Owners of budget and mid-budget Xiaomi smartphones often face a lack of built-in storage, especially when the basic version of the device is only 32 or 64 GB. Modern applications are overgrown with "fat" cache, and the installation of heavy games or navigators instantly eats up free space, causing the system to work slower. The built-in MIUI mechanism, unfortunately, does not allow you to simply transfer any application to an external drive, hiding this function from the average user for the sake of system stability.
However, there are proven methods to bypass software limitations and make Android consider the memory card part of internal memory, a process that requires careful and understanding the risks, as incorrect actions can lead to data loss or unstable operation of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard settings to advanced methods through the computer.
Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work
Before any manipulations, it is critical to make sure that the drive used meets the speed requirements. To work as an extension of system memory (Adoptable Storage) requires high write and read rates, otherwise the interface will be slowed down. The optimal choice will be UHS-I or UHS-II cards with a speed class of not lower than Class 10, and preferably specialized series such as Sandisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus.
The next step is to back up all the important data from the flash card, as it will be completely cleared during the formatting process.Put the card into the Xiaomi smartphone slot and wait for notifications about the new device.The system may suggest using the card as a portable storage or as internal memory - for now, choose standard use to access the files.
⚠️ Note: Once formatted with internal memory, the card will be encrypted and linked to a particular device, and you won't be able to insert it into another phone without losing data.
Make sure your smartphone has USB debugging enabled if you plan to use computer methods. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly tap MIUI seven times to activate developer mode. Then, in the advanced settings, find Developer For and activate the USB Debugging Switch.
The standard method of transfer through the MIUI settings
Some versions of HyperOS firmware or older MIUI shells have built-in data transfer capabilities, although they are often limited to photos and media. Check if this option is available by going to Settings → Memory. If your device supports external drive at the system level, you will see the item "Use as internal storage".
When you choose this option, the system will offer to migrate existing data and applications. The process can take a long time, depending on the amount of information and speed of the map. Once completed, some of the system processes and user programs can be automatically moved to an external medium.
Unfortunately, in modern versions of Xiaomi shells, this feature is often blocked by the manufacturer. If you haven't found the appropriate switch, don't despair - there are alternative ways to solve the problem through hidden Android menus.
Why is Xiaomi hiding this feature?
Manufacturers restrict access to formatting SD-Internal memory cards to avoid complaints about low-speed budget memory cards, which are often sold bundled with phones. A slow card can kill the performance of an entire smartphone. ADB The most reliable way to make Android perceive the flash drive as part of internal memory is to use a debugging bridge ADB. This method works on most Xiaomi models, including Redmi and the Redmi. POCO, No matter what the shell version is, you'll need a computer with a set of drivers installed and a platform-tool utility. USB-cable and select "File Transfer" or "Debugging by" mode USB" In the menu that appears on the phone screen. Open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB and enter the connection check command: adb devices On the smartphone screen, a request for debugging permission from this computer will appear - be sure to tick "Always Allow" and click "OK." If the terminal displays the serial number of the device, the communication is established successfully. Next, you need to find out the ID of your memory card by entering the command: adb shell sm list-disks In response, the system will give a list of disks, where the memory card will be designated as disk:179,64 (numbers may differ). Write down this identifier, which you will need for the next step. Now you can start the formatting process, which will turn the card into a system partition. Format and create memory partitions After receiving the disk identifier (for example, disk:179,64) formatting command is executed. The syntax requires the percentage of memory allocated to the application. It is recommended to use 100% to use the entire storage capacity: adb shell sm partition disk:XXX,XX private 100 Replace disk:XXX,XX Once you have completed the command, the smartphone screen may go out, and the system will start to reboot or redistribute resources, at which point you can not remove the card or interrupt the connection to the computer. When the process is complete, the memory settings will notify you that the card is formatted as internal. The system will prompt you to move the data, we agree. Now, when you install new applications in the store selection menu, you will be able to install the option to install the card on the internal format. SD-map. ⚠️ Warning: If the phone went into a cyclic bootloop after the sm partition command, immediately remove the memory card. This will reset the changes and allow you to boot the system in normal mode. 📊 How much memory does your Xiaomi have?32 GB64 GB128 GB256 GB and more Managing Relocated Applications After successfully activating the Adoptable Storage feature, application management occurs through the standard settings menu. Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications, select the program you want, and find Memory, and there's a "Change" button that allows you to move the application between the internal memory and the memory. SD-Not all applications support portability, and software developers can software-prohibit external installations for security or stability reasons. In such cases, the displacement button will be missing or inactive, and it is almost impossible to circumvent this restriction without Root rights. Third-party utilities can be used for mass transfer control, such as App2SD Or Files by Google, which helps you analyze your space. MIUI paired ADB-The method works most stably and does not require the installation of additional software. SD-Map (after formatting) Reading speed High (UFS 2.1/3.1) Medium (depending on the map) Encryption Hardware (device binding) Transferability No (reset only) Only on PC with decryption System Impact Critical High (slow map) Possible problems and ways to solve them Most common problem after transfer - slowing interface speed and long running of applications, this occurs if the memory card write speed is lower than that of the embedded eMMC module or UFS. In this case, it is recommended to either replace the map with a faster model, or return everything to its original state through formatting as a portable medium, and users are faced with the disappearance of widgets or unstable work of portable programs. Some launchers and system services Xiaomi incorrectly work with the external partitions. If you notice a rapid battery discharge or heating in the area of the card slot, the background writing process is too intensive ("SD-Do not rush to format the data. Try to restart the device or reconnect the card. If the error repeats, the drive may have exhausted its resource or is defective. 💡The speed of the smartphone after transferring applications directly depends on the speed class of your device. SD-Savings on the drive will lead to lags throughout the system. Alternative ways of freeing up space if methods with ADB Seems too risky, you can use safer cleaning methods. First of all, clean the Download folder and the messenger cache (Telegram, WhatsApp), which often take up gigabytes of space. MIUI There's a built-in cleaning tool that securely removes temporary files, and another option is to use cloud services, and Google Photos and Google Drive allow you to store your media library in the cloud, freeing up local space. Set up automatic uploading of photos to the memory card, if such an option is available in your version of the application, or use the function "Free space". For advanced users, there is the possibility of obtaining Root rights and installing special modules that forcibly transfer any APK-file. However, this deprives of guarantees and can disrupt the operation of banking applications, so this path is considered a last resort. SD without a computer? without using PCs and commands? ADB Do it on modern versions MIUI It's almost impossible because the manufacturer hid the menu, and there are assistant apps in the Play Market, but they often require Root rights, or they're just advertising stubs. What happens if you take out the memory card after you move it? All applications installed on the map will stop running, and their icons may disappear from the desktop_missing_ To get back to normal, you have to put it back in or format it as internal memory. Will the phone work worse after you move it? Yes, if you have a speed of yours. SD-cards below the speed of the built-in memory. Applications can take longer to load, and heavy games can be twitched. To minimize risks, use A1 or A2-marked cards optimized for running applications. How many times can you format a card for internal memory? Technically, the number of formats is unlimited, but each write cycle reduces the life of the card's memory cells. Frequent switching between Portable and Internal modes is not recommended, since full formatting and data loss are required each time.