How to transfer photos from Xiaomi Redmi 5 phone to memory card: detailed guide

Transferring photos from the internal memory of Xiaomi Redmi 5 to a microSD card is a task that every smartphone owner sooner or later faces. Even with modest volumes of images (500-1000 files), they take tens of gigabytes, and the Redmi 5 system partition is limited to 16 or 32 GB. As a result, the phone begins to “brake”, applications give out memory errors, and the camera refuses to save new pictures.

In this article, we will analyze three proven ways to transfer photos to the SD-card: via the built-in file manager, via the computer and through cloud services. Particular attention will be paid to the unique feature of Redmi 5: support for exFAT format for cards with a volume of more than 32 GB, which avoids problems with limiting files to 4 GB (as in the case of the electronic card). FAT32). You will also learn how to set up automatic saving of new photos directly to the memory card, bypassing the internal drive.

Before you start, make sure your microSD is properly formatted and recognized by your phone. If the card is not identified, check it on another device or format it in Redmi 5 via Settings. → Memory. → Format. Keep in mind that formatting will delete all data from the medium!

1.Preparation: check of memory card and free space

Before transferring the photo, you need to make sure that the memory card is ready to accept files. Xiaomi Redmi 5 supports microSD up to 256 GB, but there are nuances:

• 🔹 Maps up to 32 GB are usually formatted in FAT32 — They are compatible, but not suitable for file sizes. >4 GB (e.g. video in the 4K).
• 🔹 Cards from 64 GB and above use exFAT or NTFS. Redmi 5 works with exFAT, but may not recognize NTFS.
• 🔹 Card recording speed affects performance: Class class is suitable for photo 10, video — UHS-I (U1/U3).

To check the current map format:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on the line with your name SD-map.
3. In the section "Information" will be specified format (FAT32, exFAT, etc.).

⚠️ Note: If the card is formatted in NTFS, Redmi 5 won’t be able to write files to it without additional settings, in which case transfer the data to the PC, format the card in exFAT through the computer, and then paste back into the phone.

Also make sure there's enough free space on the map.

1. Launch the Files application (built-in file manager).
2. Go to section. SD-map.
3. At the top of the screen, the available space will be displayed.

2. Method 1: Transfer through the built-in file manager

The easiest method is to use the standard File Application (or File Manager in global firmware), which does not require a PC connection and works even without the Internet.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to Images or Gallery (depending on version) MIUI).
3. Select a folder with a photo (usually this one) DCIM → Camera).
4. Press and hold your finger on any file to activate the selection mode. tick the desired photos (or tap Select all in the top menu).
5. Click on the Copy icon (or Cut if you want to delete the originals).
6. Go back to the root directory and select SD-map.
7. Create a new folder (like Photos) or go to an existing one.
8. Click Insert and wait for the copy to be completed.

Charge your phone at least 30 times%|Check the vacant space on SD-map|Close all background applications|Turn off the mobile internet (to avoid interrupting the process)-->

If there are more than 500 files, the process can take 10-15 minutes. Do not interrupt it, otherwise part of the photo may be damaged.

• 📁 Transfer files in folders (for example, the entire Camera folder), rather than one by one.
• 🔋 Connect your phone to charge – this will prevent a sudden shutdown.
• 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data so background updates don’t slow down the process.

⚠️ Note: If you have a copying error called “Not enough memory” even when there is free space on the map, check the format. SD-It's probably formatted in the FAT32, You are trying to transfer a file size >4GB (like video or panorama) Solution: format the card in exFAT.

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If you only need to transfer new photos, sort them by date in the file manager. To do this, tap on the filter icon (three dots or lines) and select "Date" (new ones at the top).

Method 2: Transfer through a computer (USB-cable)

If the phone has little space or the file manager is unstable, it's more convenient to use a computer, and this method is also useful if you want to back up a photo on your PC before the penos.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original to avoid connection problems).
• 📁 Cardholder (optional if the phone does not recognize the card).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi Redmi 5 to your computer with the help of USB-cable.
2. There will be a notification on the phone «USB-Connection. tap it and select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. On your computer, open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). Your phone will appear as a removable drive (e.g. Redmi 5).
4. Go to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera (the default photo is stored here).
5. Copy the desired files or folders to the desktop of the computer (temporary folder).
6. Turn off the phone and remove the memory card (if it's inserted) and insert it into the card reader and connect it to the computer.
7. Copy the photo from the desktop on SD-map (for example, in the Photos folder).
8. Securely remove the card and paste it back into the phone.

If you do not have a card reader, you can transfer the photo directly from your phone to the card via your computer:

1. Connect the phone in MTP mode.
2. On your computer, open two conductor windows: one with a folder. DCIM on the phone, another with a folder on SD-map (it will appear as a separate disk).
3. Drag files from one folder to another.

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Use the original. USB-Xiaomi cable – cheap analogues may not provide stable data transfer, which leads to copying errors.

Method 3: Transfer over cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

If you have a slow computer or not USB-And you can use the cloud, and this is a way to back up and transfer photos to a map without wires, and the other thing is you need the Internet and space in the cloud.

Consider two options: Google Photos and Mi Cloud (cloud from Xiaomi).

4.1. via Google Photos

Google Photos provides 15GB of free space (together with Gmail and Drive) to transfer photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
4. Turn on backup and wait for the photo to be uploaded to the cloud.
5. Put it in. SD-Map to your phone and open Google Photos.
6. Select a photo, click Save on the device and specify the folder on the memory card.

4.2. via Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud offers 5GB for free but integrated with the MIUI, simplifies:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the gallery sync.
3. Wait for the photo to be uploaded to the cloud.
4. Open the Gallery app, select a photo and click More → Save it on. SD-map.

⚠️ Note: When using cloud services, photos can be compressed. For example, Google Photos in High Quality mode reduces the resolution to 16 MP. To maintain original quality, choose the option “Original Quality” (but it takes up space in cloud storage).

5. setting up automatic photo saving on a memory card

So that new photos are immediately saved to SD-Not the internal memory, change the camera settings:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Put it on the gear icon (⚙️) Or swipe left to open the settings.
3. Find the location (or the location in the global firmware).
4. Choose. SD-map.
5. Create a folder (like Camera) or select an existing one.

If there is no conservation item:

• 📌 Update the Camera app through Play Market.
• 📌 Install an alternative camera (such as Open Camera) where this option is available.
• 📌 Check if the card is formatted in NTFS (In this case, the camera will not be able to record it).

After changing the settings, all new photos and videos will be saved directly to the SD-Old files will remain in internal memory – they must be transferred manually (see methods above).

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If you take pictures often, create a photo SD-map separate folders for different types of images (e.g. Selfie, Documents, Videos) that will make it easier to search and sort files.

6. Solving common errors when transferring photos

When transferring the photo to SD-Xiaomi Redmi 5 users often encounter errors. Let's consider the most common of them and how to fix them.

If after transfer, the photos are not displayed in the Gallery appendix:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → gallery → Memory. → Clear the cache.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Install an alternative gallery (like Simple Gallery) that better scans external drives.

If the memory card suddenly became “read-only”:

• 🔐 Check the physical lock switch on the card adapter (if any).
• 🔐 Format your map in Redmi 5 via Settings → Memory. → Format.
• 🔐 If the card is damaged, try to restore data using Recuva (on PC).

7. Alternative methods: third-party applications and root access

If standard methods don’t work, you can use third-party tools or advanced settings (for power users).

7.1 Applications for file transfer

In Play Market there are utilities that simplify the work with files:

• 📱 Files by Google – a convenient manager with a function of cleaning memory.
• 📱 Solid Explorer – supports cloud storage and FTP.
• 📱 FX File Explorer – allows you to configure automatic file transfer on a schedule.

Example of transfer via Solid Explorer:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Provide access to the memory and SD-map.
3. Go to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera.
4. Select files, click Copy.
5. Move to the SD-map, create a folder and paste files.

7.2. Transfer through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone does not recognize the card or gives errors, you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires command line skills.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Turn on the phone to debug. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to copy files: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ D:\Redmi5_Photos\ (replace the path with the current one).
5. Put it in. SD-card to the card reader and copy files from the PC to it.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB The wrong commands can damage system files. If you're not sure what you're doing, use other methods.

7.3 Root-access portability

If you have root rights, you can use applications like Root Explorer to manage files in depth, but this method is risky.

• 🛡️ Violation of system file integrity can lead to failures.
• 🛡️ Phone warranty is cancelled.
• 🛡️ Some banking applications will stop working.

If you do decide to use root, follow the instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Give the application root access.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera.
4. Copy files into /storage/XXXX-XXXX (name SD-map).

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos to Xiaomi Redmi 5