Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 sooner or later face a shortage of internal memory — especially if you are actively installing games, messengers or multimedia applications. Even with 64 GB on board, the system and cache occupy the lion’s share of space, leaving the user only a few gigabytes for new files. The solution seems obvious: transfer applications to a microSD card. But here the difficulties begin.
Unlike older versions of Android, modern firmware MIUI (12–14, especially) limit the ability to directly port applications to SD-This is related to Google's security policy and performance optimization, but there are workarounds, and we'll go through them in detail, including manually migrating through settings, using the tools. ADB, And it's also a little bit of an Adoptable Storage thing, and it's important to understand that not all apps can be moved, and some apps can be moved, and some applications can be unstable.
This article will help you:
- 🔍 Discover why Redmi Note 7 does not allow you to transfer applications to the default memory card.
- 📱 Choose the best transfer method depending on the version MIUI type SD-map.
- ⚠️ Avoid errors that lead to application crashes or data loss.
- 🔧 Set up a memory card as an internal storage (if it’s suitable for your tasks).
Why Redmi Note 7 does not allow you to move applications SD-map?
With the release of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage – the ability to format SD-The card is part of the internal memory, but in MIUI This function works with reservations:
- 🛡️ Security: Annexes to SD-It is easier to steal or replace the card, especially if the card is retrieved.
- ⚡ Performance: Memory cards in the class below A1/A2 slow down applications.
- 🔄 Fragmentation: MIUI Optimized for working with internal storage (UFS 2.1 in Redmi Note 7, not with slow microSD.
- 📦 Developer restrictions: Many apps (such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services) block portability for data protection purposes.
As a result, in the standard settings of Redmi Note 7, the option to transfer applications to the SD-The map is either missing or only available for individual programs, but that doesn't mean that the solution is impossible, it just requires additional actions.
⚠️ Note: Transferring system applications (e.g., com.miui.home or com.android.settings) can cause a cyclical reboot of the phone. Never move programs marked "System" in the settings.
What memory card is right for Redmi Note 7?
Not every microSD can handle the role of storage for applications. Three parameters are critical for the Redmi Note 7:
| Characteristics | Minimum requirement | Recommended option |
|---|---|---|
| Class speed | Class 10 (10 MB/s) | A2 (4000 IOPS) |
| Volume. | 16GB | 64–128 GB (for games and heavy applications) |
| Format | FAT32 or exFAT | exFAT (for files >4 GB) |
| Brand | Anybody. | SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO Plus, Kingston Canvas Go! |
If you plan to use the card as internal storage (via Adoptable Storage), its speed should be at least A1. Class 10 cards without marking A1/A2 are suitable only for storing media files, but not for applications.
How do you check a card class? On a microSD case, look for a logo with a number inside an "A" (like "A2") or an "App Performance" label. If there are no such labels, the card is not optimized for applications.
💡
Before buying a memory card, check it for counterfeit with H2testw (Windows) or F3 (Linux/macOS).
Method 1: Transfer applications through standard MIUI settings
This method only works for individual applications that support portability, most often lightweight utilities, small-cache games or instant messengers (such as Telegram), system programs and most games from Google Play will not be able to transfer this way.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook).
- Slip on Warehouse.
- If the option is available, click Change and select Memory Card.
- Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).
If the Change button is inactive or absent, it means:
- 🚫 The application does not support portability (most games and system programs).
- 🔒 The memory card is formatted as a portable storage (you need to make it internal).
- 📵 Version. MIUI Blocks the function (relevant for firmware based on Android 10)+).
Memory card inserted and recognized by the system |
The amount of free space on the map exceeds the size of the application |
The application is not system (not marked "System")|
Version. MIUI No older than 14 (on new firmware, the option may not be available)-->
⚠️ Note: After the application has been moved to SD-The card's widgets may stop working and notifications may come with a delay, which is because the system downloads data from the card more slowly than from internal memory.
Method 2: Using ADB for Forced Transfer
If the standard method didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system where to install applications, which requires connecting the phone to your computer, but gives you more control.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or certified).
- 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google or via Google) SDK Platform Tools).
- 📱 Redmi Note 7 includes Developer Mode and Debugging USB.
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.
File transfer
cmd
Terminal
adb devicesIf the device appears in the list, go ahead. If not, check the drivers.
com.facebook.katana
Play Market
adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"adb shell pm set-install-location 2Attention!
new applications
specific
adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katanaCritical nuance: after using pm set-install-location 2, all future applications will be installed on the computer. SD-A map that could cause them to be unstable, so to get back to the original settings, just do it:
adb shell pm set-install-location 0What to do if ADB It's a mistake. [NOT_MOVED]"
Method 3: Formatting a memory card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage)
This method allows you to combine a memory card with an internal drive, making it a full-fledged part of the system, but it has serious drawbacks:
- 🔒 The card cannot be retrieved without data loss (it will be encrypted).
- ⚠️ Once formatted, it will not be used in other devices.
- ⚡ Application speed may drop (depending on the card class).
How to set up:
- Insert the memory card in the Redmi Note 7.
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
- Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 64GB).
- In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Storage Settings.
- Select Internal Memory and follow the instructions on the screen.
- Once formatted, the phone will reboot and the card will become part of the internal storage.
All new applications will be installed by default on SD-However, some programs (e.g. Google Play Services or Google Play Services) MIUI Launcher will still remain in internal memory.
💡
Formatting a card as an internal storage is an irreversible process, and then you can't read it on a computer or any other phone without completely erasing the data, and only use this method if you're sure that the card will be permanently on the phone.
Errors and problems when transferring applications to SD-map
Even if you did everything right, you might have a problem.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Application is not portable (button is inactive) | Application system or blocked by the developer | Use ADB or refuse to carry |
| After the transfer, the application flies out | Memory card too slow (class below A1) | Buy a Class A2 card or move the app back |
| Phone does not see card after formatting as internal | Encryption error or file system incompatibility | Reformat the map through Settings → Storage or reset the phone to factory settings |
| There is not enough space on the map, although it is almost empty. | MIUI reserves space for cache and updates | Clean the cache in Settings → Storage → Cleanup |
If you have stopped updating your apps through Google Play after the transfer, try:
- Clear the cache and Play Market data (Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage).
- Transfer the application back to internal memory, update it, and then transfer it back to the internal memory. SD-map.
- Remove and reinstall the problem application.
⚠️ Note: If you use Adoptable Storage and decide to reset the Redmi Note 7 to factory settings, the memory card will also be formatted!
Alternative ways to free up memory on the Redmi Note 7
If the applications are transferred SD-The card is not helpful or impossible, consider other options:
- 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clean up and delete unnecessary files, especially Facebook, Instagram and instant messengers accumulate a lot of garbage.
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive. Set up automatic download to Settings → Google → Backup.
- 🔄 Moving media files: Music, movies and documents can be manually moved to SD-A card via any file manager (e.g., Mi File Explorer).
- 🗑️ Remove unnecessary applications: Programs like Clean Master or duplicate messengers often take up space without benefit. → Annexes.
- 🔧 Factory reset: The last method if the phone is clogged with no one knows what. Don't forget to make a backup! Path: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.
Advice for gamers: Many games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty allow you to upload additional files (cache, cards) to SD-This is the map:
- Start the game.
- Go to the game settings (usually under "Storage" or "Additional").
- Select the option to Change the boot location and specify SD-map.