Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but its main problem is familiar to many: only 16 GB of internal memory (in the basic version), of which about 10 GB is available to the user. When installing 10-15 applications and several games, free space melts before your eyes. The solution seems obvious - to transfer data to a microSD card, but here owners are waiting for pitfalls: not all applications support transfer, and MIUI imposes its limitations.
In this article, we will discuss all working methods for transferring applications to SD-map 4X, including official methods through settings, circumventing restrictions ADB, And also alternatives like creating an internal drive from a flash drive, and we'll focus on the specifics of the firmware. MIUI 8-14, because the algorithm of actions may vary depending on the version of the shell. If you are tired of constant notifications about memory shortages, this guide is for you.
Why Xiaomi Redmi is on the run 4X You can't just transfer applications to the SD-map?
Unlike many Android smartphones, where porting apps to a memory card is done out of the box, the Redmi 4X (like other MIUI devices) has severe limitations, and the reasons are rooted in three key factors:
- 🔒 Security policy MIUI: Xiaomi blocks the portability of system and some user applications to avoid operating system failures. For example, com.miui.home (launcher) or com.android.phone (phone) will never be able to move.
- 📱 Android 6.0 Marshmallow: Redmi Architecture 4X It runs on this version of the OS, where Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage (internal drive from the computer). SD), But the manufacturers can turn it off. Xiaomi has gone down this path.
- 💾 File system limitations: Format memory cards FAT32 • do not support files larger than 4GB, and exFAT may not work smoothly on older versions MIUI.
Also, even if the application is theoretically portable, its performance may fall: SD-Cards (especially Class Class) 4/6) It is slower than the built-in eMMC memory. 5.0, It's critical for games or heavy software, and it only makes sense for lightweight utilities like messengers or readers or media files.
⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-The card can cause them to work in an unstable way after the smartphone is restarted. Some programs (such as widgets) may stop working altogether.
What memory card should I choose for Redmi 4X?
Before you start transferring, make sure your SD-The card meets the requirements. 4X Supports microSD up to 256 GB (officially up to 128 GB, but tests confirm the work and with 256 GB), but there are nuances:
| Parameter | Recommended value | Why is it important? |
|---|---|---|
| Class speed | Class 10 or UHS-I (U1/U3) | Cards below Class 10 slow down when writing, which is critical for apps. |
| File system | exFAT (for cards >32 GB) | FAT32 does not support >4GB files, and NTFS is not Android readable. |
| Brand | SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston | Cheap no-name cards are often forged, resulting in data loss. |
| Volume. | 64–128 GB | 32GB will fill up quickly, and 256GB may not justify the investment. |
If your card is already formatted in FAT32, it can be reformatted to exFAT via a computer (Windows/macOS) or directly in your smartphone.
- Insert the card in Redmi 4X.
- Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
- Click Format → as an internal drive (if needed) or select exFAT manually.
⚠️ Attention: Formatting erases all data on the map! backup important files in advance.
Method 1: Transfer applications through standard MIUI settings
This is the easiest method, but it doesn’t work for all apps. Xiaomi only allows you to port programs that support this feature at the Android level.
- Open the Settings → Applications.
- Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
- Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.
If no Modify, the application does not support portability, usually for:
- 📱 System utilities (Settings, Phone, Messages).
- 🎮 High-demand games (PUBG, Genshin Impact).
- 🔒 Annexes with DRM-Security (Netflix, banking programs).
If the Change button is active but gray, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
- 🗃️ Clear the application cache (Storage) → Clear the cache).
- 📥 Update the application to the latest version.
Make sure the memory card is inserted and recognized
Check the free space on SD (>1 GB)
Close the application you want to transfer
Disable Auto-Update Apps in Play Market-->
Method 2: Using ADB for forced transfer (for experienced)
If the standard method didn’t work, you can try forced migration via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and basic command-line knowledge, but bypasses the limitations of MIUI for some applications.
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Download ADB: Windows: Platform Tools from Google. macOS/Linux: install via brew install android-platform-tools or sudo apt install adb.
- Open the command line in the ADB folder and type: Adb devices Make sure your Redmi 4X appears in the list.
- Run the port command (replace com.example.app with the application package): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.example.app set-install-location 2 - forcibly installs all new applications on SD. move-package - transfers a specific application.
To find out the application package, use the command:
adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"For WhatsApp, the package is com.whatsapp.
⚠️ Attention: Not all applications work properly after forced transfer. Widgets can disappear, and notifications can come with a delay!