How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways and life hacks

Why Xiaomi can’t just move apps to Xiaomi SD-map?

Xiaomi smartphone owners are facing a shortage of internal memory sooner or later, especially if the device is from a budget line (Redmi 9A, Poco M3) or released a few years ago. The logical solution is to transfer applications to a microSD card, but here users will be surprised: in MIUI this feature is either absent or works with serious limitations.

It's about the Android architecture and Xiaomi's policy, and since Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has introduced the Adoptable Storage concept, which allows you to format. SD-However, Xiaomi has disabled this option in most firmware, leaving only the ability to transfer media files (photos, videos, music), and even in models that support Adoptable Storage (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro), the process is fraught with risks: After formatting, the card will not be used in other devices, and the speed of applications may drop.

There are technical nuances: cheap Class 4 or Class 10 memory cards (not UHS-I) simply can’t handle the load from applications, causing lags. So Xiaomi prefers not to risk the stability of the system. But there is a way out! Below we will discuss all the working methods, from official (with restrictions) to advanced (with root rights).

Method 1: Official MIUI portability (not working on all models)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI feature, but it is not available to everyone.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Facebook or Telegram).
3. Slip it on the Warehouse.
4. If there is a button, move to SD-You're lucky, you press it and wait until it's done.

⚠️ Note: Even if the button is active, only a portion of the application data (usually cache and media) can be transferred. APK-files and critical data will remain in internal memory, and after rebooting, some applications can automatically return to the main storage.

Memory card formatted as portable storage (not internal) |

Volume of free space per person SD-map exceeds the size of the application|

The application is not system-based (e.g. Google Play Services)|

Smartphone is not discharged (process requires ~10-15% charge)

-->

If the buttons are moved to SD-No card, so your Xiaomi model doesn't support this functionality.

Method 2: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method works on devices with Android 6.0+, But Xiaomi has hidden it in the depths of the settings. Importantly, once formatted, the card can't be used on other devices without being completely cleaned. UHS-I (For example, SanDisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map.
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Storage Settings.
4. Click Format as internal (if the option is missing, your model does not support the function).
5. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take 5-10 minutes).

Once formatted, the system will suggest moving the data. Select Move it now, and some of the applications will automatically move to the map.

• 🔄 Application speeds may slow down (especially on cheap maps).
• 🚫 Not all apps support Adoptable Storage (such as WhatsApp or banking software).
• ⚠️ When you remove the card, the applications will stop working until it returns.

💡

Before formatting, copy all important files with SD-Cards to the computer - the process completely cleans the drive!

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for advanced users)

If the previous methods did not work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — It's a debugging tool. USB-debugging and working ADB on the computer, but allows you to transfer even those applications that are usually blocked.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times to the MIUI version.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include USB-debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install Xiaomi drivers (if necessary), and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Find out the batch name of the application (for example, for Facebook it is com.facebook.katana). This can be done through the Play Market (link in the address bar) or by command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "app name"
6. Move the app to SD-Map command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 Then reinstall the application - it will automatically install on the map.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Services) MIUI System Apps will not be transferred even through ADB. In addition, after the update MIUI settings may reset and applications will return to internal memory.

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (with risks)

Google Play has utilities that promise to transfer applications to the Internet SD-map, for example, AppMgr III or Link2SD. However, their effectiveness on Xiaomi is limited:

• 🔧 AppMgr III Only those applications that already support this function can be transferred to MIUI (This means that the official method is duplicated).
• 🛠️ Link2SD requires root rights and works only on firmware with an unlocked bootloader.
• ⚠️ Many of these utilities contain ads or collect data (check reviews before installing!).

If you do decide to use Link2SD, follow the instructions:

1. Install the application and provide root access.
2. Select the application from the list and tap Create a link.
3. Transfer the data to the second section SD-Maps (you need to split them into sections via MiniTool Partition Wizard).

Critical: Using root rights voids Xiaomi’s warranty and can lead to unstable system performance. On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 11 in the global version), unlocking requires waiting 7-15 days after a request to the Mi Unlock Tool.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To facilitate the choice, brought all the ways in a table with pros and cons:

For most users, the best solution is a combination of official portability (for supported applications) and Adoptable Storage (if the model allows). Advanced users with an unlocked bootloader will suit ADB or Link2SD, but it is already important to weigh the risks.

What if nothing works? Alternative solutions

If none of these methods have worked, consider alternatives:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clean up and delete unnecessary files. For example, the cache of Google Play Services can take several gigabytes.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive. This will make room for apps.
• 🔄 Factory reset: Extreme measure, but sometimes helps. pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📱 Replacement of memory card: If you use Class 10, try it UHS-I U3 (For example, SanDisk Ultra A1). It handles the load faster and better.

It's also worth checking which apps take up the most space.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (shoot by three points → sort by size).
3. Delete or clear the cache from the most voracious programs (for example, TikTok, Facebook, games).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.xiaomi.scanner) cannot be removed without root rights. → Annexes → Shut down.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map