Transfer applications to the SD card on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: the full guide

Owners of budget smartphones such as Xiaomi Redmi 7A often face a critical shortage of built-in storage. The basic version of the device is equipped with only 16 or 32 gigabytes of memory, of which a significant part is occupied by the MIUI operating system and preinstalled software. After installing several modern applications such as instant messengers, navigators and social networks, the internal space is running out, which leads to slowdown of the gadget and the inability to update programs.

The only logical solution to extend the functionality is to use a microSD memory card. MIUI It does not provide a direct “Move to” button. SD-This is a limitation that developers have imposed to ensure system stability, since flash memory is usually slower than internal storage.

In this article, we will look at all available ways to transfer data, from standard system settings to advanced methods using ADB debugging. You will learn how to turn an external memory card into a full-fledged continuation of internal storage, having the ability to install heavy games and applications without fear of overflowing the system partition.

Analysis of internal memory and preparation of the map

Before you start manipulating the file system, you need to audit the current state of the drive. Go to the Settings menu → Memory to see detailed usage statistics. The system will show which file categories occupy the most space. Often it turns out that the main load is created by the messenger cache and user application data, not the programs themselves.

Cheap Class 4 or Class 6 drives may not cope with the load from running applications, which will lead to “freezes” of the interface and program crashes. It is recommended to use UHS-I cards with a speed class of at least 10. Card size should be sufficient; for Redmi 7A models with a volume of 32, 64 or 128 GB will be the best choice.

⚠️ Note: All of the following methods, especially those related to formatting and working through ADB, This will result in the complete deletion of all data from the memory card. be sure to back up photos, documents and music to your computer before starting the procedure.

Once the card is installed, the system will suggest you to choose the type of use, the standard version of the "Permanent drive" allows you to store only media files, and we will need deeper integration. If the card has already been used, it is better to format it through the smartphone menu, selecting the item "Clear" SD-map" to eliminate file system errors.

Standard methods of transferring files and applications

The MIUI shell allows you to transfer some types of data without using third-party software, primarily multimedia. Open a standard Explorer, select files and select the option to move, but for the applications themselves, this method is often not available directly through the settings interface.

However, some versions of Android and MIUI You can move individual applications through the control menu. Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications. Select the program you want from the list. If the developer hasn't stopped the transfer, the "Move to" button will be activated. SD-If the button is grey or missing, it means that the application is rigidly tied to the system partition.

There is also a method of transferring data from specific applications, such as instant messengers, in the WhatsApp or Telegram settings, you can specify a way to save downloaded media files to an external map, this will not transfer the application itself, but will free up a significant amount of internal memory, which is often a more effective solution than trying to transfer the executable file of the program.

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Use the built-in Cleanup feature in Xiaomi’s Security app to delete temporary files and cache, freeing up space before transferring data.

Adoptable Storage Mode with ADB

The most effective way to get Xiaomi Redmi 7A perceive SD-The card as part of the internal memory is the use of Adoptable Storage, which was introduced in Android 6.0, but many manufacturers, including Xiaomi, hide it in the standard menu. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

The first step is to activate the developer menu. Go to Settings. → About phone and seven times quickly click on the item "Version" MIUI». After the “You Become a Developer” notification appears, go back to the main settings menu and select “More” → For developers. You need to turn on "Debugging by" here. USB».

Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. On your PC, you need to download the Android SDK Platform-Tools platform tools. Open the command line in the tool folder and enter the connection verification command:

adb devices

You'll see a debugging permission request on your phone screen, which you need to confirm, then you'll have to put the card into internal storage mode, and you'll be very careful when you type in your disk ID, which is usually disk:179,XX.

adb shell pm set-force-true-adoptable true


adb shell sm list-disks




adb shell sm partition disk:179,XX private 100

⚠️ Warning: Once you execute the sm partition command, the memory card will be formatted and encrypted, and it will no longer be read on other devices (cameras, other phones) without pre-formatting, which will destroy all data.

Use of third-party utilities for memory management

If you think it's too hard to work with the command line, you can use specialized applications from Google Play. App2SD or All-In-One Toolbox can automate the check-and-transfer process. These utilities scan the system and show which applications can theoretically be moved.

But there are limitations: without root rights or debugging mode activation, these programs only work as a user-friendly interface for standard Android features. They can’t get around system bans unless the previous step with ADB was taken.

For users with superuser rights (Root) there are powerful tools such as: Link2SD. This application allows you to create symbolic links, tricking the system into thinking that the application files are in the internal partition, although they are physically located on the internal partition. SD-This is the most flexible method, but it requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights, which can void the warranty.

Table of compatibility and speed characteristics

When choosing a memory card for the Redmi 7A, it is important to consider not only the volume, but also the write/read speed. The table below shows the recommended parameters for various use cases.

Note the A1 or A2 marking on the memory card, which means that the drive is optimized for application performance class, and using the card without this marking to install programs can lead to a noticeable drop in the performance of the smartphone.

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For Adoptable Storage, it is critical to use cards labeled A1 or A2, otherwise the smartphone interface will become noticeably slower.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Users may encounter a number of difficulties in transferring data, and it is often the case that after moving the application stops running or does not work correctly, because some components of the program require access to internal storage, and the system cannot redirect the paths correctly.

Another common problem is the disappearance of widgets of displaced applications from the desktop, in which case you need to re-add the widget through the menu of the launcher widgets. If the application crashes immediately after opening, try to clear the cache or reinstall it by selecting a memory card when installing the place (if this option is available in the installer).

It's also possible to reduce autonomy, because the memory controller has to use more of the memory. SD-And if you notice that Redmi has a lot of power consumption, it's going to increase. 7A It makes sense to return the most important applications to internal memory, leaving only less demanding programs on the map.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the memory card while the phone is on if applications are ported to it. This will cause system failures and possible loss of application data. Use the Safe Retrieval feature in the settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)