How to transfer applications to a memory card on Xiaomi Redmi: all working ways

Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with a 32 or 64 GB drive. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system can issue a notification “Memory is full”, blocking the installation of new applications. The solution seems obvious to transfer programs to a microSD card, but in modern versions of MIUI this feature is either hidden or works with restrictions.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi Redmi card including Note models 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C Let’s explain why some methods stopped working after Android. 9+, And you'll also learn how to format the memory card correctly, which applications you'll never be able to migrate, and what to do if the system doesn't see. SD-card.

Why Xiaomi Redmi does not allow you to transfer applications to the memory card?

With the release of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has introduced Adoptable Storage, which allows you to use the app. SD-However, manufacturers including Xiaomi have gradually abandoned this option for several reasons:

• 🔹 Security: Annexes to SD-It is easier to steal or replace the card, especially if the card is retrieved.
• 🔹 Performance: Class Memory Cards A1/A2 slower-than-integrated memory UFS/eMMC, What's holding back programs.
• 🔹 Fragmentation: Frequently write/delete files on SD causes her to wear out quickly.
• 🔹 Google policy: With Android 9 Pie, Adoptable Storage has been removed from public API.

V MIUI 12/13/14 portability SD-The map is either missing or only available for individual programs (e.g. Google Photos or Galery), but there are ways to get around these limitations.

What memory card to choose for Xiaomi Redmi?

Not every microSD is suitable for porting applications.

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to use SD-The card is an internal drive (via Adoptable Storage), you have to format it, and all the data on it will be deleted.

How to check card speed? Install the A1 SD Bench app from Google Play and run the test. If the write speed is below 10 MB/s, the card is not suitable for porting applications.

Method 1: Transfer applications through MIUI settings (official method)

This method only works for individual applications that support porting to the SD-map (usually messengers, galleries and some games:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, the Change button will appear. → choose SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

🔴 Limitations:

• 🚫 Most system applications (Mi Browser, Security) cannot be migrated.
• 🚫 Cache games (e.g, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact are often refused to work with the company. SD.
• 🚫 After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.

Method 2: Use of the SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method allows for the “combination» SD-It's a card with internal memory, but it doesn't work on all Xiaomi Redmi models, like the Redmi Note 10 Pro (MIUI 13) the option may not be available, but on Redmi 9A (MIUI 12) - be available. Procedures for action:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Tap by name. SD-map → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
4. Choose your internal memory (if you have an option).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen. The phone will prompt you to format the map (all data will be deleted!).
6. After formatting, restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: After this procedure:

• 🔄 The card cannot be removed without resetting the phone to the factory settings.
• 📉 Application speeds can drop by 20-40% (depending on class) SD-map).
• 🔧 Some apps (e.g. Netflix, banking programs) will refuse to install on the Internet. SD.

Method 3: Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)

If you don't have portability in the settings, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and a developer mode enabled.

Step 1. Enable debugging over USB:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to activate the developer mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate Debugging on USB.

Step 2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
4. Check the connection: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. Enter the port command (replace package.name to the application package name): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (this will force the system to install new applications on the SD by default).
6. To transfer the already installed application: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

📌 How to find out the name of the application package? Install App Inspector from Google Play or use the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f

💡

If the pm move-package command returns the error [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed, so the application does not support portability. Try other methods or use Link2SD (described in the method 4).

Method 4: Forced transfer applications (Link2SD, App2SD)

If the official methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 🔗 Link2SD — It creates symbolic links, it tricks the system. It requires root rights.
• 📱 App2SD — transfers cache and application data (works without root, but with restrictions).
• 🛠️ FolderMount – mounts application folders on SD-map (need root).

Instructions for Link2SD:

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. Provide root access (if any).
3. Select the app from the list.
4. Tap Create a link → choose SD-map.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: When in use Link2SD:

• 🔐 Some apps (like Google Pay) may stop working due to data breaches.
• 🔄 After Android update, links may break – you will have to reconfigure.
• 📛 Xiaomi Phone Warranty Cancelled When Getting Root Rights.

Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Even with all the methods, some programs are not portable to external drives, and here is the full list:

💡 What do you do when you want to make room? Instead of moving these apps:

• 🗑️ Clean the cache manually (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• ☁️ Transfer media files (photos, videos) to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🔄 Use the Lite mode function in MIUI for lightweight versions of applications.

💡

Transfer of system and banking applications to SD-The card is not only impossible, but also dangerous – this can lead to data theft or blocking of accounts.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi Redmi users often face problems. Consider the most common:

Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi Redmi

If the application portability is not helpful or impossible, use these methods:

• 🧹 Cleaning up garbage: Launch Security → Cleaning (deletes temporary files, cache, duplicates).
• 📂 File portability: Move your photos/video to the cloud or PC. Use Mi Mover (Settings) → Additionally. → Mi Mover).
• 🎮 Optimization of games: In Game Turbo (Settings) → Special facilities → Game Turbo: Enable compression of game textures.
• 🔄 Lite versions of applications: Install lightweight versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🗃️ Archiving of rarely used programs: C Settings → Select Archive (the application will remain but free up space).

📊 Tip: Regularly check the occupied space in Settings → Warehouse → Storage analysis. Often the culprits of memory overflow are the ones who are responsible:

• 📸 Google Photos (cache of thumbnails)
• 🎵 Spotify/Yandex Music (downloaded tracks)
• 📱 Telegram (saved media files)