How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 4: 3 working ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4 sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal memory. Even after removing unnecessary files and cache applications continue to occupy precious megabytes. The solution is to transfer programs to a microSD card. But unlike modern smartphones, where this feature often works out of the box, on Redmi 4 with MIUI, the process has its own nuances.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of transferring applications – from standard system tools to manual methods using the use of applications. ADBYou will learn which programs can be moved and which will remain in internal memory, how to avoid errors in transfer and what to do if the system can not see. SD-We'll focus on the specifics of the firmware. MIUI 8-12, as the algorithm of actions differs depending on the version.

Important: Not all applications support portability, such as system utilities (com.miui.home, com.android.phone) and some pirate-protected games (Clash of Clans, PUBG Mobile) will remain on the internal drive, but even a partial transfer will free up to 30-50% of memory.

1.Preparation: Compatibility check and memory card selection

Before you port apps, make sure your Xiaomi Redmi 4 supports this feature. Since MIUI 9, portability has been limited, but workarounds remain.

• 📱 Version MIUI: Go to Settings → About → Phone → Version MIUI. If you have MIUI 8 or lower, the transfer is available via the standard menu. MIUI 9–12 will require ADB.
• 💾 Memory Card Type: Use a UHS-I (U1/U3) or Class 10 microSD with at least 16 GB. Cheap cards can slow down applications.
• 🔄 Formatting: The card must be formatted as a portable storage (not internal memory!). Otherwise, the application transfer will be blocked.

If you haven't already inserted a memory card, do it now. After you connect, go to Settings → Memory and make sure the system recognizes it. If the card is identified as "damaged," format it right on your phone (the data will be deleted!).

⚠️ Warning: Don't use a memory card that was previously formatted as internal memory on another device. Redmi 4 may not work properly with it. Always format the card directly on your phone where you plan to use it.

If you plan to port games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile), choose cards labeled A1 or A2 — they are optimized for running applications.

2 Method 1: Standard Transfer through Settings (MIUI 8 and below)

If your Redmi 4 has MIUI 8 or older installed, you can migrate applications without additional tools. This method is the easiest, but it doesn't work with all programs.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or WhatsApp).
3. Press the "Storage" button.
4. Slip on the "Change" option next to the "Memory" sign.
5. Select the Memory Card and confirm the transfer.

It takes 10 seconds to a few minutes, depending on the size of the application, and after the transfer, check if the program is working correctly. Some applications (such as VK or Instagram) may require re-entering the login.

⚠️ Warning: After transferring, do not remove the memory card while the application is running. This can cause crashes and deletion of data. If you need to remove the card, close all the transferred programs first.

Appendix supports portability (no gray paragraph "Modify")

Memory card formatted as portable storage

There is enough free space on the map (at least 1.5× of the application size).

Phone connected to charging (transferring large games drains battery)-->

If the "Change" button is inactive (grey), it means:

• 🚫 The app does not support portability (e.g. Google Play Services).
• 📵 The memory card is not recognized by the system as a removable drive.
• 🔒 The application is system-based (e.g., Mi Browser).

In such cases, proceed to Method 2 or Method 3.

3 Method 2: Transfer through ADB (for MIUI 9-12)

Since MIUI 9, Xiaomi has removed the ability to migrate applications through the GUI, but the feature has remained at the Android level, and it can be activated via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires a computer, but works on all versions of firmware.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Utility ADB (you can download from the official website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step 1: Enable debugging over USB

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the “Debugging by USB” switch.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your computer

• 🔌 Connect Redmi 4 and PC with cable.
• 📱 On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (not Charge).
• 🖥️ On your computer, open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB.

Step 3: Execute the commands to transfer

First, check the connection:

adb devices

If the phone is recognized (its serial number will appear), enter:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on the memory card by default, but the programs already installed will remain in place.

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard

Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find out through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

⚠️ Warning: Not all applications can be migrated through ADB. If you see a Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION] error after the command, then the program is locked for portability. Try another way.

💡

To find out the batch name of the application, install App Inspector from Google Play. It shows the Package Name for any program on the system.

After the transfer, restart the phone, check if the apps are working correctly, and if they are crashing or not opening, return them with the command:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app 0

4 Method 3: Manual transfer via Link2SD (for advanced users)

If the first two methods didn't work, try Link2SD, which creates symbolic links by tricking the system into thinking that the application is in internal memory when it's actually on the map, a tricky way to do it, but it's effective for MIUI 10-12.

What needs to be done:

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. Launch the app and grant root rights (if the phone is not rooted, this method will not work).
3. Select the app from the list and tap “Create a link”.
4. Check the boxes “Lib”, “Dex”, “Data” and confirm.

The advantages of Link2SD are:

• ✅ Works even with system applications (caution!).
• ✅ It does not require formatting the card as internal memory.
• ✅ Only a portion of the data (e.g., game cache) can be transferred.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires root rights (risk of losing warranty)
• ❌ If you do something wrong, you can damage the system.
• ❌ Some applications may not work after the transfer.

If you’re not willing to take risks, go back to Method 2 with ADB – it’s safer.

5. Which applications can be moved and which can not

Not all programs support memory card transfer, but here are the main limitations:

If you moved the app but it stopped working, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📥 Reinstall the program.
• 🔙 Put it back in your internal memory.

Features of transfer of games:

• 🎮 PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: portable, but can slow down on slow cards.
• 🎮 Genshin Impact: Not recommended to carry - requires high read speed.
• 🎮 Clash Royale: portable without problems.

💡

Transferring system applications (com.miui., com.android.) can lead to a phone "brick": Never move them without a backup!

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When porting applications, Redmi 4 users often face problems.

Mistake 1: “Not enough space on the memory card”

Reason: The card is formatted in FAT32, which does not support files larger than 4 GB.

1. Copy the data from the card to the computer.
2. Format it in exFAT via your phone or PC.
3. Move the data back.

Error 2: The app is moved but not opened

Causes and solutions:

• 🔹 Memory card too slow → Buy a class card U3.
• 🔹 Application locked → Return it to internal memory.
• 🔹 No permission to access → Reboot the phone.

Error 3: The Change button is inactive

Possible causes:

• 🔹 You have MIUI 9+ → Use ADB (Method 2).
• 🔹 Memory card is connected as internal → Reformat it as portable.
• 🔹 Application system → Transfer is not possible.

Error 4: Application data is missing after transfer

This happens if you transfer only a portion of the files (e.g., only APKs, but not data).

1. Delete the app.
2. Install it again by selecting the memory card as the installation location.

💡

If the app crashes after transfer, try clearing its cache: Settings → Apps → [Application Name] → Clear the cache.

7. Alternative ways to free up memory

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

• 🧹 Cache cleanup: Go to Settings → Memory → Clear cache. This will free up to 1-3 GB.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files: Use Files by Google or Mi File Manager to search for garbage.
• ☁️ Transfer media: Photos, videos and music manually to the map via Explorer.
• 🔄 Cloud Storage: Set up an automatic photo upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📦 Lite versions of applications: Install lightweight versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

For deep cleaning, use SD Maid (requires root):

1. Install SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Run the scan in the "CorpseFinder" section (search for remnants of remote programs).
3. Delete the unnecessary files.

If the internal memory is 90%+ full, the phone starts to slow down. Try to keep at least 2-3 GB free.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions