Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners regularly face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially if they actively install modern games. PUBG They can take 2 to 10 GB -- and that's without the updates. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in MIUI This process is nuanced.
Unfortunately, since Android 6.0 and MIUI 12+, Xiaomi has limited the ability to directly transfer games to an external drive through standard settings, due to Google’s security policy and performance optimization. However, there are workarounds from embedded features to third-party utilities. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for Redmi Note 12/11/10, Redmi 13C/12C and other Android 12/13/14 models.
Why the games are not transferred to SD-standard-map?
Since 2016, Google has restricted applications from external drives through the Adoptable Storage mechanism, and in MIUI, these restrictions are even tougher: the system blocks the transfer of games by default, because:
- 🔒 Data security: Games can store critical information (saves, logins) that is easier to steal from the user. SD-map.
- ⚡ Productivity: MicroP Optimization MIUI: Xiaomi has disabled the function "Move to" SD" In the application settings for most games.
However, some games (such as Minecraft or Brawl Stars) still support porting through the Settings menu → Apps → [Game] → Warehouse → Change.
⚠️ Attention: Transfer of games to SD-The card can cause them to work unstable, especially if the drive has a class below. A1 Before the procedure, check the card for errors through the application. SD Card Tester.
Method 1: Use the external storage function in MIUI (for supported games)
Despite the limitations, some games still allow you to transfer through the standard menu.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select a game from a list (such as Clash of Clans).
- Slip on Warehouse.
- If the option is available, modify (or SD-map), click on it and select an external drive.
A list of games that often support this method:
| Game. | Support for transfer to MIUI 14/15 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | ✅ Yes. | Only resources are transferred, not conservation |
| Brawl Stars | ✅ Yes. | Lags may occur when loading textures |
| Clash of Clans | ✅ Yes. | Reboot is required after transfer |
| PUBG Mobile | ❌ No. | Blocked by Tencent anticheat |
| Genshin Impact | ❌ No. | Uses secure data |
Important: After the transfer, some games may require a smartphone reboot. If the Change option is inactive, proceed to the following methods.
Method 2: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)
This method is suitable for Android devices 8.0-11 (in Android 12).+ and MIUI 13+ The method is to trick the system into perceiving it. SD-Warning: After that, the map can't be retrieved without losing data!
Instructions:
Backup the data from the card | Check the speed class (A2 recommended) | Connect the charger (process takes 5-10 minutes) | Make sure the card is formatted in FAT32/exFAT
-->
- Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → Three points (⋮) → Storage settings.
- Choose Format as Internal (or Internal Memory in MIUI 12).
- Confirm the action and wait until the end (the smartphone can restart).
- After formatting, go to the game settings and select the port option (if available).
⚠️ Note: After this formatting SD-The card will be encrypted and tied to your device, and it won't be used in other gadgets or read through a card reader without completely erasing the data!
If your version of MIUI does not have the option to format as internal, try activating it through the developer mode:
Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)
Settings → More → For developers → Enable “Debugging by USB” and “Allow resizing of the system partition”Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)
If the standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level system management tool that requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
- Enable USB debugging on your smartphone (see previous section).
- Connect Redmi to the PC via USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
- Run a transfer command (replace com.example.game with a game pack, for example com.supercell.clashofclans): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.example.game
List of popular game packages:
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile: com.tencent.ig
- 🏰 Clash of Clans: com.supercell.clashofclans
- 🗡️ Genshin Impact: com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact
- 🏀 NBA 2K Mobile: com.t2ksports.nbamobile
⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) block the launch from external drives through anti-cheat. ADB-method will not work.
💡
To find the game package, install the App Inspector app from Google Play, which shows the full package names of all installed programs.
Method 4: Hand-transfer of cache and game data
If the game itself cannot be moved, you can free up space by moving its cache and additional files (for example, downloaded maps or textures).
- Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
- Open the folder of internal memory: Android → data (may require root access).
- Find a folder with the name of the game package (e.g. com.tencent.ig for PUBG).
- Copy files and cache folders on SD-map (e.g. in the /sdcard/Android/obb/[play-off]).
- Remove the original folders from internal memory.
- Create symbolic links (root or terminal required): ln -s /sdcard/Android/obb/com.tencent.ig /data/data/com.tencent.ig/files
To automate this process, you can use applications like FolderMount (requires root) or App2SD. They create virtual folders by redirecting game requests to SD-map.
What if the game doesn’t see files after transfer?
Method 5: Use of third-party applications (without root)
If you don't want to mess around with ADB or manual transfer, you can use specialized utilities.The best options for Xiaomi Redmi:
| Annex | Need root? | Support for MIUI | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| App2SD | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | It only transfers cache and obb files. |
| Files by Google | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Cleans garbage, but does not tolerate APK |
| Link2SD | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Partially. | Creates symbolic references |
| FolderMount | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Redirects folders to SD |
The most common option is App2SD:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Open it and give access to the storage.
- Select the game from the list.
- Press Move to Move to SD-Card (if the option is active).
For deeper integration (e.g., transfer) APK-The file will require root access. On Xiaomi, it can be obtained through unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, but this will void the warranty.
💡
Third-party applications without root can only transfer additional game files (obb, cache), but not themselves. APK. For a complete transfer, root or ADB.
What to do if none of the methods work?
If all of these methods have not worked, consider alternative solutions:
- 🔄 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → [Game] → Warehouse → Clear the cache. That could free up 1 to 5 GB.
- ☁️ Cloud-based saves: Games like Call of Duty Mobile let you save progress to the cloud and reinstall them when needed.
- 📱 Memory optimization: B MIUI There is a built-in cleaning function: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
- 💾 Use of the OTG-Driver: Connect the flash drive through the adapter USB-C/OTG Move the games there (support required) OTG).
If the internal memory is filled at the root and transfer is not possible, consider:
- 🛒 Buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+ 512GB).
- 🔧 Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) where port restrictions are less stringent.