Transfer applications to a memory card on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Owners of budget and mid-budget smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often face a lack of built-in storage. Internal memory is quickly filled with messenger cache, high-resolution photos and, of course, heavy games. The system starts to run slower, and notifications of space shortages are annoying with their regularity, in which case the only right solution is to use a microSD memory card.

Unfortunately, modern versions of Android and the proprietary shell MIUI or HyperOS do not allow you to simply transfer any application to an external medium with a single click. Google has officially abandoned this feature for the sake of security and stability of the system. However, there are proven methods to circumvent these limitations and free precious gigabytes. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard tools to advanced methods through ADB.

Before you start to act, you have to prepare the memory card itself. SD-This is a mandatory procedure, since the file system of the card must be compatible with Android. Please note that after formatting all data on the media will be deleted, so save important files on the computer or in the cloud storage in advance.

⚠️ Note: Use only high-quality memory cards from well-known brands (SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston). Cheap analogues can have low write speeds, which will lead to app hanging and data loss.

Preparation of memory card and compatibility check

The first step is to properly install and configure the physical media. Insert the microSD card into the slot of your Xiaomi smartphone. Usually the tray is on the bottom end of the device and is removed using a special clip. Once the system detects a new drive, the notification curtain will appear in the corresponding message. Press it or go to the settings menu.

From the Settings → About Phone → Storage menu (the path may vary slightly between MIUI versions), find your card. The system will offer two uses: as a portable storage or as internal memory. The second option, often called Adoptable Storage, is critical to porting applications, which allows Android to consider the card as part of the system partition.

However, many manufacturers, including Xiaomi, often hide the possibility of using the card as internal memory in the standard interface. If you are offered only the option of Portable Storage when formatting, do not worry. This does not mean that the feature is not available, it is just hidden from the average user, in which case you will have to use special commands through the computer or third-party utilities, which we will talk about below.

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Before formatting, be sure to check the map for errors using the h3testw program on your computer, which will help to identify broken sectors that may cause malfunctions in the future.

If you are lucky enough to have a native memory extension, select the option "Use as internal storage." The system will warn you that the card will be encrypted and will not work on other devices without re-formatting. Confirm the action and wait for the process to end. After that, some of the system data and new applications will be installed on the external drive by default.

Standard methods of transfer in MIUI and HyperOS

Some versions of Xiaomi firmware have a built-in data movement feature that doesn't require root rights, which allows you to transfer some user data, cache and some applications. To access this functionality, go to Settings → Storage. Here you will see a memory occupancy chart.

Click on Clean up or look for the Change button next to the app list. If the system allows you to move a particular app, there will be a button or switch next to it. Unfortunately, system applications and many important Google services are not allowed to move, as this can disrupt the stability of the smartphone.

You should also pay attention to the camera and voice recorder settings. Even if the apps themselves cannot be moved, you can change the way you save the files you create. Open the Camera app, click three bars in the corner and select Settings. Find Save in SD-You can do the same thing in the recorder and the gallery.

⚠️ Note: Moving system components through regular means can cause widgets on the desktop to malfunction. If you notice errors, return the settings back.

For multimedia files like music and video, you can use the File Manager Explorer built-in. Select the files you want, click Move, and select the path on the memory card, which will free up space in the internal partition, which indirectly helps the system run faster and allows you to install more new programs.

Using debugging mode for hidden functions

If standard methods fail, you can try to activate the hidden developer menu, which doesn't work on all versions. MIUI, But it's worth a try, because it's secure and doesn't require a PC connection. First, you need to activate the developer mode. → On the phone and press quickly 7-10 once-on-item "Version" MIUI" (or "Version." OS").

When you see the message "You became a developer" go back to the main settings menu. → For developers. Scroll down to "Download external" SD-"Force allow apps on external" or "Force allow apps on external media." Activate this switch.

Once you turn on this option, restart your smartphone. Now try again to go to the storage settings or the properties of individual applications. Some programs may have a "Change" button to select storage location. This works for many games and utilities that do not require constant access to the kernel of the system.

It is worth noting that in the latest versions of Android 12/13/14 Google is actively blocking this possibility, so on new Poco or Redmi Note smartphones, this method may not be effective. ADB-commands that give deeper access to the file system.

Transfer applications over ADB (for advanced users)

The most reliable method, working on almost all Xiaomi devices with enabled debugging USB, — It's using the command line. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method allows you to force the configuration of the storage. You'll need a computer, USB-cable and installed drivers ADB.

First, connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode. On the phone, in the developer menu (which we activated in the previous section), turn on "Debugging over USB." On your computer, open the command line in the ADB folder and type in the adb device command to make sure the device is visible. Then enter a command to change the storage settings:

adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2

Here, the number 2 indicates the priority of installing on an external card. The value 0 returns the default settings (automatically), and 1 forcibly puts everything into internal memory. After you execute the command, try installing a new application or moving the existing one through the settings.

And the important thing to understand is that this command is setting a default preference, and it doesn't move the apps that are already installed automatically. You have to go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications, select the desired program and, if the system allows, click "Move to the SD-If the button is grey, then the app developer has strictly forbidden the transfer.

Creating an encrypted container (Link2SD)

For those who are willing to go further, there is an app. Link2SD. It requires root rights and a special markup of the memory card. SD-A hidden partition map that the system perceives as part of the internal storage, which allows you to transfer even those applications that are normally protected from movement.

The process starts with creating partitions on a memory card through a computer or Parted Magic application, and you need to create two partitions: the main partition (FAT32/exFAT) for files and the second partition (ext4/ext3) for applications. After markup, install Link2SD, grant root rights, and select the file system of the second partition.

After setting up in the app Link2SD You can select any application you have installed and click "Create a link." Select "App, Dalvik-cache, Internal data." This will move the main files of the program to the map, leaving only a minimal shortcut in internal memory. The speed of such applications will depend on the speed class of your computer. SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: Getting root rights (unlocking the bootloader) will void the warranty on the Xiaomi smartphone.In addition, some banking applications and games with anticheat may stop working.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

During the transfer process, users often encounter errors, and one of the most common is "move error" or the absence of a transfer button, which means that the application is optimized to work only with fast internal memory, and forced transfer of such programs will lead to their constant departures.

Another problem is that your smartphone is slowing down, and if you've moved too many heavy apps to a slow memory card, the interface may start to slow down, so you should leave your system apps and your frequently used messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) in your internal memory, and move games and rarely used utilities to the map.

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Optimal strategy: store active applications in internal memory, and archives, photos, videos and heavy games with a large amount of data transfer to the computer. SD-map.

There is also a case where, after a reboot, the phone stops seeing apps. This often happens when using Link2SD without auto-mounting. Make sure that the partitioning app settings include the option of auto-mounting partitions when you boot the system. This may require additional Magisk scripts or modules.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions