How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device is budget or medium-range. 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 is to transfer programs to a microSD card, but in modern versions of MIUI this feature is hidden or limited.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to move applications to the SD-Xiaomi Redmi (including Note 12, 11, 10, 9 and others) will be considered as standard tools. MIUI, It's also a hidden setting for power users, and it's important that not all methods work with games (like Genshin Impact or the likes of the game). PUBG Mobile) because of cheating protection, but for most utilities and social networks they will be suitable.

Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?

Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow (and the corresponding versions of MIUI 8+), Xiaomi has narrowed the portability of applications to external drives.

• 🔒 Security: SD-Cards are easier to lose or replace, which creates risks for these applications (for example, banking or instant messengers).
• ⚡ Performance: Memory cards in the class below A1/UHS-I They work slower than internal memory, which slows down applications.
• 📱 Google policy: With Android 9, transfer applications to SD It is not officially supported for most devices.
• 💾 Fragmentation of files: Frequent movement of applications between memory and card increases the wear of the drive.

However, workarounds remain, for example, in MIUI 14 (based on Android 13), you can activate a hidden feature via ADB, and in older versions you can use built-in tools.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through Settings (MIUI 12 and older)

This method works on Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 12-14, but only for a part of the applications (usually utilities that do not require high performance), for example, you can transfer Telegram, VK or Google Maps, but not Call of Duty Mobile.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, click Change and select Memory Card.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After porting some features of the app may work slower. For example, Google Photos will take longer to download previews, and YouTube may slow down when scrolling comments.

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

If you don’t have a port option in your settings, you can activate it via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works on all Xiaomi Redmis with Android 8-13, but requires a connection to a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears.

USB debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands in ADB: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install new applications SD-default-card.
• To transfer already installed applications, use: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find it through the App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability ADB. For example, WhatsApp and Instagram may refuse to work after this procedure due to data protection!

Method 3: Forced transfer through formatting SD as internal memory

This method allows us to use SD-The card is an extension of internal memory, but has critical limitations:

• 🔄 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🚫 After extracting the map, the application will stop working on it.
• ⚠️ Risk of data loss in case of failures (map is recommended) UHS-I/U3).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
4. Click Format as internal and confirm the action.
5. After formatting, select Transfer Data (if the system offers).

Important: This method doesn’t work on MIUI 14 for Android 13 models – Xiaomi has removed the option of formatting SD as internal memory in the latest firmware.

💡

If after formatting the card as internal memory, the phone began to slow down, return it to its original state through Settings → Storage → Memory Map → Format as portable.

Method 4: Transfer through third-party applications (without root)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Google Play utilities, such as:

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Shows you which apps you can transfer, and does it in one tap.
• 🔧 Files by Google – helps clear cache and offers to move supported apps.
• 🗃️ SD Maid – Analyzes memory and finds “heavy” applications for transferring.

How to use AppMgr III:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. In the Movable section, select the apps to transfer.
4. Slip the Move to SD Card and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as TikTok or AliExpress) can automatically return to internal memory after an update.

Method 5: Root access and forced transfer (for advanced)

If you have root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can forcibly transfer any application to the Internet. SD-It's a map, even if the system doesn't allow it:

• 📲 Installed Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
• 🔧 Module App2SD for Magisk (optional).
• 💾 SD-file-card ext4 or F2FS (for better productivity).

Step-by-step process:

1. Install Link2SD from the Play Market and provide root access.
2. In Link2SD settings, select the file system of the card (FAT32 is not suitable!).
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Open Link2SD, select the app and tap Create a link.
5. Move all the components (APK, data, cache SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of root rights can cause a phone to fail, such as transferring system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) to a mobile phone. SD This will result in an infinite boot load (bootloop).

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Transfer of applications to SD-The card does not increase the free space in the internal memory for all programs.

Comparison of methods of transferring applications to SD in Xiaomi Redmi

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi Redmi users often face problems. Let's analyze the most common:

• 🚫 «Not enough room on the device" after transfer: Reason: System reserves some internal memory for updates. Solution - clear cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clean up.
• 🔄 The app itself returns to internal memory: Reason: Auto Update via Play Market.Solution - disable auto-update for this app.
• ⚠️ The phone can't see. SD-post-formatted map: Reason: Incompatible file system. Solution - format the card in exFAT via PC.
• 🐢 Apps brake after transfer: Reason: Slow SD-map (class below) A1). The solution is to buy a card. UHS-I U3 (For example, SanDisk Extreme).

If none of these methods work, consider alternatives:

• 📁 Transfer media files (photos, videos) to SD through the Files → Categories → Images.
• ☁️ Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🗑️ Remove unused applications through Settings → Annexes → Recently used.

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Before the purchase SD-Check the card for authenticity with the help of the utility H2testw (Windows or F3 (Linux/Mac). Fake cards often have an understated recording speed.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions