How to transfer video from Xiaomi phone to memory card: all ways + error solving

Moving video from Xiaomi’s internal memory to a microSD card is a challenge that every second device owner faces, especially for models with limited internal storage (16-64 GB), where large video files take up the lion’s share of space. But even on flagships with 256 GB of memory, users prefer to store media on removable media for convenience of backing up or freeing up space for applications.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to move video to a memory card, including standard MIUI tools, file manager and third-party applications. Separately, we will focus on typical errors (for example, when the system does not allow you to transfer files) and explain how to fix them. All instructions are relevant for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on Android 10–14, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T and POCO X5 Pro models.

Why video can not be transferred to memory card: 3 reasons

Before moving files, it is important to understand why MIUI can block this operation, and most often, one of three factors is the problem:

• 📱 The memory card is not formatted as internal storage. By default, Android mounts the microSD as a removable medium, which limits the recording of data to certain applications (for example, a camera).
• 🔒 No recording rights. Starting with Android 11, Google has tightened its external media access policy, and MIUI may require additional permissions.
• 📁 Video protected DRM Files downloaded from some services (e.g. Netflix or Disney)+), They may have hardware protection against copying.

If you’re trying to migrate a video taken with a Xiaomi camera, but the system produces a “failure to move the file” error, the problem is probably in the first paragraph, which is solved by formatting the card as internal storage (instruction below).

⚠️ Warning: Formatting a memory card as an internal storage device will encrypt it, and then it won't be read on other devices without first decrypting it.

Method 1: Move through the standard MIUI file manager

The easiest method is to use the embedded Files (or File Manager in global firmware) which does not require any additional applications to be installed and works on all versions of MIUI:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Video or Camera section (depending on where your files are stored).
3. Press and hold your finger on the video you want to transfer, then mark the remaining files (if you need to move a few).
4. Slip on the icon “More”** (three dots in the upper right corner) and select Move.

If you don't have a DCIM or a Camera folder on the map, the system will suggest you create one, and you'll agree that this is the standard structure for media files.

Method 2: Using the Gallery app to transfer

In MIUI, the gallery is tightly integrated with the file manager, so you can transfer the video directly from it, which is convenient if you want to sort files before moving:

1. Open the Gallery app and go to the Video album.
2. Select the desired files with a long tap (a tick will appear).
3. Click on the icon "Share"** (arrow up) and in the menu select Move to...

An important caveat: if the video was shot in HEVC (H.265) or 4K, the gallery may not display it in the list, in which case use Files (method 1) or a third-party manager (method 4).

💡

To speed up the transfer of large files, connect the phone to charge.MIUI limits background activity at low battery levels, which can interrupt the process.

Method 3: Formatting the card as an internal storage

If the system doesn't allow you to write files to a card, it needs to be made part of internal memory, which is suitable for permanent media storage, but has limitations:

• ✅ The card will be encrypted and tied to the device.
• ❌ It can’t be extracted and read on another phone or PC without formatting.
• ⚠️ After the map is extracted, some applications may stop working.

Formatting instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Tap it on. SD-map → Settings (cog in the corner).
3. Choose Format as an internal media.
4. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes).
5. After formatting, restart the phone.

All new videos will now be saved to the map automatically (if you have specified it as the default storage in the camera settings).

⚠️ Note: After formatting as an internal media, the card will not be used on other devices without being completely cleaned!

Method 4: Third-party file managers (Solid Explorer, FX File Manager)

If standard MIUI tools fail (e.g., fail to see a map or give out errors), use third-party managers.

• 📂 Solid Explorer – supports dual-panel mode and cloud storage.
• 🔍 FX File Manager – can work with root folders (root) and network disks.
• 🛠️ MiXplorer - optimized for MIUI, built-in FTP-server.

Instructions on the example of Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Provide access to the storage (manage all files permission).
3. In the left panel, select Internal Memory → DCIM → Camera (or another folder with video).
4. In the right panel, go to SD-Create a folder (for example, Videos).
5. Select files in the left panel, drag them to the right or use the Move button.

Solid Explorer allows you to transfer files at speeds up to 50 MB / s (on UHS-I cards), which is 2-3 times faster than a standard MIUI manager.

Method 5: Transferring video over a PC (most reliable method)

If your phone refuses to move files and your memory card is not formatted as an internal one, use your computer, which is guaranteed to work and allow you to check files for errors.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 💾 Card reader (if the PC does not have a microSD slot).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and go to the folder of the phone.
3. Find the video in Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera (or another folder).
4. Copy files to your desktop or another PC folder.
5. Remove the memory card from the phone, insert it into the card reader and connect it to the PC.
6. Transfer the video from the PC to the map to the desired folder.

This method is also useful if you want to convert video before the perenosom (for example, from the HEVC into H.264 For conversion, use HandBrake or VLC.

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Transferring over a PC is the only way to get around Android’s write restrictions on removable media unless the card is formatted as an internal one.

Typical errors and their solutions

When transferring video to a memory card, Xiaomi users often encounter errors, and consider the most common ways to eliminate them:

If the video is not displayed in the gallery after transferring, update the media base:

1. Open the files and go to the memory card.
2. Create an empty file called.nomedia in the video folder (if the files are not supposed to be displayed in the gallery) or delete it if there is one.
3. Reboot the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving videos to Xiaomi