How to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi map: 5 working ways

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory – especially if the device from a budget line (Redmi Note 12, Poco). X5) Or released a few years ago. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in MIUI This feature is often hidden or limited, and unlike pure Android, where the option is available in the settings of each application, it's getting more complicated.

The problem is that Xiaomi is gradually abandoning support for porting to external drives, citing performance and security. However, there are workarounds – from standard tools to manual mounting through ADB. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 14/15 and older versions, including nuances for specific models (Redmi 9A, Poco F3, etc.).

Why Xiaomi is limiting the transfer of SD-map?

Since 2020, Xiaomi has started to massively remove the option of porting applications from the MIUI interface. the reasons were not officially announced, but experts identify three key factors:

• 🔹 Productivity: SD-cards (even class) A2) They are slower than the built-in memory. eMMC/UFS, slowing down applications.
• 🔹 Security: External drives are easier to extract and data on them is easier to steal or damage.
• 🔹 Fragmentation: Android is optimized for internal memory, and portability to SD may cause disruption.

However, the limitation is not absolute: on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco X3 NFC), the function has remained hidden, while for others there are workarounds.

⚠️ Note: Transfer system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery) to SD-The card can cause the device to reboot cyclically. Before manipulation, back up your Settings. → The phone. → Backup.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through Settings (if available)

On some Xiaomi devices (especially those released before 2021), the portability option is saved.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If there is a button, change or move to SD-map -- use it.

List of models where this method is guaranteed to work (as of June 2026):

If you don't have a port button, move on to the following methods. Importantly, even if you successfully port some functions (widgets, notifications) may not work properly.

Method 2: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

This method allows the system to be “deceived” by making it perceive SD-The advantage is that the applications are automatically installed on the card, and the disadvantage is that the card cannot be retrieved without losing data, and it will be encrypted.

Instructions:

Insert the card into the slot (check it supports Class A1/A2)

Back up your data from the card (all files will be deleted)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (you need to download updates)

-->

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
3. In the upper right corner, click on three dots → Storage settings.
4. Choose Format as an internal memory.
5. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take 5-15 minutes).

After formatting:

• 📌 New applications will be installed on the map by default.
• 📌 Older apps can be manually transferred through Settings → Annexes.
• 📌 The map will become unreadable on other devices without formatting.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (Redmi Note 11, Poco) M4 Pro) after this method, you may experience lags when you run heavy applications (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile!

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, then Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system where to install applications. Plus: works on all versions of MIUI. Minus: requires command line skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

ADB-driver

platform-tools

adb devices

The serial number of your device should appear.

package.name

com.whatsapp

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on SD-default-card.

To transfer the already installed application, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

List of popular application packages:

• 📱 WhatsApp: com.whatsapp
• 📷 Instagram: com.instagram.android
• 🎵 Spotify: com.spotify.music
• 📺 YouTube: com.google.android.youtube

⚠️ Note: After using pm set-install-location 2, some system updates may be installed on the system. SD-To return the default settings, follow: adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Install the App Inspector app from Google Play or use it ADB-team:

adb shell pm list packages -f

This command will display a list of all installed applications from their ID.-->

Method 4: Using third-party applications (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use Google Play utilities that automate the process.

• 🔧 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — It shows you what applications you can migrate, and it does it in one tap. MIUI 12-15, but requires on-set debugging USB.
• 📦 Files by Google – has a built-in memory manager that offers to transfer unused applications to the Internet SD-Card (not available on all devices).
• 🔄 Link2SD — powerful tool, but requires root rights to work fully (not recommended for beginners).

Instructions for AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the Special Opportunity Settings (required for automation).
3. In the main menu, select the Moving tab.
4. Tick the required applications and click Transfer to SD-map.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all applications support portability (especially system applications).
• ❌ Nana MIUI 14/15 Additional confirmation may be required through ADB.
• ❌ After updating MIUI Transferred applications can “fly” back to internal memory.

💡

The app side can't get around Android's kernel-level limitations. They just automate the same actions you could do manually through settings or ADB.

Method 5: Manually move files (for advanced ones)

This method is suitable for applications that do not support portability in standard ways, but allow you to change the path to data (for example, cache games or messengers with media files). FX File Explorer).

Algorithm of action:

1. Download and install a file manager with support for root (if any) or ADB.
2. Connect. SD-map and format it in exFAT (via PC).
3. Go to the application data folder (usually /Android/data/[package.name] or /Android/obb/[package.name]).
4. Copy the folder to SD-map (e.g. in the /storage/1234-5678/Android/data/).
5. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
6. Create a symbolic link (requires root or ADB): adb shell ln -s /storage/1234-5678/Android/data/com.example.app /sdcard/Android/data/com.example.app

Examples of applications for which this method is effective:

• 🎮 Genshin Impact (transferring the folder com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact saves up to 15 GB).
• 📸 Google Photos (a thumbnail cache can take up several gigabytes).
• 🎵 Spotify (offline playlists are stored in com.spotify.music).

⚠️ Note: Symbolic links may break after an application or system update. Regularly check their integrity through the command: adb shell ls. -l /sdcard/Android/data/ If a folder is displayed instead of a link, repeat the procedure.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

Each method has its pros and cons, and to make it easier to choose, we'll put the data in a table:

Selection recommendations:

• 📱 If you have a Redmi Note 8 Pro or older model, try the standard portability.
• 🔧 For Poco. F4 Xiaomi 12T formatting is fine SD internal memory.
• 💻 If you are a confident user, use it. ADB — It's a universal method.
• 🎮 For heavy gaming (e.g. Honor of Kings) manual file transfer is better.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SD portability in Xiaomi