How to transfer data from Xiaomi phone to memory card: photos, videos and applications

Why Xiaomi Owners Choose to Move Data to the Web SD-map

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known for their price-performance ratio, but even flagship models face a lack of internal memory over time. HEIF photos, 4K@60fps videos, messenger cache and app updates take dozens of gigabytes — and this is where the microSD card comes to the rescue. However, simply inserting it into the slot is not enough: you need to properly configure data transfer so as not to lose files and not reduce the speed of the phone.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to transfer information from the phone to the SD-map, including hidden functions MIUI 14/15, Bypassing Android limitations and solutions for specific models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Ultra with Hybrid Slot or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Particular attention will be paid to the transfer of applications, a procedure that Xiaomi artificially restricts in new versions of firmware.

Before you start, make sure your memory card meets the requirements:

• 🔹 Speed class: not lower UHS-I (U1) photo, U3 or V30 video 4K.
• 🔹 Capacity: from 64 GB (for MIUI optimally 128-256 GB).
• 🔹 Format: exFAT (for maps) >32 GB) or FAT32 (If the phone does not support exFAT).
• 🔹 Brand: SanDisk Extreme, Samsung EVO Plus or Kingston Canvas Go! – they are guaranteed to be compatible with Xiaomi.

Method 1: Transfer files through the built-in MIUI file manager

The easiest way is to use the standard File Manager, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi phones, which supports batch copying, sorting by file type, and even analyzing occupied space.

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to Device → select the file folder (e.g. DCIM for photo or Download for downloads).
3. Press and hold your finger on the file, then mark the rest or tap Select All.
4. Click More (three dots in the upper right corner) → Copy in.
5. In the list of locations, select SD-map → Specify your target folder (or create a new one).
6. Confirm the transfer with the Insert button.

🔹 Advantages of the method: does not require a connection to a PC, works without the Internet, retains the folder structure.

🔸 Disadvantages: Slower than through a computer (especially for thousands of small files), there is no progress bar for large volumes.

Make sure the memory card is inserted and recognized by the phone

Charge your phone at least 30% (for long-term operations)

Close background apps (especially instant messengers and games)

Check the vacant space for SD-card (should be 10% more file portable)-->

⚠️ Note: If you have a “Not enough memory” error when copying files, despite the free space on the map, try formatting it in exFAT via a computer. Xiaomi sometimes incorrectly displays available space on the maps FAT32.

Method 2: Automatically transfer photos and videos through the Gallery

The Gallery app in MIUI can automatically save new photos and videos to a memory card, as well as transfer existing ones, a method suitable for users who regularly take pictures and want to free up internal memory without manual copying.

To enable automatic transfer:

1. Open the gallery → tap on the albums → Device.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select a Retention Site → SD-map.
4. Activate the option to Transfer existing files (if available).

🔹 Hidden function: In some firmware (MIUI 12.5 and older) is available with the option to optimize storage in the Gallery settings, which analyzes duplicates and suggests transferring rarely used photos to a memory card. → Settings → Warehouse.

💡

If after transferring photos in the Gallery are displayed as gray thumbnails, clear the cache of the application: Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 3: Transfer applications to SD-map (bypassing restrictions) MIUI)

With Android 9 (and related firmware) MIUI 10+) Xiaomi has blocked the standard function of transferring applications to the SD-However, there are workarounds that work on most models (except those that use Dynamic). RAM Expansion, for example, Xiaomi 12T).

Method 1: Developer settings (for MIUI 13-15)

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to force the transfer to SD (Force allow apps on external and enable it.
4. Now in the settings of each application (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → [select] → The storage will appear button Move to SD-map.

Method 2: ADB (for all versions of MIUI)

If the previous method didn't work, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install new applications on the SD-Default card. To return the settings back, follow:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-The card can cause them to work unstable, especially if the memory card class U1 Do not tolerate system applications (for example, com.miui.gallery or com.android.phone) – this will cause malfunctions in the phone.

Method 4: Transferring data through a computer (the most reliable method)

If you need to transfer large amounts of data (like a.miui backup or a project folder), you better use a computer, which is 3-5 times faster than copying via your phone, and avoids transmission errors.

Step-by-step instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On your computer, open this computer (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS).
4. Copy files from the phone’s internal memory (Internal Storage) to your computer (temporary folder).
5. Put it in. SD-card to the card reader of the computer (or connect the phone and select the card). SD-map).
6. Transfer files from the computer to the memory card.

🔹 Optimization of the process:

• 🖥️ Use TeraCopy (Windows) or rsync (macOS/Linux) to speed up copying and checking checksums.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to the back ports USB 3.0 (they are faster than the front or USB 2.0).
• 📁 For large numbers of small files (such as WhatsApp cache), archive them in.zip before the perenosom.

💡

Transfer over a computer is the only way to guarantee the metadata of files (date of creation, geotags, EXIF-data photos).

Method 5: Cloud transfer followed by downloading to SD-map

If you don’t have access to your computer but you have stable Wi-Fi, you can use cloud services as an intermediary storage method, which is suitable for transferring selected files (for example, Mi Cloud backups or documents).

Algorithm of action:

1. Upload files to the cloud: 🌥️ Mi Cloud (5GB free, integrated into the MIUI). 🌍 Google Drive (15GB free). ☁️ Yandex Drive (10GB free, faster for CIS).
2. On your phone, open the cloud service application and download files directly to the SD-Map: In Mi Cloud: Select Files → Save it to the device. → specify SD-Google Drive: tap on the file → Download → In the save menu, select SD-map.

⚠️ Limitations of method:

• 🚫 Slower than direct transmission (depending on internet speed).
• 📶 Large files (>2 GB may not boot via mobile internet.
• 🔒 Some files (such as.ab backups from Mi Backup) cannot be downloaded back to the computer. SD-map.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring data to SD-Xiaomi users often face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

🔹 Xiaomi owners’ tip with hybrid slot: If your phone (like Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) supports the second SIM-map SD-The map, but not both at the same time, use it. USB-OTG It's an adapter with a card reader, and it allows you to plug in the memory card without retrieving it. SIM.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions