Transfer of games to SD-Xiaomi's smartphone map is a challenge for users with limited internal memory. even the flagship Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5 They are often overloaded with heavy projects like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile. 10-15 GB. But not everyone knows that MIUI limits the transfer of applications to external drives by default β this feature must be activated manually or use workarounds.
In this article, we will discuss all working methods of transferring games to the SD-map for Xiaomi on Android 13/14 and MIUI 14/15, including the hidden settings of the developer, ADB-We will pay special attention to the nuances for models with hybrid slot (combined tray for the second one). SIM or memory cards) and problems with microSD class compatibility A1/A2. If you're Xiaomi. 13 Ultra or Redmi 10C The memory card does not see it, you will find a solution here.
1. Preparation SD-maps: formatting and class selection
Before transferring games, make sure your SD-The card meets the requirements of Xiaomi:
- π Speed class: minimum class 10 (UHS-I/UHS-II), optimally β A1 or A2 - For applications. A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme Pro provides random read/write speeds to the 4000 IOPS, play-critical.
- π Formatting: Xiaomi only supports FAT32 (up to 32 GB) or exFAT (over 32 GB). NTFS wrong!
- π± Compatibility: Hybrid slot models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) require a choice between the second slot. SIM or SD-Check the settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks.
β οΈ Note: If you use a memory card as an internal drive (Adoptable Storage function), after formatting it can not be removed without losing data. MIUI 14+.
| Xiaomi model | Max. SD volume. | Adoptable Storage Support | Recommended grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | 1 TB | Yes (Android 13+) | A2 |
| POCO F5 | 1 TB | Yes (MIUI 14) | A2 |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | 512GB | No. | A1 |
| Redmi 10A | 512GB | Yes (Android 12) | A1 |
For formatting the card directly in the smartphone:
- Put it in. SD-slot-card.
- Go to Settings β Storage β Memory Map.
- Choose Format as internal storage (if you need Adoptable Storage) or Format as portable.
- Confirm the action β all data on the map will be deleted!
2. Transfer games through standard MIUI settings
The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, but it doesnβt work for all games (especially those that block portability, like PUBG Mobile or Honor of Kings).
Instructions:
- Open Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- Choose the game you want to play (such as Free Fire).
- Click Warehouse β Change (if the button is active).
- Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.
β οΈ Note: After the transfer, some games may run slower if the game is not SD-The card has a low read/write speed. Test performance in 3DMark GFXBench before and after the transfer.
Check the vacant space on SD-card (you need at least 20% more than the weight of the game)
Close the game and clear its cache in Settings β Storage
Connect the charger (transfer can take 10-30 minutes)
Backup your saves (via Google Play Games or manually)-->
3.Use of ADB for Forced Transfer
If the Change button is inactive, you will need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on all Xiaomi models, but requires a computer.
Steps:
- Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings β About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings β Additional β Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
File transfer
ADB Tools
adb devices(The name of your device should appear).
com.example.game
com.tencent.ig
PUBG Mobile
adb shell pm set-install-location 2
adb shell pm move-package com.example.gameπΉ How to find out the game package:
- Install App Inspector from Google Play.
- Open the app and find the game in the list β the package will be listed in the Package Name section.
What to do if ADB It's a mistake. [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION]"
4. Transfer applications: Link2SD and App2SD
If standard methods don't work, third-party software will help. Two of the most effective tools are:
- π Link2SD (Requires root: Creates symbolic references to SD-It saves space on the internal drive, supports the transfer. OBB-It works even with games that block standard transfer (eg, Genshin Impact).
- π¦ App2SD (root-free, but with limitations: only transfers part of the data (not APK-Supports Xiaomi on Android 10+. Can cause lags in games due to slow Class 10 cards.
Instructions for Link2SD:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Provide root access (if any).
- Select the game in the list and click Create a link.
- Transfer all available files (APK, Dalvik-cache, Library).
β οΈ Attention: After use Link2SD keep out SD-map without pre-mounting in settings! this can lead to the crash of the game and loss of saves.
π‘
Before using Link2SD, back up the game via Swift Backup or Titanium Backup. Some games (such as Clash of Clans) store saves in the cloud, but local data may be lost.
5. Transfer OBB-manually
Many games (such as Asphalt) 9 Need for Speed: No Limits Stores the Data in a Folder Android/obb. These files can be transferred to SD-A map without root, but with some limitations.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
- Go to /sdcard/Android/obb.
- Find a folder with the game name (e.g. com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM for Asphalt 9).
- Copy the folder to SD-map /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb (where XXXX-XXXX β ID your card).
- Remove the original folder from the internal drive.
- Create a symbolic link (root or Termux required): -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.game.package /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game.package
πΉ For users without root:
- Use the FolderMount app to link folders.
- In the game settings, indicate the path to the data on SD-map (if supported).
| Game. | Size of OBB | Can I transfer it without root? | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genshin Impact | ~15 GB | Yes (via FolderMount) | Medium. |
| Call of Duty Mobile | ~2 GB | Yes. | Low. |
| PUBG Mobile | ~1.5 GB | No (blocks) | High-pitched |
| Asphalt 9 | ~2.3 GB | Yes. | Low. |
6. Problem Solving: Transfer errors and lags
When transferring games to SD-Xiaomi users often face typical problems:
- β "App not installed": Reason: SD-The map is formatted as portable, and the game requires internal storage.Solution: Reformat the map to Adoptable Storage or use it ADB.
- π’ Lags and friezes: Reason: Low card reading speed (Class 10 instead of the "Captain" card) A2). Solution: Replace the card with a 4000 model IOPS (for example, Samsung EVO Plus A2).
- π Game resets when rebooted: Reason: Symbolic links get lost after update MIUI. Solution: Use Link2SD Autoboot option.
π§ Speed diagnostics SD-map:
- Install the A1 SD Bench from Google Play.
- Run the test β if the random recording speed is below 10MB/s, the card is not suitable for gaming.
- For Xiaomi with UFS 2.2/3.1 (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), the speed difference between internal memory and SD can be as high as 5-10 times!
π‘
If the game is transferred to SD-The card is slower than the internal memory, so put it back. Some titles (like Diablo Immortal) use cache and require high write speeds.
7. Alternative ways: cloud and optimization
If the transfer is SD-The card is impossible or ineffective, consider alternatives:
- βοΈ Cloud-based saves: Use Google Play Games to automatically backup progress. Some games (such as Clash Royale) sync data to your Supercell account ID.
- π§Ή Cache cleaning: In Settings β Warehouse β Clean up, delete unnecessary cache files. for Xiaomi with MIUI 15 Available Deep Cleaning Function.
- π PC portability: Use Scrcpy to stream games from phone to computer. Genshin Impact has an official PC client with cross-platform saves.
π Comparison of space saving methods:
| Method | Root is required. | Suitable for all games | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard transfer (MIUI) | No. | No. | Low. |
| ADB | No. | Partially. | Medium. |
| Link2SD | Yes. | Yes. | High-pitched |
| OBB transfer | No (but you need simlinks) | Yes. | Medium. |
| Cloud. | No. | Depends on the game. | Low. |