Transfer applications to memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 4: 3 working methods + error solving

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4 sooner or later face a shortage of internal memory — especially if the model with 16 GB on board. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system stubbornly writes: "Memory is full." The solution is: transfer applications to the memory card. But here users are waiting for pitfalls: not all applications support this feature, and in some versions of MIUI the option is not on the menu at all.

In this article, you will find 3 proven ways to transfer applications to the SD-We'll look at which memory cards are suitable for this task, why some programs can't be moved, and what to do if applications start to slow down or emit errors after they're moved. And also – table compatibility of memory cards with Redmi 4 and answers to frequent questions.

1.Preparation: Which memory card to choose for Redmi 4

Not every microSD is going to be good for porting applications, but the main criterion is speed class, so if you take a cheap card with a low write speed, the applications will slow down or they won't start at all.

• 🔹 Minimum class: Class 10 (or UHS-I U1). Maps below - only for photos and music.
• 🔹 Optimal volume: from 32 GB to 128 GB. Less - no sense, more - Redmi 4 does not support.
• 🔹 Format: only FAT32 exFAT. NTFS wrong!
• 🔹 Brands: SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas - proven options without "counterfeiting".

⚠️ If you bought a no-name card for 300 rubles, be prepared for the fact that it will either not be defined as an internal memory, or will begin to "fall down" in a month. Xiaomi Redmi 4 officially supports cards up to 128 GB, but in practice with volumes over 64 GB, errors can occur when formatting as an internal drive.

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with H2testw (for Windows) or FakeFlashTest (for Android), which will show the real volume and speed of the recording. Counterfeiting often reveals itself already at the formatting stage - the process is delayed or ends with an error.

Method 2: Transfer through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI function, which works on MIUI 8, 9 and 10, but with reservations:

1. Not all apps support portability (especially system and cache games).
2. After the transfer, some programs may slow down.
3. The function may not be available if the card is formatted as a portable storage (rather than internal memory).

Instructions:

1. Insert the memory card into the slot (if it is new, Redmi 4 will offer to format it).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory.
3. Slip on the Memory Card item (or SD-map).
4. Select Settings → Format as internal (if the card is not already formatted).
5. After formatting, go to Settings → Apps → All applications.
6. Select the desired application → Storage → Change → Memory Map.

⚠️ Note: If the Change button is inactive, the application does not support the transfer:

• 📱 System applications (Mi Account, Settings, Phone).
• 🎮 Big-cache games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact).
• 🔒 Applications with protection (banking clients, WhatsApp).

Put the card in the slot and wait for identification |

Check the speed class (not lower than Class 10) |

Formatted as internal memory (if required) |

Reboot the phone after formatting-->

After the transfer, the application can run slower — this is normal, since the read speed from the memory card is lower than from the internal drive. If the brakes are critical, return the application back to Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → Storage → Change → Internal memory.

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Before you transfer a game (such as Brawl Stars or Clash of Clans), clear the cache in the settings, which will reduce the amount of data transferred and reduce the risk of errors.

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method doesn’t work or the desired application doesn’t support porting, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and a little technical skills, but allows you to transfer almost any application (except system ones).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Redmi 4.
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.
2. Connect Redmi 4 to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and go to the ADB folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Run the command to port the application (replace com.example.app with the application package): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Services or Miui System) will not be able to transfer – the system will give a Failure error. [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION]. Also after the transfer through ADB The app widgets may stop working.

To find out the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "appendix name"

or the App Inspector app installed on the phone.

Method 3: Use of third-party applications (without root)

If the first two methods don't work, you can try specialized utilities, which don't require superuser rights, but they're limited.

• 📌 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Shows you which apps you can transfer, and does it in one tap.
• 📌 Files by Google – helps clear cache and offers to move supported apps.
• 📌 Link2SD — More advanced tool, but you need root to work properly.

Instructions for AppMgr III:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the memory.
3. Go to the Moving tab - here you will see all the applications that can be moved.
4. Select the right one and click Move to SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Apps often show programs that cannot be ported in the portable list (due to restrictions) MIUI). Before transferring, check the reviews of other Redmi 4 users in the comments to the utility.

Another nuance: After transferring through third-party apps, their icons can disappear from the home screen, so to return them, you just need to restart the phone or manually add a shortcut from the app menu.

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The utility side can't get around the limitations of MIUI, it just automates the standard portability process, and if the application doesn't migrate through the settings, it won't be able to migrate through AppMgr III.

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you transfer applications to a memory card, Redmi 4 users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the application starts to crash after the transfer or if it gives an error "Application stopped", try the following steps:

1. Clear the app cache in Settings → Applications → [Name] → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Move the app back to the internal memory and then back to the map.
3. Check the memory card for errors using the SD Card Tester (available on Google Play).

Another common problem is that a memory card is not defined as an internal memory card, but it happens if:

• 🔋 Card damaged (check on another device).
• 🔄 You're trying to use a map of volume. >128GB (not supported).
• 🔧 The phone's on mode. USB-drive (disable in Settings) → Additionally. → Regime. USB).

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If the memory card is no longer defined after transferring applications, try formatting it on your computer in FAT32 format with a cluster size of 32 KB. For this, use the SD Formatter utility from the SD Association.

6 How to return applications back to internal memory

If the application is unstable after transferring or you need to free up space on the map, it is simple to return it to internal memory:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Select the appropriate application.
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. Click Change and select Internal Memory.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed.

If the Change button is missing, the app is already in internal memory, and to make sure of that, look at the Warehouse line, where it will show your current location.

To return all applications back, use ADB:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

This command will set internal memory as the default installation location for all new applications.

⚠️ Warning: If you delete the memory card that the applications were moved to, they will stop working, and their icons will remain on the screen, but when you start, an error will appear. To avoid this, always return the applications to internal memory first, and then remove the card.

7. Alternative ways to free up memory on Redmi 4

If porting apps hasn’t solved the memory problem, try these methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. That'll free up 1 to 5 GB.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files: Use Files by Google or SD Maid for finding garbage.
• 📁 Media Transfer: Photos, videos and music can be moved manually to the map via Explorer.
• 🔄 Disable Auto Update: In Google Play, turn off auto-update apps or limit it to Wi-Fi only.
• 📦 Use Lite versions: Replace heavy apps with lighter ones (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of regular Facebook).

Another effective way is factory reset. This is a radical method, but it helps if the system is full of unnecessary files and cache. Before reset, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

If you install and delete applications frequently, over time, so-called “residual files” — pieces of data that are not completely deleted — accumulate in the system. Use SD Maid (requires root) or manually check folders to clean them:

• /sdcard/Android/obb/ – This is where the game caches are stored.
• /sdcard/Android/data/ – Application data.
• /sdcard/Download/ - downloaded files.

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Regularly cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files can free up to 30% of internal memory without transferring applications to the card.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions