Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9A Often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device has many applications. SD-The map is one of the most effective ways to free up space, but in MIUI And it's a little bit of a process, and unlike the more expensive models, the Redmi is a budget model. 9A It does not support Adoptable Storage, so standard methods may not work.
In this article, we will discuss all working methods for transferring applications to SD-map for Xiaomi Redmi 9A, including official settings MIUI, team ADB You'll learn which applications can be moved and which ones will remain in internal memory, and how to avoid common errors, such as program failure after transfer. MIUI and the way to overcome them.
Why at Redmi? 9A You can’t just transfer all the apps to the SD-map?
Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, are artificially limiting the ability to fully migrate applications to external drives, due to several factors:
- 🔒 Security: MIUI It blocks the transfer of system and some user applications to prevent them from being damaged or malfunctioning, for example, instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram often refuse to work with the service. SD-maps due to risk of data leakage.
- ⚡ Productivity: SD-Cards (especially Class 10 or lower) are slower than internal eMMC 5.1 memory, which can cause applications to lag and freeze.
- 📱 Android Limitations: Starting with Android 6.0, Google Removes Support for the Feature App2SD for all devices except those where the manufacturer has explicitly implemented it. 9A I didn't do it.
However, some applications can still be migrated by standard means, and others can be bypassed, and we'll go into detail next.
Method 1: Transfer through MIUI settings (official method)
This is the easiest way, but it doesn't work for all applications, and it only works for programs that the developer has labeled as supporting external storage.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the application you want to migrate. Please note: if the button is moved to SD-The card is inactive or absent, so this application cannot be moved in the standard way.
- Press Move to Move to SD-The map and wait for the process to be completed.
⚠️ Note: After the transfer, some functions of the application may not work correctly. For example, widgets will stop updating, and notifications will come with a delay. MIUI Not optimized for working with applications on SD-map.
SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage (not as an internal memory)|
There is enough free space on the map (at least 20% more than the weight of the application)|
The application is not system-based (e.g. Google Play Services cannot be moved)|
SD-card is a speed class no lower than UHS-I (U1)-->
Method 2: Using ADB for Forced Transfer
If the port button in the settings is inactive, you can try moving the application through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and turning on the developer mode.
🔹 Preparation:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → Click 7 times on the MIUI version.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
🔹 Transfer through ADB:
- Get Redmi on board. 9A computer-to-computer USB-cable (use original or quality cable!).
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:
adb shell pm set-install-location 2This team will establish SD-map as the preferred place to install new applications. To transfer an already installed application, use:
adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard💡 Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find out through the App Inspector utility or the Google Play website).
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 3: Forced Formatting SD-maps as internal memory
This method allows us to use SD-The card is part of the internal storage, but it has serious shortcomings:
- ⚠️ The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
- ⚠️ After extracting the map, the application will stop working on it.
- ⚠️ The speed of work depends on the class. SD-maps (recommended) UHS-I U3 higher).
🔹 How to set up:
- Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse → press on SD-map → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
- Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
- After formatting, select Move Data Now or Move it Later.
⚠️ Note: This method is not recommended for cards with a volume of less than 64 GB, as after formatting, part of the memory will be occupied by system files.
💡
Before formatting SD-As internal memory, back up all the data on your computer or in the cloud. After the procedure, you can't recover the files!
Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (Root rights not required)
If previous methods have not worked, you can use third-party applications such as AppMgr. III or Link2SD. They allow you to transfer applications to SD-card without root rights, but with some restrictions.
🔹 Instructions for AppMgr III:
- Install AppMgr III from Google Play.
- Open the application and provide all necessary permissions.
- In the Move Apps section, select the portable app.
- Press Move to SD card and confirm the action.
🔹 Limitations:
- 🚫 Not all applications are supported (especially system and preinstalled ones).
- 🚫 After the transfer, errors may occur, for example, “The application does not respond".
- 🚫 Some functions (such as autoboot) may not work properly.
💡 Tip: Before using third-party utilities, check reviews about them on Google Play. Some apps may contain ads or request unnecessary permissions.
Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map 9A?
Even with ADB or third-party utilities, some applications remain untouchable. Here is a list of categories that cannot be moved:
| Type of application | Reason for blocking | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| System applications | MIUIs are protected, their transfer may disrupt the system | Settings, Phone, Google Play Services |
| Widget annexes | Widgets stop working after transfer | Weather, Calendar, Yandex.Weather |
| Messengers | Risk of data loss and information leakage | WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber |
| Online Authorization Games | Can block the entry due to changing the storage path | PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Clash of Clans |
| Annexes with DRM-protection | Licenses are tied to internal memory | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify |
If you need to vacate your seat, consider alternative options:
- 🗑️ Removing the application cache (in Settings) → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
- ☁️ Transferring media files (photos, videos) to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
- 🔄 Use of the Lite mode function in MIUI for lightweight versions of applications.
💡
Transfer of system applications or messengers to SD-The card can cause data loss or account lock. Always check if the application supports external memory!
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When transferring applications to SD-mapping 9A Often face the following problems:
🔸 "The transfer button is inactive"
This means that the application does not support portability.
- Try to transfer through ADB (mode 2).
- Install the Lite version of the app (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the regular Facebook).
🔸 "The application does not start after the transfer"
Put it back in your internal memory or reset it.
- Check the class. SD-Cards (must be at least 10 Class).
- Format the card in FAT32 or exFAT (not NTFS!).
🔸 "There's not enough room for SD-map, though it is empty"
MIUI reserves some of the memory for the system.
- Use a larger card (128 GB is recommended).
- Only transfer the most “heavy” applications (such as games) to the map.
🔸 "SD-The card is not defined after formatting as internal memory"
This can happen because of:
- Card incompatibility (try another model, like the SanDisk Ultra or Samsung EVO).
- Failure in MIUI. Reboot your smartphone and repeat formatting.
💡
If, after transferring the application to SD-card it started to slow down, try to clear its cache in the settings or return it back to internal memory.