How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: a full guide with the nuances of MIUI

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device has been in use for several years. Even with a microSD card of 128 or 256 GB, the system does not always allow you to move applications there because of the limitations of MIUI and the architecture of Android. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to transfer applications to an external drive, including hidden settings, circumventing restrictions and alternative methods of freeing memory.

It is important to understand that not all applications can be transferred to the SD-Some software developers (e.g. messengers or bank clients) block this feature for security reasons, MIUI 12/13/14 on the Redmi Note 8T It has its own features – for example, there is no standard option “Move to the port”. SD" It's not impossible to do that, but you'll find proven methods below, including manually transferring through the app. ADB Configure the memory card as an internal storage.

Before you start, make sure your microSD meets the following requirements:

• 🔹 Format: FAT32 or exFAT (for cards) >32GB).
• 🔹 Speed class: not lower UHS-I (Class 10 – otherwise applications will slow down.
• 🔹 Volume: 64GB is recommended, as part of the memory will be taken by the system when formatting as internal storage.

Preparation of a memory card: formatting and verification

Before you move applications, you need to prepare the memory card correctly, so if you just put an SD in the slot and start transferring files, the system may not allow you to install programs on it.

First, check the map for errors.

1. Connect the card to the computer through the card reader.
2. Open the Command Prompt (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command: chkdsk X: /f where X is the letter of your drive (memory cards).

If the card is new or you have never formatted it for Android, do it via your phone:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
2. Click Format → As internal storage (this will delete all data!).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Formatting a card as an internal storage will tie it to your Redmi Note 8T. Once the card is extracted, the data on it will not be available on other devices without re-formatting!

Once formatted, the system will suggest moving some of the data (photos, videos) to a map, and you can agree that this will free up internal memory, but applications will still not be automatically portable, and additional actions are needed to do so.

2. Standard application portability through MIUI settings

In MIUI for the Redmi Note 8T, the option to port apps to SD is hidden deep in the menu.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Press Warehouse. → Move it to SD-Card (if the option is active).

Unfortunately, this method doesn't work for all programs.

• 🚫 System applications (e.g. Google Play Services) cannot be moved.
• 🚫 Applications with a widget (e.g. Weather) may not work after a port.
• 🚫 Cache games in internal memory (for example, PUBG Mobile will only transfer part of the data.

If the "Move to" button SD-The card is inactive, try the following methods.

💡

Before transferring the application, close it in the multitasking menu – this will reduce the risk of failures when moving files.

3. Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system which apps to port, which requires connecting the phone to your computer, but gives you more control.

First, turn on the developer mode and debugging over USB:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging via USB and confirm the resolution.

Now connect the Redmi Note 8T to your PC and execute the following commands in ADB:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2 # Set SD- map as default installation location




pm move-package com.example.app # Replace com.example.app with the desired application package

To find out the name of the application package, use the command:

pm list packages | grep 'keyword word'

For WhatsApp, type pm list packages | grep whatsapp.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability ADB. If a pm move package error occurs [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed, so the developer has blocked this possibility.

Install ADB-PC drivers|Enable the developer mode on the phone|Connect the phone to USB (Transfer of files")|Check the connection with the adb device command|Download the list of application packages-->

4. Use of the memory card as internal storage

If you're willing to sacrifice the compatibility of the card with other devices, you can format it as internal storage, in which case the system will perceive SD as part of the main memory, and many applications will be able to install there automatically.

How to do this:

1. Put the card in your phone and wait for it to be found.
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Press Three dots (⋮) → Storage settings → Formatting as an internal.
4. Confirm the action and wait until the end (the phone may restart).

After that:

• 📱 New applications will be installed on the map by default (if the developer allows).
• 🔄 Some of the system data will also be transferred to SD, freeing up internal memory.
• ⚠️ The card will be encrypted and tied to the phone – on a PC or other device, data will be inaccessible.

💡

Formatting a card as an internal storage is the most efficient way to free up memory, but it is only suitable for UHS-I (U1/U3) cards with a capacity of 64 GB.

5. Alternative Memory Release Methods

If porting apps to SD didn’t help or isn’t possible, try these methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. This can release up to 1 to 3 GB.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files: Use the built-in Cleanup app or Files by Google to search for garbage.
• ☁️ Transfer media to the cloud: Upload photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, and then delete local copies.
• 🔄 Disable Auto-Update Apps: In Google Play, turn off automatic updates or configure it over Wi-Fi only.

You can also use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite), which take up 2-3 times less space. For games, you should manually remove the cache through Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear the cache.

If the internal memory is 90% full or higher, the system starts to slow down, in which case the factory reset will help, but before that, be sure to back up the data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Map by Redmi Note users 8T They often have typical problems, and these are the most common ones and the ways to fix them:

If after formatting the card as internal storage, the phone began to brake, check:

• 🔋 The status of the memory card (possibly worn out).
• 📉 Memory Occupation (C Settings) → Memory).
• 🔄 Availability of updates MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).

If nothing works, return the card to its original state via Settings → Memory → Memory Map → Format as a portable storage. This will delete all data, but restore compatibility with other devices.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions