Why Xiaomi owners transfer photos to SD-card?
Xiaomi’s internal memory is not limitless. Even 256GB models are filled with thousands of photos sooner or later, especially if you’re actively shooting in RAW or recording 4K video. A microSD card is a salvation: it’s cheaper than expanding internal memory, and files on it are not lost when you reset your phone to factory settings.
How to transfer the photo correctly to SD-map in Xiaomi, so as not to lose the quality of images and not to face errors? in this article we will analyze all the current ways - from standard tools MIUI We'll also talk about why some methods don't work on all models (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ and POCO F5 algorithm).
Before you start, check two things: 1 Yours. SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage (not as internal memory). Otherwise, the system can block access to files after the card is extracted. 2) There is enough free space on the map.HEIC (Used in new Xiaomis, they take up 30-50% less space than the new ones.JPG, but video RAW-The files are still "weighing" a lot.
Method 1: Transfer through the standard Xiaomi Gallery
The most obvious method is to use the built-in Gallery app, which is suitable for all models on MIUI 12-14, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 11 and POCO X5.
Algorithm of action:
- Open the Gallery app (a icon with multi-colored squares).
- Select an album with a photo (for example, Camera or Screenshots).
- Click on the Select icon (usually in the upper right corner).
- Tap the desired pictures or tap "Select all".
- Press three points (⋮) at the bottom of the screen and select “Move».
- In the window that opens, go to the section. SD-map → Select a folder (for example, DCIM/Camera) → press "Move».
⚠️ Note: If the “Move” option is inactive, check it out:
- 📱 The memory card is inserted correctly (try to re-extract and paste again).
- 🔄 Files are not used by other applications (e.g. Google Photos editor).
- 🛑 SD-The card is not protected from writing (the switch on the adapter must be in the position "Unlock»).
Memory card formatted in FAT32/exFAT
There is free space on the map (at least 10% of the volume)
Photos not edited in the background
SD-The card is not connected to the PC USB-->
Method 2: Use of a File Manager (File Manager)
If the Gallery is not able to cope (for example, does not see the map or gives an error), use the built-in Explorer. This method gives more control: you can create your own folder on the site. SD-map or transfer files selectively.
Instructions:
- Open Explorer (File icon with Files label).
- Go to Images → Camera (or another folder with a photo).
- Hold your finger on any file. → tag the pictures you want.
- Press "More» (⋮) → «Move to».
- Choose. SD-map → specify the destination folder (or create a new one through “Create a folder»).
- Confirm the transfer.
💡 Useful tip: If you are transferring a large number of files (for example, 500 files)+ Photos, pre-archive them. To do this, select files in the Explorer → «More» → «The archive will be transferred to SD-The card is faster, and then unpack it directly on the map.
| Mode of transfer | Speed. | Suitable for | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Gallery | Medium | Inexperienced users | Not always. SD-map |
| Through the Conductor | Tall. | Mass transfer | You need to manually select folders. |
| Through the PC. | Maximum | Larger volumes (1000+ files) | You need to connect the phone to the computer. |
| Automatic preservation | — | New photos | Can't handle old files. |
Through the Xiaomi Gallery
Through the Explorer (File Manager)
Connect the phone to the PC
I use the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)
Another option-->
Method 3: Transfer over a computer (most reliable)
If the phone has little space even for temporary files, or the transfer is constantly interrupted, connect Xiaomi to the PC. This method guarantees 100% success, as it does not depend on the performance of the smartphone.
Step-by-step instructions for Windows/macOS:
- Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
- On the Xiaomi screen, select File Transfer (or MTP) mode.
- On PC, open “This Computer” (Win + E) → search for a Xiaomi device.
- Go to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera (or another with a photo).
- Copy files (Ctrl) + C) and insert them into the folder on SD-map (Ctrl) + V).
⚠️ Attention: Do not remove the memory card from your phone while copying! If you interrupt the process, some files may become corrupted. USB-Hubs – connect your phone directly to USB-port of the computer, otherwise the transmission speed will fall by 2-3 times.
Critical detail: If your Xiaomi isn’t defined as a drive, update your MTP drivers. To do this, in Windows Device Manager, find Portable Device MI → update the driver manually by selecting MTP USB Device.
Method 4: Configure automatic saving to SD-map
To save new photos to the memory card, change the camera settings. This is true for Xiaomi models with support for Adoptable Storage (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro).
How to set up:
- Open the Camera app.
- Slip on the Settings icon (cog or three lines).
- Find the "Save Place" (or Storage Location) item.
- Choose «SD-map».
- Create a folder (for example, Camera_SD) or use an existing one.
🔹 Limitations of method:
- 📸 It only works for new photos (old ones will remain in the internal memory).
- 🔄 Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) ignore this setting when shooting in RAW.
- 🚫 If you're SD-The camera will automatically return to the internal memory.
What if the camera settings don't have a "Save Place" option? On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite), this item is hidden.
Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications
If the standard methods don’t work, use third-party file managers.
1. Solid Explorer (paid, but with a trial period):
- 🔍 Supports root folders (if you have root access).
- 📂 You can set up automatic sorting of photos by date.
- 🔄 There is a synchronization function between the internal memory and SD-card.
2. FX File Explorer (free):
- 📎 Can archive photos before transferring.
- 🔌 Supports FTP/FTPS Wi-Fi-based.
- 🛡️ Encrypts files when transferring (useful for confidential snapshots).
⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in settings MIUI. Otherwise, the transfer process may be interrupted due to the forced closure of the program. → Annexes → Application management → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
💡
If you transfer photos from Xiaomi to SD-class A1 or A2, The speed of the recording will be higher than on the class cards C10. For 4K-video RAW-Photos of cards with markings UHS-I U3 or V30
Frequent mistakes and how to fix them
Even with the right actions, Xiaomi users face challenges.
1. SD-The card is not displayed on the phone.
- 🔌 Check if the card is inserted correctly (contacts should be facing upwards).
- 🛠️ Format the card in exFAT (if the volume is >64 GB) or FAT32 (if ≤32GB).
- 📱 Reboot the phone with the card inserted.
2.Photos are transferred, but not opened on SD-map
- 🖼️ Check File Extension: Xiaomi Can Save Photos in the File.HEIC, Not all programs support.
- 🔄 Copy 1-2 files back into internal memory and check if they open.
- 🛑 If your photos are damaged, restore them through Google Photos (if sync was enabled).
3. There's not enough space for SD-map, though it is empty
- 🗑️ Delete hidden files (for example, the.thumbnails folder).
- 🔍 Check the map for viruses through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.
- 📊 Use it. SD Card Formatter from SD Association for Deep Cleaning.
💡
If Xiaomi writes "SD-Map damaged, don't format it right away! Connect the card to your PC and try to recover data via Recuva or PhotoRec. Formatting will delete files irrevocably.