How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Xiaomi’s internal memory gets clogged over time even when used carefully: app cache, updates, media files and programs themselves take up precious gigabytes. The microSD card seems like the perfect solution — cheap storage expansion, but with MIUI it’s not that simple. Unlike pure Android, Xiaomi’s firmware limits the portability of applications, and on new versions (MIUI 14/15) the function may not be on the menu at all. Why is this happening and how to get around the restrictions?

This article will not just list the steps to port – we will take a look at all available methods (including hidden ones), explain why some applications can’t be moved, and caution against errors that lead to crashes. You will learn how to prepare a memory card for use as internal storage, which programs support transfer and which do not, and what to do if the system blocks the operation. 12/13, POCO X5, Mi 11 Lite and others.

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

Since Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has introduced Adoptable Storage, which allows you to format a memory card as part of internal storage, but Xiaomi has deliberately blocked or complicated this process in its firmware.

• 🔹 Productivity: SD-cards (especially class) UHS-I or lower) are slower than the internal memory eMMC/UFS. This slows down applications and the system.
• 🔹 Security: Memory cards are easier to retrieve, which increases the risk of data theft or crashes in a sudden shutdown.
• 🔹 Fragmentation: MIUI optimized for internal memory and transfer to SD may cause lag.
• 🔹 Google Policy: With Android 9+ Google recommends developers to block the transfer of applications to external media.

However, limitations can be avoided. For example, in MIUI 12 and older, the portability function is hidden, but is available through ADB or third-party utilities, and on some models (for example, Redmi 9A), it is not at all - only formatting the card as internal storage will help.

Preparation of a memory card: which class to choose and how to format

Not every memory card is suitable for porting applications.

• 📌 Class speed: UHS-I (U1/U3) or A1/A2 (optimally — A2 fast-paced).
• 📌 Volume: From 32 GB (but better 64 GB)+, Because part of the memory will be taken up by the system).
• 📌 Format: exFAT or FAT32 (Adoptable Storage will require a redesign of the EXT4).

Before use:

1. Back up the data from the card – when formatting everything will be deleted.
2. Insert the card in the smartphone and wait for the identification of the system.
3. If Xiaomi offers to use the card as portable storage or internal memory, choose the second option (but note that after that the card will not be removed without resetting the settings!).

Note: If you select the option "Inner Memory", the system formats the card in EXT4 and encrypts it. After that, the card will not be read on other devices (even on a PC) without special utilities, and its removal from the smartphone can lead to the collapse of applications that are ported to it.

Method 1: Transfer over MIUI settings (for supported models)

This method works on MIUI 10–13 and some devices with MIUI 14/15, but only if the manufacturer has not blocked the function.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. Slip it on the Warehouse.
4. If there is a button, move to SD-If you don't have a button, you can go to the following ways.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all applications support portability (e.g., system or high performance requirements).
• 🚫 Some of the data (cache, updates) may remain in internal memory.
• 🚫 Nana MIUI 14/15 The button is often missing even on supported models.

Method 2: Formatting a card as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

If your Xiaomi does not allow you to migrate applications through settings, you can make the system perceive SD-It's a radical method, and then you can't use it on other devices without formatting it in full.

Instructions:

1. Put the card in your smartphone and wait for its identification.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Tap your name. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
5. Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
6. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Once formatted as internal memory, the system will automatically prompt you to transfer some of the data and applications to the map, but some programs (such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services) will still remain in internal memory.

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If the applications are not portable after formatting as internal memory, try restarting your smartphone. Sometimes it takes time for MIUI to "see" the new storage.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If you don't have a port button on the menu and don't want to format the card as internal memory, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works on most versions of MIUI, but requires a PC connection.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and utility ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 💾 Memory card formatted as portable storage (not internal!).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

1. This will set the priority of installation on SD-Map for new applications. To transfer already installed, use:

pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard

(Replace com.example.app with a batch name for the app, such as com.whatsapp).

Limitations ADB-method:

• 🚫 Not all applications support portability (especially system applications).
• 🚫 After updating MIUI settings may reset.
• 🚫 Some programs (for example, Google Play Store) block work from external memory.

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The pm set-install-location 2 command does not guarantee 100% transfer, it only indicates the system to try to install new applications. SD-Success depends on the application's own external storage support.

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If previous methods have failed, you can try specialized apps from Google Play, which do not require superuser rights, but their options are limited:

Important: Most utilities cannot transfer application data (for example, saving games or setting up instant messengers) – only themselves APK-This means that after the transfer, the application may require re-authorization or downloading additional data.

What to do if the application is not portable?

Even after all the manipulations, some programs refuse to move to the Internet. SD-Causes and solutions:

• 🔸 Application blocked by developer: Many programs (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, bank clients) explicitly prohibit transfer in manifesto. ADB root.
• 🔸 Lack of space on the map: Check the free space – sometimes the system requires a reserve of 1-2 GB for temporary files.
• 🔸 Map formatted as portable: Adoptable Storage is required to transfer system applications (see Method 2).
• 🔸 MIUI Blocks the operation: On some firmware (for example, global firmware) MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10) the transfer is disabled at the kernel level. EU-rum or rollback to an older version.

Alternatives:

• 📲 Cache cleaning: In Settings → Apps select the program and click Clear cache. This will free up to 1-5 GB without transfer.
• 📲 Moving media: Photos, videos and music can be manually transferred to SD-map.
• 📲 Using Cloud Storage: Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive will help relieve internal memory.

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If you’re critically short of space, consider buying a smartphone with a lot of internal storage. For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offers up to 512GB of UFS 3.1, which solves the problem once and for all.

Mistakes and solutions: what to do if the transfer fails

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi users often encounter errors. Consider the most common:

⚠️ Note: If, after transferring the application to SD-It starts to fly out or slow down, and you put it back in the internal memory, which means that the speed of the card is not enough to make the program work properly (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact and messengers (Viber, Telegram).

⚠️ Attention: Don't pull out SD-card formatted as internal memory, without pre-mounting in settings (Settings) → Warehouse → SD-map → Otherwise, you risk losing data or causing application failure.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving apps to Xiaomi