Xiaomi Redmi 8 owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device has been in use for several years. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system can issue a notification “Memory is filled”, blocking the installation of new applications. The solution seems obvious: transfer programs to a microSD card. But in MIUI, this process is nuanced, and some applications fundamentally refuse to move.
In this article, we will discuss all working methods for transferring applications to SD-Redmi 8 maps including Redmi models 8A redmi 8T), We'll explain why some programs can't be moved, and we'll show you how to get around the system constraints, and we'll also show you what types of memory cards are suitable for this task, and how to avoid common errors, such as when an application stops working after a transfer.
Important: instructions are current for MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).If your Redmi 8 is running on an older version, update your system first via Settings → About Phone → MIUI Update.
1.Preparation: Which memory card to choose for Redmi 8
Not every microSD card is suitable for porting applications. Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports microSDXC cards up to 512 GB, but two parameters are important for stable work with applications: speed class and file system format.
Minimum requirements for the portability of applications:
- 🔹 Speed class: not lower UHS-I (Class 10) or A1/A2. Class cards A2 Optimized to run applications and work faster.
- 🔹 Format: exFAT or FAT32. MIUI supportive NTFS for SD-map.
- 🔹 Volume: from 32 GB (on cards less than 32 GB you can not create a partition for applications).
If you use a FAT32 card, note that it does not support files larger than 4GB. This can cause problems with some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
⚠️ Note: If the memory card has been previously used on another device (photo camera, DVR), format it directly in Redmi 8 via Settings → Warehouse → Memory map → Format. This will eliminate file system conflicts.
| Characteristics of the map | Recommended value | Consequences of non-conformity |
|---|---|---|
| Class speed | A2 or UHS-I Class 10 | Applications will slow down or not start |
| Format | exFAT | Errors in installing large applications (>4 GB) |
| Volume. | 32GB. | It is impossible to create a section for applications |
| Manufacturer | SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston | Cheap no-name cards often fake speed class |
📊 What memory card do you use in Redmi 8?
SanDisk (Ultra/A1)
Samsung (EVO Plus)
Kingston (Canvas)
Another brand
I don't know what card.
Method 2: Transfer applications through MIUI settings (official method)
The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI function. However, it does not work for all applications. The system allows you to transfer only those programs that support installation to an external storage (this is indicated by the developer in the application manifest).
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want to migrate (like WhatsApp or Facebook).
- Click on Warehouse.
- If the option is available, the Change button (or Move to) will appear. SD-Press it.
- Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
☑️ Preparation for the portability of applications
Done: 0 / 4
If the button is moved to SD-The card is inactive or not, which means that:
- 🚫 The app does not support portability (e.g. Google Play Services, MIUI System Apps).
- 🚫 The memory card is formatted in FAT32, a the app weighs more than 4 GB.
- 🚫 You are trying to migrate a system application (such as a Camera or Phone).
⚠️ Note: Some applications may be slower after porting, especially if the Class 4 or Class 6 memory card is used.
💡
The official method of migrating through MIUI settings only works for some applications, and the rest will require alternative methods.
Method 2: Use of a memory card as an internal storage device (Adoptable Storage)
Adoptable Storage allows you to format a microSD card as part of internal memory, and then installs applications on the card automatically, which works on Redmi 8, but has serious limitations:
What happens when the card is formatted as an internal memory?
The map cannot be retrieved without losing data, it will become tethered to the phone, and it will not be used in other devices (camera, computer) without full formatting!> How to Enable Adoptable Storage: Insert your memory card in Redmi 8. Go to Settings → Warehouse → Memory card. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage settings. Select Internal Memory (or Format as Internal). Confirm action. The system will warn that all data on the card will be erased. After formatting, restart the phone. Now, new applications will be installed automatically on the map. To transfer already installed programs: Open Settings → Annexes → Application Management. Select the application and click Storage. Click Change and select Memory Map. Advantages of the method: ✅ Applications are installed on the map by default. ✅ You can move most programs, even those that don't support normal movement: ❌ The card becomes “locked” behind the phone – it can not be removed without resetting. ❌ The speed of the applications depends on the class of the card (on Class 10 will be noticeable braking). ❌ When you reset your phone to the factory settings, the card will have to be formatted again. 4. Method 3: Transfer applications through the ADB (If previous methods have not worked, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — And this is an Android debugging tool, and it allows you to force almost any application to be transferred to the Internet. SD-It requires the phone to be connected to the computer and basic command line knowledge: 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux. 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original). 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website). 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 8. Step-by-step instruction: Enable debugging by USB: Go to Settings. → About the phone. Press 7 times on the version. MIUI, To activate the developer mode. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, activate debugging by USB. Connect Redmi 8 to your computer and select File Transfer Mode. Open the Command Prompt (cmd in Windows) and go to the folder with ADB. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, type a port command (replace package.name to the name of the application package, for example com.whatsapp): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the device. SD-default-card. To transfer a specific application, use: adb shell pm move-package package.name For example, for Telegram: adb shell pm move-package org.telegram.messenger If the command returns a Failure error [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], This means that the application cannot be transferred even through the ADB. In this case, it remains only to delete it or use a bundle of applications (see the next section). ⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. Google Play Store or Google Play Store) MIUI Launcher can not be transferred over ADB — This can cause a cyclical reboot of the phone! 5. Method 4: App Linking to bypass restrictions If the application cannot be moved to SD-map, but it takes up a lot of space (for example, Facebook or Instagram), you can use a bunch of applications. This method involves installing a lightweight version of an application (for example, Facebook Lite instead of Facebook) or transferring only a part of the data (cache, media files) to a map: 📌 Remove the “heavy” app (e.g. Facebook). 📌 Install a lightweight version (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite). 📌 Transfer the cache and media files to SD-Map through Settings → Warehouse → Memory map → Move data. For games (e.g., games, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire) can be used external launchers that allow you to point the path to data on the memory card: 🎮 XManager (requires root rights). 🎮 AppMgr III (free version with limitations). 🎮 FolderMount (for transferring data folders). 💡To transfer these games (for example, Genshin Impact resources) use the FolderMount application. It creates “virtual folders” that allow you to store files on the Internet. SD-For example, transferring WhatsApp data to a memory card: Open the File Manager (or Total Commander). Go to the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp (internal memory. Copy the WhatsApp folder to SD-map (e.g. in the /storage/XXXX-XXXX/WhatsApp). Remove the original folder from internal memory. Create a symbolic link (requires root or root). ADB): adb shell ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/WhatsApp /sdcard/WhatsApp WhatsApp will then save media files to a memory card without taking up internal storage. 6. Mistakes in the transfer of applications and their solutions When transferring applications to SD-mapping 8 We're going to have a lot of mistakes, and we're going to look at the most common ones and how to fix them. Error Reason Decision Failed to Move Application does not support transfer Use ADB org SD-Card damaged File system of card broken Format the card in exFAT via computer Not enough space on the device (despite free card) SD-The application is installed in the internal memory by default Enable Adoptable Storage or use the command adb shell pm set-install-location 2 The application does not start after transferring the memory card too slow or formatted to the FAT32 Replace the card with Class 10/A2 Or format in exFAT mounting error SD-Check the card on another device or replace it If the application is not updated through Google Play after transfer, return it to internal memory, update, and then transfer it again to the computer. SD-map. Also check if there are restrictions in the Play Store settings: Open the Google Play Store. → Auto-Update Apps. Select Only via Wi-Fi (sometimes updates are blocked when using mobile internet). 💡If the application is unstable after transfer, return it to internal memory. Some programs (for example, Google Maps or Banking Apps) may block work from external storage for security reasons. 7. If porting applications has not helped or is impossible, consider alternative ways to free up memory on Redmi 8:1: 🧹 Use the built-in Cleanup utility (Settings) → Warehouse → Clean up). 🧹 Remove the cache of individual applications in Settings → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache. 🧹 Install. SD Maid or Files by Google for deep cleaning. 2. Transfer media files to a memory card: 📸 Move photos and videos through the Gallery (select files) → More. → Move it to SD-map). 🎵 For music, use Google Play Music or VLC Configure the save path to the map. 3. Disable or remove system applications: 🚫 Disable unnecessary system programs through Settings → Annexes → Disable (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser). 🚫 Removing system applications will require unlocking the bootloader and root access (not recommended for beginners). 4. Using cloud storage: ☁️ Upload photos and videos to Google Photos (up to 15GB free). ☁️ Move documents to Google Drive or Mi Cloud. 5. Reset to factory settings (last resort): ⚠️ Before reset, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. ⚠️ After reset, do not install unnecessary applications and immediately configure file saving on the SD-map. 💡To prevent memory from filling up in the future, in camera settings (Camera settings) → Storage) select saving photos and videos directly to SD-map. FAQ: Frequent questions about moving apps to Redmi 8 Can you transfer WhatsApp to a memory card without losing chats? Yes, but standard portability through settings MIUI To migrate WhatsApp completely: Back up the chats to WhatsApp Settings → chat → Backup. Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp on SD-Delete the application and reinstall it by pointing the path to the folder on the memory card. Note: this may require root access or use of FolderMount. Why does the application slow down or crash after transfer? This is due to the low read/write speed of the memory card. Solutions: Replace the card with a class model A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme. Return the application to internal memory. Turn off animation in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Animation scale (switch off). Can you migrate system applications (like the Camera or Google Play Store)? No, system applications can't be migrated without root rights. Trying to do it through ADB or other methods can result in: app shutdown, phone cyclical restart, warranty loss (if the device is warranty) Alternative: disable unnecessary system programs in Settings → Annexes → How do you know which apps you can move to? SD-The list of applications that support portability can be seen as follows: Open Settings. → Annexes → App management. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort → By size. View the apps: those that have the Move button SD-You can move the map, you can use the AppMgr app. III (It's available on Google Play, which shows all the programs that are portable. What if the app stops updating after the transfer? It's a common problem. Solutions: Temporarily transfer the app back to internal memory. Update it through the Google Play Store. Remove it to the Google Play Store. SD-If the problem recurs, disable automatic updates for that application or leave it in internal memory.