How to transfer the game to the memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways + error solving

Moving games to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that owners of devices with limited internal storage face. Even flagship models like the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 eventually fill up with heavy projects like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG, and regular cache cleaning only temporarily solves the problem. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not always provide a direct option to move installed applications — especially for games that block this ability by default.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods of transferring games to the SD-Xiaomi map (including models on the map) MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14),I'll explain why some games refuse to move, and how to get around that restriction without root rights. You will also learn which memory cards are suitable for gaming, how to avoid errors like “Not enough space” or “The application does not support porting”, and what to do if after moving the game begins to slow down or fly out. SIM MicroSDs compete for one nest).

1. Which memory cards are suitable for games on Xiaomi

Not every microSD can handle the load of modern games. Cheap Class 4 or Class 10 cards (without A1/A2) can cause lags, long downloads, or even damage to files. For games on Xiaomi, drives with the following characteristics are recommended:

• 🔹 Standard: microSDXC (capacity from 64 GB) or microSDHC (up to 32 GB). microSD cards (up to 2 GB) will not work.
• 🔹 Class speed: UHS-I U3 or V30/V60/V90 (Ensure minimum recording speed 30/60/90 MB/s).
• 🔹 Marking for applications: A2 (Optimized for random read/write, like in games. A1 They will work, but slower.
• 🔹 Manufacturer: Samsung EVO Plus, SanDisk Extreme, Kingston Canvas Go! Plus – proven brands with minimal risk of counterfeiting.

⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi smartphones with a hybrid slot (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO X5 Pro) priority given SIM-If you put a microSD in the other one. SIM, You'll lose the ability to use two SIMs at once.

Before buying a card, check it for authenticity with utilities like H2testw (Windows) or SD Insight (Android). Counterfeit cards often have understated real capacity and speed, which is critical for gaming. Also note the file system: cards larger than 32 GB must be formatted in exFAT (not FAT32), otherwise you will not be able to write files larger than 4 GB.

2. Preparation of a memory card before transferring games

To make the memory card work properly with games, it needs to be formatted correctly and configured on the system, and skipping this step can lead to errors like «SD-The card is damaged" or "Not enough rights. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Formatting: 📱 Insert the card in the smartphone and go to Settings → Warehouse → Memory map. 🔄 Click on “Format as internal storage” (this will delete all data!). ⚠️ Once formatted, the map cannot be retrieved without losing data, it will become part of the system.

Data portability (optional):

The system will offer to transfer some applications and media files to SD-You can agree, but don't pick games at this point, we'll move them separately.

Speed check:

Install the A1 SD Bench app and run the test. If the Random Read speed is below 1500 IOPS, the card is not suitable for gaming.

⚠️ Note: If you format a map as an external storage (rather than an internal one), most games won’t be able to migrate to it, which is only suitable for storing media files. Also note that after formatting as internal storage, the card will not be read on a PC without special utilities like DiskInternals Linux Reader.

Insert the card into your smartphone | Check real speed in A1 SD Bench| Format as internal storage |Transfer media files (optional) | Make sure there is enough space left (minimum 10 GB free)

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Method 3: Transfer the game through Xiaomi settings (official method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI feature. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for all games (especially those that block the default port, such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the game you want to migrate (like Brawl Stars or Clash of Clans).
3. Press "Storage» → «Modify" (or "Move to" SD-map»).
4. Wait until the process is completed (may take a few minutes).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Find out the batch name of the game (for example, for PUBG Mobile it is com.tencent.ig), you can do this through the App Inspector app or on the Google Play website (name in the address bar after id=).
5. Follow the command to port: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command sets the memory card as the default installation location for new applications.
6. Now install the game again (if it is already installed, delete it first). SD-map.

⚠️ Note: pm set-install-location 2 only works on new installations. It can't carry games already installed:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

5. Method 3: Using application managers (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use third-party utilities that automate portability.

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — It shows you which games you can migrate, and it does it in one click. MIUI 14/15.
• 📱 Files by Google – has a built-in application manager with the option of cleaning and porting.
• 📱 SD Maid – in addition to transferring, cleans garbage files that can interfere with the work of games.

Instructions for AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open the tab "Move to SD".
3. Select the game from the list (green tick means that transfer is possible).
4. Click "Transfer" and wait until it is completed.

Note: Even if the application shows that the game is moved, some data (e.g., the game is moved, OBB-files) may remain in internal memory, so that they can be transferred manually:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Go to the Android/obb/[game pack name] folder (e.g. Android/obb/com.tencent.ig for PUBG).
3. Copy the contents of the folder to the memory card in the same directory (Android/obb/...).
4. Remove the original files from the internal memory.

💡

Third-party managers cannot bypass the limitations of games that explicitly block the transfer (such as Genshin Impact or Free Fire). ADB root-access.

6. Method 4: Root-rights portability (for power users)

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is root rights, which is a risky way, because:

• 🚨 Cancels the warranty on the device.
• 🛡️ Increases vulnerability to viruses.
• 🔄 It can lead to unstable operation of the system.

If you are prepared for risk, follow the instructions:

1. Get root rights with Magisk (see the XDA Developers forum for instructions for your Xiaomi model).
2. Install a file manager with root support, such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
3. Go to /data/app/ and find the folder with the game (the name matches the batch name, for example com.tencent.ig).
4. Copy the folder to the memory card in /Android/data/ (create a directory if it is not available).
5. Remove the original folder from /data/app/.
6. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail) have port protection and may stop running after manual movement, in which case you will have to return the files back or reinstall the game.

Also note that after the MIUI update, root rights may fly off and you will have to repeat the procedure. To automatically save the root after the updates, use the Magisk Preserve module.

7. Solving Common Mistakes When Transferring Games

Even if you've done everything right, you can have problems, and we'll look at the most common ways to fix them.

If the game after the transfer is unstable (lags, long load, departures), try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🧹 Clear the game's cache in the settings.
• 🔧 Disable Battery Optimization for Playing (Settings) → Annexes → [play] → Battery → No restrictions).
• 📥 Reinstall the game from scratch (sometimes helps with corrupted files).

If neither method worked, there may be a problem with the memory card itself, try testing it on another device or replacing it with a faster model (e.g., with a V90 instead of a V30).

8.Alternative solutions: cloud storage and optimization

If the transfer is SD-The card is not possible or does not solve the problem, consider alternative ways to vacate the space:

• ☁️ Cloud-based saves: Many games (such as Clash Royale or Brawl Stars) allow you to sync your progress with your Google Play account or social media. Delete the game and restore data from the cloud after reinstalling it.
• 🗑️ Cache cleaning: Apps like SD Maid or CCleaner find and delete unnecessary files, freeing up gigabytes of memory.
• 🔄 Streaming services: Instead of installing heavy games, use Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW (work through the browser).
• 📦 Game Archive: Swift Backup (requires root) allows you to back up games and restore them if necessary without taking up a permanent place.

You should also pay attention to the settings of the MIUI itself:

1. Turn off automatic download of media files in messengers (Settings → Applications → Media Autoupload).
2. Limit background activity of unnecessary applications (Settings → Battery → Application Selection).
3. Use the function "Light mode" (Settings → Special. features → Light mode) if the game supports simplified graphics.

If you often run into memory shortages, consider buying a smartphone with large internal storage.For example, the Xiaomi 13T Pro or POCO F5 Pro are available in variants with 256 GB and 512 GB, which solves the problem radically.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving games to Xiaomi