How to transfer information to a memory card Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Transferring data to a Xiaomi memory card is a task that every smartphone owner of this brand sooner or later faces. Even models with 256 GB of internal memory (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) over time are filled with photos in RAW format, 4K video, heavy games and a cache of applications. The microSD card becomes a salvation, but not everyone knows how to use it correctly: just copying files is not enough – you need to take into account formats (FAT32/exFAT), the limitations of MIUI and the features of a particular model.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data – from the standard file manager to hidden functions. MIUI, You'll learn how to avoid errors like "Not enough space" when migrating applications, why some files are not copied on the Internet. FAT32, And how to get around the write limit for system folders, and the only reliable way to migrate applications to the system folders. SD-card without root rights (works on the MIUI 14).

1. Memory card preparation: formatting and file system selection

Before transferring data, the memory card must be properly prepared, and an error at this stage will lead to problems with writing files larger than 4 GB (if you choose FAT32) or incompatibility with older devices (if you choose exFAT).

• 📱 FAT32 — Compatible with all devices, but limits the size of a single file to 4 GB.
• 🎮 exFAT – supports files larger than 4GB (e.g. video in the video) 4K games, but may not be read on old TVs or car radios.
• 🔒 NTFS — Xiaomi does not support this format out of the box (root rights or third-party apps are needed).

To format the card directly in the smartphone:

1. Insert the card into the slot (or through an adapter into the SIM tray).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Click on “Format as internal” (if you want to expand your phone’s memory) or “Format as portable” (if you use the card as a removable drive).
4. Select a file system (exFAT is recommended for modern devices).

⚠️ Warning: Formatting as internal memory will link the card to this smartphone, and once extracted, the data on it will not be available on other devices without completely erasing it.

2. Transfer files through the standard file manager MIUI

The easiest way is to use the built-in Files (or File Manager in the global version of MIUI) that supports batch copying, previewing, and even archiving. Here's how to migrate data:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Device (Inner Memory) or Images/Video/Audio for quick media access.
3. Select the folder files (long-term press → tick the necessary elements).
4. Click “More” (three dots) → “Copy” or “Cut”.
5. Go to the Memory Card (or SD card) section, select the destination folder and click “Insert”.

To speed up the process, use the list mode (icon «⋮» → «species» → «Listings: It makes it easier to select large groups of files. If you copy photos, pre-sort them by date (By date). → In descending order, to move the newest first.

Check the free space on the map (in Settings → Memory)

Sort files by type or date

Create folders for different categories (for example, Photos, Videos) on the map.

Close background apps (especially gallery or music players)-->

3. Transfer applications to memory card: bypassing the limitations of MIUI

From the version MIUI 12 Xiaomi severely limited the ability to transfer applications to the SD-Officially, this can only be done for a part of the programs, and not all the data will be transferred (the cache and some files will remain in internal memory:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Spotify or Netflix).
3. Click on “Storage” → “Change” (if the option is active).
4. Select the Memory Card and confirm the transfer.

If the Change button is inactive, try this method:

• 🔧 Install AppMgr III (Application Manager from Google Play.
• Enable the option “Move to SD” in the application settings (permission to change system settings is required).
• 📌 Not all applications will work after the transfer (especially system or high-performance applications).

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to the class map SDHC (before 32 GB) can cause lags. Use maps to work smoothly. UHS-I (class A1/A2) volume 64 GB.

4. Data transfer via computer: when the smartphone fails

If you need to move tens of gigabytes of data (like a backup or movie collection), it's easier to use a PC, faster than copying through a file manager, and avoids errors when working with large files.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (or Micro-USB) for older models).
• 💾 Cardholder (if you want to copy directly to the card without connecting your phone).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via cable. In the Xiaomi notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On your computer, open “This Computer” (Windows) or “Finder” (macOS) – there will appear a Xiaomi device.
3. Copy files from internal storage to an SD card or vice versa.
4. To speed up, use archiving: select the folder → PCM → “Add to the archive” (ZIP or RAR format).

If the computer does not see the memory card:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and PC.
• 🔌 Try another cable or port. USB.
• 🛠️ Update the drivers MTP (in Windows Device Manager).
• 📌 On Mac, install Android File Transfer (official software from Google).

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If you copy photos, use Digikam or FastStone Image Viewer – they store metadata (EXIF), which is lost when you copy it standardly through Windows Explorer.

5. Transfer through OTG-Adapter: for cards without slot

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi K50) do not have a microSD slot, but support OTG (On-The-Go).This allows you to connect external drives via a USB-C → USB-A adapter.

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (stands) ~200–500 ₽) and microSD card reader (if you use a card without a case).
2. Connect the adapter to the smartphone, and to it – card reader with memory card.
3. In the notification curtain will appear a message «USB-The drive is connected. Press it.
4. Select “File Manager” and copy the data as if it were a regular flash drive.

The speed of copying via OTG depends on the USB version:

• USB 2.0 – up to 480 Mbps (~60 MB/s).
• USB 3.0 – up to 5 Gbps (~600 MB/s), but requires a blue-connector adapter.

To transfer movies to 4K or large archives, use a USB 3.0 adapter.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through OTG The memory card will be defined as an external drive, not an extension of internal memory, which means that applications cannot be moved to it, only media files and documents.

6. Automatic portability: default setting

To make sure that new photos, videos, and downloads are immediately saved to your memory card, change your default settings:

• 📸 Camera: Open the Camera app» → «Settings" (cogs) → «Preservation site» → Select "Memory Card».
• 🎵 Music and downloads: In the Downloads app or browser (Chrome, Mi Browser) select the folder on the map in the save settings.
• 📥 Messages: On WhatsApp or Telegram, go to Settings → Data and memory → Media folder and point the way to SD-map.

To automatically transfer screenshots and screen recordings:

1. Install Screenshot Easy or Screen Master from Google Play.
2. In the application settings, specify the way to save to the memory card.
3. Activate the "Auto-Save" option.

If files are still saved to internal memory after changing the settings, check:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the settings are only applied after a reboot.
• 📁 Make sure there is enough space on the map (minimum 10% free space).
• 🔧 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI (below 12) were bugs with the preservation of SD.

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Automatic storage saves space in internal storage, but can slow down the camera when using slow cards (C4 or lower).

7.Mobile over the cloud: backup + synchronization

If you have a slow memory card or need to move data between devices, use cloud services.This method is suitable for backup before resetting your phone or moving to a new Xiaomi.

Instructions for transfer via Google Drive:

1. Install Google Drive and Google Photos (if not).
2. In Google Photos, enable “Backup and Sync” (settings → Backup).
3. Wait until all photos and videos are uploaded to the cloud.
4. Insert a memory card into your smartphone and open Google Photos → “Photos” → highlight files → “Save to your device” → select a memory card.

For other types of files:

• 📁 Upload files to Google Drive via browser or application.
• 📥 On your smartphone, open Drive, select files and click “Download” by specifying the memory card as a save place.

⚠️ Note: When uploading to the cloud, photos are compressed (unless you enable the “Original Quality” option in Google Photos). For professional shots, use Dropbox or Yandex Disk without compression.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions