | Support external media |
| Utilities (File Managers, Calculators) | ✅ Yes. | Minimum performance requirements |
Method 1: Transfer through standard MIUI settings
This is the simplest method, but it only works for a limited number of applications, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 9-12 (the newer versions may have different algorithms).
Steps:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want to migrate (like Google Maps).
- Click on Warehouse.
- If the option is active, the Change button will appear. → select the Memory Card.
- Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).
If the Change button is inactive or not, the application does not support portability, in which case proceed to Method 2 using ADB.
Make sure that the memory card is formatted as a portable storage (not Adoptable Storage)
Check the vacant space for SD-card (needs at least 20% more than the weight of the application)
Close the application before transfer (otherwise an error will appear)
Reboot the phone after transfer (recommended for stability)
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⚠️ Note: After porting, some applications may run slower, especially if you use a cheap Class memory card. 4 class 6. For normal performance, a card is recommended UHS-I Class 10 or A1/A2.
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 where to install an app, which doesn’t require root rights, but requires you to connect your phone to your computer.
Advantages of the method:
- 🔧 Works for applications that block portability through settings.
- 📌 No root access required.
- 🔄 You can return the application back to the built-in memory.
Disadvantages:
- 🖥️ You need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
- ⚙️ Developer mode needs to be activated.
- ⚠️ Risk of errors in incorrect command entry.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a Developer" appears.
- Activate USB debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB debugging.
- Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
- Download ADB: Windows: Platform Tools from Google. Linux/macOS: install via a packet manager (sudo apt install adb).
- Open the command line in the adb.exe folder and type: adb devices Make sure your Redmi 5 appears in the list.
- Find out the package name of the application: adb shell pm list packages -f Find the desired application in the list (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
- Move the app to SD-map: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp 2 Here 2 is external storage code, com.whatsapp is packet name.
If the team ends with a Failure error [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed, means the application is blocked for portability even through ADB. In this case, only the method will help. 3 root-access.
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Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. In rare cases, incorrect commands can cause applications to crash.
Method 3: Transfer with root rights (advanced)
If the first two methods fail, the last option is root access, which gives you complete control of the system, but it's insecure and can cause the phone to run in an unstable way, and we recommend this only to advanced users.
What will be required:
- 🔓 Unlocked Bootloader in Redmi 5.
- 📱 Established custom recaveri (TWRP).
- 🛠️ Root rights (for example, through Magisk).
- 💾 Annex App2SD or Link2SD.
Step-by-step:
- Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlocking through Xiaomi's official website. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode and unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.
- Install TWRP: Download the current version of TWRP for Redmi 5 (codename rosy) from twrp.me. Sweep the receptacles through fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
- Get root rights: Download Magisk from the official repository. Install ZIP-file-through TWRP.
- Use it. Link2SD: Install. Link2SD from Google Play. Select the app → Link up → specify SD-card.
⚠️ Note: After obtaining root rights, some functions MIUI You can stop working (e.g. Mi Account, Google Pay, banking apps) and you can also increase your risk of getting viruses!
What happens if you upgrade MIUI with root rights?
How to transfer cache and application data to SD-map?
Even if the app itself cannot be moved, it is often possible to free up space by moving its cache or data (for example, uploaded maps to Google Maps or media files to Telegram).
For Google Maps:
- Open Google Maps → click on the avatar → Settings → Offline maps.
- Select Storage Settings → The device → specify SD-map.
- Download the cards again – they will be saved to an external medium.
For Telegram:
- Go to Settings → Data and memory.
- Select the folder for downloads → point the way SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/1234-5678/Telegram).
- Transfer existing files manually through the file manager.
For games (PUBG, Call of Duty):
- 🎮 Use the built-in data portability (if any). PUBG Mobile: Launch the game → press on ⚙️ In the lower right corner. Select Settings. → Mainstream → Move the data.
Android/obb
| Annex | What can I transfer? | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | Offline maps | Through the application settings |
| Telegram | Media files, documents | Settings → folder for downloads |
| Spotify | Uploaded music | Settings → Storage → Download folder |
| PUBG Mobile | Data Games (OBB) | Built-in option or manual transfer |
| Netflix | Downloaded movies | Settings → Downloads → Storage location |
Standard settings MIUI|ADB|Root access|I haven't tried it yet.|Another way.-->
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When transferring applications to SD-Redmi 5 cards are often a problem for users, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
1. the "Change" button is inactive in the application settings
- 🔹 Reason: Application does not support portability (blocked by the developer or MIUI).
- 🔹 Solution: Try the method with ADB Or just carry the cache.
2. "Insufficient space on the device" error during transfer
- 🔹 Reason: SD-The card is not enough free space or it is formatted in FAT32 (maximum 4GB per file).
- 🔹 Solution: Format the card in exFAT (supports files) >4GB. Free up space on the map (remove unnecessary files).
3. the application shall not be started after transfer
- 🔹 Reason: Memory card is too slow or damaged.
- 🔹 Solution: Check the card for errors via PC (Chkdsk D team: /f Move the app back to the internal memory. Replace the card with a faster one (class). A2).
4. ADB issues an "Operation not allowed" error
- 🔹 Reason: App blocked for Android-level portability.
- 🔹 Solution: Try transferring only a portion of the data (cache). Use root access.
5.After the transfer, the application runs slowly
- 🔹 Reason: Low speed of reading/writing memory card.
- 🔹 Solution: Replace the card with a model with a class UHS-I U3 or A2. Transfer back to the built-in memory critical applications (messengers, games).
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If none of these methods worked, consider alternative ways to free up memory: clearing the cache through Settings → Memory, deleting heavy files (video, APK) or using cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
Alternative ways to free up memory in Redmi 5
If the applications are transferred SD-The card is not possible or does not solve the problem, use these methods:
1. Clearing cache and unnecessary files
- 🧹 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean and delete unnecessary files (temporary data, thumbnails, residual files).
- 🗑️ Manually check the folders: /storage/emulated/0/Download /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/*/cache
2. Use of cloud storage
- ☁️ Move photos and videos to Google Photos (up to 15GB free) or Mi Cloud (5GB for Xiaomi accounts).
- 📁 Set up autoload media files to the cloud in camera settings.
3. Removal of system applications (without root)
- 🚫 Disable unnecessary system programs through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Disable (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, if not used).
- ⚠️ Do not remove system applications through ADB without understanding the consequences, it can lead to failures MIUI.
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If you install/remove applications frequently, turn on the option “Install by default” SD-map" in the app store settings (for example, in APKMirror or F-Droid).