Transfer of applications to SD-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: Full Guide 2026

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device has a lot of applications or games. SD-The map seems like a logical solution, but in reality the process is complicated by the limitations of the shell. MIUI In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from standard settings to alternative methods using the use of Android. ADB and third-party utilities.

Itโ€™s important to understand that not all apps support external storage, such as Google and most social media services (like WhatsApp or Telegram) will remain in internal memory regardless of your actions, but for games with a few gigabytes of cache or rarely used programs, the transfer can free up up to 10-15 GB of precious space.

Also note: Redmi Note 9 Pro supports microSD up to 512 GB (FAT32 or exFAT format), but the speed of applications from the card will be lower than from the internal drive UFS 2.1. This is especially noticeable in heavy games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, where read/write delays can lead to friezes.

Why? MIUI restricts the transfer of applications to SD-map?

Xiaomiโ€™s MIUI shell intentionally blocks the application port function for several reasons:

  • ๐Ÿ”’ Security: Android applications on SD-It is easier to modify or steal the card, which increases the risk of hacking.
  • โšก Performance: Memory cards (even class) A2) Slower embedded flash memory, which impairs the user experience.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Fragmentation: MIUI optimized to work with internal drive, and application portability can cause crashes.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Google restrictions: Starting with Android 6.0, Google has tightened the rules for working with external media, and Xiaomi follows these standards.

However, MIUI 12/13/14 (depending on the firmware version of your Redmi Note 9 Pro) still has the option of partially migrating through the system settings.

Important: If your device is running on Android 11+, Some methods (e.g. formatting) SD-Maps as internal storage) may not be available due to Google's storage separation policy.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

This is the simplest method, but it only works for applications that explicitly support the port function.

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Spotify or Netflix).
  3. Slip on Warehouse.
  4. If the option is available, you will see the Change or Move button. SD-map.
  5. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (may take up to 5 minutes).

This method has serious limitations:

  • โŒ It works for less than 30% of Google Play apps.
  • โŒ Does not transfer application data (cache, settings, game saving).
  • โŒ After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.

SD-map FAT32 exFAT|

There is enough free space on the map (at least 20% more than the size of the application)|

The application is not a system or update MIUI|

The device is not connected to a PC or charging (may interrupt the process)-->

Critical note: If after transfer the application starts to fly or does not open, return it to internal memory through the same settings. MIUI Not optimized for working with applications on SD-lower-class A2.

Method 2: Formatting SD-card-based

This method allows us to use SD-The card is part of the internal memory, but it has irreversible consequences:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ The map cannot be extracted and used in other devices without formatting.
  • ๐Ÿ“‰ The speed of the system may fall 15-25% (depending on the class of the card).
  • ๐Ÿšจ When you remove the map, the application will stop working on it.

If you are prepared for these victims, follow the instructions:

  1. Put it in. SD-Map of the Redmi Note 9 Pro.
  2. Go to Settings. โ†’ Warehouse.
  3. Tap by name. SD-map โ†’ Three dots (menu) โ†’ Storage settings.
  4. Choose Format as an internal drive.
  5. Confirm the action (the data on the map will be deleted!).
  6. After formatting, restart the device.

Now, when you install new applications, the system will ask you to choose a storage location, so you can transfer the programs that are already installed:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Apps.
  2. Select the app โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Change.
  3. Indicate. SD-map as target storage.
What if the option "Format as internal drive" is not available?
This feature can be hidden in firmware based on Android 11+. Try: 1. Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ System update. 2. Use ADB-3. Set up custom recovery (e.g., custom recovery, TWRP) and format the map manually.

โš ๏ธ Note: Once the card is formatted as an internal drive, it will not be read on a PC through a card reader. USB.

Method 3: Transfer applications over ADB (for advanced applications)

If standard methods donโ€™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 and basic command line knowledge.

Preparation:

  1. Download ADB Tools from Google.
  2. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi Note 9 Pro: go to Settings โ†’ About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
  3. Return to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
  4. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Next, execute commands in the terminal (PC command line):

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2 # Sets SD-map as default location for new applications




pm move-package com.example.app # Replace com.example.app with your applicationโ€™s batch name

To find out the batch name of the application, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

Examples for Facebook portability:

adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana

๐Ÿ’ก

If the team returns a Failure error [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed, which means the application is blocked for portability. Try an alternative method using the utility. App2SD (available on Google Play).

โš ๏ธ Note: Not all applications will work correctly after the transfer through the ADB. For example, Google Maps or YouTube may start to give out startup errors. 1-2 applications.

Comparison of transfer methods: which one to choose?

To facilitate the choice, we will summarize the key parameters in a table:

MethodDifficultySupported applicationsData portabilityRisks.
Standard (via MIUI)โญ~30% of applicationsโŒ No.Minimum
Formatting as an internal storage deviceโญโญ~70% of applicationsโœ… Partially.Decreased performance, inability to retrieve the card
ADBโญโญโญ~50% of applicationsโŒ No.Application failures require PCs
The side of the utility (App2SD)โญโญ~40% of applicationsโœ… Yes (optional)Potential security vulnerabilities

For most Redmi Note 9 Pro users, the best solution is a combination of standard portability (for supported applications) and formatting. SD-card as an internal storage device (if space saving is critical). ADB It is suitable only for experienced users who are ready for possible failures.

Standard through MIUI | settings

Formatting SD as an internal drive |

ADB-team|

The side of the utility (App2SD, Link2SD) |

I haven't tried, but I'm planning.-->

Alternative ways to free up memory

If the application portability hasnโ€™t solved the memory shortage problem, consider these options:

  • ๐Ÿงน Cache Clearing: Go to Settings โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache. It can release until 1-3 GB.
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Remove Unnecessary Files: Use the Built-in Cleanup Utility MIUI Third-party applications like Files by Google.
  • โ˜๏ธ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, and then delete local copies.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Optimization of games: In Settings โ†’ Special facilities โ†’ Optimize Games to Turn Off Background Activity for Rarely Used Games.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Factory reset: Extreme measure, but effective if system is cluttered.Be sure to make a backup!

Itโ€™s also worth checking which apps take up the most space:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Sort the list by size (slip to Size in the top panel).
  3. Delete or clear the data for the most "heavy" programs.

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not remove system applications MIUI (For example, com.miui.gallery or com.android.settings without root rights.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Redmi Note 9 Pro users often face the following problems:

  • ๐Ÿšซ "Transfer button is inactive: Reason: the application does not support transfer or SD-map NTFS (need FAT32/exFAT).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ "App returned to internal memory after update: This is standard behavior MIUI. The solution is to disable auto-update for such software.
  • โšก "Annexes to SD-The card is slowed down": Wine slow card (need a class A2 or UHS-I). Try a map from SanDisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus.
  • ๐Ÿ“ต "SD-Card not defined": Check the slot contacts (blow or clean with alcohol) or test the card on another device.

If after the transfer the application stopped working:

  1. Reboot the phone.
  2. Return the app to your internal memory.
  3. Clean its cache in Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ [name] โ†’ Storage โ†’ Clear the cache.
  4. Reinstall the app.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before the purchase SD-Redmi Note 9 Pro cards check compatibility.Optimum options: SanDisk Ultra (A1), Samsung Pro Endurance (A2), Kingston Canvas Go! Plus (A2). Class cards A1 The following may not provide stable application.

Can I transfer WhatsApp to WhatsApp? SD-Map of the Redmi Note 9 Pro?
No, WhatsApp (like most messengers) blocks the transfer to external media for security reasons. You can only transfer media (photos, videos) manually through WhatsApp Settings โ†’ Storage and data โ†’ Storage Management.
Why After Formatting SD-Cards as an internal drive it is not displayed in the PC?
This is normal Android behavior. Once the card is formatted as internal storage, it is encrypted and becomes part of the smartphone file system. To access files, connect the Redmi Note 9 Pro to your PC via USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
How to return applications from SD-card back to internal memory?
Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ [app name] โ†’ Storage โ†’ Change and select Internal Memory. If the option is not available, uninstall and reinstall the application.
Will the application port on the Redmi Note 9 Pro with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) work?
Yes, on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) porting applications to SD-The card often works better than the MIUI. However, to install custom firmware, you will need to unlock the bootloader, which will reset all data on the device.
Can I use it? SD-card simultaneously expands memory and files storage?
No. If you format a card as an internal drive, it's only for applications, and if you want to store files (photos, music) you need to leave the card in Portable Drive format, but then the portability of applications will be limited.