How to transfer games to SD-Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working methods + tips for choosing a storage device

Xiaomi Redmi 9 — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but its main drawback is the fact that it is a big one. 32/64 GB of internal memory. If you are actively playing Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG, The free space ends in a matter of days. SD-But it's not that simple — MIUI It imposes restrictions, and some games (especially those with anti-piracy protection) may refuse to work with an external drive.

In this guide, we will break down three proven ways to port games to microSD in Redmi. 9 (including Redmi models 9A/9C/9T), We'll tell you how to format your memory card correctly, and we'll warn you against common mistakes, and we'll also tell you which games you can't transfer to. SD-card without root rights, and how to circumvent this restriction by legal methods.

Preparation: which SD-Choose a map for Xiaomi Redmi 9?

Not every memory card is suitable for installing games. Cheap microSD Class 4/6 can slow down levels or even cause crashes. Redmi 9 is best suited for the following characteristics:

• 🔹 Class speed: UHS-I U1 (minimally U3/A2 (recommended). Maps A2 specifically optimized for application installation.
• 🔹 Volume: from 64 GB (32 GB games will fill up space quickly), maximum 512 GB MIUI It may not see more than 256 GB).
• 🔹 Brand: SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO Plus, Kingston Canvas Go! Plus. avoid no-name cards - they're often forged.

⚠️ Note: If you bought an exFAT card (often in volume) >64 GB, it will have to be reformatted to FAT32 or NTFS Redmi 9 does not support exFAT out of the box".

2. Method 1: Transfer games through Android settings (without root rights)

It's the easiest method, but it doesn't work for all games, because developers can block the portability, but it's worth trying:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the game you want to migrate (like Brawl Stars or Clash of Clans).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer. The process may take a few minutes.

⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) will not allow you to transfer the main files, only cache.

Insert SD-slot card (not adapter!)

Check the free space on the map

Close the game before the transfer

Connect charging (process drains battery)-->

3. Method 2: Use of SD-The card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage)

This method allows the system to be “deceived” by making it perceive SD-The advantage is that games will be automatically installed on the card:

• 🔸 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🔸 After the map is removed, the applications will stop working.
• 🔸 Some games (Denuvo or Unity protection) IAP) may not be launched.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map → Set up → Internal memory.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. Attention! All the data on the map will be erased.
4. After formatting, select Move Data Now (optional).

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the previous methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to manually specify to the system which applications should be stored on the SD-It doesn't require root rights, but it does require basic command line skills.

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive on your computer.
2. Turn on Redmi 9 Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
3. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install applications on default SD-To get it back, use the map:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

💡

If the game is slowing down after the transfer, try clearing its cache in Settings → Apps → [Game] → Storage → Clear the cache. Sometimes this eliminates the lags.

5 What games cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Some games use anti-piracy protection or require high speed data reading, so they block work from external drives. Here is a list of problematic games (as of 2026):

• 🎮 Genshin Impact – Transfer is only possible via Adoptable Storage, but there may be lags.
• 🎮 Call of Duty: Mobile – some files remain in internal memory.
• 🎮 PUBG Mobile (and Battlegrounds Mobile India) – requires root rights for full port.
• 🎮 Honor of Kings (and other games from Tencent) – blocks installation on the game SD.
• 🎮 Games with Google Play Games (such as Diablo Immortal) – may not save progress.

💡

If the game refuses to work after the transfer, try reinstalling it directly on the game. SD-Map (on Google Play, select map as installation location).

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users experience problems after they have moved games, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

⚠️ Note: If you used Adoptable Storage and decided to remove it SD-map, pre-transfer all applications back to internal memory via Settings → Applications. Otherwise they'll stop working!

7. Alternative ways to free up memory

If the games are transferred SD-The card is not helpful or impossible, try these methods:

• 🗑️ Cache cleaning: In Settings → Warehouse → Clean up unneeded files (especially Google Play Services cache).
• ☁️ Cloud Savings: Games like Clash Royale or Among Us let you sync your progress with your Google account.
• 📱 Pc portability: Use the Mi PC Suite for backing up games to your computer.
• 🔄 Lite versions of games: For example, PUBG Mobile Lite or Call of Duty: Mobile Lite take up 2-3 times less space.

💡

Redmi 9 has a hidden garbage cleanup feature: go to Security → Cleanup → Deep Cleanup and select System Garbage. This can free up up to 1-2 GB of space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring games to SD-map 9