How to transfer applications to memory card Xiaomi Redmi 8A: all the ways and limitations

Xiaomi Redmi 8A is a budget smartphone with limited internal memory, which often causes problems for users. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system can give a notification of space shortage. The solution is to transfer applications to a microSD card. But unlike the newer models, there are nuances: MIUI 10/11/12 does not support full portability of all applications, and some methods require root rights.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways - from standard functions. MIUI prior to alternative solutions using ADB You'll learn which applications can be ported without risk, which will remain in internal memory, and how to avoid common errors when working with the computer. SD-map 8A.

Preparation: which memory card to choose for Xiaomi 8A

The Redmi 8A supports cards up to 256 GB, but not all models work equally well with different speed classes. The best choice is UHS-I Class 10 or A1/A2 cards (for example, SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO Plus), which provide stable read/write speeds, which is critical for application operation.

⚠️ Note: Cheap cards without certification can cause lags or even data corruption. Check for specific model reviews before buying - some users complain about problems with Kingston Canvas Select and Silicon Power on Redmi 8A.

• 📌 Minimum Requirements: Class 4 or higher, but Class 10 is better for apps.
• 🔄 Formatting: The card needs to be formatted as internal memory (if you plan to port applications) or as portable storage (file only).
• ⚡ Speed: Cards marked with A2 Work faster with small files (ideal for applications).

If you have already inserted a card, check its speed using the A1 SD Bench app (available on Google Play), results below 10 MB/s when randomly recorded indicate that the card is not suitable for porting applications.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in function. MIUI. But it doesn't work with all applications. Developers can block the portability of the app. SD-card if the application requires high speed data access (for example, games or instant messengers).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Click Warehouse → Change (if the option is active).
4. Select a Memory Card and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: After porting, some apps may run slower or give up update errors due to Android's restrictions on access to external drives. For example, WhatsApp and Telegram often refuse to work correctly with the device. SD-map.

Make sure the card is formatted as internal memory |

Check the vacant space for SD-card (needs a minimum of 1.5)× size)|

Close the portable application (it should not work in the background)|

Backup of important application data

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Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to migrate even those applications for which the option is blocked in the settings, but it requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 8A: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (you can download from Google) and open the command line.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Find out the batch name of the app (for example, for Facebook it is com.facebook.katana).
6. Run the port command (replace package.name with real name): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package package.name

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (such as Google Play Services) cannot be ported, which will cause malfunctions in the smartphone. ADB Applications may not be updated automatically.

Method 3: Using a memory card as internal storage

If you are willing to sacrifice portability SD-And if you're going to use a card, you can make it part of the phone's internal memory, and then Android will think of it as a second partition, and most apps can be moved there:

• 🔒 The card cannot be retrieved without data loss (it will be encrypted).
• 📉 Application speed may decrease (depending on the card class).
• 🔄 After formatting, all data from the card will be deleted.

How to set up:

1. Put the map in Redmi 8A.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
3. Press Set up. → Internal memory.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (the phone will suggest transferring the data and restarting).

Important: After this operation, the card will be tied to the phone and will not be read on other devices without formatting.

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If, after transferring the application to SD-It's starting to slow down, so try to clear the cache in the settings, and sometimes it solves the problem without having to return the application to internal memory.

Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map

Even with ADB, some applications remain "unbearable" due to Android's security policies or the way the programs work, and here's a list of categories that will almost always remain in internal memory:

If you are critically short of space, consider alternative solutions:

• 🗑️ Delete cache and unnecessary files through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• ☁️ Transfer photos and videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Use of the Lite mode function in MIUI for lightweight versions of applications.

Errors and problems when transferring applications to SD-map

Even with the right actions, Redmi 8A users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to solve them:

1. The "Not enough space" error is when you transfer it, and the reason is that the card is formatted as a portable storage, not as internal memory. Solution: reformat it through your phone's settings.
2. The app doesn't update after the transfer. Cause: Google Play can't write data to SD-Solution: temporarily transfer the application back to internal memory, update it, then return it to the map.
3. The smartphone can't see. SD-The card is formatted as internal memory, and the reason is file system incompatibility or encryption error, solution: remove the card, paste it into the PC, format it into the computer. FAT32 And repeat the procedure on your phone.
4. Apps crash or slow down, because the memory card is slow, so you can either replace the card with an A2 model or move the problem apps back.

If none of these methods worked, check the status of the file system of the card. To do this, connect it to the PC and run the command in Command Prompt (for Windows):

chkdsk X: /f

(where X is the letter of your disk SD-map).

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Before any manipulations with SD-Backup the data with the card. Formatting or crashing can cause information to be lost.

Alternative solutions: how to free up space without transferring applications

If the applications are transferred SD-The card didn’t solve the memory shortage problem, consider other methods of optimizing storage on Redmi. 8A:

• 🧹 Cache cleaning: In Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up can remove unnecessary temporary files, such as the cache of Google Play Services often takes several gigabytes.
• 📂 Media Transfer: Photos and videos can be moved manually to the map through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Set up an automatic photo upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, and then delete local copies.
• 🔄 Lite versions of apps: Install lightweight versions of instant messengers (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) and other programs.
• 🗑️ Removing duplicates: Apps like Files by Google help you find and delete duplicate files.

It's also worth checking which apps take up the most space.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Delete or clear the data of unnecessary programs.

For example, maps in Google Maps or offline playlists in Spotify can take up gigabytes of memory and can be deleted without losing the functionality of the application.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to Xiaomi 8A