How to transfer applications to the Xiaomi Redmi 9 SD card with NFC

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone with NFC module often face a lack of internal memory, especially in the basic versions of 32 or 64 GB. The MIUI system is overgrown with cache, and modern applications require more and more resources, turning the struggle for free space into a daily routine. Fortunately, the presence of a microSD card slot allows you to partially solve this problem, transferring some of the data to an external medium.

However, the process of porting applications to Xiaomi has its own nuances, which distinguish it from standard Android. Unlike a clean interface, the manufacturer’s shell requires performing hidden actions through an engineering menu or a computer interface. ADB-In this article, we will discuss all available methods that will help you to effectively use external drive.

It should be noted that internal memory is faster than most microSD cards, so it is not always advisable to transfer system components or heavy games, and the optimal solution is to move media files, documents and lightweight utilities, which will free up precious gigabytes for the operating system to work.

Features of the MIUI file system and limitations

Shell MIUI, installed on Xiaomi Redmi 9, by default does not offer a standard function of porting applications to the SD-This is done by manufacturers to ensure that the interface is stable and responsive. The internal drive uses protocol. UFS or a fast eMMC, whereas a memory card can become a performance bottleneck.

However, the Android system that runs MIUI has a mechanism called Adoptable Storage, which allows you to format your memory card so that it is considered part of internal storage. On Xiaomi devices, this feature is often hidden from the average user, but it can be activated through a hidden developer menu or special commands.

⚠️ Warning: Activating compatible storage mode will format the memory card completely and all data on it will be permanently deleted, so back up important files on your computer or in the cloud in advance.

Using a memory card as an internal storage has its pros and cons that must be considered before starting the procedure. On the one hand, you get more space to install programs, on the other hand, you can lose warranty or unstable work when using cheap cards.

• 🚀 Increase the available volume for installing new apps from Google Play.
• ⚙️ Ability to automatically record photos and videos immediately on external media.
• 📉 Risk of reducing the overall speed of the smartphone when using a slow card Class 10.
• 🔒 Linking a formatted card to a specific device (it will not be read on another phone).

It is important for owners of an NFC model to know that using an NFC antenna does not interfere with the operation of the memory slot, since in Redmi 9 these components are spaced structurally.

Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work

Before attempting to transfer applications to an SD card, you need to make sure that the media is compatible and serviceable. Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports microSDHC and microSDXC cards up to 256 GB (officially) and often up to 512 GB (unofficially).

It is recommended to select cards with write speeds at least Class 10 or UHS-I. Slow cards can cause delays when starting applications and "freezes" interface. insert the card into the phone turned off or use a hot replacement through the Settings → Memory menu.

Once you have installed the media, the system will automatically prompt it to be configured, and if you plan to use Adoptable Storage, select "Use as internal storage." If you don't have that option, you'll have to use the hidden activation methods that we'll talk about below.

It is important to check the status of the memory card itself for errors, you can use Android built-in tools or third-party utilities on the PC, damaged sectors can lead to data loss or a cyclical reboot of the smartphone.

Activation method through the hidden menu of the developer

One way to force MIUI count SD-The internal storage card is a hidden test menu, which doesn't require a computer connection, but requires careful input. Open the Phone app and dial ##6485## to check the battery information, but we need a different path.

To activate the port function, you often use a special command input through the debugging menu. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times to activate the developer mode. Then, in the advanced settings, find the option to force the portability of applications.

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

The above command, which is typed through a computer, changes the priority of the installation. However, on current versions of Android 10/11 in MIUI, it may not work without root rights. A more effective way is to use the command for formatting.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to format system partitions manually without understanding the structure of the Linux file system).

If the standard settings don't work, you can try to find the option "Force allow apps on external" in the developer menu. After you turn on this tick in the application management menu, you will see the button "Move to the external" SD-A map for programs that support it.

Using ADB for Forced Transfer

The most reliable method for experienced users is to use the Android Debug Bridge toolkit (ADB). This method allows you to bypass the limitations of the shell MIUI And you're going to need a computer to interact directly with the package manager, USB-cable and installed drivers ADB.

First, enable USB debugging in the developer menu on Xiaomi Redmi 9. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line. Make sure the device is visible to the system by entering the adb device command. If all is right, you will see your device's serial number.

Next, we need to find ID yours SD-Send in the team:

adb shell sm list-disks

The system will give you a disk ID, like a disk:179.64. Remember or copy that value. The next step is to create a batch for internal storage.

adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private 100

Here, private means internal storage mode, and 100 is the percentage of card volume that will be given to the system, and once you execute the command, the phone will reboot, and the card will be formatted into the desired format.

• 💻 Requires a PC with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 We need quality. USB-stable-connection.
• 🛠 Installation of the Tools platform (ADB and Fastboot on the computer.
• 📱 Activation of the debugging mode USB smartphone.

Once the procedure is completed successfully, the memory settings will have the option to manage the internal card storage. You can now move applications through the standard Settings menu → Applications → Application Management.

Transfer of multimedia and application cache

Even if the transfer itself APK-Application files are limited, you can free up a huge amount of space by transferring media files and cache of heavy programs. NFC Navigation maps and messengers are often used, which store gigabytes of data.

For messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp, you can change the way you save files in the settings of the application itself. → Data and memory → The path of preservation and choose yours SD-This automatically transfers all new downloads to the external storage.

Using a MIUI file manager or a third-party, like Total Commander, allows you to manually move folders with heavy content. Simply select the directories you want, select Move, and specify the path on the external drive.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

In the process of operation, situations may arise when applications with SD-The cards stop running or are not working properly, often due to slow read speeds or file system damage, and if you notice a "suspend," try extracting the card and checking it for errors through the PC.

Another common problem is that app widgets that are ported to an external medium disappear after rebooting, because Android loads external drives later than the desktop is initialized, and in such cases, it helps to move the widget or refuse to place shortcuts of such programs on the home screen.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to run out quickly after the apps are transferred, it's possible that the background process is constantly polling the slow memory card.

Also, consider that the NFC module can cause electromagnetic interference when reading the card actively if the antennas are close, although this problem is minimized in Redmi 9. If there are failures in contactless payment after installing the card, try replacing the memory card with a model with another controller manufacturer.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions