How to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: all ways + restriction MIUI

Why the Redmi Note 6 Pro is not enough memory and how SD-map solves the problem

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro sooner or later face the same problem: despite 64 GB of internal memory (or even 32 GB in the basic version), the system begins to issue warnings about the shortage of space, the reason for this is the features of MIUI, which aggressively caches data, as well as the limitations of Android 8.1 Oreo/9 Pie, which prevents most applications from installing on external drives out of the box.

SD-The map seems like an obvious solution, but here users are waiting for another catch: Redmi Note 6 Pro supports microSD up to 256 GB, but not all applications can be ported by standard means. MIUI bypasses with use ADB, We also explain why some programs fundamentally refuse to move to an external drive.

Spoiler: If you were hoping to just click "Move to SD" in each app's settings, like on older Android, you're going to be disappointed. MIUI 10/11/12 on Redmi Note 6 Pro blocks this option for 90% of Google Play apps, including instant messengers, social networks and games. But there's a way out - read on.

What are they? SD-Cards are suitable for Redmi Note 6 Pro: requirements and recommendations

Before you try to move apps, make sure yours is yours. SD-The card meets the specifications of the smartphone. Redmi Note 6 Pro supports microSD (up to 256 GB) with the file system FAT32 Or exFAT, but there are nuances:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum Class 10 (UHS-I), If you don't, the apps will slow down. UHS-I U3.
• 🔹 Formatting: The card must be formatted as a portable storage (not internal memory!). MIUI Does not support Adoptable Storage on this device.
• 🔹 Brands: avoid no-name cards - they often fake speed performance.Outstanding options: SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO Plus, Kingston Canvas Go!.

⚠️ Note: If you are already using SD-Card as internal memory (through settings) MIUI), It's not going to be possible to transfer applications to it:

1. Make a backup copy of the data from the card.
2. Format it as a portable storage in Settings → Warehouse → SD-map → Settings → Formatting as a portable.
3. Recover the data back.

Method 1: Standard portability through MIUI settings (works for 10% of applications)

The easiest, but also the most limited way. MIUI portable SD-The only applications that explicitly support this feature in their manifesto are the ones that do:

• 📁 Some media players (VLC, MX Player).
• 📁 Maps (Google Maps, OSMAnd).
• 📁 Some games with cache on the map (for example, Asphalt 9).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer. The system will copy some of the data (not all!) to the map.

⚠️ Note: Even if the button is moved to SD It's active, some of the data (cache, settings) will remain in the internal memory.

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can try forced porting over ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works for most applications, but requires a computer connection and USB debugging enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About → MIUI version. Tap 7 times on MIUI version until the message "You became a developer" appears. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer and enable USB debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC

Open the command line (Windows)

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This team is setting up SD-map as the default installation location for new applications. To migrate programs that are already installed, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard

(Replace com.example.app with a real app package, such as com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).

🔧 List of packages of popular applications:

⚠️ Note: Not all apps will work correctly after the transfer, for example, WhatsApp may stop sending notifications, and Facebook may stop slowing down when scrolling through the tape!

💡

If the pm move-package command is giving an error, Failure [NOT_MOVED]", So the application is blocked by the manufacturer. Try an alternative method with link2sd (see next section).

Method 3: Use Link2SD (for rooted devices)

If your Redmi Note 6 Pro has root rights, the most efficient way to port it is the Link2SD app.

• 🔗 Create symbolic references to SD-card (app "thinks" that is in the internal memory).
• 🔗 Transfer dex files, cache and data.
• 🔗 Automatically clean the cache when there is a shortage of space.

Instructions:

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. At the first start, select ext2/ext3/ext4 (if SD-map FAT32, I'll have to re-format it into ext4 PC).
3. In the list of applications, select the desired one and click Create a link.
4. Check the boxes Data applications, Cash and Dalvik-cache.

⚠️ Attention: Formatting SD-card ext4 It will make it unreadable on Windows without additional drivers, and not all applications will work correctly after the transfer (especially banking and other applications). DRM-protection).

Why some applications cannot be moved to SD-map

Even with root rights and ADB, some programs fundamentally refuse to move to external drive.

• 🔒 Protection DRM: Apps like Netflix, Disney+ or bank customers (Sberbank, Tinkoff) block the transfer due to security requirements.
• 🔒 Android System Restrictions: Google has banned porting apps using Android:installLocation since version 6.0="internalOnly" in the manifesto.
• 🔒 Manufacturer: Xiaomi in MIUI additionally blocks the transfer of system applications (e.g., Topic, Security).

📊 Table "can / can not" for popular applications:

💡 Alternative approach: If transfer is not possible, try:

• 🗑️ Clean the application cache manually (in Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse).
• 📁 Transfer media files (photos, videos) to SD-Map through Gallery or Files.
• ☁️ Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to automatically upload files.

💡

Transfer of applications to SD-The Redmi Note 6 Pro card is always a compromise between memory freedom and stability, and the best option is to only transfer programs that are not critical for everyday use (games, rarely used utilities).

What to do if after transfer applications are slowed down or do not work

Transfer to SD-The map is not a panacea. Users often encounter:

• 🐢 Brakes: applications are longer to run, hang.
• 🔔 Lack of notifications (especially relevant for messengers).
• 🚫 Departures when trying to open.

🛠️ Solutions:

1. Move the app back to internal memory and clear its cache.
2. Use it. SD-class U3 (For example, SanDisk Extreme – it handles I/O operations faster.
3. Turn off battery optimization for the ported application in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
4. Check the file system: If the card is formatted in FAT32, move to exFAT (but note that Link2SD will not work).

⚠️ Note: If WhatsApp or Telegram stopped coming after transfer, try:

1. Go to the application settings and manually enable notifications.
2. Disable the power saving mode for the messenger in MIUI.
3. Reboot the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map 6 Pro