How to transfer applications to SD-map 6A: all manner of 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 6A It's still a popular budget smartphone, but its main problem is that it only has 16GB of internal storage. SD-Many people who use cards are faced with the fact that the system does not allow you to transfer applications to an external drive. Why is this happening? MIUI Android Go, on which Redmi is built 6A.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods for transferring applications to SD-Map for your device: from standard settings to use ADB You'll learn which apps can be moved and which can't, how to prepare a memory card, and what to do if the system gives you an error. SD-cards as an internal drive that works even on devices with MIUI 10-12.

Important: Not all applications support the transfer to SD-For example, WhatsApp, Google Play Services and most of the system utilities will remain in internal memory, but for games, messengers like Telegram or Telegram. VK, And many other programs, this method will work.

Why Redmi? 6A see SD-map as a memory for applications?

The main reason is the limitations of Android Go and Xiaomiโ€™s policies: Unlike full-fledged Android versions, the lightweight Android 8.1 Oreo Go Edition (which runs on the Redmi 6A) blocks some features to save resources.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ MIUI Does not support Adoptable Storage, an Android feature that allows formatting SD-It's like internal memory, and it's not in the standard settings.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Manufacturer restrictions: Xiaomi deliberately disables the transfer of applications to the SD for budget models to encourage the purchase of devices with large memory.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Technical limits: SD-Class-class cards 4/6/10 work slower than the internal memory, which can lead to lags when running migrated applications.

There are workarounds, however, for example, some apps (like Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite) have built-in portability to SD, and others will need to use ADB or third-party tools like App2SD.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-If the memory card is slow or damaged, programs will often fly out or slow down. SD-mapping A1 SD Bench.

Preparation SD-Maps: which class to choose and how to format

Before transferring applications, you need to prepare correctly SD-For Redmi. 6A suffice to 256 GB (maximum supported volume), but the best option โ€” 32-128 GB UHS-I (U1 or U3). That's why:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Class 10/U1 โ€” minimum recommended standard. Recording speed ~10 MB/s is sufficient for most applications.
  • ๐Ÿš€ UHS-I U3 โ€” Best for games and heavy applications (record speeds of 30MB/s).
  • โŒ Class 4/6 โ€” Too slow, they can cause too much stress.

How to format a map before using:

  1. Put it in. SD-slot 6A (hybrid slot, second slot for the SIM-map).
  2. Go to Settings. โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ SD-map.
  3. Click Format โ†’ Like a portable device (this is standard mode, not to be confused with "Inner Memory", which is not available in Redmi 6A!).
  4. Confirm the action.
Type SD-mapRecording speedSuitable forPrice (average)
Class 10 (U1)10 MB/sSocial networks, messengers300-800 โ‚ฝ (32 GB)
UHS-I U330+ MB/sGames, heavy applications1000-2000 โ‚ฝ (64 GB)
Class 44 MB/sPhotos, music (not for apps!)200-500 โ‚ฝ (16 GB)

โš ๏ธ Note: If you have purchased SD-card on AliExpress or in an unverified store, be sure to check its real volume using the program H2testw (Windows or SD Insight (Android) Counterfeiting is often smaller than claimed.

๐Ÿ“Š What's the volume? SD-You use the cards in Redmi. 6A?
Up to 32GB.
32-64GB
64-128GB
More than 128GB
I don't use it.

Method 1: Transfer through standard MIUI settings

Some applications in Redmi 6A support the transfer SD-This is the easiest method, but it doesn't work for all programs:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or VK).
  3. Press Warehouse. โ†’ Change. โ†’ SD-map.
  4. Confirm the transfer. The system will copy some of the data to the memory card.

Which applications usually support this method:

  • ๐Ÿ“˜ Social networks: Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, VK.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Some games: Subway Surfers or Candy Crush.
  • ๐Ÿ“ง Messengers: Telegram (media files only), Viber.

Limitations of the method:

  • โŒ It does not work for system applications (Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher).
  • โŒ Not all data is transferred โ€“ often only cache and media files are moved to the memory card.
  • โŒ After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.

Check if the application supports portability (Change button is active)

Make sure you're on SD-enough space (minimum 1 GB free)

Close the application before transferring

After the transfer, restart the phone.-->

Method 2: Using ADB for Forced Transfer

If the standard method doesn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to migrate almost any application, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ USB-cable (preferably original).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Included debugging by USB on the Redmi 6A.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings โ†’ About โ†’ MIUI version. Tap 7 times on MIUI version until the notification "You became a developer" appears. Return to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Developer. Activate USB debugging.
  2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
  4. Transfer the application using the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command installs SD-Map as a preferred installation site for new applications.
  5. To transfer an already installed application, use: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find it through App Inspector).

Examples of popular application packages:

  • ๐Ÿ“˜ Facebook: com.facebook.katana
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Telegram: org.telegram.messenger
  • ๐ŸŽต Spotify: com.spotify.music

โš ๏ธ Note: After using pm set-install-location 2, all new applications will be installed by default on the PC. SD-This can cause problems if the memory card is slow or often removed. To return the default settings, follow: adb shell pm set-install-location 0

๐Ÿ’ก

If the adb device command does not find the device, try reinstalling the drivers or using another device. USB-Also check if File Transfer is enabled (MTP) in the notification curtain when connected.

Method 3: Applications for portability (App2SD, Link2SD)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, You can use third-party utilities โ€” App2SD and Link2SD. They allow you to transfer applications to SD-The card is not rooted, but with some restrictions.

How App2SD works:

  1. Download App2SD from Google Play.
  2. Open the app and select the Moving tab.
  3. Click on the desired application and select Move to SD-map.
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Link2SD features (requires root):

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Allows you to create symbolic links (links) to SD-map, saving space in internal memory.
  • ๐Ÿ“ It's not just that you can move. APK, Data (dalvik-cache, lib).
  • โš ๏ธ Requires root rights that void Redmi warranty 6A.
AnnexNeeds root?APK portabilityData portabilityDifficulty
App2SDโŒ No.โœ… Yes.โŒ No.โญโญ (simple)
Link2SDโœ… Yes.โœ… Yes.โœ… Yes (partially)โญโญโญ (middle-of-the-road)
FolderMountโœ… Yes.โŒ No.โœ… Yes, data only)โญโญโญโญ (difficult)

Important: After use Link2SD or FolderMount don't pull out SD-card without first disabling in the Android settings. otherwise the applications will stop working!

What if App2SD doesnโ€™t see the app?
If App2SD shows that the application cannot be ported, it means that the developer has blocked this feature in the APK manifest. In this case, only: 1. Using ADB (method 2). 2. Manual editing of APK (requires knowledge and root). 3. Installing a modified version of the application (for example, from the 4PDA forum).

Method 4: Formatting SD-Cards as internal memory (hidden method)

This method doesnโ€™t work on all devices, but some Redmi users do. 6A It's about reporting success. It's about formatting. SD-It's like an internal storage facility that allows you to install applications directly on it:

  • ๐Ÿ” The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
  • ๐Ÿšซ If the card is damaged, the data will be lost without the possibility of recovery.
  • โš ๏ธ Application speeds may drop (depending on class) SD-map).

How to try to activate this mode:

  1. Put it in. SD-map 6A.
  2. Go to Settings. โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ SD-map.
  3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
  4. If you have the option to format as internal memory, choose it. If you don't, this method won't work.
  5. Confirm the formatting and wait until it is completed (may take 5-10 minutes).

If you donโ€™t have the option to format as internal memory, you can try to bypass the restriction via ADB:

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true


adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

After that, restart the phone and check if the formatting option has appeared.

โš ๏ธ Note: After formatting SD-The card as internal memory cannot be retrieved without resetting the phone to factory settings, and some applications (such as Netflix or banking programs) may refuse to work with an external drive for security reasons.

๐Ÿ’ก

Formatting SD-Cards as internal memory are the most radical way, but they are only suitable for class cards. U3 On slow cards (Class 10), the system will brake.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-mapping 6A They're the most common mistakes and the ways to fix them:

Mistake.Reason.Decision
"Not enough space on the device"SD-The card is formatted as portable, not as internalTry the ADB method or formatting as internal memory
"The app does not support porting to SD."The developer has blocked this function.Use ADB or modified APK
The app leaves after the transferSD-The card is too slow or damagedCheck the card for errors or replace it with a faster one.
"Team Not Found" at ADBDrivers not installed or ADB does not recognize the deviceReinstall the drivers, check. USB-cable

If the app stopped updating through Google Play after the transfer, try:

  1. Put it back in your inner memory.
  2. Update through Play Market.
  3. Move it back to SD-map.

Another common problem is that the app icons disappear after the transfer, because MIUI doesn't update the launcher.

  • Reboot the phone.
  • Clear the launcher cache in Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Launcher.
  • Use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I transfer WhatsApp to WhatsApp? SD-map 6A?
WhatsApp does not support the transfer to SD-map, neither through settings nor through ADB. However, you can: Move media files (photos, videos) manually through the file manager. Use WhatsApp Backup to save backups to the file manager. SD-If you format a map. SD-The card is an internal memory, WhatsApp can be installed on it automatically, but it is not guaranteed.
Why After the Application Is Transferred to SD-card it's slowing down?
It's because: Slow. SD-maps (class below) U1). File fragmentation on the map. MIUI When working with external drives. Solutions: Replace SD-A faster card (for example, SanDisk Ultra) U3). Clear the app's cache in Settings โ†’ Applications. Move the application back to internal memory.
Can I transfer system applications (e.g. Gallery or Music) to SD-map?
No, system applications. MIUI cannot be moved SD-You can, however, disable unnecessary system applications via Settings โ†’ Apps (disable button) Use third-party analogs (e.g. Google Photos instead of Gallery) MIUI). Clear the cache of system applications to free up space.
What happens if you take it out? SD-map to which the applications are transferred?
Depends on the mode of transfer: If the application is moved through the standard settings, it will stop working until the card is re-inserted. SD-The card is formatted as internal memory, so the phone can freeze or reboot, at worst, you'll need to reset. Link2SD โ€” Applications that were stored on the map will stop running. SD-The card is passed through the notification curtain before being physically deleted!
How to return the application from SD-card?
Methods: Through Settings: Open Settings โ†’ Applications. Select an app and click Storage โ†’ Change โ†’ Internal Memory. Through ADB: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app 0 Replace com.example.app with your app package. Through App2SD: Open the app, select the one you want and click Move to the device.