Xiaomi Mi 9 has long been the flagship smartphone that delighted users with a powerful Snapdragon 855 processor and a quality screen. However, one of the main problems owners of this model is the lack of a slot for a microSD card. In basic versions, there is only 64 or 128 gigabytes of internal storage available, which is very quickly filled with modern heavy games, applications and high-resolution media. Many users wonder whether it is possible to expand the available space using external drives.
Unfortunately, physically connecting a flash card to the Xiaomi Mi 9 is impossible without the use of bulky OTG adapters, which makes classical data transfer to a memory card impossible. However, there are software methods and system features that allow you to optimize memory use or, in rare cases with Root rights, emulate external drive. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to free up space, including virtual memory and system settings, which few people know about.
It’s important to understand that the standard MIUI shell (now HyperOS) has its own security limitations that block the installation of applications on external media by default, which is done to ensure system stability and protect user data. However, competent cache setting, cloud services use, and specific ADB commands can help significantly relieve internal storage of your device.
Why Xiaomi Mi 9 doesn’t have a memory card slot
The lack of a microSD card slot in the Xiaomi Mi 9 is due to the design features of the flagship devices of the period. the company's engineers decided to abandon expandable memory in favor of a more compact design and increased battery capacity. Inside the case there is simply no physical space to accommodate an additional card reader without increasing the dimensions of the smartphone.
In addition, using internal memory standard UFS 2.1 or UFS 3.0 provides much faster read and write data compared to most memory cards. applications installed on the built-in drive, are more stable and run faster. Transferring heavy programs to a slow memory card could lead to system freezes and reduce the overall performance of the Mi 9.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to disassemble the Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone for soldering the slot or modifying the board will lead to a loss of warranty and a high probability of the device failing.
Despite its physical limitations, Android provides tools for memory management. Users often confuse the lack of a slot with the inability to expand, but software methods do exist. They do not require physical intervention, but require careful execution of instructions.
Preparing for memory optimization on Android
Before you start any manipulation of system files or settings, you need to do thorough training, to avoid losing important data in the event of a failure, the first step should always be to back up all important information to the computer or to the cloud.
The second important step is to clean up the system, and the built-in MIUI does a good job of doing that, but it's better to use specialized utilities for deep cleaning, and removing temporary files can free up a few gigabytes, which will delay the need for radical measures.
☑️ Preparing the smartphone for cleaning
It’s also worth checking if the Virtual Memory Extension feature is already activated in new firmware versions. Some HyperOS updates for older flagships add the ability to use some of the internal memory for system needs more efficiently, although this is not a port to SD.
Use Adoptable Storage through ADB
For those who use Xiaomi Mi 9C OTG-It's a hub (although it's inconvenient all the time) or theoretically for internal partitions, there's a method called Adoptable Storage, which allows the system to perceive the external drive as part of the internal memory. On the Mi 9 without the slot, this only applies in conjunction with the internal memory. OTG Or emulation, but the way teams work is important to understanding.
This method requires a computer with an ADB installed. The smartphone needs to be put into USB debugging mode. This is done through the Developer Menu, which is hidden by default. To activate it, you need to click seven times on the build number in the About Phone section.
Once you connect the device to your PC and confirm the debugging on your smartphone screen, you enter codes in the computer's command line, they force the drive to format and create an encrypted partition for applications.
adb shell sm list-disks
adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 privateExecuting these commands requires caution. An error in the disk ID can lead to formatting the wrong drive. On the Xiaomi Mi 9 without a physical card, this method is more often used by enthusiasts to re-mark internal partitions, which is extremely risky.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Re-marking partitions on Xiaomi Mi 9 can lead to the “bricking” of the device, do this only if you are an experienced user and understand the risks of losing all data.
What is ADB and why is it needed?
Alternative ways to expand memory
Since direct transfer of applications to the memory card on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is not possible with standard means, it is worth considering alternatives. The effective way is to use cloud storage. Services like Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud allow you to store media files remotely, freeing up space on the device.
Another option is the use of OTG-You can put old photos, videos and documents on an external drive that are rarely used but need to be saved, and it won't make applications work faster, but it will solve the problem of the lack of space for files.
Many modern applications also allow you to change the way you save data in your settings, for example, in messengers Telegram or WhatsApp, you can set up automatic upload of media files to the cloud with the removal of the local copy.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing the cache | Low. | Minimum | No. |
| Cloud services | Tall. | Low. | We need the Internet. |
| ADB team | Medium | Tall. | High-pitched |
| Root rights | Maximum | Expert | Loss of guarantee |
The choice of method depends on your skills and goals. For most Xiaomi Mi 9 users, the best solution is a combination of cloud storage and regular garbage cleaning.
Working with Root Rights and Systemic Risks
Obtaining SuperUser (Root) rights on the Xiaomi Mi 9 opens up access to system files and allows you to use applications like Link2SD or FolderMount. These programs can force application data to external drives or emulate their transfer. However, unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights on modern Xiaomi devices is a difficult process.
Unlocking the bootloader requires a wait of 7 to 30 days after the Mi Account is linked to the device, and once unlocked, all data is erased, and some Google Pay banking applications and services (now Google Wallet) can stop working correctly without additional manipulation of Magisk and hiding root rights.
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Use the Explorer app with access to the root folder only if you know exactly what files can be deleted. Accidental deletion of system libraries will lead to reboots.
If you do decide to do this, make sure you have an unlocked bootloader and a custom TWRP recavator installed. Only in this case, you can safely roll back changes in the event of a critical system error.
⚠️ Note: After obtaining Root rights on Xiaomi Mi 9, the warranty on the device is canceled, and this can create security vulnerabilities, making data available to malware.
Cache cleanup and storage optimization
The safest and most effective way to free up space on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is to regularly clean up the app cache. Social media and instant messengers tend to accumulate gigabytes of temporary files. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management, select a heavy app (like Instagram or TikTok) and click Clear Cache.
Don’t confuse cache cleaning with data cleaning. Data cleaning will delete your logins, correspondence and settings inside the application, returning it to state immediately after installation.
You also need to use the built-in Security tool in the MIUI shell, which automatically finds large files, duplicates and unused applications, and regularly using this tool helps keep the system on track.
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Regularly cleaning the cache of heavy applications can free up up to 5-10 GB of space monthly, which is comparable to the size of a small memory card.
In conclusion, although it is impossible to physically transfer applications to the SD card on the Xiaomi Mi 9, competent internal memory management allows you to comfortably use the device even years after the release.