How to transfer the game from phone to phone SD-Map in Xiaomi: a detailed guide

Why the games are not transferred to SD-Xiaomi Map and What to Do About It

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They are often faced with the problem of lack of internal memory, especially when it comes to modern games such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or the Internet. PUBG. Even 128GB models are clogged quickly if heavy projects are actively installed. SD-map, but here users are waiting for an unpleasant surprise: by default MIUI block this possibility.

The reasons for the restrictions are rooted in the Android architecture and Xiaomi policy.

• 🔒 Data security – games on the SD-The card is slower and can be damaged when the drive is removed.
• 📱 Optimization MIUI — The firmware by default allows only part of applications to be transferred (usually messengers or utilities).
• 🎮 Developer requirements – many games (such as Honor of Kings or Free Fire) explicitly prohibit external media installation.

In this article, we will discuss 3 working methods for transferring games to the SD-map - from standard tools MIUI to advanced solutions with ADB and ROOT-We also find out which games cannot be ported without losing progress (spoiler: these are almost all online projects with server authorization).

Method 1: Standard transfer through MIUI settings (without ROOT)

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most offline games and lightweight projects, but have limitations:

• ✅ It works without additional programs.
• ❌ Not all games are supported (e.g. Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal cannot be moved).
• ⚠️ After the transfer, the game may slow down if SD-class UHS-I U1 lower.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the game you want to migrate (such as Minecraft or Brawl Stars).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is active, click Change and select SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5-10 minutes).

SD-The card is formatted as internal memory.|The game is not an online multiplayer|There is enough free space on the map (at least 1.5 times the weight of the game)|SD-class UHS-I U3 higher-->

⚠️ Note: If the Change button is inactive, the game does not support the transfer. ADB.

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually specify which apps to port to the system, which works on all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11), but requires a connection to a PC.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap according to the version → return to additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
3. Enter the port command (replace com.example.game with a game package, for example com.mojang.minecraftpe for Minecraft): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.example.game
4. Reboot the phone.

💡

To find out the game package, install the App Inspector app from Google Play or use the adb shell pm list packages | grep "game" (for Linux/macOS).

⚠️ Note: Some games after transferring through ADB They may give an error "Insufficient Memory" when upgrading, in which case you will have to return the game back to internal memory or use Method 3 s. ROOT.

Method 3: Complete transfer of C ROOT-rights (for advanced persons)

If the first two methods fail, the radical solution remains: ROOT-rights and forced transfer through the file system:

• 🎮 Gameplay: Genshin Impact, Black Desert Mobile).
• 📁 Applications that are not transferred through ADB.
• 🔄 Users willing to sacrifice their guarantee (ROOT stripped her of!).

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 7 days to wait) SMS-code).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) and scrolle Magisk to get ROOT.
3. Download App2SD or Link2SD from the store.
4. In the application, select the game and click Create a link (this will transfer some files to the SD-The card, leaving the system data in the internal memory).

What games cannot be transferred to SD-map (and why)

Even with ROOT-Some games cannot be moved without losing functionality:

• 🔐 DRM-protection (e.g., Diablo Immortal or Lineage 2: Revolution check file integrity when running).
• 🌍 Server authentication – online games like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG You can block your account if you find modified files.
• 📡 Background Updates – Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars download patches to internal memory, even if the main files are on the back of the file. SD.

List of games that are guaranteed not to work with SD-cards (even after transfer):

• Genshin Impact (minimum requirements — UFS 2.1, SD-card).
• Honor of Kings (Blocks Startup when External Storage is Discovered)
• Pokémon GO (It requires constant access to internal memory to GPS-cache).
• Fortnite (Epic Games explicitly prohibits SD installation in the license agreement).

Genshin Impact|Call of Duty Mobile|PUBG|Minecraft|Brawl Stars|Another.-->

How to avoid mistakes when transferring games to SD-map

Even if the transfer is successful, users often face problems:

• 🐢 Lags and friezes – caused by low reading speed SD-map.
• 🔄 Progress reset – occurs if the game stores data in internal memory and executable files on the game. SD.
• ❌ The error "Application not installed" is typical for games with OBB-files (e.g. Asphalt 9).

To minimize the risks:

1. Use it. SD-class UHS-I U3 or A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus).
2. Before transferring, back up your saves via Helium or adb backup.
3. Don't take it out. SD-card during the game - this will lead to the collapse of the application.
4. For online games (Clash Royale, Mobile Legends) transfer only the cache, leaving the main files in internal memory.

💡

If the game after transfer gives an error "Insufficient memory" when updating, return it back to the internal storage, update, and then repeat the transfer.

Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi

If the games are transferred SD-The card is not helpful or impossible, consider alternative options:

1. Cleaning of cache and unnecessary files:

• 🧹 Use the built-in cleaning utility in MIUI (Settings → Cleanup).
• 🗑️ Remove the old ones. APK-files in the Download folder and game cache through Settings → Annexes → [play-name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

2. Transfer of media files:

• 📸 Move photos and videos to Google Photos or SD-gallery-card → Albums. → Select → Move it.
• 🎵 Music and podcasts can be transferred via File Manager).

3. Cloud services:

• ☁️ Download game backups to Google Drive or Mi Cloud (up to 5GB free).
• 🎮 For Steam Link or Xbox Cloud Gaming, stream instead of local installation.

4. MIUI optimization:

• 🔧 Turn off animation and background processes in Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations.
• 📱 Install a light firmware (for example, MIUI Lite for weak devices).

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring games to SD-map