How to transfer data from internal memory to SD-Map in Xiaomi: All ways

Xiaomi’s internal memory quickly fills up with photos, videos, apps and cache — even if you’re using a 128GB or 256GB model. SD-The card helps to free up space for new files and speed up the device, however, in the MIUI (This procedure has nuances: not all files can be moved by standard means, and some applications require manual intervention.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of transferring data, from simple (photos, music) to complex (applications, cache). SD-Map of what formats are supported (FAT32, exFAT, NTFS), And why some files can't be moved without root rights, and the instructions are suitable for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO base MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

1. Preparation SD-Maps: format, speed and compatibility

Before transferring data, make sure your SD-The card complies with Xiaomi requirements. Incorrect format or low write speed can lead to errors in file writing or even data corruption.

The main selection criteria:

• 🔹 File system format: For cards up to 32 GB — FAT32, 64 GB - exFAT (recommended). NTFS It is not supported by all models.
• 🔹 Speed class: Minimum Class 10 (UHS-I), record 4K-video — UHS Speed Class 3 (U3).
• 🔹 Volume: The maximum depends on the smartphone model (usually up to 1 TB, but the Redmi Note 10 Pro supports only up to 512 GB).
• 🔹 Manufacturer: SanDisk, Samsung are preferred EVO or Kingston, which are less likely to be counterfeited.

To check the current format of the card, connect it to your PC and open Properties in Explorer. If the file system does not fit, format the card via your smartphone:

1. Put it in. SD-slot card (or adapter for Redmi Note 12 with hybrid slot).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map.
3. Click Format → As internal storage (if you need to combine with your phone’s memory) or as portable (for normal use).

⚠️ Note: Formatting as "internal storage" will encrypt the card - once extracted, the data will not be available on other devices.

2. File transfer by standard MIUI tools

MIUI offers built-in tools for moving media files, documents and some applications, a method that does not require root rights and is suitable for most users.

How to transfer photos, videos and music:

1. Open the Files app (or Explorer in older versions of MIUI).
2. Go to the Internal Memory section and select a folder (e.g. DCIM for photos or Download for downloads).
3. Press and hold the file, then select the rest (or click Select All).
4. Slip on the icon Move (or Copy if you want to leave the original).
5. Choose. SD-Destination card and folder (for example, Pictures or Music).

Features of application transfer:

• 📱 Only a portion of the applications support the transfer to SD (usually cache games or messengers).
• 🔧 System applications (such as Settings or Phone) cannot be moved.
• ⚙️ After the transfer, the application may work slower — SD-cards are usually slower than the internal memory UFS.

To transfer the supported application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).

3. Use of third-party file managers

Standard Explorer in MIUI is limited in features. Third-party managers (e.g. Solid Explorer, FX File Manager or Total Commander) offer advanced features:

• 🔍 Packet-based movement of filter files by type (.jpg,.mp4).
• 🔄 Automatic folder synchronization between internal memory and SD.
• 📂 Creating symbolic links (to circumvent restrictions) MIUI).
• 🔐 Access to hidden folders (e.g..thumbnails for thumbnails).

Instructions for Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from Google Play and give access to the storage.
2. In the main menu, select Internal Memory and go to the desired folder.
3. Hold your finger on the file → Select everything (or select manually).
4. Click Move and point the way to SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/1234-5678/Music/).
5. Confirm the operation. Large files (>1 GB) can take a few minutes.

The advantage of third-party managers is the ability to customize the rules of automatic transfer. FX File Manager can be used to create a task: "Move new photos from each night" DCIM/Camera on SD-map".

⚠️ Note: Some managers (e.g., managers, ES Conductor) requesting unnecessary permissions (SMS, Use proven applications with high ratings and few permissions.

4.Cache and application data transfer (without root)

App cache (such as downloaded maps in Google Maps or offline music in Spotify) can take up gigabytes of memory. SD-standard-of-the-art MIUI You can't, but there are workarounds.

Method 1: Change the save path in the application settings

Some programs allow you to manually specify a folder for storing data:

• 🎵 Spotify: Settings → Warehouse → Download folder → choose SD-map.
• 🗺️ Google Maps: Settings → Offline maps → Storage folder.
• 📖 Moon+ Reader (for books): Settings → The way to the folder.

Method 2: Symbolic links (symlink)

If the application does not support folder selection, you can create a symbolic link (shortcut) from the internal memory to the SD.

1. Install Termux from Google Play (or F-Droid for the ad-free version).
2. Enter the commands (replace the paths to yours): termux-setup-storage ln -s /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.example.app /storage/1234-5678/Android/data/com.example.app
3. Reboot your smartphone.

This method doesn’t work for all apps (like WhatsApp blocking symlink), but it’s suitable for games with large data files.

5. Data transfer via PC (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If there is little space for temporary files on a smartphone or the transfer through MIUI is slow, it is more convenient to use a computer, which is also useful for backing up before resetting settings.

Connecting Xiaomi to PC:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On PC, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) – the device will appear as a removable disk.

File copying:

• 📁 For media files: copy folders DCIM, Pictures, Music from the internal memory SD-map.
• 📄 For documents: transfer files from Download or Documents.
• 🎮 For games: copy the folder Android/obb (However, please note that some games require re-uploading data).

The advantage of this method is a high transfer speed (especially when using USB 3.0) and the ability to work with large amounts of data (for example, transfer 50 GB of photos at a time).

6. Advanced methods: ADB and root access

If you need to transfer system data, cache applications that do not support SD-The map, or the default storage path, will require advanced tools.

Method 1: ADB (without root)

With Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can force the transfer of some data:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (this will force the system to install new applications on the SD by default).
3. To transfer the cache of a particular application: adb shell run-as com.example.app cp -r /data/data/com.example.app/cache /storage/1234-5678/Android/data/com.example.app/cache

Method 2: Root Access (Magisk)

With root rights, you get full control of the file system.

• 🔧 App2SD — transfer of applications and their data to SD.
• 📁 FolderMount – creating folder bindings (for example, transferring files) /sdcard/WhatsApp on SD).
• 🔄 Link2SD — Automatically linking application files to SD-card.

⚠️ Note: Using root rights is insecure and can lead to unstable system operation. TWRP Or OrangeFox.

💡

If, after transferring the application to SD It stopped working, try clearing its cache in Settings → Annexes → [name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache. Sometimes re-installing helps. APK-file.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring data to SD-Xiaomi users often face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Mistake 1: "SD-Card damaged" or "Not supported"

• 🔹 Try formatting the card in exFAT via PC (use the official utility) SD Card Formatter).
• 🔹 Check the map for errors by the team (in Windows): chkdsk E: /f (Replace E: with the letter of your disk).
• 🔹 If the card is old (more than 5 years old), replace it with flash memory that degrades over time.

Error 2: Apps can't see files on SD

• 🔹 Move the files to the folder /Android/data/[package_name]/ (For example, WhatsApp — /Android/data/com.whatsapp/).
• 🔹 Use Mixplorer with the mode enabled FTP-server to bypass Android restrictions.

Error 3: Slow recording on the SD-map

• 🔹 Check the speed class of the card - for 4K-video UHS-I U3.
• 🔹 Turn off the debugging. USB Developer Mode – These Can Reduce Productivity.
• 🔹 Try a different adapter (if you use the Redmi Note 11 with a hybrid slot).

💡

If SD-The card suddenly becomes read-only, check the physical switch on its case (if any), or format the card again. 90% of the time, it solves the problem.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions