How to transfer WhatsApp to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: all working ways

Moving WhatsApp to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that many users face when they lack internal memory. Although MIUI does not provide a direct function of moving the messenger, as some other applications do, there are workarounds. In this article, we will examine all the current methods, from standard system tools to manual manipulation of files.

It is important to understand that WhatsApp does not officially support the work of the company. SD-cards due to the risk of data loss when retrieving the drive, POCO or Mi with limited internal memory (e.g, 32/64 GB) this is a lifeline, and we've tested all of these methods on devices with a lot of these. MIUI 12–14 Android 11–14, The instructions are relevant to most modern models.

Before you start, make sure that your SD-The card is formatted as an internal storage (not a portable one), which is critical in most ways, and if the card is already being used as a portable card, it will have to be reformatted, which will result in the loss of all the data on it.

Why WhatsApp doesn’t want to move to the Internet SD-map?

The main reason is the security policy of Meta, the WhatsApp developer, which stores not only chats, but also:

• 🔑 Encryption keys to protect correspondence (their loss is equal to the loss of access to chats);
• 📁 Backup copies that are created automatically;
• 🎥 Media files (photos, videos, voice messages) that are cached in the background.

If SD-The card will suddenly turn off (for example, when you extract or crash), WhatsApp may lose access to critical data. Therefore, by default, the application blocks the transfer to external drives:

• 📱 The “Data portability” function in MIUI (It does not work on all models);
• 🛠️ Manually moving files through the file manager;
• 🔧 ADB-commands to force the installation path change.

⚠️ Note: After transferring WhatsApp to the SD-Do not remove the card without first logging out of the messenger account. Otherwise, the next time the application is launched, it may require re-activation by SMS, And the old chat rooms won't be restored.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

This is the easiest method, but it only works on some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) and requires that SD-The card was formatted as an internal storage. Check this in Settings. → Warehouse → Memory map.

If the condition is met, follow the steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find WhatsApp in the list and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse. → Change (or Move to) SD-map).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (may take 1-5 minutes).

If there is no Modify, your Xiaomi model doesn't support this option.

SD-The card is formatted as an internal storage|Created a backup of chats in WhatsApp|Battery charge >50%|Power saving mode is off.-->

Method 2: Manual transfer of WhatsApp files

This method is suitable for all Xiaomi devices, but requires manual file copying and setting changes.

• 📱 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer);
• 🔌 Access to the root directory (root not required!);
• 💾 SD-A card formatted as an internal storage.

Instructions:

1. Open WhatsApp and back up your chats: ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup.
2. Close the messenger and delete it (the data will be saved).
3. Go to /sdcard/WhatsApp/ (or /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/) via the file manager.
4. Copy the WhatsApp folder to SD-map to the root catalog (for example, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/WhatsApp/, where XXXX-XXXX — ID your card).
5. Install WhatsApp from the Play Market.
6. When you first start the application will offer to restore chats – confirm and specify the path to the folder on the SD-map.

If WhatsApp doesn’t see a backup, check:

• 📌 The correct path to the folder (should be) /WhatsApp/Databases/);
• 📌 File availability msgstore.db.crypt14 (or similar);
• 📌 Permits for access SD-Map for WhatsApp (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Permits → Memory).

💡

If WhatsApp starts to slow down after transferring, try clearing the app cache in the settings. MIUI. SD-class A1 or A2 (For example, SanDisk Ultra works faster with the messenger.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

This method requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).It is suitable if previous methods have not worked, but does not guarantee 100% success on all Xiaomi models.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm access via USB.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter the commands in order:





adb shell




pm set-install-location 2 # forced installation on SD- card




exit




adb install -s com.whatsapp





4.Reboot your smartphone and install WhatsApp from the Play Market.




5. After installation, return the location back (optional):





adb shell




pm set-install-location 0 # return the installation to internal memory




exit

Please note:

• 🔹 The pm set-install location 2 command forces the system to install all new applications on the site. SD-If you move WhatsApp, you can cancel it (pm set-install-location).
• 🔹 On some firmware MIUI This team may not work due to manufacturer restrictions.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB This can lead to unstable applications if SD-Slow card (class below) A1). Before experimenting, create a complete backup of data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Standard transfer through MIUI|Manual copying of files|ADB-team|No, this is my first attempt.-->

Method 4: Transfer media files (not chats!) to SD-map

If you can't move the app, you can make room by moving only the media files (photos, videos, voice messages) that won't solve the chat problem, but will reduce the load on the internal memory.

How to do this:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the ⋮ → Settings → Warehouse and data.
2. Tap Storage Management → sort files by size.
3. Select unnecessary media files and delete them (or save them to Google Photos).
4. To keep new files on SD-Map: Open Mi File Manager; Go to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/; Copy folders WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video, etc. on SD-Map; On WhatsApp, turn off auto-download media: Settings → Warehouse and data → Autoboot media.

What do you do if nothing works?

If none of these methods worked, consider alternative solutions:

Alternatives:

• 🔄 Regular cleaning of cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the cache. That'll free up 100 to 500 MB.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Enable automatic chat backup in Google Drive (Settings) → chat → Backup).
• 📱 Clone Apps: Use Parallel Space or 2Accounts (embedded MIUI), To split WhatsApp into two accounts and reduce memory load.
• 🔧 Root access: If you are prepared for the risks, getting root rights will allow you to forcibly transfer WhatsApp using the help of the Internet. App2SD or Link2SD.

If internal memory is severely lacking, consider:

• 🛒 Buying a smartphone with a large amount of memory (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 256GB);
• 🔄 Using cloud-based messengers like Telegram or Signal that are better optimized for working with the Internet SD-map.

💡

On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 14 and newer standard WhatsApp port to SD-The card is often blocked at the system level, in which case the only working options are manually copying files or using the file. ADB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving WhatsApp to SD-map