How to transfer applications to the memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its main drawback is only 32 GB of internal memory. Even after installing a microSD card, many users face the problem: applications still occupy precious space in main memory. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to transfer applications to a memory card in Redmi 9A, including hidden MIUI settings, bypassing Android restrictions and alternative solutions.

It's important to understand that not all applications can be ported, depending on the developer's policy and the version of MIUI. For example, system applications (like Google Play Services or Mi Browser) almost always remain in internal memory, but even a partial transfer will help to free up 2-5 GB, which is critical for a device with a small storage capacity.

We’ve tested all methods on Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5 and Android 10, but the instructions are also relevant for newer firmware versions (up to MIUI 14).If your smartphone runs Android 11+, some points may differ – we’ll warn you about this separately.

Why applications are not transferred to SD-map?

Android has strict restrictions on external drives, and Xiaomi is tightening them in its firmware.

• 🔒 Android Security Policy: With Android 6.0, Google has banned the transfer of applications to Android SD-map-format FAT32 (Requires formatting in exFAT or NTFS, But it creates other problems.
• 📱 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi blocks the transfer of system and pre-installed applications, as well as those that use OBB-files (e.g. games).
• 🛠️ Technical Limits: Some applications (such as instant messengers or bank clients) require quick access to data that is not easily accessible. SD-The card cannot be provided.
• 📁 Fragmentation of files: With frequent records / deletions on SD-lower-class A1 (or UHS-I) Application speed drops 2-3 times.

Besides, at Redmi. 9A a hybrid slot is used for SIM-card (second slot is combined with microSD) if you use two SIM-If you're going to do this, you can't physically transfer applications to an external drive, and then you just have to clean the cache or use cloud storage.

What memory card is suitable for Redmi 9A?

Not every microSD card will allow you to port applications. For the Redmi 9A, three things are critical:

1. Speed class: Class 10 minimum (better UHS-I U1 or A1). Class 4/6 cards will slow down applications.
2. Volume: 32GB (optimally 64–128GB) cards with 16GB often do not support exFAT formatting.
3. File system format: exFAT (recommended) or FAT32 (limited). NTFS is not supported.

If you have already inserted a card, but it is defined as “damaged” or “read-only”, try:

1. Format it on PC in exFAT (not via phone!).
2. Check for errors in the chkdsk utility (in Windows: chkdsk D: /f, where D: is the letter of the card).
3. Test speed with CrystalDiskMark – if the record is below 10 MB/s, the card is not suitable.

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Before buying a memory card, check it for authenticity with the SD Insight app (available on the Play Market) that will show the real manufacturer and speed class, even if the card is fake.

Method 1: Transfer through MIUI settings (official method)

It's the easiest way, but it doesn't work for all applications. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or VK).
3. Click on "Storage."
4. If the option is available, tap "Change" and select "Memory Card".
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the "Change" button is inactive or not, then:

• 🔹 The app does not support portability (such as WhatsApp or Google Maps).
• 🔹 The memory card is formatted in FAT32 (need exFAT).
• 🔹 You're using it. MIUI 13+ Android 12, where Xiaomi has removed this option for some models.

After the transfer, check if the application files have actually moved:

1. Open any file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Move to the /storage/xxxx-xxxx/Android/obb/ (where xxxxxxx — ID your card).
3. Make sure there is a folder with the name of the transferred application.

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

This method allows you to combine a memory card with an internal storage, but it has serious drawbacks:

• 🔧 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 📉 The system speed can drop by 20-40% (depending on the class of the card).
• 🚫 After the card is removed, the phone may not boot.

If you are prepared for these risks, follow the instructions:

1. Insert the memory card in the Redmi 9A.
2. When the notice “New” appears SD-map" press "Configure".
3. Select "Inner Memory" (not "Portable Storage").
4. Confirm the formatting (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After formatting, select "Move Data" (optional).
6. Reboot the phone.

Now, when you install new applications, the system will suggest that you save them to a memory card, so you can transfer them to the memory card.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and click "Storage".
3. Click "Change" and select "SD-map".

⚠️ Note: If you retrieve the memory card after setting it up, Redmi 9A It might be stuck on the logo. MI When you boot it, you're going to have to reset your phone to the factory settings, or you're going to have to put the card back in.

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The Adoptable Storage method is suitable only for A1/U1 class cards with a volume of 64 GB. On slow cards, the system will slow down, and applications will fly out.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If MIUI blocks the transfer, you can bypass the restrictions with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works even for applications where the Change button is inactive.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Utility. ADB (download from the official website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Steps:

1. Activate USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → USB debugging (enable)
2. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder and type: adb devices If the device is displayed, continue. If not, install Xiaomi USB Drivers.
4. Find out the batch name of the application (for example, for Facebook it is com.facebook.katana). This can be done through the App Inspector (app from the Play Market) or by command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "facebook"
5. Move the application by command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana Here 2 is the external storage code and com.facebook.katana is the packet name.
6. Reboot the phone.

If the move-package command returns the error [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed, then:

• 🔹 The app does not support portability (e.g. Google Play Services).
• 🔹 The memory card is formatted in FAT32 (need exFAT).
• 🔹 V MIUI activated protection against changing system partitions (solved by unlocking the bootloader, but this cancels the warranty).

adb shell pm get-install-location

If the result 0 [auto] or 1 [internal], If transfer is possible, if 2 [external] — pre-appendix SD-map.-->

Method 4: Manual transfer of cache and application data

If the application itself cannot be moved, you can free up space by moving its cache and additional files (for example, downloads from messengers or OBB games).

For this:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Open /Android/obb/ in the internal memory.
3. Copy the folder with the game name (e.g. com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM for Asphalt 9) to the memory card in /Android/obb/.
4. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
5. Restart the game - it must download data from the map.

Similarly, it is possible to transfer:

• 📁 Cash cards on Google Maps (/Android/data/com.google.android.apps.maps/files/).
• 🎵 Music from Spotify or Yandex Music (/Android/data/.../files/music/).
• 📸 Photo and video from WhatsApp (/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Telegram or Telegram) VK) They store the cache in encrypted folders, and if they stop working after transfer, return the files back or clear the cache in the app settings.

What if nothing works? Alternative solutions

If none of these methods worked, consider these options:

• 🔄 Cache Cleanup: Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache. That'll free up 1-3 GB.
• ☁️ Cloud storage: Move photos/video to Google Photos, Yandex Drive or Mi Cloud.
• 📲 Lite versions of applications: Install lightweight versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Spotify Lite).
• 🔧 Factory reset: If the phone is clogged with “garbage”, a full reset can free up to 5-7 GB.
• 🛒 Replacement of memory card: If you have a card in the class below A1, Buy a faster one (such as SanDisk Extreme) A2).

If the problem is a lack of memory for updates, use this life hack:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Copy all photos/videos to your computer.
3. Remove them from your phone (released 2-10 GB).
4. Install the update.
5. Return the files back.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to Redmi 9A