Transfer of games from internal memory to SD-Xiaomi map: all working methods

Xiaomi smartphone owners sooner or later face a lack of internal memory — especially if they are actively installing modern games. Many of them, such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG New State, take 2-5 GB each, and with updates — even models with 128 GB of memory begin to “suffocate” if not optimize data storage.

The official Android version 6.0 supports the Adoptable Storage feature, which allows you to “tether» SD-The card is part of the internal memory, but Xiaomi is in its firmware. MIUI This often blocks or limits this ability, and as a result, users see the settings as only a portability option for photos, videos and documents, not games and applications. SD-Game Storage Card – From Standard Tools MIUI to manual methods with ADB.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the transfer of games to the SD-map?

Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, artificially restrict the portability of applications to external drives for several reasons:

• 🔹 Productivity: SD-cards (even class) A2 or UHS-I) They are slower than the built-in memory. UFS 2.1/3.0, What can cause lags in games.
• 🔹 Security: Android bans app data from being stored on removable media due to the risk of file theft or swapping.
• 🔹 Fragmentation: Frequently writing/deleting game files speeds up memory card wear, especially on cheap models.
• 🔹 Google Policy: Starting in 2019, Google Play requires apps to be installed in internal memory by default.

However, you can get around these limitations – especially if you have a Xiaomi model on MIUI 12-14 with an unlocked bootloader or root rights.

Method 1: Standard transfer through MIUI settings (for supported games)

Some games (usually small or old) still allow you to transfer some data to the Internet. SD-map MIUI. This method does not require additional tools, but only works with a limited list of applications.

Instructions:

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 it is completed (may take a few minutes).

⚠️ Note: This method is often not available for heavy games (e.g. Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) as they use the mechanism. OBB-files that MIUI It does not allow you to carry standard means, and after transferring some games may run slower or give errors when downloading additional data.

The game supports transfer (there is a button "Change" in storage)|SD-card formatted as portable storage | There is enough free space on the map (at least 20% more than the game size) | Smartphone is not discharged below 30% (to avoid failures)

-->

Method 2: Use of the SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

Adoptable Storage allows you to combine» SD-A card with internal memory, and then the system will perceive it as part of the main storage, which allows you to install games directly on the map. MIUI, And it's gonna take a lot to activate. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 The ability to install any games directly to SD-map.
• 🔹 The system automatically transfers part of the cache and data to an external drive.
• 🔹 Doesn't require root rights.

Disadvantages:

• 🔸 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🔸 The speed of the game may decrease (depending on the class) SD-map).
• 🔸 When you remove the map, some applications will stop working.

Step-by-step:

1. Preparation SD-Cards: Use a class 10 memory card or UHS-I (recommended A2 Back up the data, the map will be formatted! Put the card in your smartphone.
2. Activation through ADB: Download and install. ADB Tools on PC. Enable Developer Mode on your smartphone (7 taps by Build Number in Settings) → On the phone, activate the debugging. USB In Settings → Additionally. → For developers, connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell sm list-disks Remember the disk ID (e.g., drive ID, disk:179,Execute the command to format the card as internal memory: adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private (replace 179.64 with your ID).

Data portability

• After restarting the smartphone, open Settings → Storage.
• Choose. SD-map and click Transfer data (if option is available).
• When installing new games, choose SD-card.
• Specify as a place of conservation SD-map.
• After creating a backup, delete the original folders from the internal memory.
• Restore data from the backup, but specify the target folder on SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/data).

⚠️ Attention: This method is risky, you can lose data or disrupt the system if you do something wrong, and after recovery, some games may not start due to altered paths to files, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, as this can lead to account ban.

How to choose SD-map?

Not every one. SD-The map is good for storing games, and cheap or slow models will cause lags, long loads, even departures:

• 🔹 Speed class: Minimum Class 10 or UHS-I (U1/U3). Optimally — A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme A2 Samsung EVO Plus A2).
• 🔹 Capacity: From 64 GB (for) 5-10 before 512 GB (to replace internal memory completely).
• 🔹 Manufacturer: Preference for brands SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, Lexar. Avoid no-name cards.
• 🔹 Format: For Adoptable Storage, the map will be formatted into ext4 or f2fs, So don’t use important data cards for this.

Recommended models SD-Maps for Xiaomi (2026):

⚠️ Attention: Don't buy SD-If you're looking at a card in a market or an untested seller, you're at risk of getting a fake with a low capacity or a low speed. H2testw (for Windows or A1 SD Bench (for Android).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When transferring games to SD-Xiaomi users often encounter typical errors. Let's consider the most common and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The game does not start after the transfer

• 🔹 Reason: Damaged OBB-files or changed paths to them.
• 🔹 Solution: Remove the game and install it again by selecting SD-If you used FolderMount, disable the binding and repeat the procedure. For online-authorized games (e.g. Genshin Impact) port OBB-files can lead to an account block, in which case return the files to internal memory.

Problem 2: SD-The card is not displayed as an internal memory.

• 🔹 Reason: MIUI Blocks Adoptable Storage or the card is incompatible.
• 🔹 Solution: Check that the card is formatted in FAT32 or exFAT (for Adoptable Storage, it will be reformatted automatically). ADB, making sure that the disk ID is correctly specified. MIUI 14, try to roll back on MIUI 12 – newer versions of the restriction are more stringent.

Problem 3: The game is lagging or long loaded with SD-map

• 🔹 Reason: Low speed of reading/writing memory card.
• 🔹 Solution: Replace SD-class-card A2 or U3. Move only light games (such as Among Us, Clash Royale) Heavy games like Genshin Impact to internal memory. Turn off background sync and auto-update games on Google Play.

💡

If the game is transferred to SD-The card is unstable, return it to internal memory, save space is not worth losing game progress or ban account.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions