How to transfer applications from Xiaomi phone to a flash drive: all ways with explanations

Transferring apps to a flash drive in Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face when there is a lack of internal memory. MIUI It offers built-in tools for working with SD-And in this article, we're going to look at three working ways: through system settings, using the standard methods. ADB and with the help of third-party utilities.

It is important to understand that portability depends on the version of MIUI, smartphone model and type of flash drive. For example, on devices with MIUI 12+ and later, some functions may be limited due to Xiaomi’s security policy.

If you use a flash drive as internal memory (Adoptable Storage format), then porting applications will be easier, but this will require full formatting of the card and can reduce its speed. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances so that you can choose the best option for your model – whether it is Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 or the flagship Xiaomi 13 series.

1. Preparation of the flash drive: formatting and selection of the file system

Before transferring applications, it is necessary to properly prepare SD-It depends on whether you can use it as an extension of internal memory or only for storing files. Xiaomi supports two basic modes of working with flash drives:

• 📁 Portable storage – the card is used as a removable drive (file system) FAT32 Applications cannot be ported, only media files.
• 🔄 Internal memory – the card is formatted as part of the system (file system) ext4), So, this formatting process, you can't read the map on other devices without formatting it again.

To select the mode, insert the flash drive into the smartphone and follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on your name. SD-map.
3. Select Settings → Format as internal memory (if you need application support).
4. Confirm the action – all data from the card will be deleted!

⚠️ Warning: Once formatted as internal memory, the flash drive cannot be removed without first "safely shutting down" in the settings.

If you choose portable storage mode, you can only transfer applications via ADB or third-party utilities (more on this below). For maximum compatibility, we recommend using A1 or A2 cards – they are optimized for working with applications and provide high read/write speeds.

Method 2: Transfer over MIUI settings (for supported applications)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, but it doesn’t work with all applications, such as system utilities (like Camera or Phone) and some games (like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) can’t be ported.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want to transfer.
3. Press Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, the Change button will appear – press it and select it. SD-map.

After the transfer, the application will work from a flash drive, but some data (such as a cache) may remain in internal memory.

• 🔄 The application can run slower if the flash drive has a low read/write speed.
• 📱 Not all widgets will appear on the home screen after the transfer.
• 🔒 System updates may reset storage settings for some applications.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) The transfer option may be hidden. In this case, try updating. MIUI Up to the latest version or use alternative methods.

Check for portability support for a specific application

Make sure there is enough space on the flash drive

Create a backup copy of the application data

Reboot the smartphone after the transfer-->

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the built-in MIUI settings do not allow you to transfer the desired application, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and knowing the basic commands, but allows you to bypass the limitations of the system.

Steps for transfer:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB drivers (for example, via Mi PC Suite) and open the command line.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
5. Find out the application package name (e.g., via App Inspector in MIUI or command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name"
6. Move the app to SD-Map by team: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 Then: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /storage/XXXX-XXXX (Replace com.example.app with a real package name. XXXX-XXXX on ID yours SD-The card can be found through adb shell ls. /storage).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works with applications that cannot be moved through settings.
• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ Allows you to transfer multiple applications at the same time.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires a computer and basic skills to work with ADB.
• ❌ Some applications may not work properly after the transfer.
• ❌ After updating MIUI settings may reset.

Method 3: Use of third-party utilities (App Mgr III, Link2SD)

If the first two methods do not work, you can use specialized applications from Google Play.

• 📦 App Mgr III — It allows you to port applications, clear cache, and manage permissions. ADB for extended functions.
• 🔗 Link2SD — It creates symbolic links, allowing you to trick the system into thinking that the application is in internal memory, even though it is actually on a USB drive.
• 📱 Files by Google – built-in file manager with memory analysis and recommendations for freeing up space (including by transferring media files).

Let’s look at the App Mgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide the necessary permissions.
3. Go to the User apps tab and select the desired application.
4. Press Move to SD card (if the option is active).
5. Confirm the transfer and restart the smartphone.

Link2SD requires:

1. Root access (for example, via Magisk).
2. Section SD-map ext2/ext3/ext4 (You can create it through the application itself).
3. Transfer applications through the utility interface.

⚠️ Attention: Use Link2SD On devices without root rights, it can lead to unstable system operation, and it is not recommended to port system applications, this can cause malfunctions. MIUI.

5. Limitations and problems when transferring applications to a flash drive

Even if you managed to transfer the app to SD-The following problems may arise in the map:

• 🐢 Slowdown of work – flash drives (especially Class Class) 10 marking A1/A2) have a low rate of random recording, which is critical for applications.
• 🔄 Update crashes – some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) may stop updating through Google Play after the transfer.
• 📵 Lack of notifications – widgets and background processes may not work properly.
• 🔒 Lockdown MIUI — On some firmware, Xiaomi automatically returns applications to internal memory after a reboot.

To minimize the risks:

• Use flash drives labeled A2 (such as SanDisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus).
• Do not carry applications that actively use notifications (messengers, email clients).
• Check updates for ported applications manually regularly.

If the application stopped working after the transfer, try:

1. Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps.
2. Return it to your inner memory and re-transfer it.
3. Reinstall the application from scratch.

💡

Before transferring games (such as Call of Duty Mobile or Free Fire) check if they support the game. SD-Many online games block the launch from external drives due to the risk of cheating.

6.Alternative ways to free up memory in Xiaomi

If transferring apps to a flash drive doesn’t solve the memory problem, consider alternative methods:

• 🧹 Cleaning the cache - in Settings → Memory. → Cleaning can remove unnecessary temporary files.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage – Move photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates – use Files by Google or CCleaner to find duplicate files.
• 🔄 Factory resets are the last resort if the memory is clogged with system debris!

MIUI also has a built-in Light Mode (Settings → Special Options → Light Mode) feature that reduces resource consumption and frees up memory due to a simplified interface.

For owners of smartphones with virtual memory support (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi K50), you can activate the RAM Expansion function in Settings → Additional → RAM Expansion. This will not free up internal memory, but will speed up the device by using part of the drive as RAM.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you migrate applications to a USB drive, users often encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Compatibility of your Xiaomi model with application portability (on some budget devices, for example, Redmi) 8A, This function can be disabled at the firmware level).
• 🔄 Version MIUI — in older versions (for example, MIUI 10) the transfer was more stable than in the new.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) that can block access to the app SD-map.

💡

If your goal is to make room for new apps, consider migrating only media files (photos, videos, music) to a USB drive, which is safer and doesn’t affect performance.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions