How to transfer applications to SD-map 4X: way

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4X With its modest 16-32 GB of internal memory, it is still a popular budget device, but owners sooner or later face a shortage of space. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in MIUI This process is nuanced, unlike new Xiaomi models, where the portability is often blocked by the manufacturer, in Redmi. 4X It is technically possible, but with limitations.

The main problem is the Android 6.0 architecture: the system allows you to port only some applications, and some (for example, system or high-performance) will remain in internal memory. In addition, after transferring applications can run slower due to the limited speed of reading microSD. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from standard MIUI settings to using ADB and third-party utilities, and explain why some applications can not be ported in principle.

Preparation: what kind SD-Choose a map for Xiaomi Redmi 4X

Before you port applications, make sure your microSD card meets the requirements. Redmi 4X supports cards up to 256 GB (officially up to 128 GB, but tests show compatibility with large volumes), but the key parameter is the speed class.

• 🔹 Class 10 (UHS-I U1) — Minimum threshold for application portability: Class 4-6 cards can cause lags.
• 🔹 Format exFAT/FAT32 — MIUI works better FAT32, card-wise >32 GB will require exFAT (supported after update) MIUI beforehand 9.5+).
• 🔹 No damaged sectors – check the map through Settings → Memory. → Verification SD-map.

Importantly, if you plan to use the card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage), it will have to be formatted and all data will be deleted, and this method allows you to migrate more applications, but has risks - for example, when you extract the card, applications will stop working.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI function, which is suitable for most user applications (such as instant messengers or games), but does not work for system utilities.

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (such as Telegram or Facebook).
3. Slip it on the vault. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5 minutes).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all apps support portability (for example, WhatsApp or Google Play Services will remain in internal memory).
• 🚫 After transferring some data (cache, updates) may remain in internal memory.
• 🚫 Some applications after transfer begin to fly out or slow down more often.

⚠️ Warning: If the app stops opening after the transfer, try clearing the cache in the settings or returning it back to internal memory. Some applications (e.g. banking) block work from external storage for security reasons.

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

This method allows the system to be “deceived” by making it perceive SD-The advantage of this is that you can transfer more applications, including those that don't normally support external memory:

• 🔄 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🔄 When you remove the map, the applications will stop working.
• 🔄 Speed can drop (especially on low-cost 4-6 cards).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Storage settings → Format as internal.
4. Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
5. After the restart, the system will prompt you to migrate the data. Choose to Move now or do it later manually through Settings → Applications.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system which apps to port, which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Warning: improper use of ADB can lead to system failures.

Steps:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install it ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. To migrate an application (e.g. com.whatsapp), use: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command installs SD-map as the default installation location for new applications. To migrate an already installed application, use: adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp Replace com.whatsapp with your application's batch name (you can find out through App Inspector in Play Market).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Store or Google Play Store) MIUI Security) cannot be transferred even through ADB. Trying to do this will lead to a Failure error. [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION].

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To find out the batch name of an application without third-party utilities, install App Inspector from the Play Market or use the adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name" (for Linux/Mac).

Why some applications cannot be moved to SD-map

Even with ADB or Adoptable Storage, some applications will remain in internal memory, due to limitations set by the developers:

• 🔒 System applications (e.g, MIUI Home or Google Services Framework – This can disrupt system stability.
• 🔒 Applications with widgets - widgets stop working when transferred to SD.
• 🔒 High-rights applications (bank clients, antiviruses) – block transfers for security reasons.
• 🔒 Games with protection against piracy (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact – may not be running from external storage.

In addition, some applications are used OBB-files (additional data for games) that remain in internal memory even after the main memory transfer APK. For example, in Asphalt 9 itself. APK transferable SD, But the cache files and graphics will remain in the memory of the phone.

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If the application is transferred to SD-The card is unstable, so try to clear the cache or return it back to internal memory.

What to do if after transferring the application is slowed down

Transfer to SD-The card can slow down applications, especially if the card has a low read/write speed:

• 🛠 Use the class map UHS-I U3 — It provides reading speeds up to 90MB/s, which minimizes lags.
• 🛠 Clean the app cache regularly through Settings → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🛠 Turn off animation in MIUI: Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and set the scale of the animation window on Disable.
• 🛠 You can only transfer the "light" applications -- messengers, readers, utilities -- and you can leave the heavy games, like Call of Duty Mobile, in your internal memory.

If the brakes are critical, return the application back:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select the problem application → Storage → Change → Internal memory.

Alternative ways to free up memory in Redmi 4X

If the application portability hasn’t solved the memory problem, consider other methods:

• 🗑 Cleaning the cache of system applications - use the built-in Cleanup utility in MIUI (Find it through the search in the settings).
• 🗑 Transfer media files – photos, videos and music can be moved to SD-map through the Gallery or Files.
• 🗑 Using cloud storage – Google Photos or Mi Cloud automatically upload photos to the cloud and free up space.
• 🗑 Removal of unnecessary APK — After updates, you can still have old versions of the applications in your memory. → Memory. → Unnecessary files.

You can also disable pre-installed MIUI apps that you don’t use:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Video or Mi Music).
3. Tap Disable (do not delete!) This will free up space and hide the app from the menu.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting applications to SD in Redmi 4X