How to transfer files from internal memory to SD-Map Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: full guide

Why is the Redmi Note 8’s internal memory filling up so fast?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 often face the problem of lack of free space on the internal drive, despite the declared 64 or 128 GB. The reason for this is the features of Android 9/10 and MIUI, which actively cache data, as well as automatically save photos and videos in high resolution. Even after removing unnecessary applications, memory is clogged in a matter of days.

The main "eaters" of space on the Redmi Note 8:

• 📸 Photo and video in 48 MP format (weight of one image - up to 15 MB)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts downloaded through streaming services
• 📱 Cache of applications (especially messengers and social networks)
• 🎮 Games with heavy graphical resources (PUBG, Genshin Impact)
• 📁 Downloads from the browser (PDF, APK, archive)

The solution is to transfer some of the data to a microSD card, but there are pitfalls: not all files can be moved by standard means, and some applications (such as WhatsApp) require manual transfer through the file manager. In this article, the full memory freeing guide on the Redmi Note 8 takes into account all the nuances of MIUI 11/12.

Preparation: what kind SD-Choose a map for the Redmi Note 8?

Before transferring files, make sure that your microSD card meets the requirements of the Redmi Note 8. The slot supports cards up to 256 GB of microSDXC (UHS-I) format. The best choice is the A2 or U3 models (write speeds from 30 MB / s), as they provide stable work with applications.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to transfer applications to SD-map (via Adoptable Storage), use cards at least below class A1. Class cards C4/C6 Can cause errors and errors when working with programs.

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with H2testw (Windows) or SD Insight (Android) utility. Counterfeits often have understated real capacity and speed.

Method 1: Transfer files through a standard MIUI file manager

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi’s built-in File Manager, which allows you to move photos, videos, documents and music without any additional apps.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to Internal Memory → select a folder (e.g. DCIM for photo).
3. Press and hold the file(s) to highlight → tap More (three dots) → Move.
4. In the top menu, select SD-map → Specify your target folder (or create a new one).
5. Confirm the transfer button Move here.

Make sure that SD-The card is inserted and recognized by the system

Check the free space on the map (at least 10% of the volume of data transferred)

Close all applications that work with files (gallery, music player)

Backup important data on your PC (in case of a crash)

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🔹 Nuance: When transferring photos and videos from the folder DCIM They may disappear from the gallery. To bring them back to the library, open the Gallery. → Settings → Show hidden folders and add a path to the folder SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Do not move system folders (Android, MIUI, Download with APK-Files can disrupt applications, and avoid transferring files with the.nomedia extension, which hides media from the gallery scanner.

Method 2: Automatically transfer photos and videos through camera settings

If you are actively shooting on Redmi Note 8, set up automatic saving of new photos and videos on the Redmi Note 8. SD-This will prevent the internal memory from filling up.

How to set up:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Put it on the gear (⚙️) top-right.
3. Select a Retention Site → Memory.
4. Indicate. SD-map and confirm the choice.

🔹 Important: This setting only works for new images. Pre-existing photos will remain in internal memory - they must be transferred manually (see Method 1).

If you're an option SD-card:

• 🛑 Check that the card is formatted as a portable storage (not as internal memory).
• 🛑 Make sure there is enough space on the card (at least 1GB free).
• 🛑 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI does not recognize the card immediately after insertion.

💡

If photos are not displayed in the gallery after transfer, clear the Gallery and Media Store app cache in the settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management).

Method 3: Transfer applications to SD-map (with limitations)

Unlike photos and videos, the applications on the Redmi Note 8 move to the SD-map. MIUI This is a feature that blocks most programs because of the risk of instability, but some applications (such as heavy graphics games) can be partially moved.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app from the list (e.g. PUBG Mobile).
3. Slip the vault. → Change (if the option is active).
4. Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

🔹 Limitations:

• ❌ System applications (Google Play, MIUI-services) cannot be moved.
• ❌ Many games (Call of Duty, Genshin Impact) block transfers due to cheating protection.
• ❌ After the transfer, the application may run slower (depending on the class). SD-map).

⚠️ Warning: If the app starts to crash or doesn’t start after the transfer, return it to internal memory. Also don’t transfer messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) – this can disrupt notifications and backups.

Method 4: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

The radical method is to do SD-This card is part of the internal storage through Adoptable Storage, which allows you to install applications directly to the map, but has serious shortcomings:

Pros:

• ✅ Annexes shall be installed on SD-map.
• ✅ Internal memory is released.

Cons:

• ❌ The card is encrypted and works only on this phone.
• ❌ After the map is removed, the applications will stop working.
• ❌ Speed is lower than internal memory (especially on cheap cards).

How to activate:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. When a notification is received, a new SD-Map tap set up.
3. Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card will not be read on other devices without completely erasing the data.

💡

The Adoptable Storage feature is only suitable for A1/A2 class cards from 64GB. On cheap cards, this will lead to lags and system failures.

Method 5: Transfer data over a PC (reliable but long)

If you need to transfer a lot of data (tens of gigabytes), it is easier to use a computer, which eliminates the risk of interruption and allows you to control the integrity of files.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your PC via USB-cable (file transfer mode).
2. Open This Computer → Find the Redmi Note 8 device.
3. Copy the files you need (for example, a folder) DCIM\Camera) computer.
4. Extract. SD-card from the phone, insert into the card reader and connect to the PC.
5. Transfer files from computer to computer SD-map.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 🖥️ High speed copying (USB 2.0 on Redmi Note 8 limited to 480 Mbps, but it is faster than Wi-Fi).
• 🔍 Ability to check files for viruses before transfer.
• 📁 Folder structure and metadata (photo shooting dates) are saved).

⚠️ Note: Don’t use Google Drive (Yandex Disk) to migrate, which will take hours and drive traffic with a lot of data, and avoid programs like SHAREit, which often compress files and lose quality.

Optimizing memory after transfer: 5 tips for the Redmi Note 8

Transfer of files to SD-So, the card is only half the case, so that your internal memory doesn't get clogged again, follow these guidelines:

1. Clean the cache regularly: Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data and tap Clean. This will free up up to 1-3 GB of space.
2. Set up auto-clean: In Settings → Storage → Cleanup enable the option Automatic garbage cleanup.
3. Move the app cache: In Settings → Apps, select a program (like Chrome) → Storage → Clear the cache (not data!).
4. Turn off auto download: In messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), turn off autoload media in chat settings.
5. Use lightweight alternatives: Replace heavy apps with lightweight versions (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

🔹 Bonus: Install Files by Google from Play Market, which analyzes unnecessary files (duplicates, old screenshots) and suggests that you delete them.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner, which often delete important system files and give false virus warnings. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring files to Redmi Note 8