Transfer applications to the SD card Xiaomi Redmi 9

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones often face a situation where the built-in storage fills up faster than expected, despite the declared memory volumes. Modern applications require more and more space for cache, updates and temporary files, which leads to a slowdown in the system and the inability to install new programs.

However, since certain versions of the MIUI shell, developers have limited the standard ability to move applications, leaving users only the option of transferring media files. This is done for the safety and stability of the Android operating system, but creates inconvenience for those who actively use heavy programs. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, including using developer mode and third-party gates, to maximize the potential of your memory card.

Preparation of memory card and device for work

Before you start manipulating system files, you need to properly prepare the external drive. Using a poor-quality or damaged card can lead to data loss and freeze of the Redmi 9 smartphone. It is recommended to use MicroSDHC or MicroSDXC cards with a speed class of at least 10 (Class 10) or the UHS-I standard, since the speed of reading and writing directly affects the performance of portable applications.

Insert the memory card into the corresponding slot of the smartphone's hybrid tray. SIM-You have to choose one of these cards, because the second slot is occupied by the drive. After the physical installation, the system must automatically determine the new media. → The phone. → Storage to make sure the card volume is displayed correctly and it is available for recording.

It is important to understand that formatting a card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage mode) on the MIUI shell is often unavailable or hidden without root rights. Therefore, we will consider how to work with the card as a portable medium, which is a safer and more stable option for most users. Before starting any work, make a backup of important data, since the formatting process will completely remove all information from the card.

⚠️ Note: Formatting a memory card will destroy all files stored on it. Make sure you save important photos and documents on your computer or in cloud storage before starting the procedure.

• 📱 Check the compatibility of the memory card with the Redmi 9 model (the maximum supported volume is usually 512 GB).
• 💾 Make a full backup of data from the card to the computer or to the cloud.
• 🔋 Make sure your smartphone battery is at least 50% battery power to avoid sudden shutdown.
• 📶 Remove the card from the device and check it for errors using the computer if there are doubts about its serviceability.

After successfully installing and formatting the map in FAT32 or exFAT format (the latter is not supported by all Android versions on Xiaomi), you can move on to configuring the system. Proper preparation will eliminate most errors associated with reading data and working portable applications.

Activate the Developer Mode to Enhance Opportunities

Xiaomi’s standard settings menu hides many of the advanced features needed to manage memory. To access them, you need to activate a hidden developer menu. This doesn’t require special programming knowledge, but gives the user deeper control over the Android operating system.

To activate, go to the Settings menu → About the phone. Find the line "Version." MIUI» or "Operation Version" and quickly click on it 7-10 Once in a row, a pop-up notice will appear on the screen that you have become a developer, and then a new item will appear in the main settings menu, in the "Additional" section, "Developers For Developers».

Inside this menu, we're interested in a specific feature that has historically allowed applications to be forcibly migrated: Find the option "Force allow apps on external," which causes the system to consider an external memory card as a valid place to install programs, even if the application developer did not intend to.

It is worth noting that on newer versions of MIUI 12 and above, this switch may be missing or inactive as Google gradually abandons this feature in pure Android. However, on Redmi 9 with earlier versions of firmware, this method often works effectively. If the switch is found and activated, reboot the device to apply the changes.

The standard method of transferring applications through settings

Once the map is prepared and the hidden functions are activated, you can try to move applications using standard system tools, which is the most secure method, since it does not require the installation of third-party software and does not violate the device warranty.

Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications. Select the program you want to move (for example, a heavy game or social network). If the system allows portability, the "Change" button or the "Memory" option will be active in the application menu, where you can select «SD-If the button is grey or missing, the app developer has banned the portability and more sophisticated methods will be required.

Not all application files are transferred to external media. System libraries and important components often remain in internal memory to ensure stability of work. The map moves mainly cache, resources and user data. This means that releasing tens of gigabytes by transferring one application may not work, but the cumulative effect of transferring all possible programs will be noticeable.

After the transfer, it is recommended to check the health of the application. Run it, make sure that the data is loaded correctly. In some cases, when you delete the memory card, the application may stop running or give errors, since the shortcut in the menu refers to a path that no longer exists. This is normal behavior when working with external drives in an Android environment.

Using the ADB utility for forced transfer

If standard methods do not give results, you can use the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a powerful tool from Google that allows you to control your smartphone from a computer via the command line, USB-cable and minimal skills with console commands, but it bypasses many of the limitations of the shell MIUI.

To start the work, you need to include debugging on USB. Go to the “Developers” menu we activated earlier and find the “Debugging by” item. USB». Turn it on. You may also need to enable the option "Install via" USB» and «USB-Debugging (security settings) for which you need to insert SIM-card and log into the Mi-account.

Download and install ADB drivers on your computer. Connect your smartphone with a cable to your PC. In the window that opens on your phone, confirm your debugging permission. Open the command line on your computer in the ADB folder and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is identified, you can start the transfer. The command to move the application is as follows, where package_name — This is the name of the application package, and 1 external memory:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.appname external

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Introducing incorrect parameters or attempting to move system applications can lead to unstable smartphone operation or cyclical restart.

The name of the package can be found in the Google Play store (in the URL-the address of the application page) or through special application analyzers on the phone itself. ADB It is the most flexible, but it does not give a 100% guarantee, since the final decision on the possibility of transfer is still made by the operating system.

Performance Comparison: Internal Memory vs. SD

It is important to understand the difference in data speeds: the built-in memory of a Redmi 9 smartphone (eMMC 5.1) usually has a higher rate of random read and write compared to the average memory card. When you transfer heavy games or applications that actively use the database (for example, messengers), you may notice an increase in loading time.

Memory cards have a limited life of rewrite cycles. Active applications that constantly write and delete temporary files can run out of card life faster than would happen with internal memory. In addition, the file system on external drives is less optimized for working with many small files, which is typical for the application cache.

And you can see from the chart that using UHS-I speed cards minimizes performance loss. If you plan to use the apps on the card, you don't need to save on the card speed class. Cheap cards can cause noticeable "freezes" in the interface and a long response from programs.

Cache cleanup and storage optimization

Even after the application is transferred, internal memory can fill up, because some of the data is still inside, and a new cache accumulates, and regular cleaning of temporary files helps keep Redmi 9 fast.

Use Xiaomi’s built-in Security app. Run a scan and use the Cleanup feature. Pay special attention to the Cache section, where gigabytes of temporary files from browsers and social networks can be stored, and analyze which folders occupy the most space in the storage settings.

For deeper cleaning, you can use file managers such as Total Commander or Files by Google, which allow you to find duplicate files, old downloads and remnants of deleted applications. Do not forget to check the folders of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), as they often save the received photos and videos to the general gallery, taking up a place in the internal memory, even if the chat settings indicate saving on the Internet. SD-map.

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Use the Files feature in Google One or the built-in Explorer to find large files. Often forgotten videos or forgotten downloads take up more space than the app cache.

Possible problems and solutions

In the course of operation, errors may occur, for example, the system may report that SD-The card is damaged or needs formatting, although the files are fine, and this often happens when the card is abruptly removed or power failure, in which case, try to clean the contacts of the card with a soft eraser and insert it again.

Another common problem is that apps stop working after the card is removed, which is the expected behavior. To restore work, you either have to return the card to its place, or you have to transfer the applications back to internal memory through settings. If the application crashes immediately after launch, try clearing its cache and data, but remember that this will delete the local settings of the program.

If the memory card is defined as “Empty” or “Not supported,” it may be formatted into an NTFS or exFAT file system that your Android version doesn’t see without additional drivers, in which case format the card in conjunction with FAT32 (for cards up to 32 GB) or use third-party file managers with plug-ins support.

⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the memory card "hot" while the applications that are on it are running. This can lead to corruption of the application database and loss of progress in games or correspondence.

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The stability of the smartphone with portable applications depends on the quality of the memory card and its write speed, and cheap cards can cause system lags.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions