How to transfer applications to SD-map 9A: way + chip-trick MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 9A — One of the most popular budget smartphones with limited internal memory (32 GB in the basic version), even after installing several apps and taking a couple of photos, users are faced with a notification “Not enough memory”, the solution seems obvious: move the applications to the main one. SD-But in MIUI This process has nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to transfer applications to an external drive in Redmi. 9A — From standard Android features to hidden settings MIUI And you'll also learn about how some apps refuse to work with "unbearable" programs. SD-maps, how to format the drive for maximum performance and what to do if the smartphone “can’t see” the memory card after transfer.

Why Xiaomi 9A You cannot transfer all applications to SD-map?

The main problem lies in the architecture of Android and Xiaomi's policy. Since Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage, the ability to "tether" to the Internet» SD-However, manufacturers, including Xiaomi, often block this feature in their firmware. MIUI, Only partial solutions are left to users.

Here are the key limitations for the Redmi 9A:

• 📱 System applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.android.settings) cannot be transferred, they are tightly tied to internal memory.
• 🔒 Annexes with OBB-files (games of the type) PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact often block transfers due to piracy protection.
• ⚡ Productivity: SD-cards (even class) A2) are slower than the internal memory of eMMC 5.1, which can cause lags in ported applications.
• 🛑 MIUI hides the portability option for some applications, even if technically possible (e.g. Facebook or WhatsApp).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is a portable storage device (not formatted as internal memory), many applications will not be able to write data to it due to Android limitations, for example, Telegram will not save media files to the card unless it is “linked” to the system.

Before trying to migrate apps, check if your card supports UHS-I (Class A1/A2) memory. Cheap cards without this marking will slow down the smartphone even more than crowded internal memory.

Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting and Selection of File System

Before transferring applications SD-The map needs to be prepared properly, and that depends on whether the programs can work in a stable way. 9A Two options are available for use of the card:

1. Portable storage (FAT32/exFAT) for photos, videos and some applications
2. Internal memory (ext4) – the card becomes part of the system, but it cannot be retrieved without being reset.

For the transfer of applications, the second option is optimal, but it has risks:

• 🔄 The card cannot be used in other devices without formatting.
• 📉 Performance depends on the speed of the card: A2 It's a good one, Class 10. A1 — no.
• ⚠️ When you remove the map, the transferred applications will stop working.

How to format SD-map as an internal memory:

1. Insert the card into your smartphone and go to Settings → Storage.
2. Tap by name. SD-map → Three points (⋮) → Storage settings.
3. Select Format as Internal → Erase and Format.
4. After formatting, select Move Data Now (optional).

⚠️ Note: If you format the card as internal memory, MIUI It can offer to transfer some data (photos, videos) to it. You can refuse, it will slow down the gallery and the camera.

Critical detail: Once formatted as internal memory, Xiaomi 9A will create a folder /Android/obb/ on the map, where some games (such as Call of Duty Mobile) will be able to store cache.

Check the speed class (A1/A2)

Make a backup copy of data from the card

Formatting as an internal memory (ext4)

Refuse to Automatically Transfer Media Files

Reboot the smartphone after formatting-->

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

This is the easiest method, but it doesn’t work for all apps. MIUI allows you to port only those programs that support this feature at the Android level.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or VK).
3. Slip it on the Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, click Change → SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take 1-5 minutes).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It doesn’t work for system applications and many games.
• 🔄 After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 📥 Some programs (such as Google Maps) are partially ported – the main files remain in internal memory.

If the Change button is inactive or not, try alternative methods in the following sections.

💡

Before transferring, clear the app cache to Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → Storage → Clear the cache. This will reduce the amount of data transferred and reduce the risk of errors.

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If MIUI blocks the transfer of the application, you can bypass the restriction with the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but allows you to transfer even those programs for which the option is hidden.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the version of MIUI.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect Redmi 9A to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

adb devices

(Series numbered device should appear. If not, check the drivers.)

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

(This team forces Android to install new apps on the SD-default-card.)

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app 2

(Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the app you want, and you can find it through the App Inspector or Google Play.)

Examples for WhatsApp portability:

adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp 2

⚠️ Note: Not all applications work properly after forced porting through ADB. For example, Google Play Services or banking applications (such as SberBank Online) may issue errors. Before transferring, check the reviews about the compatibility of a particular application with the Internet. SD-map.

If you see a Failure message after the command [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], signifier:

• 📛 The application is blocked by the manufacturer for transfer.
• 🔒 SD-The card is not formatted as internal memory.
• 🛑 V MIUI protection against changes through ADB (shutdown MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings).

Method 3: Transfer through third-party applications (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use Google Play utilities that automate the process.The best options for Xiaomi 9A:

How to transfer the application through AppMgr III:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Go to the Transfer tab on SD.
3. Check the necessary programs (green marked those that support the transfer).
4. Click Transfer and confirm the action.

Note that even if an application is successfully transferred, its cache and data can remain in internal memory to clear them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → Storage.
2. Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (if you are not afraid to lose settings).

💡

The utilities side cannot bypass Android's kernel-level limitations. Unless the application is ported through ADB, it won't migrate through AppMgr III or its peers.

Method 4: Manual file transfer (for games and large applications)

Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) take up several gigabytes, but are not carried by standard methods. OBB-files (additional data) on SD-map.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Go to the internal memory folder → Android → obb.
3. Copy the folder with the game name (e.g. com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact) on SD-map /Android/obb/.
4. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
5. Start the game - it must download data from the map.

Similarly, it is possible to transfer:

• 🎮 Cash games from the folder /Android/data/ (But some games require re-authorization after that).
• 📷 Photo and video from the folder DCIM/Camera (Use Google Photos to automatically sync).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts from Music or Podcasts folders.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Spotify) check file integrity if you manually transfer their data to the data. SD-Maps, they may stop working or require content to be re-uploaded.

For convenience, use file managers with support for root folders:

• 📁 Solid Explorer (paid, but with trial period).
• 🔍 FX File Explorer (free, with access to system folders).
• 📂 Mi File Manager (built-in in the MIUI, but with limited functionality).

What if applications do not work after transfer?

Transfer of applications to SD-The map is not always a smooth process. Here are the typical problems and their solutions:

If the application is unstable after transfer:

1. Clean its cache in Settings → Apps → [Name] → Storage.
2. Check it out. SD-Card for errors through your computer (use chkdsk in Windows).
3. Turn off battery optimization for this application in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.

If no method has worked and your memory is running out, consider:

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary apps (use Files by Google to analyze garbage).
• ☁️ Transferring photos/videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🔄 Resetting your smartphone to factory settings (helps if the system is “cluttered»).

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map 9A