How to transfer applications from internal memory to SD-Xiaomi map: all ways to MIUI

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones with limited internal memory sooner or later face the problem of space shortage. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system stubbornly says, "Memory is full." The solution seems obvious - to move the applications to the Internet. SD-map, but in MIUI It's not as simple as it is on pure Android, and the manufacturer artificially restricts the functionality, citing safety and stability.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to transfer applications to an external drive in Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO — standard-tool MIUI bypasses with use ADB We also explain why some applications cannot be ported, and what to do if the system blocks this operation. SIM and SD-The map is divided by one nest and new versions MIUI 14/13, where the transfer function is further reduced.

Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?

Starting with MIUI 9, Xiaomi has been consistently reducing the ability to work with external drives. In the latest versions of firmware, the option to port applications to the Internet is not available. SD-The map is either completely missing or only available for a limited list of programs:

• 🔒 Data security: Annexes to the SD-It is easier to steal or replace the card, especially if the drive is retrieved and connected to other devices.
• ⚡ Performance: External memory cards (even class) A2) They work slower than the built-in eMMC/UFS, What's stopping the program from starting.
• 📱 Google policy: With Android version 6.0, transfer applications to SD-The card is not officially supported due to changes in the storage model (Adoptable Storage has been abolished).
• 💾 Memory Fragmentation: Frequent recording/deletion operations SD-The card leads to its rapid wear and reading errors.

However, there are workarounds, and let's look at them in terms of their effectiveness, from the simplest to the most radical.

Method 1: Standard portability through MIUI settings (if available)

Some versions of MIUI (usually up to MIUI 12) have a built-in application portability feature, which can be checked as follows:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, a button will appear to Move to SD-Card (or Change with the choice of storage location).

⚠️ Note: Even if the button is active, the transfer can result in an error:

• 📱 System applications (Mi Browser, Mi Music, Security, etc.).
• 🔐 Applications with administrator rights (antiviruses, password managers).
• 🎮 Games with protection from piracy (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile).

If the button is not at all, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Formatting SD-The card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage)

This method allows you to “deceive” the system, making it perceive SD-It's important that once formatted, the card can't be retrieved without losing data, it's tied to the device:

1. Put it in. SD-Card to smartphone (preferably a class) A2 or UHS-I speed).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Tap by name. SD-map → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
4. Choose Format as internal and confirm the action.
5. After formatting, restart the device.

Now, when you install new applications, the system will ask you to choose a storage location, so you can transfer the programs that are already installed:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app → Warehouse → Change.
3. Indicate. SD-card.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after this formatting, you may have lags when you run the transferred applications, and you can't retrieve the map, which will lead to the collapse of the transferred programs.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but allows you to migrate even those applications that MIUI blocks.

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install. ADB-PC drivers.
• 📱 Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode (7 taps by Assembly Number in Settings) → The phone).
• Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.

Step 2: Connect and commands:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer mode).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices should appear serial number of the device.
4. Find out the package name of the application (for example, for WhatsApp - com.whatsapp): adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name"
5. Move the app to SD-map: adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp /storage/XXXX-XXXX Instead XXXX-XXXX specify ID yours SD-maps (you can find the command adb shell ls) /storage).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Google Play Services or Mi Account) cannot be migrated even through the Internet. ADB — The system will return the Failure error. [NOT_MOVABLE]. Also, after the transfer, widgets and notifications may stop working.

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If the move-package command doesn't work, try an alternative method: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (sets it up). SD-Map as the default location for new apps).

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (App Mgr III, Link2SD)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use specialized utilities.

• 📌 App Mgr III (App Manager: Allows you to port apps, clear cache, and manage autorun. Requires root permissions for full functionality. Download from Google Play. Open the Move to SD-card tab. Select apps and tap Move.
• 🔗 Link2SD: Creates symbolic links by tricking the system, only works on rooted devices, and then reboot to recovery and create a second partition on the system. SD-map (through Link2SD). Move the apps to the Link to menu SD.

⚠️ Note: Google Play apps can block work on root devices (e.g. Netflix, Pokémon GO, Banking software, also after use Link2SD keep out SD-map – this will lead to the collapse of transferred applications.

Method 5: Alternative solutions (if transfer is not possible)

If none of these methods work, consider alternatives:

• 🗃️ Cleaning cache and unnecessary files: Use the built-in Cleanup utility MIUI (Settings → Warehouse → Clean up! Remove the app cache manually through Settings → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move media files (photos, videos) to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive. Set up automatic file upload to the cloud (the Xiaomi Gallery has a built-in option).
• 🔄 Factory reset: An extreme measure, but sometimes helps to return a "clean" system without debris.Before reset, back up through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 📱 Replacement SD-Xiaomi models support cards up to 1 TB (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+). Choose class cards for speed A2 or UHS-II.

If your smartphone supports you OTG, You can connect the external SSD-This is true for flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3), where read/write speed is critical.

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Transfer of applications to SD-A card in Xiaomi is always a compromise between free space and stability. If your smartphone slows down after transferring, return the apps back to internal memory or consider buying a model with a large amount of storage (for example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro).+ 512GB).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you migrate applications, you're going to have a typical problem, and we're going to look at some of the most common ones.

If after the transfer, applications start to fly out or do not update, try:

1. Clear their cache (Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear the cache).
2. Reinstall the application by selecting internal memory.
3. Disable battery optimization for the transferred application.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions