How to transfer photos to memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways

Why transfer a photo to a memory card and what to know before you start

Xiaomi Redmi 9’s internal memory fills up with photos faster than it seems. Even with 64 GB of storage, less than 10% remains after a year of active use of free space. Porting images to a microSD card solves the problem, but there are nuances: not all cards are supported, and some transfer methods can lead to loss of quality or metadata.

Important: Redmi 9 officially supports memory cards up to 512 GB of microSDXC (UHS-I) format. However, if you use a card larger than 128 GB, it will have to be formatted in exFAT, otherwise the phone will not see the full volume.

In this article, we've got 5 proven ways to migrate, including hidden MIUI features that work even without root rights, and we'll also look at why photos sometimes disappear after copying and how to avoid it.

Method 1: Standard transfer through Files (without additional applications)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI file manager, which does not require third-party installation and stores all metadata (date of shooting, geotags), suitable for transferring both individual photos and entire folders.

Instructions:

• 📁 Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
• 🖼️ Go to the Images section or find the folder DCIM/Camera Inner memory.
• 🔘 Select the photos (long press). → mark the required ones or press ⋮ → Choose everything.
• 📤 Click Move (not "copy"!) and select SD-map → DCIM/Camera.
• ✅ Confirm the transfer. The photos will disappear from the internal memory and appear on the map.

Memory card inserted and recognized by the phone|There is enough free space on the map (photos are taken up) ~3-5 MBT each)|The battery is more than charged 30%|folder DCIM It exists on the map (if not, create it)-->

⚠️ Note: If photos are not displayed in the gallery after transfer, update the media base. → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data (this is safe, only the cache will be deleted).

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To speed up the process, connect the phone to charge during transfer – MIUI limits the performance of the file manager when the battery level is low.

Method 2: Automatic transfer through camera settings

If you want all new photos to be saved to a memory card right away, set this up in the Camera app, which doesn't carry old pictures, but prevents internal memory from filling up in the future.

How to turn on:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (Settings) in upper right corner.
3. Select a Retention Site → Memory map.
4. Confirm your choice. All new photos and videos will now be saved to SD.

🔍 Important: This setting only works for the camera MIUI. If you use third-party apps (like Google Camera), you’ll have to set up the save location separately.

In the internal memory of the phone|On the memory card.|In cloud storage (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk)|On a computer.|Another option-->

Method 3: Move over Google Photos (with cloud backup)

If you use Google Photos, you can transfer your images to your memory card through this application, the advantage of which is automatic backup to the cloud, and the disadvantage is the possible compression of the originals (if the High Quality option is enabled).

Step-by-step:

• 📱 Install Google Photos if you don’t have one.
• 🔄 Enable backup: Profile → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 🖼️ Select a photo to transfer (long press). → mark out).
• ⬇️ Press. ⋮ → Save to the device and select SD-map.
• 🗑️ Remove the originals from internal memory (optional).

⚠️ Note: If you have Storage Optimization enabled in Google Photos, the originals can be automatically deleted from your phone after uploading to the cloud. → Make room.

Method 4: Transfer over a computer (most reliable for large volumes)

If you need to transfer thousands of photos (like after traveling), it is faster and safer to do so via a PC or laptop, a method that eliminates the risk of interruption due to battery drain and allows you to control the integrity of files.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (Best Original from Xiaomi).
• 💾 Card reader (if you transfer directly to the card).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
2. Open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and the Redmi 9 device will appear there.
3. Go to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera.
4. Copy the photo (Ctrl)+C) and insert them into the folder on SD-card (if the card is in the phone) or to the card through the card reader.
5. After copying, check that the files are opened and delete the originals from the phone.

Critical detail: if you transfer a photo to a card through a card reader, remove it from your phone before connecting to a PC, mounting it on two devices at the same time can damage the file system.

Method 5: Use the application "Move to" SD-map (for experienced users)

For those who want to automate the process, there are specialized applications like "Move to SD Card," which can transfer not only photos, but also the cache of applications, which frees up additional space.

How to use:

• 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔍 Run the scan - the program will show which files can be transferred.
• 📤 Mark the folder. DCIM single-photo.
• 💾 Press Move and select SD-target.

⚠️ Note: Some portable apps require root rights, which voids the Xiaomi warranty. Check reviews before using - the description should indicate whether the program works without root.

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Portability apps are convenient, but often don’t keep folder structure. If your photos are sorted by album (e.g., “Vacation 2023”, “Birthday”), it’s best to use methods 1 or 4 to keep the organization organized.

Frequent Problems and How to Solve Them

Even after a successful transfer, photos can disappear from the gallery or not open.

Problem 1: The photos are transferred but not displayed in the gallery.

• 🔄 Update the media base: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📂 Check if the photo is in the folder. DCIM On the map, the gallery scans only it.
• 🔍 Install a third-party gallery (like QuickPic) that sees all folders.

Problem 2: The memory card is not recognized.

• 🔌 Remove and re-insert the map.
• 🛠️ Format it on your phone: Settings → Warehouse → Memory map → Format.
• 📱 Check the card on another device – if it doesn’t work, it may be damaged.

Problem 3: Photos open with artifacts or don't open at all.

• 🖼️ Try opening files on your PC – if there is also an error, the transfer was violated.
• 🔄 Transfer the photo again using method 4 (via computer).
• 💾 Check the memory card for errors using the utility chkdsk (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions