How to transfer information from Xiaomi phone to memory card: all ways 2026

Transferring data from Xiaomi’s internal memory to a microSD card is a challenge that every user sooner or later faces. Even flagship models with 256 GB of memory are filled with RAW photos, 4K video and an app cache. The memory card solves the problem of space shortage, but how to organize the transfer correctly so as not to lose data and not slow down the phone?

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring information - from standard tools. MIUI Up to hidden features for power users, you'll learn which map formats support Redmi, POCO Xiaomi 2020-2026: How to Avoid Copying Errors and What to Do When Your Phone Can't See SD-And at the end, you have a table of compatibility between models and types of drives.

1.Preparation: Which Memory Card to Choose for Xiaomi

Before you transfer data, you need to make sure your memory card is compatible with your phone. Xiaomi supports microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3): maximum — 512 GB, but optimally 128–256 GB (class) UHS-I U1/A1).
• 📱 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 12, Xiaomi 11 Lite: Supported by: 1 TB, class recommended UHS-I U3/A2 record 4K-video.
• 📱 Flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5 Pro: Full support UHS-II, The speed is limited by the phone controller.

⚠️ Important: ExFAT maps (usually) >64 GB required MIUI 10 and newer. On older versions of firmware (MIUI 9) the phone may not see the drive - formatting in FAT32 (but with a 4GB file size limit).

Before buying, check the specifications of your model on the official Xiaomi website or in the documentation. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro supports microSDXC up to 1 TB, but the write speed is limited to 90 MB / s - even if you buy a card with the declared 170 MB / s.

Method 2: Transfer through “Conductor” (without PC)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Explorer (Files) in MIUI, which allows you to copy files directly to the card without connecting to a computer.

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Internal Memory → select a folder (for example, DCIM for photos or Download for downloads).
3. Press and hold the file/folder → select the rest (or tap Select All).
4. Click Copy (or Cut if you want to delete the originals).
5. Return to the root directory, select Memory Map → specify the destination folder (or create a new one).
6. Click Insert and wait until it is completed.

🔹 Features of the method:

• ⏳ Copy speed depends on the class of the card: A1 — ~10 MB/s, A2 — up to 30MB/s.
• 📁 Applications and their data cannot be transferred (only media files and documents).
• 🔄 When cutting (Cutting) → Insert) originals deleted but basket MIUI they don't keep!

Make sure the card is inserted correctly (contacts down)

Check the vacant space for SD-map

Close the background applications (accelerate copying)

Disable battery optimization for the Files app-->

If it's 0% or 100%, restart your phone and try again, sometimes it helps to retrieve and re-insert the card.

Method 3: Transfer through phone settings (for applications)

MIUI has a hidden feature that allows you to transfer some applications to a memory card, but it does not work with all programs and has limitations.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as WhatsApp or Spotify).
3. Slip the vault. → Change (if the option is active).
4. Select a Memory Card and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: This method only works for applications that support adoptable storage. Most games and social networks (such as Instagram or TikTok) cannot be moved:

• 🚫 After portability, the application may run slower (especially on class maps). A1).
• 🔄 When you remove the card, the application will stop working.
• 📱 In some models (POCO X3, Redmi 9T) No option due to manufacturer restrictions.

Method 3: Transfer over PC (most reliable)

If you want to transfer a lot of data (e.g., 50+GB photos), you better use a computer. It's faster and safer than copying through your phone.

Step 1. Connect your phone to your PC:

• 📱 Use the original cable USB Type-C (cheap cables can limit speed).
• 🖥️ On the phone, select the file transfer mode (MTP) plug-in.
• 🔌 If your PC can’t see your phone, install Mi drivers. PC Suite from the official website.

Step 2. Copy the files:

1. Open This Computer on PC → Find a Xiaomi Device
2. Go to the Internal Storage folder → copy the files you need.
3. Insert them into the SD Card folder (memory card).

🔹 Tips for speeding up:

• 🚀 Use it. USB 3.0 (blue port) and cable with support USB 3.1.
• 📂 Copy files with archives (.zip) if there are many of them – this will reduce the number of I/O operations.
• ⚡ Disable indexing of folders on the map (in the properties of the folder on the PC, uncheck Allow indexing of contents...).

💡

If the memory card is defined as a removable drive (E:) but the files are not copied, try formatting it to exFAT via PC (right click → Format).

5. Method 4: Automatic Photo and Video Transfer (Google Photos)

If you shoot regularly on your phone, it’s convenient to set up automatic uploading of media files to Google Photos and then transfer to a map, which will free up internal memory without manual copying.

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Open the app → click on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and sync.
3. Turn on the switch and select quality (Original or High).
4. After uploading files to the cloud, go to Files → Google Photos and copy them to a memory card.

⚠️ Note: When selecting High Quality files are compressed (photos up to 16 MP, video up to) 1080p). To preserve the original quality, choose Original, but it will take place in Google Drive.

📌 Alternative: Xiaomi Gallery app also can reserve photos in Mi Cloud, but the amount of free storage is limited to 5 GB (vs. 15 GB from Google).

Method 5: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., the phone can't see the card), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires command line skills but gives you complete control over the files.

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install. ADB Download Platform Tools from Google).
• 📱 On the phone, turn on Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times).
• Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.

Step 2: Transfer commands:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ D:\Xiaomi_Backup\ # Copy photos on PC


adb push D:\Xiaomi_Backup\ /storage/1234-5678/DCIM/Camera/ # Move back to the map

🔹 Explanation:

• /sdcard/ – The path to the phone’s internal memory.
• /storage/1234-5678/ - the path to the memory card (learn it through the command adb shell ls /storage/).
• 🚨 Do not use adb shell mv to move – if the error files can be lost!

💡

ADB allows you to transfer files even if the card is not displayed in Explorer, but requires caution – one error in the command can delete data.

7. Xiaomi Compatibility Table and Memory Cards

To avoid portability issues, check the compatibility of your Xiaomi model and memory card in the table below:

🔍 How do you know your model? Go to Settings → The phone. → Model.If your device isn't in the table, check the specifications on Xiaomi's website.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring data to a memory card, Xiaomi users often face problems.-5 mistakes and ways to correct them:

• 🚫 «Memory card damaged" Cause: Incorrectly extracted or failed file system.Solution: Connect the card to the PC → right-click → Properties → Service → If it doesn't work, format it (the data will be lost!).
• 🔄 «Not enough space, although the map is empty Reason: The map is formatted in FAT32, And you're trying to copy the file. >4GB Solution: Reformat to exFAT via PC.
• 📱 Phone can't see the card Reason: Contact oxidation or incompatible format. Solution: Clean the contacts of the card with a pin, restart the phone. If it doesn't work, check the card on another device.
• ⚡ Slow copying Reason: Class map A1 Solution: Close all applications, use the cable. USB 3.0.
• 🔒 «File protected from writing" Reason: Card is protected or full.Solution: Check the physical Lock switch on the card (if you have one).

💡

If the phone is writing "SD-The card is empty or the file system is not supported, but on PC the card works – try formatting it into a computer. MIUI: Settings → Memory. → Memory map → Formatting as an internal.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions