How to transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi: all ways and pitfalls

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially on budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in MIUI This function doesn't work like other firmware, and the manufacturer artificially restricts the user experience by saying "performance optimization," and we'll figure out how to get around these limitations and what to do if the system doesn't allow the application to be moved.

It’s important to understand: starting with Android 6.0 (and the corresponding versions). MIUI) Google has changed its policy on external drives. SD-The card can be used either as a portable storage device (for photos, music, documents) or as internal memory (with formatting in Adoptable Storage), the second option allows you to install applications on the map, but has serious disadvantages: The map cannot be retrieved without losing data, and its speed directly affects system performance. In this article, we will look at all available methods, from standard settings to hidden commands. ADB.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the transfer of applications to the SD-map?

The manufacturer officially declares that the restrictions are related to:

• 🔹 Low speed of most microSD cards (class) A1/A2 does not save from lag when running applications from an external drive).
• 🔹 Risk of data loss when the card is retrieved or damaged.
• 🔹 Fragmentation of the file system, which over time slows down the smartphone.
• 🔹 Google’s policy recommends developers store critical app data in internal memory.

But the real reason goes deeper: Xiaomi is encouraging the purchase of models with more internal memory. 9A or POCO M3) They are often supplied with 32 GB of which the user is available. ~20 GB, even after the transfer of applications to the SD-The card cache and updates still take up internal memory. The manufacturer does not advertise that some applications (for example, Google Play Services or Google Play Services) MIUI System Apps is not fundamentally transferable.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is an Adoptable Storage, which cannot be connected to another device without full formatting, and can cause updates to crash. MIUI through OTA.

Method 1: Standard transfer through MIUI settings (not for everyone)

This method is suitable for a limited number of applications and is only available on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi A3 with pure Android One).

To check for her presence:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Facebook or Telegram).
3. Click on Warehouse.
4. If there is a button Change or Move to SD-You're lucky. Press it and confirm the action.

If there is no button, then the application does not support portability, or your version of MIUI blocks this function.

Method 2: Use of the SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method allows you to format a memory card as part of an internal storage, but has serious limitations:

• 🔹 The map will be encrypted and tied to the device, and it will not be read on a PC or any other smartphone.
• 🔹 The speed of the system depends on the class of the card. UHS-I U3 or A2.
• 🔹 When you remove the map, the application will stop working on it.
• 🔹 Some updates MIUI They may reset and require re-formatting.

If you are prepared for these risks, follow the instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. When you receive a notification, click Set Up → Internal Memory.
3. Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
4. After the process is complete, restart the device.
5. Now, when installing new applications, the system will prompt you to choose a storage location (internal memory or storage). SD-map).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) have the Adoptable Storage option hidden. ADB (see method 4).

Buy a Class A2 or UHS-I U3 card (minimum 64GB) |

Backup the data from the card (they will be deleted) |

Charge your phone at least 50% |

Disable two-factor authentication in MI-account (during the procedure)-->

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — It is a debugging tool that allows you to manually specify to the system which applications can be transferred to the SD-The method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Before you start, make sure that:

• 🔹 Drivers are installed on your PC ADB.
• 🔹 The smartphone includes debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔹 SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage (not as an internal memory!).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device is determined, continue. If not, check the drivers and permissions.

1. Enter the command to port the application (replace com.example.app with your application’s batch name, such as com.whatsapp):

adb shell pm set-install-location 2


adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

Critical: after the first command (set-install-location 2) all new applications will be installed by default on the Internet. SD-To return the settings, use the adb shell pm set-install-location 0 (internal memory) or 1 (automatic selection).

To find out the batch name of the application, use:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "appendix name"

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If the move-package command returns the error [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed, so the application is blocked by the manufacturer. Try to manually transfer it through App Info. 1) Or use the Adoptable Storage (Service) 2).

Method 4: Bypassing MIUI restrictions with Magisk (root)

If the previous methods didn't work, the last option is to get root rights and use the Magisk module.

• 🔹 Violates the warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔹 May lead to blocking of banking applications (due to SafetyNet trigger).
• 🔹 Wrong actions can bring the smartphone out of order ("brick").

If you are ready for risk, follow the steps:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires binding to the Mi Account and waiting 7-30 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox) for your model.
3. Squeeze Magisk through recovery.
4. Install the App2SD or ForceAdoptable module from the Magisk repository.
5. Restart the device and check the portability in the application settings.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5+ Android 11/12 Application portability modules may not work due to changes in storage policy. Check compatibility on forums before firmware 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Even with ADB or root, some applications are fundamentally untransferable, including:

• 🔹 System Services: Google Play Services, MIUI System, Security.
• 🔹 Applications with a high level of protection: banking clients (SberBank, Tinkoff), messengers with encryption (Signal, Telegram Secret Chats).
• 🔹 Anticheat games: PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Genshin Impact (they block the launch from external drives).
• 🔹 Widgets and Launchers: Nova Launcher, MIUI Launcher (can stop working after transfer).

It is also worth considering that even the transferred applications:

• 🔹 It can be slower to start (especially if the class map is a bit slower). A1 lower).
• 🔹 You won’t get automatic updates from Google Play (you’ll have to manually update them).
• 🔹 May lose data when a card is extracted or a file system crashes.

Alternative solutions: how to free up space without transferring to SD

If porting applications is not possible or feasible, consider other ways to free up internal memory:

• 🔹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select a heavy app (like Facebook) and click Clear Cache. 1-5 GB.
• 🔹 Media transfer: photos, videos and music can be manually moved to SD-A card via any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• 🔹 Using Cloud Storage: Google Photos (compression photo), MIUI Cloud (5GB free) or Yandex Drive.
• 🔹 Disabling Unnecessary System Applications: Through Settings → Annexes → Show all applications you can disable (disable) pre-installed services (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps).
• 🔹 Removing duplicate files using Files by Google or CCleaner.

Game Hack: Many mobile games (such as Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail) allow you to upload additional files to your mobile device. SD-This is the map:

1. Set the game into your internal memory.
2. Run it and wait for the option to Download data or Additional files to appear.
3. Show the way. SD-a card for storing downloaded data (usually a folder) Android/obb).

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Transfer of applications to SD-Xiaomi's card is a half-measure, and the best solution is to buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory (128 GB or more) or use cloud storage for media files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to SD in Xiaomi