How to transfer applications to a memory card Xiaomi Redmi 9: 4 working methods + MIUI limitations

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the smartphone has a lot of applications or stored a large number of photos / videos. One way to solve this problem is to transfer some programs to a microSD card. However, in MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi) this process has its own nuances: not all applications support portability, and some methods require additional manipulation.

In this article, we will discuss all available ways to transfer applications to SD-Redmi 9 map – from standard Android features to hidden features MIUI And even manual methods for power users, you'll learn which applications can be ported and which ones will remain in internal memory, how to avoid errors when working with a memory card, and what to do if the system does not allow you to perform the transfer.

Let’s start with Android 6.0 and MIUI 12+ Many manufacturers, including Xiaomi, have limited the possibility of full-fledged porting of applications to the Internet. SD-But there are workarounds, and we'll describe them in detail.

1.Preparation: Which memory card is right for Redmi 9?

Before you port applications, make sure your microSD card meets the requirements of Xiaomi Redmi 9.The smartphone supports microSDXC memory cards up to 512 GB, but there are important nuances:

• 🔹 Speed class: recommended UHS-I (Class 10) or higher, for example, U3, V30). Class Class Cards 4/6 They will be slow, which will lead to app lags.
• 🔹 Formatting: The card must be formatted in exFAT or FAT32 (Cards up to 32GB.Redmi 9 does not support NTFS.
• 🔹 Manufacturer: Better to choose the cards of proven brands - SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston. Cheap no-name cards can slow down or fail.
• 🔹 Slot: Redmi 9 uses a hybrid slot (or 2) SIM-card, or 1 SIM + microSD. Take this into account when buying.

If you haven't already inserted the card into your smartphone, do so with the device turned off to avoid crashes. Once you install the card, MIUI will suggest formatting it as an internal storage device or as a portable one, depending on your goals:

⚠️ Warning: If you select Internal Storage mode, the card will be encrypted and formatted. All data on it will be deleted! Back up important files in advance.

Method 2: Transfer applications through standard MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI to migrate applications, but it doesn't work with all programs, it only works with those that support it. Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or VK).
3. Click on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, you will see the Change or Move button. SD-Click on it.
5. Wait until the process is completed (may take a few minutes).

If the buttons are moved to SD-No card, so the app doesn't support portability. This is true for most system programs (Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher and some popular applications (WhatsApp, Telegram).

☑️ What to check before transferring the application

0

Memory card formatted as internal storage | There is enough free space on the card (at least 1.5× of the application size) | The application is not system | The smartphone is not connected to charging (to avoid overheating)

After the transfer, the application will run slower than in internal memory, especially if the card is Class 10 or lower, and some functions (such as notifications or widgets) may not work properly.

Method 2: Use of a memory card as an internal storage device (Adoptable Storage)

If you're willing to sacrifice compatibility with other devices, you can set it up as an internal storage, which allows you to port more applications, but it has its downsides:

• 📱 The card will be encrypted and work only on this smartphone.
• 🐢 The performance of applications on the card will be lower than in internal memory.
• 🔄 After the map is extracted, some applications may stop working.

To activate this mode:

1. Insert the memory card in Redmi 9.
2. In the notification that appears, click Set up.
3. Select Internal Storage (not Portable).
4. Confirm the formatting (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After formatting, restart the smartphone.

Now some applications can be migrated through Settings → Applications, as described in Method 1. However, even in this mode, not all programs support portability.

⚠️ Note: If you delete a memory card configured as internal storage, MIUI It may start to behave unstable. Do not remove it without first unmounting in the settings (Settings) → Warehouse → Map. SD → Extract).

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If, after transferring the application to SD-The card it started to fly out, try to clear its cache in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Clear the cache).

Method 3: Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to port even those applications that don't support porting through the settings menu, but it requires the developer mode on and the command line.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.
2. Enable USB debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your PC:

• Install. ADB-computer-driver.
• Connect Redmi 9 to USB and select File Transfer mode.
• Follow the commands ADB: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install new applications SD-To transfer an already installed application (e.g. Facebook), use: adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana (replace com.facebook.katana with your application's batch name).

For some applications (such as Google Chrome or YouTube), you can manually change the way you save files:

• 📁 In Chrome: Settings → Downloads. → Download folder → choose SD-map.
• 🎵 In Spotify: Settings → Warehouse → Offline music folder → point the way.
• 🎮 In games (e.g. Genshin Impact): Select the game settings SD-cache-card.

This method does not carry the application itself, but saves space in internal memory by moving heavy files (video, music, card cache).

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Even if the application cannot be transferred to SD-The entire card, its cache and uploaded files can often be moved manually through the application settings.

6 Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Despite all efforts, some applications do not support porting to a memory card, due to the limitations of Android and MIUI.

• 🔒 System applications: MIUI Launcher, Settings, Phone, Messages.
• 🏦 Banking applications: SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online (for security reasons).
• 🤖 Google Services: Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Google Chrome (except cache).
• 💬 Encrypted messengers: WhatsApp, Signal (transfer is only possible for media files).
• 🎮 Online protection games: PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile (can block entry when transferring).

If you try to migrate an application through ADB, it will either fail or fail, and in some cases (such as banking applications), it may even result in an account being blocked on suspicion of being hacked.

It is also worth considering that even if the application is successfully transferred, some of its functions may not work correctly:

• 🔔 Widgets will stop updating.
• 🔔 Notifications may be delayed.
• 🔄 Auto-update app via Google Play may break.

7. Alternative ways to free up memory in Redmi 9

If the applications are transferred SD-The card did not solve the problem of memory shortage, consider alternative methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Clean App Cache Regularly Through Settings → Warehouse → Clean up.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files: Use the built-in cleaner (Security) → Cleaning up) or apps like Files by Google.
• ☁️ Cloud storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk.
• 🔄 PC port: Connect your smartphone to your computer and copy heavy files (movies, music) to your hard drive.
• 📦 Lite versions of applications: Install lightweight versions of programs (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔧 Disabling pre-installed applications: C Settings → Applications can be disabled from unnecessary system programs (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).