How to transfer the game to the memory card Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working ways

Why the games are not transferred to SD-Redmi 9 card with standard methods?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face a problem: even after installing a microSD card, many games refuse to be transferred to an external drive through the standard Settings menu. โ†’ Apps. It's all about Android policy and firmware. MIUI.

Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage โ€“ the ability to format. SD-However, Xiaomi has disabled this feature in most models, including the Redmi 9, due to the risk of data loss when retrieving the card, as a result of which the games are installed by default in internal memory, quickly clogging it.

There is another reason: many modern games (eg Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) use the same. OBB-Files โ€“ Additional data that is stored in a protected folder /Android/obb/. These files cannot be transferred by standard means, as they are tied to the application ID.

Method 1: Move over Android Settings (not working for all games)

The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI. It is suitable for lightweight games (e.g. Candy Crush, Subway Surfers), but it wonโ€™t work for heavy-duty projects. OBB-file.

Instructions:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the Settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management.
  • ๐Ÿ” Find the game you want to move and tap it.
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Select the Warehouse item โ†’ Change.
  • ๐Ÿ“ Indicate. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

Game supports transfer (Change button is active)|

Nana SD-The card is enough free space (at least 20% larger than the size of the game)|

The card is formatted as a portable storage (not as internal memory)|

The phone is not connected to charging (sometimes this blocks the process)-->

If the Change button is inactive, the game has blocked the transfer, in which case only ADB or third-party utilities will help.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before transferring, close the game through Task Manager (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Select the game โ†’ Stop) This will speed up the process and reduce the risk of errors.

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

If the standard method doesnโ€™t work, you can force the game to transfer via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a connection to a computer, but works even with games that block the transfer.

Step-by-step:

  1. Put the debugging on. USB: ๐Ÿ”ง Go to Settings. โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI and tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode. ๐Ÿ”„ Back to Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ For developers and enable debugging by USB.

Connect your phone to your PC

Download ADB

Platform Tools

Open the command line.

Enter commands.

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on SD-default-card.

Move a specific game

com.example.game

adb shell pm move-package com.example.game

To find the game package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "game name"
How to find out the game package without ADB?
Open the game page on Google Play โ†’ copy the URL (e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.supercell.clashofclans). Part after id= is the app package (com.supercell.clashofclans for Clash of Clans).

Standard settings for Android|

ADB|

Application side (e.g. App2SD)|

I've tried nothing.|Another way.-->

Method 3: Third-party applications (App2SD, Link2SD)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized utilities, the most popular ones are App2SD and Link2SD, which allow you to transfer games, create symbolic links, and even clean cache.

Instructions for Link2SD:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Install. Link2SD Google Play.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Grant root rights (if the phone is not rooted, skip this step โ€“ functionality will be limited).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Select the game in the list of applications.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Click Create a link โ†’ choose SD-map as target storage.
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Confirm the data transfer and restart the phone.

Important: Without root rights, Link2SD will only be able to transfer some data (such as cache) but not the main files of the game.

๐Ÿ’ก

App2SD-type applications only work with games that initially support portability, and for heavy games (PUBG, Genshin Impact), they are useless without root rights.

Limitations and risks in transferring games to SD-map

Moving games to an external drive is not the perfect solution.

Problem.Effects of consequencesHow to minimize risk
Slow reading speed SD-mapLags, long load levels, departuresUse a UHS-I (U3) or A2 class card
Loss of data when retrieving a mapThe game will stop running or reset progressDo not remove the card while playing, use Safe Retrieval.
Incompatibility with OBB-fileThe game does not start or requires re-uploading dataMove OBB manually or use FolderMount (requires root)
MIUI restrictionsSome transfer functions are blockedUpdate to the latest version or use ADB

Another important point: after the game was transferred to SD-The update card can be installed back into internal memory. To avoid this, temporarily transfer the game back or use the game before upgrading. ADB force-change.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the game starts to slow down after the transfer, try clearing its cache (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Select the game โ†’ Storage โ†’ Clear the cache).

How to transfer OBB-hand-held?

Many heavy games (such as Asphalt 9, Free Fire) store basic data in.obb files. SD-hand-held card, but with reservations.

Instructions:

  1. ๐Ÿ“‚ Connect your phone to your PC through USB (file transfer).
  2. ๐Ÿ” Go to the folder. /Android/obb/[package games]/ (e.g, /Android/obb/com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM/ for Asphalt 9).
  3. ๐Ÿ“‹ Copy.obb files to your computer.
  4. ๐Ÿ’พ Put it in. SD-card in the card reader and create a folder on it /Android/obb/[game-pack]/.
  5. ๐Ÿ”„ Transfer.obb files to a new folder.
  6. ๐Ÿ“ฑ Turn off your phone, start the game and check your performance.

Important: Some games check integrity OBB-If a game requires re-uploading after transferring, it is tied to internal memory, in which case only FolderMount (requires root) or symbolic links will help.

What to do if the game doesnโ€™t see OBB on SD-map?
1. Check that the file path is the same as the original file path (/Android/obb/...). 2. Make sure the files are not damaged (compare their size with the original). 3. Try restarting your phone. 4. If nothing helps, use FolderMount to create a symbolic link from your internal memory to your memory. SD-map.

Alternative solutions: cloud storage and memory optimization

If the transfer is SD-The card is not helpful or impossible, consider alternatives:

  • โ˜๏ธ Cloud-based saves: Many games (e.g. Clash Royale, Brawl Stars) sync progress with your Google account or social media, allowing you to delete the game and reinstall it with no data loss.
  • ๐Ÿงน Cache Clearing: Clean the games cache regularly through Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache. That'll free up a few gigabytes.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Use of Lite versions: some games (e.g, PUBG Mobile Lite has lighter versions that take up less space.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Game Archiving: If the game is rarely needed, delete it, but save the folder beforehand Android/obb When you re-install, just return the files back.

To automate memory cleaning, you can use tools like Files by Google or CCleaner, which analyze unnecessary files (such as old APKs, duplicate photos) and suggest that they be deleted.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the internal memory is filled with 90%+, The system starts to slow down. It's optimal to keep free at least. 10-15% total.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring games to SD-map 9

โ“ Can I transfer Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile on SD-map?
โœ… Part of it, the game itself (APK) Sometimes you can get through it. ADB, but OBB-file-weight 2-10 GB) will remain in the internal memory. You need root and an application like FolderMount to fully transfer. โš ๏ธ After the transfer, lags are possible, because SD-cards (even class) A2) slower than the built-in eMMC memory 5.1 redmi 9.
โ“ Why does the game crash or not start after the transfer?
๐Ÿ”น Causes: SD-The card is too slow (class below) UHS-I U3). The game checks the integrity of the files and does not find them in a new way). ๐Ÿ”ง Solution: return the game to internal memory, restart the phone and repeat the transfer. If the problem recurs, try another method (for example, reset the phone, ADB instead of standard settings).
โ“ How to transfer the game saves to SD-map?
๐Ÿ“ The storage is usually stored in: /Android/data/[game-pack]/files/ โ€” most-game. /data/data/[Package games]/ - requires root. โš ๏ธ Warning: manually copying saves can damage them.It is better to use built-in sync with Google Play Games or the developer cloud.
โ“ What? SD-Select a map for Redmi 9 to ensure that the games do not slow down?
๐Ÿ“Š Recommended characteristics: Parameter Minimum Requirement Optimal value Speed Class 10 UHS-I U3 / A2 Volume. 32 GB 128 GB (for) 5-10 Manufacturer of heavy games Any SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston โš ๏ธ Avoid cheap cards without a brand โ€“ they often fake a speed class, leading to lags.
โ“ Can I use it? SD-The map as an internal memory in Redmi 9?
โŒ Xiaomi has disabled Adoptable Storage in the MIUI For Redmi 9, even if you format the map as an internal ADB (Sm set-force-adoptable true, the system will not accept it. ๐Ÿ”ง Alternative: root your phone and use Magisk with the Adoptable Storage Enabler module. but this voids the warranty and can lead to unstable work.