How to move the game to SD-map on Xiaomi: all ways and life hacks

Transfer of games to SD-The map on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that many users, especially owners of devices with limited internal memory, face. Despite the fact that modern games take up gigabytes of space, not everyone knows that they can be partially or completely moved to an external drive. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer games to the SD-map MIUI Android, including bypassing system limitations and nuances for specific Redmi models, POCO Xiaomi.

It's important to understand that not all games support memory transfer, depending on the developer's policy and the application architecture, but even in these cases, there are workarounds, which we'll discuss below. SD-Cards may differ from internal memory, especially if a class card is used. A1 Or below. The best option is a microSD. UHS-I class A2 or U3, which provide high speed reading/writing.

Before proceeding with the transfer, check:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Xiaomi model โ€“ some older devices (like Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) have limitations on working with SD-cards as with internal memory.
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Type SD-Cards โ€“ not all cards support Adoptable Storage (Based as internal memory).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Game requirements โ€“ some titles (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) block data transfer.

If youโ€™re ready to optimize your Xiaomi memory, read on โ€“ weโ€™ll take a look at every method in detail, from standard MIUI tools to advanced ADB solutions.

๐Ÿ“Š What Xiaomi model do you use?
Redmi Note 12/13
POCO X5/F5
Xiaomi 13/14
Redmi 10/9
Another model

1. Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting and Selection of File System

Before you move games, SD-This step will determine whether you can use it as internal memory (for transferring applications) or only as external storage (for media files and parts of these games).

On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12/13/14, two formatting options are available:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Portable storage โ€“ the card works as a removable drive (can be retrieved and used on other devices) and is suitable for storing screenshots, videos and OBb files of some games.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Internal memory โ€“ the card is attached to the device and encrypted (cannot be retrieved without losing data.

To format the card as an internal memory:

  1. Put it in. SD-card (if your model supports memory expansion).
  2. Go to Settings. โ†’ Memory. โ†’ SD-map.
  3. Click Format as internal memory (on some models, the item may be called Configure as internal storage).
  4. Confirm the action โ€“ the system will warn that all data on the map will be erased.

โš ๏ธ Note: After formatting as internal memory, the card will not be used on other devices without completely erasing the data, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire may not work properly with external memory due to anticheat limitations.

What if the item โ€œFormat as internal memoryโ€ is not available?
On some Xiaomi models (especially with Android One or older versions) MIUI) This option may be hidden. In this case, try: 1. Update the firmware to the latest version. MIUI. 2.Use ADB-command to force the card to mount as internal memory (instruction below). 3. Purchase a card with support A2 โ€” Some devices automatically offer advanced options for such drives.

2. Transfer games through standard MIUI settings

If you SD-The card is formatted as internal memory, you can transfer some of the games through the settings menu. This method does not work for all applications, but is suitable for most casual games (for example, Candy Crush, Clash of Clans).

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Choose the game you want to move.
  3. Click Storage (or Memory on some versions of MIUI).
  4. If the option is available, tap Change and select SD-map.

Limitations of the method:

  • ๐Ÿšซ Not all games support transference - many AAA-Projects (e.g. Diablo Immortal) block this feature.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Only a portion of the data (usually cache and additional files) is transferred, not the data itself. APK.
  • โš ๏ธ After the transfer, the game may run slower if SD-map.

The game supports portability to SD (check in Google Play).

SD-The card is formatted as internal memory.

There is enough free space on the map (minimum 1.5).ร— game-size)

Card speed is not lower than Class 10/UHS-I-->

3 Use of Adoptable Storage through ADB

For advanced users, there is a method of forced mounting SD-Cards as internal memory via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This allows you to bypass the restrictions. MIUI And even those games that donโ€™t normally support external memory.

Steps to activate Adoptable Storage:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode on your Xiaomi: go to Settings โ†’ About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
  2. Return to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB-tools, and execute the command: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true.
  4. Restart the device and try formatting again. SD-maps as internal memory.

After that, the system should allow the application to be transferred to the map.

  • ๐Ÿ”ง This method may not work for MIUI 14 and newer due to tightening security policy.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Some games (such as those with Denuvo or Easy Anti-Cheat) can block startup from external memory.
  • โšก The card must be high speed (recommended) UHS-II or A2), Otherwise, the games will be slowed down.

โš ๏ธ Note: Forced use of Adoptable Storage may cause system instability if SD-The card is not fast enough or has defects. Before executing commands, make a backup copy of the data!

4. Transfer of OBb game files manually

Many modern games (e.g. Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail) store basic data in files with the extension.obb. SD-hand-card, freeing up internal memory.

How to do this:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
  2. Go to /Android/obb/[game package name] (e.g. /Android/obb/com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact).
  3. Copy.obb files to SD-The card in the same folder (create it if it is not available).
  4. Remove the original files from the internal memory.

Important nuances:

  • ๐Ÿ“‚ Not all games support reading OBb files from external memory. If the game does not start after transfer, return the files back.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Some games (such as Call of Duty Mobile) require OBb files to be stored in internal memory.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ If the game is updated, it can automatically download OBb files back to internal memory.

Game.Support for OBb transferRequired grade SD-mapNotes
Genshin Impactโœ… Yes.A2/UHS-ICan slow down on slow maps when loading open world
PUBG MobileโŒ No.โ€”Blocks startup if OBb files are not in internal memory
Clash of Clansโœ… Yes.Class 10Transfer is possible through the application settings
Honor of Kingsโš ๏ธ Partially.A1May require re-uploading of data

๐Ÿ’ก

If the game does not see OBb files on the SD-try to create a symbolic link using the FolderMount app or App2SD. This will trick the system into thinking that the files are in internal memory.

