Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a critical shortage of built-in storage, especially in the entry-to-mid-price models, where internal storage is limited to 32 or 64 gigabytes. Android-based MIUI 11 doesn’t allow programs to be installed by default, which causes users many questions and frustrations. However, there is a proven way to get around this limitation by turning a regular flash card into a full-fledged extension of the system partition, which radically changes the experience of using the device.
The transfer process requires careful and rigorous sequence of actions, as interference with system partitions of memory is always fraught with risks. In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical aspects of the Android file system, prepare the necessary tools and implement the Adoptable Storage function Step-by-step. You will learn how to make the hardware work to the limit without obtaining root rights using only standard debugging and command line capabilities.
Before you start active actions, you need to understand that the standard means of the settings menu move the application itself to the SD-map MIUI 11 is not possible, this option is hidden by the interface developers, and we will use a mechanism that forces the system to consider the external drive as internal memory, encrypting it and making it unreadable on other devices without re-authorizing. It is important to understand that once formatted, the memory card will become unreadable on a computer or other phone without being completely reset.
Preparation of equipment and selection of memory card
The success of the entire operation depends 90% on the quality and characteristics of the drive used. The built-in smartphone memory controller is designed for high read and write speeds, while cheap microSD cards often become a “narrow neck”, causing interface lags and long start of programs. For use as a system partition, it is highly recommended to purchase speed cards UHS-I or UHS-II with the marking A1 or A2, which are optimized for working with applications.
Before you start manipulating, make sure that your Xiaomi battery is at least 70-80% charged, as the process of formatting and redistributing partitions is energy-intensive.It is also critical to back up all the data on the memory card, since it will be completely formatted, and it will be impossible to restore information without a backup.
⚠️ Note: Using low-quality memory cards (Class 4, Class 6) as a system partition can lead to rapid storage degradation and data loss.
Insert the memory card into the smartphone slot and wait for notifications about the connection of the new device. If the card has been used before, it is best to pre-format it through the menu of the smartphone itself into Portable Storage mode to clear the file table before deep system intervention. → Memory.
☑️ Checking readiness for transfer
Activation of the developer mode and debugging via USB
To execute system commands, we will need access to hidden Android features that are in the MIUI 11 are in the Developer Menu. By default, this section is hidden from the eyes of the average user to prevent the accidental change of important parameters. → About the phone and find the line "Version" MIUI».
Click on the build number. 7-10 Once in a row before the pop-up message "You're a developer!", then in the main settings menu, in the "Additional" section, a new "Developers" item will appear. USB» (USB Activate it by confirming the system's security warning.
MIUI is known for its aggressive security policy, so additional confirmation may be required when connecting to your computer or when launching debugging tools. The debugging menu also recommends finding the “Debugging by USB (Security settings)” option and allowing applications to be installed via USB if such a point is available in your firmware version, which will avoid blocking system processes when working with ADB.
Installation of ADB drivers and tool
To interact with a smartphone at the command line level, we will need a computer with Windows, macOS or Linux and the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit. This is a universal tool that allows you to send commands to an Android device. Download the current version of Platform Tools from the official Android developer website to ensure compatibility with MIUI 11.
After unpacking the archive with tools, open the command line (cmd) or terminal in the folder with files. ADB. Connect your smartphone to your computer with high-quality USB-The phone will have a request for debugging permission from that computer — be sure to click "Allow" and select "Always Allow from this computer" option».
Check the connection by entering the adb device command. The list should show your device with a unique identifier and device status. If it is written unauthorized instead of status, check the smartphone screen for access request. If the device does not appear at all, it may not be installed ADB Interface drivers, which are usually installed with platform tools or through Xiaomi drivers.
adb devicesMake sure that the antivirus software on your computer does not block the connection and the cable is good. Using the original cable or a certified analogue significantly reduces the likelihood of communication breakdowns during a critical formatting operation.
Formatting a memory card as internal memory
Now, to the most important step, which is to convert the physical drive, we'll use the sm command, which manages the storage in Android, and first you need to know the exact ID of the connected memory card.
adb shell sm list-disksIn response, the system will return a list of disks, usually in disk:179.64 or similar format. Write down this number, it is unique to your device and card. Next, you need to create a private partition on this disk. The command is as follows: instead of disk:XXX,XX, you substitute your ID:
adb shell sm partition disk:XXX,XX private 100Private indicates that you have an encrypted partition for applications, and 100 means you use 100% of the available map space for this task. Once you input the command, the process will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the size of the card, at which time a notification about the configuration of the storage may appear on the smartphone screen.
⚠️ Note: After executing the sm partition command, the card will be formatted in the file system. ext4 or f2fs It's encrypted, and the data on it will be destroyed irrevocably, and the map will only work in conjunction with this particular smartphone.
If the process was successful, in the Settings → Memory menu, you will see that the memory card now appears as part of internal storage, rather than as a separate portable medium. The system may suggest moving some data and applications automatically - agree with this suggestion for initial optimization.
What to do if the team is not executed?
Set application installation priorities
After successful formatting, Android begins to see the combined space as a whole, but MIUI 11 has its own resource allocation features, and in order for new applications to default to extended memory, you need to change the settings in the Google Play store or use built-in controls.
Go to Settings. → Annexes → App management. Select the heavy app you want (like a social network or game) Go to Memory (or Storage) and if the app supports portability, it will show a button to change or move to SD-Click on it and select an external drive.
Not all applications support portability, but developers can prevent their products from installing on external drives through the application manifest (android:installLocation), in which case even having an Adoptable Storage will not allow you to move the program using standard means, but system memory integration will still help, since space will be taken from a common pool.
| Type of application | Possibility of transfer | Impact on speed | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| System services | Forbidden. | High. | Leave it in your internal memory. |
| Social media | Partially. | Average. | Transfer cache and media |
| Games (hard) | Maybe. | Critical. | Only on the A2 quick card. |
| Office and utility | Yes. | Low. | Pass it boldly. |
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For maximum effect, transfer to the memory card those applications that take up the most space, but do not require an instant system response, for example, navigators or messengers with a large cache volume.
Optimization of work and possible problems
Using a memory card as a system has its own operating characteristics. The speed of random reading and writing of microSD cards is still lower than that of a smartphone’s built-in eMMC or UFS memory. This can lead to a slight increase in the launch time of “heavy” applications. If you notice a significant drop in performance, consider replacing the card with a faster model.
There is also a risk of software failures: When you update your MIUI firmware or reset your settings to factory settings, the system may lose the encryption keys of the memory card, in which case the smartphone will suggest that you format the card again, which will lead to the loss of all the applications installed on it, so critical data should always be duplicated in the cloud.
Use the built-in MIUI to monitor the storage status. Periodically check the Settings → Memory section to make sure the system correctly recognizes the amount of space available. Sometimes, after transferring the data, you need to restart the device to recalculate the file system indexes.
⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the memory card "hot" after activating the internal memory mode.This will lead to errors in the work of applications whose data is on the card, and may require a complete reset of the smartphone to restore health.
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A memory card formatted as an internal storage becomes an integral part of the system and cannot be used in other devices without being completely erased.