Why Redmi 4X is running out of memory and how to fix it
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codename santoni, often faced with the problem of lack of internal memory, even if you have 16 or 32 GB of free space is melting away in front of your eyes: the system takes up the space. ~5GB, app cache grows and updates MIUI They're going to need more space. SD-The map seems like a logical solution - but there are pitfalls here.
The fact is that Android 6.0 Marshmallow (which originally ran Redmi 4X) supports Adoptable Storage, which allows you to format the memory card as internal storage. However, Xiaomi has disabled this option in standard MIUI firmware. Moreover, many applications (especially system) fundamentally do not support porting to external drives.
In this article, we will discuss all working methods for transferring applications to SD-map 4X:
- 🔄 Standard method through settings (without root)
- 🛠️ Manual formatting of the card as internal memory (requires) ADB)
- 🔓 Root rights transfer (for advanced users)
- ⚙️ Alternative solutions: cleaning cache, transferring media files
Before you start, check:
- 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI
- 💾 Type SD-maps: recommended UHS-I Class 10 (e.g. SanDisk Ultra or Samsung) EVO)
- 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50% (process can take up to 30 minutes)
Method 1: Transfer applications through standard MIUI settings
This is the easiest method, but it doesn’t work for all applications, and system programs (such as Mi Browser or Security) and many games (such as PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) can’t be ported.
Instructions:
- Open the Settings → Applications.
- Select the app you want to migrate (like WhatsApp or Facebook).
- Slip on Warehouse.
- If the option is active, click Change. → SD-map.
- Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).
Buy it. SD-class UHS-I (Minimum Class 10)
Create a backup of data from the card (it will be formatted)
Charging the phone ≥50%
Disable the antivirus (can block changes)
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Limitations of the method:
- 🚫 Not all apps support portability, especially games with OBB-file).
- 📉 Some of the data (such as cache) will remain in internal memory.
- ⚠️ When extracted SD-Application cards may stop working.
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If the Change button is inactive, try updating the app via Google Play. Sometimes this will unlock the port option.
Method 2: Formatting SD-The card as an internal memory (through the ADB)
This method allows us to combine SD-It has internal memory, but it has critical consequences: it will be tied to the phone and not readable on other devices. 4X may stop loading!
🔹 Requirements:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS and installed Xiaomi drivers.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 💾 SD-card with a volume of at least 16 GB (data will be deleted!).
- 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the command: adb shell sm list-disks Remember the disk ID (e.g., disk:179.64).
- Format the card as internal memory: adb shell sm partition disk:179.64 private (replace 179.64 with your ID).
- Reboot the phone. The system will suggest transferring the data to the new internal memory.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
⚠️ Attention: After this procedure SD-The card will be encrypted and unreadable on other devices, and when it is removed, the phone may freeze while downloading, and we recommend using this method only if you are willing to sacrifice the card for additional space.
| Advantages of the method | Deficiencies of the method |
|---|---|
| ✅ The card becomes part of the internal memory (applications are installed on it automatically) | ❌ The card is tied to the phone and cannot be read on other devices. |
| ✅ All applications are supported (including system applications) | ❌ When you remove the card, the phone may not boot. |
| ✅ Doesn't require root rights | ❌ The process is irreversible without resetting the phone |
| ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI | ❌ The speed of the card is lower than the built-in memory |
Method 3: Transfer applications with root rights (for advanced)
If you're ready to root, you'll have additional features, like an App2SD or Link2SD app that allows you to port even programs that don't move by standard methods.
🔴 Cons of root:
- 🔒 Violation of warranty (if the phone is on warranty).
- 🛡️ Vulnerability to viruses (applications get unlimited access).
- 🔄 The risk of “bricking” the phone with incorrect actions.
- 📵 Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) will cease to work.
If you do decide, follow the instructions:
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 720 hours to wait!).
- Install the custom TWRP Recovery for santoni (you can download it on twrp.me).
- Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
- Install Link2SD from Google Play and follow the app’s instructions.
⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X s MIUI 12+ If you sew the old firmware version after the new one, the phone will turn into a brick. Always check the Anti-Rollback version before the firmware!
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Root access gives you maximum freedom, but it requires technical skills, and if you're not sure what you're doing, use standard methods or ADB.
Method 4: Alternative solutions for memory release
If the application portability is not possible or doesn’t solve the problem, try these methods:
🔹 Cleaning up cache and garbage:
- 🧹 Use the built-in Security app → Cleanup.
- 🗑️ Remove unnecessary APK-file /sdcard/Download.
- 📂 Clear the Google Play cache: Settings → Annexes → Google Play → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
🔹 Transfer of media files:
- 📸 Photos and Videos: Use Google Photos with Free Place.
- 🎵 Music: Move the Music folder to the Music folder SD-hand-write.
- 📄 Documents: save files directly to the card (for example, in the WPS Office).
🔹 Disabling unnecessary applications:
- 🚫 Disable pre-installed programs (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) if you do not use them: → Annexes → Select the application → Shut down.
- 📴 Remove updates for system applications (if they take up a lot of space).
🔹 Use of cloud services:
- ☁️ Move backups to Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
- 📱 Set up automatic upload of photos to Google Photos (Quality High does not take up space in the cloud).
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When transferring applications to SD-mapping 4X We're going to have a lot of problems:
🔘 "The 'Move to the SD-card"
- 🔹 The reason: the application does not support transfer or SD-The card is formatted as portable, not internal).
- 🔹 Solution: Try formatting the map as an internal one ADB (See Method 2) or use root method.
🔘 "The app has moved but is not working"
- 🔹 Cause: some of the data is stored in internal memory, or SD-The card is too slow (class below Class 10).
- 🔹 Solution: Move the app back, clear its cache, try again. If the card is slow, replace it.
🔘 "The phone can't see. SD-map after formatting as an internal"
- 🔹 Reason: Wrong disk ID in the command ADB or formatting failure.
- 🔹 Solution: reboot your phone. If it doesn't work, reset it through TWRP Or return the card to the original state with the command: adb shell sm forget. disk:179,64 (replace the ID with your own).
🔘 "After extraction SD-The phone card is not switched on"
- 🔹 Reason: The map was formatted as an internal one, and the system got stuck when trying to boot without it.
- 🔹 Solution: put the card back in. If the phone doesn't respond, run the firmware through Fastboot.