5.Apps for automatic transfer of games

If manual methods seem complicated, you can use third-party utilities that automate the transfer process and sometimes circumvent Android's limitations.

Popular applications:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ App2SD โ€” Analyzes games and suggests transferring supported data to SD-It works without root, but with limitations.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Link2SD โ€” It requires root access, but it allows you to port even system applications.
  • ๐Ÿ“‚ FolderMount โ€“ allows you to โ€œmountโ€ folders from SD-It's good for playing games with large OBb files.

How to use App2SD:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Open it and give access to the storage.
  3. In the list of applications, find the game you want to transfer.
  4. Press Move to Move to SD-Card (if the option is active).

โš ๏ธ Attention: Apps like Link2SD require root rights, which will void the warranty on your Xiaomi and may lead to unstable system operation!

6.Optimizing performance after transfer

Transfer of games to SD-The card can affect performance, especially if the card is not fast enough.To minimize lags, follow these tips:

Ways to speed up the loading of games with SD-map:

  • โšก Use memory cards with high read/write speed (recommended) UHS-II or A2).
  • ๐Ÿงน Clean the game cache regularly through Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ [play] โ†’ Memory. โ†’ Clear the cache.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Turn off background activity of other apps while playing (in Settings) โ†’ Battery โ†’ Optimizing the battery).
  • ๐Ÿ“ต If the game is slowing down, try transferring it back to internal memory or using symbolic links.

Critical information: On Xiaomi devices with Snapdragon processors 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 13/14, POCO F5) slow-play SD-The card may cause overheating due to the increased load on the memory controller. In such cases, it is recommended to use only cards with read speed from the memory controller. 150 MB/s.

To check your speed SD-maps use the app A1 SD Bench:

  1. Install the utility from Google Play.
  2. Choose yours. SD-map.
  3. Run a reading/writing test.
  4. If the speed is below 50MB/s, the card is not suitable for gaming.

๐Ÿ’ก

To maximize the performance of the games on SD-Use the card with the markings A2 or UHS-II. Class cards A1 Class 10 is only suitable for light games.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When transferring games to SD-Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The game does not start after the transfer to the SD-map.

  • ๐Ÿ”น Make sure the card is formatted as internal memory (if not, repeat the process).
  • ๐Ÿ”น Check if the game supports external memory (some titles block this functionality).
  • ๐Ÿ”น Reinstall the game by pre-copying the saves (if stored in the game) /Android/data).

Problem 2: The system does not allow the game to be moved, the button is inactive.

  • ๐Ÿ”น Try using it. ADB for forced transfer (instruction above).
  • ๐Ÿ”น Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI โ€” In newer versions, external memory support is sometimes extended.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Check if the game is system-based (e.g., pre-installed games from Xiaomi cannot be moved over).

Problem 3: The game slows down or flies off after the transfer.

  • ๐Ÿ”น Replace. SD-a faster card (for example, with a UHS-II on UHS-III).
  • ๐Ÿ”น Clear the game cache and data through Settings โ†’ Annexes.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Turn off background optimization for playing in battery settings.

If none of the methods worked, itโ€™s possible your Xiaomi model has hardware limitations, such as on the Redmi Note 8 Pro and older devices, porting games to SD often doesnโ€™t work well because of a weak memory controller.

Can I transfer Genshin Impact to the SD-map?
Yes, but with reservations, the main files of the game (.obb) can be copied to SD-hand-card (pathway: /Android/obb/com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact). However: The game can slow down on the cards more slowly A2. After updates, OBb files can automatically download back to internal memory, POCO X3 Pro: the game refuses to run from external memory, and we recommend using symbolic links (via FolderMount) to trick the system.
Why after the game is transferred to SD-The map has stopped updating?
This is due to the security policy of Google Play and some games, which when updated, the app may require all files to be stored in internal memory. Solutions: Temporarily transfer the game back to internal memory, update it, and then move it back to internal memory. SD. Download. APK-Manually update from sites like APKMirror. Use patchers like Lucky Patcher (requires root) to bypass storage checks.
What? SD-It is better to buy a card for games on Xiaomi?
For a comfortable game, we recommend the following models: Card model Class Reading Speed Price (approximately) SanDisk Extreme A2 A2, UHS-I up to 160 MB/s 1500โ€“2500 โ‚ฝ (128GB Samsung EVO Select A2, UHS-I up to 130 MB/s 1200โ€“2000 โ‚ฝ (128GB) Kingston Canvas Go! Plus A2, UHS-I up to 170 MB/s 1400โ€“2200 โ‚ฝ (128GB: Avoid cards without markings A2 โ€” They are not optimized to run applications.
Can we move the game? SD-A card without formatting it as internal memory?
Yes, but with limitations. Options: Manual transfer of OBb files (suitable for many games, but not all); Use of symbolic links via FolderMount or App2SD. Transfer the cache (not all data) through the game settings. APK-A game file without formatting the card as internal memory is only possible on rooted devices.
Why is my Xiaomi not โ€œFormat as internal memoryโ€ option?
This option may be missing for several reasons: You have an Android 10+-based MIUI installed, where Google has restricted this feature. Your Xiaomi model does not support Adoptable Storage (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3). You use a memory card that does not meet the requirements (e.g. Class 4 instead of Class 10). The firmware is modified (e.g. custom LineageOS), and the feature is disabled. Solution: try activating the option via ADB (sm set-force-adoptable true) or update the firmware.