How to transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with only 32 GB or 64 GB of storage. SD-But in the modern versions. MIUI (12, 13, 14) this function is either hidden or limited. In this article, we will discuss all current methods of porting applications, including official and alternative solutions, and explain why some programs can not be moved and what to do about it.

It is important to understand: Xiaomi is gradually abandoning support for the transfer of applications to the Internet SD-This is due to Google's policy and the way Android works since version 6.0. However, for many models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro, Poco). X3, Mi 9T) We've tested all the methods on the right devices, and we've only collected the correct instructions.

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

Since 2019, Xiaomi has started removing the option of porting applications from the MIUI settings.

• 📉 Productivity: SD-cards (even class) UHS-I) They are slower than the built-in memory. eMMC/UFS. This leads to lags and app hangs.
• 🔒 Security: Android restricts code execution from external media due to malware risk.
• 📱 Adoptable Storage: Formatting function SD-The card as an internal drive (introduced in Android 6.0) was unstable and was removed from the system. MIUI.
• 💾 Optimization MIUI: Xiaomi developers focus on cloud storage (Mi Cloud) and data compression instead of support SD-map.

However, for older models (until 2021 release) and some new smartphones based on MIUI 12/13, there are still working methods.

Official method: transfer via settings (for supported models)

If your Xiaomi smartphone is released before 2020 or runs on MIUI 11 or below, try the standard method:

1. Put it in. SD-card in a slot (cards up to 256 GB of format are supported) FAT32 exFAT).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the app you want (such as Facebook or Telegram).
4. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Modify item is not on the menu, your model does not support official portability.

Format the map in FAT32 (if >32GB)|Check the recording speed (minimum 10 MB/s)|Create a backup of data on the map|Make sure the card is original (not fake)-->

Method 1: Transfer through ADB (without root)

If the official method is not available, try using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12/13/14, but requires a connection to a computer.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and install ADB Tools.
4. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and type: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the SD-default-card.
5. To transfer already installed applications, use: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard (replace com.example.app with the application batch name).

🔹 Limitations:

• 🚫 Not all applications support portability (especially system and games with mobile devices). OBB-file).
• 🔄 After a reboot, some programs may return to internal memory.
• ⚠️ Risk of data loss during retrieval SD-map.

💡

To find out the batch name of an application, use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "name." For WhatsApp, for example, it is com.whatsapp.

Method 2: Transfer applications (Link2SD, App2SD)

If ADB didn't work, try specialized utilities.

• 🔗 Link2SD — Creates symbolic references to SD-map (requires root).
• 📦 App2SD — transfers cache and data (works without root on some models).
• 🛠️ FolderMount – mounts application folders on SD (root).

Instructions for Link2SD:

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. Provide root access (if any).
3. Select the application → Link up → specify SD-map.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: When in use Link2SD keep out SD-map without pre-mounting in settings! this can cause app crashes and data loss.

Method 3: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method worked in MIUI 8-11, but in newer versions Xiaomi disabled it.However, on some devices (for example, Mi A1/A2 with pure Android), it can be activated via ADB:

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true


adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

Warnings:

• 🔐 After formatting SD-The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 📉 The speed of applications may fall in 2-3 once.
• 🚨 When you remove the card, the phone may stop loading.

Important: MIUI 12/13/14 does not officially support this method and may cause system failure.

Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Even if you use root or ADB, some programs do not support portability:

💡 Tip: If the application cannot be moved, try it:

• 🗑️ Remove the cache through Settings → Annexes → Warehouse.
• 📁 Transfer only media files (photos, videos) manually.
• ☁️ Use cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When migrating applications, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔌 "Failed to resent the application" → Check that SD-map FAT32 and undamaged.
• 🔄 The app returns to internal memory after rebooting → Use it. Link2SD with the option “Outloading".
• ⚠️ "SD-map damaged" → Test the card on a PC with the help of H2testw or CrystalDiskMark.
• 📱 The phone can't see. SD-map → Restart the device or check the slot (possibly contact oxidation).

⚠️ Warning: If applications start to fly out or fail to open after transfer, return them to internal memory! SD-map.

💡

Transfer of applications to SD-Xiaomi card is a temporary solution. For long-term use, consider buying a smartphone with a large amount of memory, using cloud storage or regularly cleaning the cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions