How to transfer games to a memory card Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working methods + error solving

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal memory — especially if you actively install games from Google Play or third-party sources. Even with 64/128 GB on board modern projects like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG take up 2-5 GB each, quickly clogging the system partition. Fortunately, MIUI allows you to transfer some games to microSD without root rights, but with important reservations.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to transfer games to a memory card in Redmi. 9 (including Redmi models 9A/9C/9T), They have pros and cons, and they have common errors, from "app not installed" to performance issues. SD-Adoptable Storage and alternative methods for games that do not support portability.

Why don’t games move to memory cards?

Before we get into the instructions, it's important to understand the limitations of the Android platform and the MIUI shell, because since Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage, the ability to use microSD as part of internal memory.

• 🔹 Not all games support portability: Developers can explicitly ban this feature in the application manifest (e.g. Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars, etc).
• 🔹 MIUI In some versions of firmware, the port option is hidden or unstable.
• 🔹 Productivity SD-Class cards. UHS-I (U1/U3) or A1/A2 They are good for games, but cheap class. 10 can slow down.
• 🔹 Formatting as internal memory leads to data encryption – the card will not be read on another device.

In addition, some games (such as anticheat games like Free Fire or Mobile Legends) may fail to work from external memory due to the risks of modifying files, in which case only manual cache movement or the use of simlinks (requires root).

⚠️ Note: If you use a memory card as a portable storage (not formatted as internal memory), most games will not be able to transfer to it.

Method 1: Transfer through MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI feature, which works for most games, but not all.

1. Insert microSD into the slot (up to 512GB cards are supported). If the card is new, Redmi 9 will offer to format it. Select "Like a portable storage" (if you want to transfer only a portion of the data) or "Like internal memory" (if you are willing to devote the card only to this phone).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the game you want to migrate (such as Among Us or Subway Surfers).
4. Click on "Storage", then "Change" (or "Move to"); SD-card, if the option is available).
5. Confirm the action. The system will copy the data, but not all files can be transferred - some will remain in internal memory.

If the option "Move to" SD-The card is inactive or absent, so:

• 📛 The game does not support portability (check Google Play in the section "Required permissions").
• 📛 Memory card formatted as portable storage (reformatted).
• 📛 V MIUI Transfer function is disabled (relevant for some regions).

Select a Class A1/A2 or UHS-I memory card

Format the card as internal memory (if necessary)

Check the free space on the map (should be ≥ game size)

Close the game before the transfer

Reboot the phone after the transfer-->

Method 2: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

If standard portability doesn't work, we can go a radical way of turning microSD into a piece of internal memory, which would allow games to be directly mapped, but it has serious implications:

• 🔧 The card will be encrypted and linked to this phone, and the other device will not read the data.
• 🔧 Speed depends on the card class. A2 or UHS-I U3.
• 🔧 When you remove the map, some applications may stop working.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
2. Click "Configure" (or "Format as internal").
3. Confirm the action. The system will suggest that you move the data, you agree.
4. After formatting, restart the phone.
5. Now, when installing games on Google Play, you can choose a memory card as a storage location.

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be used on other devices without completely erasing the data. Also, do not remove the card while the games are running, this can lead to the collapse of the application.

SanDisk (any model)|Samsung EVO|Kingston|Another (write in the comments)|I don't use it.-->

Method 3: Manually move game files (for power users)

If the game is not portable in standard ways, but supports storage on external media (for example, Minecraft, The Sims Mobile), you can manually move its files.

• 🛠️ File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• 🛠️ Doze mode must be disabled for the game (otherwise files can be reset).
• 🛠️ Backup of game data (in case of error).

Algorithm of action:

1. With the file manager, go to /Android/obb/ (for additional game files) or /Android/data/ (for cache).
2. Find a folder with the title of the game (e.g. com.mojang.minecraftpe for Minecraft).
3. Copy the folder to the memory card in the same way (create directories /Android/obb/ on SD if none are available).
4. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
5. Create a symbolic link (requires root or terminal): -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.game.package /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game.package Where XXXX-XXXX — ID yours SD-maps (you can find them through adb shell ls) /storage/).

Root is not a problem if the game supports manually specifying the path to data (for example, through settings or a config file). /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/....

Solving Common Mistakes When Playing Games

Even after a successful transfer, Redmi 9 users may face problems.

If the game after the transfer crashes or does not start, try:

1. Clear the game's cache in Settings → Applications → [Game] → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Reinstall the game by selecting the internal memory, then reschedule.
3. Disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings (may interfere with SD).

💡

Before transferring the game, check its compatibility with the SD-Maps on AppSales (under "Storage"), and many developers indicate whether external storage is supported.

Alternative ways to free up memory in Redmi 9

If porting games to SD didn’t help or isn’t possible, consider other options:

• 🗑️ Cleaning up the game cache. → Memory. → Cleanup can remove unnecessary temporary files (for example, Facebook or TikTok cache often takes gigabytes).
• ☁️ Cloud-based saves: Games like Clash Royale or Hearthstone let you sync your progress with your Google Play Games account.
• 🔄 Transfer media files. Photos, videos and music can be moved to SD The Gallery or Mi File Manager.
• 📦 Use of Lite versions, such as Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or PUBG Mobile Lite takes up much less space.
• 🔧 Disable preload updates. on Google Play → Settings → Auto Update Apps Select “Only via Wi-Fi” or “Do not automatically update".

It is also worth checking the hidden files that take up space:

• .thumbnails – sketches of images (can be removed).
• Download – downloaded files from the browser.
• Android/data/ – cache of games (eg Genshin Impact stores gigabytes of textures here).

💡

If your internal memory is 90%+ full, your system starts to slow down, and try to keep ≥10% of the space available for stable operation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting games to SD in Redmi 9