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

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a popular model with flexible storage settings, but many users face a problem: internal memory fills up quickly, especially if you actively shoot photos and videos. Transferring media to a microSD card is a logical solution, but not always obvious for beginners. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to move photos, including hidden MIUI functions, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors when working with drives.

Although Redmi 9 supports memory cards up to 512GB, the system defaults to storing photos in internal memory, which is due to camera settings and Android security policy. But you can transfer files manually, either through embedded tools or using third-party apps or a computer, the main thing is to understand the difference between moving (files are deleted from the phone) and copying (remain on both media).

If you’ve never worked with memory cards on Xiaomi, check out:

• 🔹 Map format: FAT32 (up to 32GB) or exFAT (64GB).Redmi 9 doesn't support NTFS.
• 🔹 Recording speed: for 4K-Video needs a class UHS-I (U1/U3).
• 🔹 Free space: The system requires at least 10% free space for stable operation.

1. Transfer through the built-in MIUI file manager

The easiest way is to use the standard Files app (a blue folder icon) preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones and does not require superuser rights.

1. Open the Files app and go to the Images section (or Categories → Photos).

2. Select the files you want with a long tap (a tick will appear). To select all the photos in the folder, click on three dots → "Select all".

3. Click "More" (three dots at the bottom) → "Move."

4. In the window that opens, select «SD-card (or the name of your memory card), then the destination folder (for example, DCIM/Camera). If there is no folder, create it through the “New folder” button (icon «+»).

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Note: If the memory card is formatted as an internal drive (Adoptable Storage feature in Android), the system may prevent the movement of files. In this case, use the method with the computer (section 4).

The advantage of this is that you don't have to connect your phone to your PC or install additional software, but there are limitations.

• 📌 You cannot move files used by the system (for example, wallpaper or screenshots during the editing process).
• 📌 The transfer speed depends on the class of the memory card: UHS-I U3 100 photos are copied in a ~2 minutes on Class 4 - up to 10 minutes.

Check the free space on the map|Close all applications that use photos (gallery, editor)|Connect your phone to charge (for long-term operations)|Disable Battery Optimization for Files Application"-->

2. Automatically save new photos to a memory card

All future photos are immediately saved to SD-map, change the camera settings:

1. Open the Camera app on Redmi 9.

2.Stick on the gear (⚙️) top-right.

3. Scroll to the "Save Place" section and select "Memory Map."

4. Specify the folder (by default — DCIM/Camera) or create a new one.

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Note: If after changing the settings, the photos are still stored in internal memory, check the data: 🔸 Is there enough space on the map (minimum reserve – 500 MB). 🔸 Is the card installed as a portable drive (in which case some camera features may be limited).

This method does not carry old photos, but only changes the place where new ones are stored. To clear internal memory, combine it with manual transfer (section 1).

Important: On Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5+ firmware, when selecting a memory card as a save location, the function “Double Video” (simultaneous recording from the main and front cameras) is turned off.

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If the photos are not displayed in the gallery after transferring, update the media base: open Files → three dots → Update Media Files.

3. Transfer through the Gallery app

The Gallery app in Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a built-in photo export feature that is convenient for selective transfer:

1. Open the Gallery and select the album (e.g. All Photos).

2. Slip on the photo for selection (or hold for multiple selection).

3. Click "More" (three dots) → "Export."

4. Choose «SD-map and specify the destination folder.

Different from the file manager:

• 📸 Keeps it. EXIF-data (date, geotags, camera model).
• 📸 Supports albums (you can export a whole folder, for example, "Vacation 2023»).
• 📸 Slower working with large files (RAW video 4K).

If you are exporting videos, consider:

Files >4 GB are not supported on FAT32 file system cards (exFAT required).

When transferring the video, the thumbnail in the gallery may disappear - this is normal, it will recover after the phone is restarted.

4. Transfer of photos via computer (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you don't have enough space or need to transfer thousands of files, you'll be more comfortable using your computer. Connect Redmi 9 via USB cable and follow the instructions:

1. Unlock your phone and select File Transfer (MTP) connection mode in the notification.

2. On your computer, open "This Computer" (Windows) or Finder (macOS) - the phone will appear as a removable disk.

3. Go to the Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera folder (the default photo is stored here).

4. Copy files into a folder on SD-map (e.g., map, SD Card → DCIM → Camera).

5. Once completed, safely remove the device (the USB icon in the taskbar).

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Note: If the computer does not see the memory card: 🔌 Check that the card is inserted to the end (characteristic click). 🔌 In the phone settings (Settings) → Memory) make sure that the card is defined as “Portifical drive». 🔌 MacOS may require Android File Transfer installation.

Advantages of this method:

- Maximum speed (USB 2.0 on Redmi 9 provides ~40 MB/s).

- Ability to view photos on a large screen before transferring.

Support for batch renaming (via Total Commander or analogues).

To speed up the process, use the hot keys:

Ctrl+A – Select all files.

Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V – copy/paste

F2 - Rename (in Windows)

5. Use of third-party applications (ES Explorer, Solid Explorer)

If standard MIUI tools seem inconvenient, install an alternative file manager, such as Solid Explorer or ES Explorer, which offers:

• 🗂️ Two-panel mode (convenient for dragging files between folders).
• 🗂️ Cloud storage support (you can upload photos to Google Drive immediately).
• 🗂️ Archiving (compression of photos before transfer).

Instructions for Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.

2. Give access to memory (Settings → Permissions).

3. In the left panel, select Internal Memory → DCIM, right-handed — SD-map.

4. Hold the folder with the photo and drag to the right panel.

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Note: Some managers (e.g. ES Explorer) request access to contacts and SMS. This is not necessary for file transfers – opt out of unnecessary permissions in Android settings.

To rename photos in bulk, use the Packet Rename feature (available in the paid version of Solid Explorer) before transferring photos, for example, you can add the "Vacation " prefix to all files or change the date format in the name.

6.Memory optimization after transfer

After transferring photos, do not rush to delete them from your phone – first check:

• 🔍 Open files on the map (some apps don’t see) SD-map).
• 🔍 Are the thumbnails still in the gallery (if not, update the media base as described in Section 1).
• 🔍 Is there enough space on the map for new files (leave) 10-15% free-space).

To free up internal memory after a successful transfer:

1. Open Files → Cleanup → Large Files.

2. Select “Images” and delete duplicates (the “Similar Files” function).

3. In the phone settings (Settings → Memory) click “Clean” (deletes cache and temporary files).

For automatic cleaning, turn on the Smart Cleaning function in MIUI: Settings → Memory → Smart Cleaning → Enable.

If you often shoot videos in 4K or Full HD, consider archiving old files:

Transfer them to the map in compressed form (ZIP format).

Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to back up.

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After transferring the photo to the memory card, check it regularly for errors: → Memory. → SD-map → Check for errors. This will prevent data loss in crashes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos to Xiaomi Redmi 9