Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7 often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if you use the basic version of the device with 32 gigabytes. Modern applications take up more space, and multimedia files quickly fill the available space, causing slowdown of the system. The solution is the use of an external microSD card, but the standard port of applications to MIUI is often blocked by developers.
In this article, we will take a look at how to get around system limitations and get your phone to use an external drive as a full part of internal memory, learn about the risks, benefits of the method, and get step-by-step instructions on how to activate the Adoptable Storage feature.
Before you start, you need to prepare the memory card itself, and the file system needs to be formatted correctly, as all the data on it will be deleted during the setup process, and make sure you save important photos and documents to your computer or to the cloud.
Preparation of memory card and diagnostics of storage
The first step is to analyze the current memory status of your Redmi 7. Android requires that the external drive has sufficient write speed for the correct operation of applications. If the card is too slow, the phone may refuse to use it for installation of programs, limiting itself to storing photos and music.
Insert the microSD card into the slot and wait for system notifications. Go to the settings menu by selecting Settings. → The vault, and you'll see the information on the place of employment and status here. SD-If the card is new, it should be formatted as "Inner Storage" (or "Device Memory"), but by standard means. MIUI This option is often hidden.
⚠️ Note: Formatting a memory card as internal storage makes it unreadable on other devices without re-formatting.
To diagnose the speed of writing, you can use third-party utilities from Google Play, such as A1 SD Bench. The minimum allowable values for comfortable application operation are 10 MB / s when recording sequentially. Lower values will lead to long downloads and friezes in games.
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Use UHS-I or UHS-II memory cards labeled A1 or A2 – they are specifically designed to run applications and ensure the system runs smoothly.
Activation of the developer mode for transfer
Because MIUI is the default default default for full memory fusion, we need access to advanced system settings, and this is done through developer mode activation, which is safe if you follow the instructions, but requires careful settings.
Open the Settings app and go to About Phone. Find the line "Version" MIUI» And press it fast. 7-10 After a few clicks, you'll see a pop-up saying you've become a developer, and now you'll see a new option in the settings menu called "Additional" or "Extended Settings" where you'll select "Developers For Developers.
- 📱 Find the item “Default to install applications” or “Preferred installation location” in the list».
- 💾 Change the meaning from “Inner Memory” to «SD-card" or "external drive».
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
It is worth noting that on newer versions of MIUI, this setting may be blocked or not work for system applications, in which case the change in setting will only prompt the system to try to put new programs on the map, but does not guarantee success for those already installed.
Instructions for formatting as internal storage
If standard methods don't give you full access, you can try forced formatting through storage settings, if your version of Android allows it.Put a map in, then go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-Click on three dots in the corner of the screen and select "Storage settings».
Select the option “Format as internal storage” and the system will warn you of data loss and the need for high speed maps. Confirm the action. Once the process is complete, the phone will prompt you to transfer existing data (photo, music) to a new formatted disk.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
It is important to understand that the file system will change to ext4 or f2fs, which is the native Linux/Android format. Windows computers will not be able to read such a card without special software.
| Parameter | External storage (portable) | Internal storage (Adoptable) |
|---|---|---|
| Access to PC | Got it (through card reader) | No (reconnection required) |
| Installation of applications | Only with the permission of the developer | Full support |
| Speed of operation | Depends on the class of the card. | Requires high speed (A1/A2) |
| Tethering | No (can be changed devices) | Yeah (linked to a smartphone) |
Using ADB for Forced Transfer
For advanced users who were not helped by standard settings, there is a method using debugging by USB And this is a way to force Adoptable Storage support on devices where the manufacturer has hidden it, USB-cable and minimum set of tools ADB.
Connect your smartphone to your computer in debugging mode. Open the command line on your PC and type the following command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the device is displayed, you can move on to modify the storage settings. The command below lets you change the type of storage for a particular card. First, you need to know your card ID by entering the adb shell sm list-disks command. This value usually looks like 179.64.
Then the formatting command is executed:
adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB It can cause data loss or system instability if you misinterpret syntax.
Once the command is successfully executed, the phone will restart and the card will be defined as internal memory, and now the portability will appear in the application management menu.
What if the ADB can’t see the phone?
Transfer of installed applications and cache
Once the memory card has become part of the internal memory, you can start migrating applications. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Choose a heavy game or program that you want to move.
In the app menu, find the item "Storage." If transfer is possible, there will be a button "Change" or "Move". Press it and select it. SD-The system automatically copies the application files and its data to a new medium.
- 🚀 Moving takes time depending on the data volume and speed of the map.
- 📉 Not all apps support portability, it depends on the developer.
- 🗑️ Some programs cache may remain in internal memory for performance.
For multimedia files (photos, videos), it is better to change the settings of the camera itself and messengers. In Telegram, for example, the way you save files can be changed in the data and memory settings. In Xiaomi, the path is often set automatically after formatting the card as an internal one.
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The transfer of newly installed applications is more successful than the transfer of long-used programs with a large cache.
Possible problems and solutions
It can be difficult to use, and users often complain that applications have stopped running or are slow after they have been moved, indicating a slow read/write speed, and that the storage card should be replaced with a more productive UHS class.
Another common problem is errors when updating apps on Google Play. The store can report a space shortage even if a few gigabytes are free on the map. This is treated by clearing the cache of the Play Market itself through the app management menu.
If the phone doesn't see the card, try to remove it, wipe the contacts, and paste it back in. Make sure the card is inserted before you click. In rare cases, re-formatting through the phone's settings helps.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the memory card while the phone is on if it is formatted as internal storage, this will cause app failure and possible data loss.