Transfer applications to memory card on Xiaomi Redmi 7

Owners of budget but reliable smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 7 often face a lack of built-in storage. The basic version of the device can offer as little as 32 or even 16 gigabytes, which in modern realities fills up in just a couple of months of active use. Installing instant messengers, social networks and card cache quickly leads to a critical situation when the system starts to work slowly, and new programs simply do not want to be installed.

Fortunately, engineers have provided the ability to expand the functionality due to the microSD slot. However, the standard installation procedure for the card does not always allow you to immediately transfer applications to it, since Android by default uses an external drive only for photos and music. To turn a regular flash drive into a full-fledged continuation of system memory, you need to perform a number of specific settings through the hidden menu of the developer.

In this guide, we will take a look at how to circumvent the limitations of the MIUI shell and activate Adoptable Storage. You will learn about the risks, map preparation and step-by-step algorithm of actions that will return your smartphone performance and free space.

Preparation of a memory card and important nuances

Before you start technical manipulations, you need to make sure the quality of the drive used. The speed of the interface and applications transferred to the external medium depends on the speed class of your device. SD-If you insert a slow-moving class 4 or 6 card, your smartphone may start to work even slower than with a crowded internal memory, as the speed of reading data becomes a bottleneck of the system.

⚠️ Warning: All data on the memory card will be permanently deleted during the setup process. Be sure to copy photos, documents and music to your computer or cloud storage before starting the procedure.

For comfortable work with modern applications, it is recommended to use UHS-I drives with a Class 10 or higher mark. The optimal volume for Redmi 7 will be a card from 32 to 128 GB, since the memory controller of this device can work incorrectly with extremely large volumes of 256 GB or more.

After physically putting the card into the slot (usually a second hybrid slot, so you have to remove one of the SIM cards), the system will offer a basic setup. At this stage, don't settle for using the card as a portable storage if your ultimate goal is to install applications. We'll need deeper integration, which happens at the file system level.

Activation of the developer mode on Redmi 7

The key to accessing memory management is to enable the hidden developer menu. In the MIUI shell installed on Redmi 7, this section is hidden deep in the settings and activated by default. To get there, open the Settings app and go to About Phone.

At the top of the screen, you'll see the MIUI version. You need to quickly tap this block 7-10 times in a row. After a few clicks, the counter will appear, and then a pop-up notification that you've become a developer. If the system requests a screen unlock password, enter it to confirm actions.

• 📱 Go to "Settings» → «Advanced settings».
• 🔓 Select the item "For developers».
• 🔍 Find the Factory Unlock option and make sure it is active (this confirms the rights).

Now that you're open, you'll see a long list of technical options. Don't be afraid of the many settings, we only need one specific feature. Be careful when changing other options in this menu, because incorrect settings can affect the stability of the operating system.

Setup the map as an internal storage

In the Developer menu, scroll down to the memory section, and we're interested in "Default to use external storage" or "Force allow apps on external." Activate this switch. This will give the system a command to consider. SD-map as potentially suitable for installation of programs.

Once this option is enabled, you need to restart your smartphone. This is a mandatory step to ensure that the changes take effect and the system correctly initializes the drivers of working with the card file system. After turning on the phone, insert the memory card again if you removed it, and wait for the notification of the new device.

Settings -> Advanced Settings -> For Developers -> Use external storage by default

Now we're going to format. Go to the normal "Settings» → «The phone» → «Storage. Press yours. SD-In the menu, select "Storage settings" and then "Format." The system will suggest you choose the type of use: "Portable storage" or "Internal storage».

Choose the option "Internal Storage." The system will warn you about the low speed of the card - ignore this if you are sure of its quality. During the process, the card will be formatted into the ext4 file system and encrypted, then it will be available only for this smartphone and will not be read on other devices without re-formatting.

The process of transferring installed applications

Once the card is formatted as internal memory, it is combined with the built-in drive in a logical sense, but the physical data can stay in the old place. To really make room, you need to manually move heavy applications. Go to Settings → Applications → All Applications.

In the list, find the program you want to move (for example, a heavy game or a social network). Click on it, and if transfer is possible, you will see a "Move" or "Change" button with a choice of storage location. If the button is inactive, then the application developer has forbidden the transfer, which is common.

It is worth noting that moving Google system applications or Xiaomi mission-critical services can cause the device to run unstable, and it is best to make room with user-generated content and entertainment software.

Using ADB for Forced Transfer

In some cases, standard settings MIUI They don't allow you to migrate certain applications, even if the map is formatted correctly. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires connecting a smartphone to a computer via a computer. USB-cable and availability of drivers.

To start, turn on USB Debugging in the developer menu. Connect your phone to your PC and start the command line with administrator permissions. Enter a command to check the connection. If the device is displayed correctly, you can enter commands to change the application storage attributes.

adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2

This command compulsorily prioritizes the installation of new applications on an external map, but for programs already installed, a command may be required:

adb shell pm move-package <name package>

Using ADB gives you more control, but it requires caution. Incorrect use of commands can cause the application to stop running. Always check the command syntax and packet identifiers before entering.

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Use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) only if you are confident in your actions, as changing system settings can disrupt the OS.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

During operation, there may be situations when the smartphone stops seeing the card or applications start to fly out, often because the storage speed has dropped or the file system has received errors. First of all, try restarting the device in safe mode to eliminate the conflict of third-party programs.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to warm up or discharge quickly after porting apps, it may be that the memory card is faulty or has a low speed class.

Another common problem is data desynchronization. Applications can run but not save progress or settings, in which case it helps to clear the cache of a particular application or completely reset the settings of a smartphone with a reconfiguration of the memory card. Make sure that the card sits tightly in the slot and the contacts are not oxidized.

Also, you should consider that once you flash or reset to factory settings, all data on the card formatted as internal memory will become unavailable. The system will require the same card that was before the reset. The card encryption is tied to a unique device identifier, so you can't restore data on another phone without formatting.

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A memory card formatted as an internal storage becomes an integral part of the system and cannot be used on other devices without data loss.

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