Xiaomi Redmi 7A — One of the most popular budget smartphones with limited internal memory (16 or 32 GB). SD-Many users of the cards face a problem: the system does not allow you to transfer applications to an external drive by standard means. MIUI Up to Hidden Features for Experienced Users.
It's important to understand: Redmi 7A It works on Android. 9 Pie with a shell MIUI 10/11, where the portability of applications is greatly reduced compared to the newer versions, but there are workarounds, from formatting the map as internal storage to using the map. ADB-We tested all the methods on a real device and collected only the relevant solutions.
Why Redmi? 7A does not allow to transfer applications to SD-map?
The main reason is Google’s security policies and restrictions. MIUI. Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, porting apps to the Internet SD-The card was partially blocked because of:
- 🔒 Data protection: applications to SD-It is easier to steal or replace the card.
- ⚡ Performance: Class Class Class memory cards 4/10 It is slower than the built-in eMMC memory. 5.1 redmi 7A.
- 📱 Restrictions MIUI: Xiaomi additionally blocks the transfer for system stability.
However, there are exceptions: some applications (such as Google Maps or Netflix) support the transfer of data to the Internet. SD-The map is through its settings, also in Redmi. 7A You can transfer photos, videos and music, but not executable files (.apk).
Method 1: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory
This is the only official method that allows you to transfer some applications to the SD-But it has critical flaws:
⚠️ Warning: Once formatted, the card will not be used on other devices without being completely cleaned. SD-maps due to frequent overwriting of data.
Instructions:
- Put it in. SD-slot 7A (Supports cards up to 256 GB of microSDXC format).
- Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
- Click Format as Internal → Clean and Format.
- After completion, select Transfer Data (optional).
Make a backup copy of the data from the card|Check the speed class (recommended) UHS-I Class 10)|Charge your phone at least 50%|Disable important notifications during the process-->
After formatting:
- 📌 The system will automatically prompt you to move supported applications.
- 📌 B Settings → Some programs will have a button to transfer to SD-map.
- 📌 Not all apps will work consistently, especially messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) and games.
| Type of application | Is transfer possible? | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Social networks (Facebook, VK) | ✅ Yes. | They can slow down when opening. |
| Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) | ❌ No. | Security policy lockdown |
| Games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire) | ⚠️ Partially. | Only cache, non-executable files |
| Multimedia (MX Player, Spotify) | ✅ Yes. | No restrictions. |
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 tell the system which apps to port, which works even for apps that are normally blocked (like the Google Play Store).
You'll need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB.
Steps:
- Activate Developer Mode on Redmi 7A: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Then turn on USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access via USB.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
- Enter the port command (replace package.name to the application package name): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the application package. SD-default-card.
- To transfer a specific application: adb shell pm move-package package.name You can find out the name of the package via App Inspector or the command adb shell pm list packages.
💡
To find the name of the application package without ADB, install the free Package Name Viewer app from Google Play.It shows the full details of any APK installed.
⚠️ Note: Some system applications (MIUI Launcher, Security, can't be ported, it will cause the phone to reboot cyclically. MIUI setting ADB may throw off.
Method 3: Using applications for forced transfer
Google Play has utilities that automate the transfer of applications to the Internet SD-The map, even if the system blocks it, is the most reliable:
- 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Shows you which apps you can transfer and does it in one click.
- 🔄 Link2SD — Creates symbolic links by deceiving the system (requires root).
- 🗃️ Files by Google – helps to clear cache and transfer media files.
Example of AppMgr III:
- Install the application and open it.
- Click Portable - a list of supported programs will be displayed.
- Select the application and tap Transfer to SD-map.
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
What to do if the application is not portable?
Limitations of methods:
- ❌ Without root, you can not transfer system applications.
- ❌ Some games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) block the launch of the game. SD-map.
- ⚠️ After the transfer, the widgets of the application may stop working.
Method 4: Transfer of cache and application data
If you cannot transfer the application itself, you can free up space by moving its cache and data (for example, uploaded maps to Google Maps or media in Telegram).
How to do this:
- Open the Settings → Applications.
- Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache (if necessary).
- Some apps have an internal setup for data transfer: Google Maps → Settings → Offline Maps → Storage settings → Memory Map
Examples of applications with support for data transfer:
| Annex | What can I transfer? | Path in settings |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | Offline maps | Settings → Offline maps → Memory of the device |
| Spotify | Uploaded music | Settings → Music → Storage |
| Telegram | Media files | Settings → Data and memory → Telegram folder |
💡
Cache and data transfer is the safest way to free up memory, as it does not affect the application executables, but once the application is updated, the data can be re-entered into internal memory.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If none of these methods worked, consider alternative ways to optimize your memory.
- 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Clean up.
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move your photos/video to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
- 🗑️ Removal of unnecessary APK: Use Files by Google to find duplicates and junk.
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings: The last resort if the phone is clogged with system debris.
It may also be considered:
- 🛒 Purchase. SD-larger cards (up to 512 GB supported, but really works stably up to 256 GB).
- 📱 Update of the firmware: In new versions MIUI 12+ Sometimes they expand the possibilities of transfer.
- 🔧 Root access: Allows you to port any application, but deprives you of security and security.