Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphones often face a lack of built-in storage, especially if you actively take pictures on camera or download media files from instant messengers. 16 or 32 gigabytes of internal memory fill up faster than it seems, which leads to a slowdown and the inability to install new applications. The solution to this problem is the use of an external microSD card, which allows you to significantly expand the available amount of storage for personal data.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to transfer already taken photos in internal storage to an external drive, as well as how to set up the camera to automatically save new images immediately to the storage. SD-Important: formatting the memory card will remove all data from it, so make sure it doesn't have important files before you start working. MIUI.
Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work
Before you start moving files, you need to make sure that your memory card is properly installed and formatted in a compatible file system. Xiaomi Redmi 5 supports cards up to 128 GB, however, for stable operation, it is better to choose proven brands with a speed class of at least 10.
Once you physically install it, the system automatically recognizes the new media and can suggest formatting it, a process that is necessary to create the correct folder structure that the Android operating system can work with. If the system has not displayed a notification, check the status of the drive in the settings.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Memory for viewing status.
- 💾 Click on your name. SD-maps in the list of available storage facilities.
- ⚙️ Select the Format item and confirm the action.
- ✅ Wait for the process to be completed, after which the card will be ready to write.
It is not recommended to use a memory card as the main memory for installing applications, since the read speed of external drives is usually lower than that of the built-in flash module. This can lead to slowing down programs and increasing their start time.
💡
Use UHS-I Class 10 or higher memory cards to avoid delays when shooting high-resolution video and speed up the process of saving heavy photos.
Manually moving photos through the Explorer
The most reliable way to transfer existing images is to use the built-in Explorer (or Files) app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones, which gives you complete control over the process and allows you to select specific folders or individual files to move around without affecting system data.
Open the app and find the folder where the default photos are saved, usually a DCIM/Camera directory or folders of specific applications, such as WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images. Select the desired files with a long press to activate the selection mode.
☑️ Algorithm for moving files
Once highlighted, click on the "More" button (three dots or horizontal bars in the corner of the screen) and select Move. It is important not to confuse it with the "Copy" function if your goal is to make room in internal memory. When moving, the original files will be deleted from the old location after the operation is successfully completed.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the movement process if you have a large amount of data (more than 1 GB) moving. Interruption can cause files to be damaged or broken fragments that cannot be opened.
The system will suggest you select a destination folder. SD-Create a new folder for a photo, for example, by naming it «Photos_Archive», So you don't mix files with your Android system folders «OK» start-up.
Setup automatic photo saving on SD
To avoid wasting time on manual transfers in the future, you can configure the camera app so that all new images are saved immediately to the external drive, which is especially convenient for users who take a lot of photos and do not want to constantly monitor the filling of internal memory.
Go to the Camera app and click on the menu icon (three bars) in the top right corner. In the list that opens, select Settings. Scroll down the settings list to the storage section.
- 📸 Find the switch "Save to" SD-map».
- 🔄 Activate it by moving the slider to the right.
- 📂 Make sure the status has changed to “Included».
It’s worth noting that some third-party apps, such as Instagram or Snapchat, can ignore this setting and continue to store their data in internal memory.This is a limitation of the Android operating system itself, which can not always be circumvented without root rights.
Why are some apps not saved to SD?
Using the Cleanup App for Mass Transfer
The MIUI shell has a built-in optimization tool that not only removes debris, but also helps to transfer files. The Security app scans the device and suggests moving large files or photos to the memory card if it is detected.
Run the Security app (green zipper icon) and select the Cleanup section. After scanning, the system can suggest a category of Photos or Large Files. When you click on it, you will see a list of files that take up the most space.
Select the files you want to move and click Move to SD. The interface here is simplified so that the user can quickly free up several gigabytes of space without going deep into the folder structure. This is ideal for those who do not want to understand the paths to files.
| Transfer method | Speed of operation | Convenience | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductor (manually) | Medium | High. | Low. |
| Camera settings | Instant. | High. | Absent. |
| Annex Cleaning | Tall. | Average. | Medium. |
| Computer (USB) | Depends on the PC. | Low. | Low. |
Transferring data through a connection to a computer
If your phone is critically small and slow, it's most convenient to use your computer to transfer your photo archives. Connect Xiaomi Redmi 5 to your PC via a computer. USB-cable, selecting in the notification on the smartphone screen mode "File transfer» (MTP).
On your computer, open "My Computer" and find your device, and you'll see two separate drives: internal memory and internal memory. SD-Just drag and drop folders of photos from internal memory into the memory card window using drag-and-drop.
This method is good because it allows you to visually evaluate the structure of files and make a backup on the hard drive of the computer before deleting the originals. USB-cable and port version (USB 2.0 or 3.0) on your computer.
⚠️ Warning: When working through a computer, never pull the cable out while copying. Always use secure device extraction on Windows or macOS to avoid damaging the filesheet.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the phone sees the card, but does not let you write files to it, most often it is associated with access rights or the file system. NTFS (Windows standard, Android can only read it, but not write it. FAT32 exFAT.
Another common problem is error «SD-This may indicate physical wear on the drive or a break in the slot contacts. Try to remove the card, wipe the contacts with a pin and paste back until the characteristic click.
- 🔍 Check if the memory card is full.
- 🛠 Try formatting the map through the phone's settings menu.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone after installing a new card.
If nothing helps, perhaps the memory card has a low write speed and can’t cope with the flow of data from modern cameras, in which case it is worth considering buying a more powerful drive from well-known manufacturers such as SanDisk or Samsung.
💡
Stability of work with an external drive directly depends on its quality and speed class - saving on the memory card can lead to the loss of valuable photos.