Owners of the popular budget smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 8 often face a critical shortage of built-in storage, especially in the base version of 32 GB, of which the system is even less available. Once you install the necessary applications and download multimedia files from social networks, the device starts to work slower, and notifications about filling up memory appear with alarming regularity, in such a situation, the only effective solution is to use a microSD card, which allows you to significantly expand the available storage space.
The process of moving files and applications to an external media in the MIUI shell has its own nuances that must be considered for the correct operation of the system. It is important to understand that not all data can be transferred without loss of functionality, and some system files must remain on the internal drive for the stability of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail all optimization methods, from manual transfer of media files to work with system storage settings.
A key feature of Redmi 8 is support for memory cards up to 256 GB, which is several times the amount of internal storage of the base model. The correct configuration of this additional space will allow you to forget about constantly deleting old photos to free up space. Let's consider a step-by-step algorithm that will help you correctly organize the file structure of your device.
Preparation of memory card and compatibility check
Before you start any data transfer operations, you need to make sure that your memory card meets the requirements of the device and is in good condition. Xiaomi Redmi 8 is equipped with a hybrid slot, which means the ability to install either two or more devices. SIM-card SIM If you use two SIM cards, you'll have to choose one to replace with a drive or use an external card reader.
It is recommended to use cards of Class 10 or higher format, as slower drives can cause delays when starting applications and playing video. Before installing on the phone, it is advisable to format the card on a computer in the FAT32 or exFAT file system, although the smartphone can do this on its own. Check the card for physical damage to contacts and make sure that it is readable by other devices.
- 📱 Make sure the phone is completely off before removing the SIM card tray to avoid damaging the file system.
- 💾 Use the original key to extract the tray or thin paper clip, acting carefully so as not to damage the mechanism.
- 🔍 Check the memory card on another device to rule out the possibility of purchasing a defective drive.
- ⚡ Pay attention to the recording speed marking for recording video in 4K FullHD requires a high data transfer speed.
⚠️ Note: When formatting a memory card through your smartphone settings, all data on it will be permanently deleted. Pre-save important files on your computer or in cloud storage if the card already has information.
Once the card is physically installed and the smartphone is turned on, the system will automatically suggest setting up a new drive.You can choose to use modes like Portable Storage for transferring media files or Internal Storage for installing applications, although the second option on older versions of Android may not work stable. For most users, the standard portable media mode remains the optimal choice.
Setting up a memory card in the Android system
Once the card is installed and the phone recognizes the new drive, you need to make the initial setup through the system menu. → The phone. → A storage where you can see a list of all available drives. If the system doesn't suggest formatting the card immediately after installation, look for a point «SD-map in the list and click on it to access additional options.
In the menu that opens, select “Format” or “Configure” and the system will alert you to data loss, confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed, which can take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the storage capacity, and after successful formatting, the map will be ready to write data and work with applications.
☑️ Checking the map's readiness
You can use the card as an extension of internal memory, but in the MIUI shell, this feature is often hidden or does not work correctly with modern versions of Android. If you decide to experiment, be prepared for the fact that when you extract the card, applications will stop running.
Transfer of photos and videos through the Gallery
The easiest and safest way to free up space is to transfer media content, which takes up the lion's share of memory for most users. Open the standard Gallery app, select an album or specific photos you want to move. Select the desired files with a long press, then click on the "More" button or three dots in the corner of the screen and select "Move to".
In the navigation menu, select yours. SD-Create a new folder or select an existing one to save files. Once the operation is confirmed, the original files will be deleted from the internal memory, and in their place will be links to new locations, if the application supports such a feature, or the files will simply change their physical storage address.
To mass-transfer the entire archive of photos, it is more convenient to use a file manager. In the standard Explorer application, go to internal memory, find a folder. DCIM, Where the camera is stored, select the Camera folder or individual files, click Copy or Move and point the path to the SD-map.
- 📸 Select files by shooting date so as not to get confused in a large amount of data when transferring.
- 📂 Create a logical folder structure on a memory card to quickly search for archival photos in the future.
- 🗑️ After transfer, check for files in the new location before removing the originals from internal memory.
- 🔄 Use the Cleanup function in the gallery to remove duplicates that may have remained after the transfer.
What if the gallery doesn’t see the photo after the transfer?
Transfer applications and cache to an external drive
Unlike media files, transfer applications to SD-The map in modern versions of Android and MIUI However, for some applications, this feature is available through the storage management menu, and many developers prohibit moving their programs to external media, as this can reduce performance and stability.
To check for portability, go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Select the app from the list, click on "Memory" or "Storage" if you click "Change" or "Move to" SD-The card is active, you can transfer some of the application data, including cache and some resources.
However, it is worth considering that even with a successful transfer, some of the data will still remain in internal memory. SD-Maps can be slower, especially if you use a low-speed drive. System applications and Google services cannot be transferred, they must remain on the built-in drive for the correct operation of the operating system.
| Type of data | Possibility of transfer | Impact on speed | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Complete. | Minimum | Data loss when card breaks |
| Music and Documents | Complete. | Absent. | No. |
| Annexes (Games) | Partial / Depends on the software | Possible FPS reduction | Departures, launch errors |
| System files | Impossible. | - | Critical system error |
⚠️ Note: Do not try to force system applications to be transferred through ADB-Teams without in-depth knowledge, this can lead to a cyclical phone reboot (bootloop) and data loss.
Using a File Manager to Migration Data
For more flexible file management, it is recommended to use advanced file managers such as MI Explorer (standard) or third-party solutions such as Total Commander. These tools allow you to see hidden folders, work with archives and perform batch operations on files. Open the file manager and switch to browsing mode by category or folders.
Find the Download folder, where many temporary files from browsers and instant messengers often accumulate, select large files that you no longer need or can move, and perform the transfer operation on the Internet. SD-This will free up valuable space in the system partition.
💡
Use file size sorting in the file manager to quickly find the largest documents and videos that occupy space in internal memory.
Also, look at the folders of messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, which often store thousands of images and video files received, and in the settings of the messengers themselves, you can specify the way to save media files to the Internet. SD-a card that automatically directs new content directly to an external drive, bypassing internal memory.
Automation of data storage on SD-map
In order to avoid the problem of overflowing internal memory in the future, it is advisable to set up automatic saving of new data immediately to the map. In the Camera app, go to the settings (the gear icon or three stripes) and find the item "Save to the map" SD-Activate this switch, and all new images and videos will be recorded directly to the external media.
There's a similar setup in music players and voice recorders, for browsers like Chrome or for voice recorders. UC Browser, you can also download folder on SD-It requires a personalized approach to each program installed, but it makes life much easier in the long run.
- 📷 Enable auto-save photo on SD-card in the camera settings immediately after buying the phone.
- 📥 Change the way files are loaded in the browser to the Downloads folder on external media.
- 🎵 Configure the music player to scan and save playlists on the memory card.
- 💬 In messengers, set the priority of saving media on an external drive in the section "Data and storage».
Regularly check the memory card and back up important data to your computer or the cloud. The memory card is a more vulnerable storage medium than the phone's built-in memory chip, and the risk of it suddenly failing is higher. Periodic archiving is the best insurance against loss of valuable moments.
💡
Automatically configuring the save paths in applications prevents future overflows of internal memory and eliminates the need for manual file transfer.