How to transfer applications to SD-map 5A: way + hidden settings MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 5A

16 GB of internal memory

SD-map

MIUI

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to transfer applications to an external drive in Redmi. 5A — From standard Android features to hidden settings MIUI You'll also learn why some applications can't be moved, how to format properly. SD-What to do if the system refuses to see the external drive.

Important: Redmi 5A runs on Android 7.1 Nougat with a MIUI 9/10 shell, where the portability of applications to the SD is limited by the manufacturer, but that doesn't mean there's no solution, you just have to use a combination of methods.

Why at Redmi? 5A You cannot transfer all applications to SD-map?

Many users find that the "Move to SD" button in the application settings is inactive or absent, and the reasons are three key limitations:

• 🔒 Politics MIUI: Xiaomi blocks the portability of system and some third-party applications to avoid crashes. for example, com.miui.home (launcher) or com.android.phone (phone) will never be able to move.
• 📱 Android 7.1 Architecture: In This Version, Apps Transfer to SD Implemented through the Adoptable Storage mechanism, which Xiaomi has disabled by default.
• 💾 Type SD-maps: Maps of format FAT32 Do not support the transfer of applications – required ext4 or f2fs, but MIUI It does not offer a standard way to format these file systems.

Also, even if the app is theoretically portable, some features (like widgets or autoload) may stop working. SD-Slower than internal memory.

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-A Class 4 or lower card will result in significant lags. 5A It is recommended to use cards below Class 10 (UHS-I).

The good news is that some of the limitations can be circumvented by using hidden settings or third-party tools, and this is discussed in the following sections.

Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting and Selection of File System

Before transferring applications, you need to prepare correctly SD-map. MIUI redmi 5A It does not offer a standard formatting method in ext4, But there are workarounds.

If you plan to use it SD-An application-only card (not a file) is best done by making it an internal drive through Adoptable Storage:

1. Put it in. SD-card to slot (cards up to 256 GB are supported).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → Memory settings → SD-map.
3. Select “Configure as internal memory” (if the option is active).
4. Follow the system instructions – the card will be formatted in ext4 and encrypted.

If the option "Configure as internal memory" is missing (which often happens in the case of the "Internal Memory") MIUI), have to use ADB-More on this in the section on hidden methods.

After formatting in ext4 SD-The card will become part of the internal memory, and Android will install applications on it automatically (if there is not enough space in the internal memory:

• The map cannot be retrieved without losing data.
• It will be unreadable on other devices (without root rights).
• When you reset the phone to factory settings, the data on the map will also be deleted.

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If you often connect your smartphone to your computer to transfer files, leave it alone. SD-map in exFAT format and use alternative methods of transferring applications (described below).

Standard method: transfer applications through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for applications that support portability (usually games or programs without system rights).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Press "Storage."
4. If the "Move to" button SD-The card is active – tap on it and wait for the process to be completed.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It only works for a fraction of apps (usually those that don’t use Google services or system features).
• 🔄 After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 📥 Not all data is transferred – often to SD Only a portion of the files is moved (for example, the cache remains in internal memory).

If the "Move to" button SD-The card is inactive or absent, try the following methods.

Make sure that SD-map ext4|Check the free space on the map (minimum 1 GB)|Close the application before transfer|Disable Auto-Update Apps in Google Play-->

Hidden Methods: Transfer through ADB and Developer Settings

If the standard method doesn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a debugging tool that lets you manually specify which Android apps to port to the SD. This method requires connecting the phone to a computer, but gives you more control.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 5A: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

"Debugging by USB"

ADB-driver

platform-tools

adb devices

The serial number of your device should appear.

WhatsApp

com.whatsapp

adb shell pm list packages -f

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

After that, all new applications will be installed on the SD by default.

adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp

(Replace com.whatsapp with the package you want).

If the move-package command returns the error [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed, means the application is blocked for transfer, in which case only root access or alternative methods (described below) will help).

⚠️ Note: After using the set-install-location 2 command, some system updates may not work correctly. To return the default settings, run: adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Transfer applications without root: workarounds and third-party utilities

If neither the standard settings nor the ADB helped, you can use third-party utilities. They don't require root rights, but they have limitations.

Top.-3 portability SD redmi 5A:

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD): Shows you which apps you can migrate, can clear cache and data to free up space, and the free version has limitations.
• 🔧 Link2SD (Requires root for full functionality: Creates symbolic links to transfer some files to SD. It works with applications that are blocked. MIUI. Without root, you can only analyze occupied space.
• 📂 Files by Google: Does not tolerate apps, but helps to clear unnecessary files (duplicates, old ones) APK, Has a built-in memory manager with recommendations.

To use Link2SD without root:

1. Install the program from Google Play.
2. Open the app and give access to the memory.
3. Select the app from the list and click “Create a link” (if the option is active).
4. Confirm the data transfer to SD-map.

Important: At Redmi 5A rootless Link2SD It can only transfer cache and some data, but not the cache itself. APK-The full transfer will require unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

Root-rights applications portability: full memory control

If you're ready to get root access, memory management is vastly expanded, and on Redmi 5A, you can do that by unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk or SuperSU.

Advantages of root method:

• ✅ Transfer of any applications, including system.
• ✅ The ability to use FolderMount or GL to SD for transferring game data (for example, PUBG Or Genshin Impact).
• ✅ Manually changing the way applications are installed through /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml.

Step-by-step instructions for transferring from root:

1. Unlock the Redmi 5A bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 72–168 hours).
2. Install a custom TWRP recavator for Redmi 5A (codename riva).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.
4. Install Titanium Backup or App2SD (root version)
5. In the program, select the application and click "Move to" SD-map" (or "Freeze" and reinstall on the map).

To transfer these games (e.g. OBb files):

1. Download FolderMount from XDA Developers.
2. Select a folder with game data (e.g. /Android/obb/com.pubg.krmobile).
3. Specify the target folder on SD-map.
4. Create a mount point and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Once you have root rights, you will lose the ability to update "over the air" (OTA). Updates will have to be installed manually through TWRP. Also, some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.

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Root access gives you the most freedom in memory management, but it requires technical skills and lacks warranty, and only use this method if other methods have not worked.

Optimizing memory without transferring: alternative ways to free up space

If the applications are transferred SD-The card is not possible or does not solve the problem, try alternative methods of memory release:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Use Files by Google to delete unnecessary files (e.g. duplicate photos or old ones) APK).
• 🗑️ Systemic debris disposal: B MIUI There is a built-in utility "Cleaning" (Security) → Cleaning. It deletes residual files of deleted applications and temporary data.
• ☁️ Transfer media to the cloud: Upload photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud. turn on the "Free space" option after downloading.
• 📦 Use Lite versions of apps: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Messenger with Messenger Lite. For music, use Spotify Lite or YouTube Music Go.

You can also disable or remove pre-installed MIUI applications that are not in use:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Select the unnecessary (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music) → Disable

To completely remove system applications, root rights or ADB-team:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

(Replace com.miui.videoplayer with the batch name of the unwanted app).

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting applications to SD in Redmi 5A