Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often face a lack of internal memory, especially if they are actively taking pictures with a 13-megapixel main camera or shooting videos in Full. HD. Transfer of the photo to SD-The map is a logical solution, but not always obvious to beginners. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways: from standard tools to standard tools. MIUI alternative methods using PC or cloud services.
Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to insert a memory card and the smartphone will automatically start saving files there. In practice, Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SS, M2004C3LGG) requires manual adjustment or active actions. We tested 5 methods on the firmware MIUI 12-14 and identified their pros/cons so that you can choose the best option for your tasks.
Important: Before starting work, make sure yours is yours. SD-map FAT32 or exFAT (for files) >Redmi 9 supports cards up to 512 GB, but for stable operation we recommend the model class. UHS-I U1 (For example, SanDisk Ultra or Samsung. EVO Plus).
1. Transfer through the standard app "Gallery"
The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI Gallery, which requires no additional software and is suitable for transferring both individual shots and entire albums.
- Open the Gallery app** (an icon with a floral logo).
- Select the "Albums" or "All Photos" section in the lower menu.
- Press and hold your finger in the first photo, then mark the rest (or tap “Select” → “Select all”).
- Touch the icon "More" (three dots) → "Move".
- In the window that opens, select «SD-map**, then the destination folder (e.g, DCIM/Camera).
- Confirm the action with the “Move here” button.
⚠️ Note: If the Move option** is inactive, check if inserted correctly SD-The map. 9 The memory card slot is combined with a tray for SIM-cards (hybrid slot) 2+1). Make sure the card is inserted before clicking, and in the storage settings (Settings) → Memory) it's displayed as connected.
Advantages of the method:
- 🔹 Does not require the installation of third-party applications.
- 🔹 Keeps it. EXIF-Photo data (date, geotags, shooting parameters).
- 🔹 Allows you to transfer files in bundles (up to 500 photos at a time).
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ Slower than PC transfer (speed limited by interface) UFS 2.1 + microSD).
- ⚠️ You can not set up automatic saving of new photos on the map (only manual transfer).
2. Automatically save new photos on SD-map
If you want all new photos to be saved to a memory card instead of an internal storage, you need to change the camera settings, which will only work for future shots – you have to transfer the existing photos manually (see method 1).
Instructions:
- Open the Camera app**.
- Touch the icons «⚙ Settings** (cog in upper right corner).
- Scroll down to the "Storage" section**.
- Select a point «SD-map** (if the option is inactive – see the warning box below).
- Confirm your choice by pressing “OK”**.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13+ save-on SD-This is due to Google's policy to limit recording to external media (starting with Android 11.
After activating this setting, all photos and videos taken through a standard camera will automatically be saved to the folder. DCIM/Camera on SD-Pay attention to the map:
- 📸 Screenshots are still stored in the internal memory (folder) Pictures/Screenshots).
- 🎥 Video in the video 4K may not be recorded on the card due to write speed limits (depending on class) SD-map).
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If the option of saving on SD-card is not available, format the card as internal memory in the settings (Settings) → Memory. → SD-map → Three points. → Settings → But remember, after that, you can't retrieve the map without losing data!
Transfer through the file manager (advanced method)
For users who need more control (such as migrating photos to a specific folder or filtering files by date), the built-in Files by Google (or Files by Google) is also useful if the Gallery does not see part of the photo.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Files app** (Blue folder icon).
- Go to Images or Internal Memory → DCIM.
- Press and hold the Camera folder** (or select individual files).
- Tap “More” (three dots) → “Copy” or “Move”**.
- Go back to the root directory, select «SD-* and specify the target folder.
- Confirm the action.
Advantages of a File Manager:
- 📁 The ability to work with any type of file (not just photos).
- 🔍 Shows hidden folders (e.g..thumbnails with previews).
- 📊 Displays file and folder sizes before transfer.
To speed up the process, use the date selection mode:
- In a file. DCIM/Camera tap on the icon «⋮» → «Sorting» → «By date»**.
- Highlight the range of the photo by holding your finger on the first and last file.
Battery charge >30%|SD-map formatted in exFAT|Free space on the map >10% of the volume of the photo|Background applications are closed (saves RAM)-->
4. Transfer of the photo to SD-computer-card
If you don’t have enough space for temporary files or need to transfer thousands of photos, you’ll be more comfortable using a PC, a method that’s 2-3 times faster thanks to USB 2.0 (Redmi 9’s Type-C port supports speeds of up to 480 Mbps).
