Transfer applications to memory card in Xiaomi: instructions for MIUI 14/13 and older versions

Why Xiaomi is limiting the portability of applications SD-map and what to do about it

Xiaomi smartphone owners sooner or later face a problem of lack of internal memory — especially if the device from the budget line of Redmi or POCO with 32/64 GB on board. The logical solution is to transfer heavy applications to a microSD card, but here users are waiting for an unpleasant surprise: in the latest versions of MIUI 13/14, this feature is either hidden or works selectively.

It’s about Android architecture and Google’s policy: starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, moving apps to the Internet. SD-The map is no longer a universal solution, and manufacturers including Xiaomi have limited this ability because of the fact that the card is not a universal solution:

• 🔒 security: SD-maps are easier to extract, which creates a risk of leakage of application data.
• ⚡ Performance: speed of reading/writing memory cards (even UHS-I) inferior to built-in memory eMMC/UFS.
• 🛠️ Stability: annexes to SD They can “fly out” when a card is removed or a file system crashes.

However, there are legal and non-obvious ways to get around these limitations, from built-in MIUI features to manual transfer via ADB. Next, we will analyze all the methods in steps, taking into account the features of different Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models.

Preparation: Which memory card is suitable for transferring applications

Not every microSD can do the "memory extension" role for applications.

• 📏 Speed class: not lower than Class 10 (optimally — UHS-I U1/U3 or A1/A2 randomly).
• 💾 Volume: from 32 GB (but better 64)+ GB, as part of the memory will take formatting).
• 🔄 Formatting: in only FAT32 exFAT (MIUI supportive NTFS).

⚠️ Note: If you use the card SDXC (It's usually 128GB or higher, and you have to format it in exFAT, either through your PC or your smartphone. MIUI It may not recognize the card as an internal memory».

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with H2testw (Windows) or F3 (Linux/macOS). Counterfeiting often has underrated speeds and “broken” sectors, which will lead to malfunctions when transferring applications.

💡

If you plan to port games, choose an A2-marked card—it’s 2-3 times faster at processing small files (like game cache) than a regular UHS-I.

Method 1: Built-in MIUI port to SD (for older versions)

MIUI 10-12 (and some POCO firmware) still had the option of porting apps through the settings menu, so if you have one of these versions, follow the instructions:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management

Select the app you want (such as Facebook)

Press Warehouse. → Move it to SD-map

Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 5 minutes)

Reboot your smartphone (required!)

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🔍 Where to look for a function in new versions? MIUI 13/14 This item is often hidden:

1. Press the application icon on the home screen → Information about the application → Storage.
2. Use the search in the settings on the request "move to sd".

⚠️ Note: Even if the button is moved to SD It is active, some applications (such as WhatsApp, Google Play Services) cannot be moved - they are blocked by developers).

Method 2: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method allows you to “deceive” the system, making it perceive SD-It's a card as part of the internal memory:

• ✅ Applications are installed on the card automatically (if selected in the settings).
• ✅ No portability restrictions (works even for system applications).

Cons:

• ❌ The card becomes attached to the device – it can not be retrieved without losing data.
• ❌ After extraction, the applications will stop working.
• ❌ Speed is lower than that of internal memory (especially noticeable in games).

📌 Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → [Your name is yours. SD-map] → Threefold (⋮) → Memory settings.
3. Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 10-20 minutes).
5. After formatting, select Move Data Now (optional).

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card will not be read on a PC or other phone without special utilities (e.g. DiskInternals Linux Reader). It is also not recommended to use this method on cards with a volume of less than 64 GB – the system will take up to 30% of the space for service files.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the built-in methods don’t work, it’s manually ported over the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC and basic command-line skills, but allows you to migrate any application, including system ones.

🛠️ What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Google's Platform Tools utility (includes adb).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with the platform-tools.
5. Check the connection: Adb devices (should display the serial number of your device).
6. Run the port command (replace com.example.app with the application package): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

🔍 How to find the application package? Use the App Inspector utility (from Google Play) or the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

For example, for Facebook, the package would be com.facebook.katana.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Store or Google Play Store) MIUI Security cannot be transferred, the system will return the error Failure [NOT_MOVED: -24]. Also after the transfer through ADB You can’t update the app – you need to return it to your internal memory first.

💡

Moving over ADB is the only way to move system applications (like Camera or Gallery), but it takes caution: the wrong commands can disrupt MIUI.

Method 4: Bypassing restrictions with Link2SD (Root)

If you have root rights, the most powerful solution is the Link2SD app, which allows you to:

• 🔗 Transfer any applications (including system applications).
• 🗃️ Create symbolic links (symlink) to save space.
• 🧹 Clear cache and unnecessary files in 1 click.

📌 Instructions:

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. Provide root access (via Magisk or SuperSU).
3. Select the file system for the second partition SD-map (ext2/ext3/ext4 or FAT32).
4. Reset the device.
5. In the list of applications, select the desired → Create a link → Transfer to SD.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right Link2SD This can cause data loss or a cyclical reboot of your smartphone.Before you transfer system applications (for example, com.android.settings) make a backup through TWRP.

💡 Alternative without root: AppMgr III (former App2SD) can transfer some of the data to SD without superuser rights, but does not work with all applications.

What to do if the application is not portable or crashes after the transfer

Even after successful portability, some applications may:

• 🚫 Refuse to start (Error "Application not installed»).
• 🐢 Brake or hang.
• 🔄 Reset settings after rebooting.

🔧 Solutions to common problems:

💡 Tip: If the game or application slows down after the transfer, try it:

1. Clear the app cache (Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear the cache).
2. Turn off background activity for this application.
3. Transfer it back to internal memory (if the brakes are critical).

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to SD in Xiaomi