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 💾 SD-card inserted into a phone or card reader for PC.
Option 1: Phone as a USB-accumulator
- Connect Redmi 9 to your PC with a cable.
- On your phone, select File Transfer mode** (FTP/MTP).
- On a PC, open “This Computer” (Windows) or “Finder” (macOS) – the phone will appear as a removable drive.
- Copy photos from the Internal Storage folder → DCIM → Camera in the folder SD-map.
Option 2: Direct transfer to SD-cardboard
If you have an adapter for SD-map:
- Remove the card from the phone and insert it into the PC card reader.
- Copy the photo from the phone’s internal memory (via MTP) directly to the card.
- Once completed, safely remove the card and paste back into Redmi 9.
| Method | Speed. | Difficulty | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Gallery | ⭐⭐ (slowly) | ⭐ (simple) | Transfer 10–100 photos |
| File manager | ⭐⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ⭐⭐ (moderately) | Folder transfer, date filtering |
| Through PC (MTP) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (fast) | ⭐⭐ (moderately) | Large volumes (1000+ photos) |
| cardreader | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (maximum) | ⭐⭐⭐ (harder) | Archival copying, backup copies |
⚠️ Note: When connecting Redmi 9 to PC in mode MTP Avoid using the Optimize for Transfer (Windows) features – this can lead to loss of EXIF-Use the guide for safe copying without additional "assistants».
5. Alternative ways: cloud and third-party applications
If physical transfer is not possible for some reason (for example, a broken slot for the SD-You can use cloud services or specialized applications, which is suitable for temporary memory release, followed by downloading the photo to the card.
Method 1: Through Google Photos
- Install Google Photos (if not installed).
- Open the app and log in to your Google account.
- Slip on the profile avatar → “Photo settings” → “Backup”.
- Turn on “Backup and Sync”** and wait for the photo to be uploaded.
- On a PC or other device, download photos from photos.google.com and transfer them to SD-map.
Method 2: Application "File Manager +"
Third-party managers (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) offer advanced features:
- 🔄 Packet transfer with filters by type/date/size.
- 🔗 Creation of symbolic references (if) SD-The card is formatted as internal memory).
- 📡 Wi-Fi transmission (for example, via FTP-server).
A critical nuance: when using cloud services, photos are compressed to a resolution of 16 MP (in the free Google Photos tariff). To maintain the original quality, choose the option “Original Quality” (paid space after 15 GB).
What to do if SD-map not defined?
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
The choice of method depends on your tasks:
- 📱 For a single transfer of 10-100 photos → Use the Gallery or File Manager.
- 🖥️ To archive thousands of photos → Connect your phone to your PC or use a card reader.
- ☁️ For backups → upload the photo to Google Photos or Yandex.Disk.
- 🔄 Automatically save new photos → Set up the camera (if available).
If you take pictures often, the best strategy is:
- Set up the camera to save new photos on SD-card (mode 2).
- Once a month, transfer old photos from internal memory to the card via PC (method 4).
- For high-value images, back up to the cloud.
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The most reliable method for large volumes is to transfer over a card reader PC, which eliminates the risk of interruption (for example, due to the discharge of the phone) and ensures maximum speed.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When transferring the photo to SD-Redmi 9 users are facing typical problems:
1. "Not enough space on the map" error
Causes and solutions:
- 🗑️ The map is filled with hidden files (cache, temporary data). Use a file manager with root rights or format the map.
- 📏 File system FAT32 does not support files >4GB. Reformat the card to exFAT.
- 🔍 The destination folder contains files with duplicate names. Rename them or transfer them to a new folder.
2.Photos moved but not displayed in Gallery
Possible causes:
- 🔄 Gallery didn't scan new files.Reset app or restart phone.
- 📂 Photos saved in a non-standard folder (for example, Download instead of the folder). DCIM). Move them to DCIM/Camera.
- 🚫 Folder on SD-The card is marked as hidden. In the file manager, turn on the display of hidden files.
3.The transfer rate is too low
How to speed up the process:
- ⚡ Use the cable. USB 3.0 (blue connector) and port USB 3.0 on PC.
- 📵 Turn it off. Wi-Fi/Mobile data on the phone during the transfer.
- 🔋 Charging your phone while copying will prevent speed decline due to energy saving.