Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T — popular smartphone with a hybrid slot under SIM-maps where the second SIM It can be replaced with a microSD, but even with a 128GB memory card, users are facing a shortage of internal memory due to the installed applications. MIUI limit the ability to transfer applications – but workarounds are.
In this article, we will discuss all working methods for transferring applications to SD-map 8T, including official settings MIUI, utilization ADB We'll focus on the nuances of formatting the card as an internal drive (Adoptable Storage) and the limitations that Xiaomi imposes on this feature. SD-The map is empty – here you will find a solution.
Why you can’t transfer applications to SD-map 8T?
Since 2019, Xiaomi has been removed from the MIUI standard function of transferring applications to SD-map available in pure Android. Causes:
- 🔹 Limitations MIUI: The firmware blocks the option “Move to” SD» In the application settings, even if the card is formatted as internal memory.
- 🔹 Google Policy: Starting with Android 6.0, migrating apps to Android SD It requires support from the developer (android:installLocation in the manifesto), and many apps (including Facebook, Instagram, banking) ignore this.
- 🔹 Productivity: SD-maps (even UHS-I) Slower than the built-in memory of eMMC 5.1, which can slow down applications.
Below are the current methods for the Redmi Note 8T on MIUI 12/13/14 (including global and Chinese versions).
⚠️ Attention: Formatting SD-The card as an internal drive will delete all the data on it and encrypt it. After that, the card will not be read on other devices without resetting the Redmi Note. 8T.
Method 1: Formatting SD-Cards as an internal storage device (Adoptable Storage)
This method allows you to expand your internal memory at the expense of SD-maps, but has critical limitations:
- 📌 It only works on maps. UHS-I (U1/U3) High-speed recording (SanDisk Extreme or Samsung is recommended) EVO Plus).
- 📌 After formatting, the map cannot be retrieved without data loss.
- 📌 Not all applications will be automatically transferred – some will remain in internal memory.
Instructions:
- Put it in. SD-map 8T.
- Go to Settings. → Memory.
- Tap by name. SD-map → Settings (three points) → Memory settings.
- Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
- Wait until it is completed (it can take 5-10 minutes).
- After restart, go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications, select the desired and click Transfer to SD-Card (if the option is active).
Make a backup copy of data from the card|Check the speed class (minimum) U1)|Charge the phone to 50%+|Disable important notifications during the process-->
If the option “Move to” SD-card:
- 🔧 The application does not support transfer (check the description in Google Play).
- 🔧 The card is formatted as a portable storage (repeat the process).
- 🔧 Optimization included MIUI (Try to turn off the settings → Special opportunities → Optimization MIUI).
What if memory is not merged after formatting?
Method 2: Transfer applications over ADB (without root)
If MIUI blocks the transfer, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manually specify the location of the application installation.
Step 1: Enable debugging over USB:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Activate Debugging via USB and confirm the resolution.
Step 2: Connect the Redmi Note 8T to your PC and execute the commands:
adb shell
pm set-install-location 2This team is setting up SD-map as the default installation location for new applications:
adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard(Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the app, such as com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
Install the App Inspector app from Google Play or use the command:
adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"For example, for WhatsApp, type grep "whatsapp".-->
Limitations of the method:
- 🚫 Not all applications support portability (especially system and high-performance applications).
- 🚫 After updating MIUI settings may reset.
- 🚫 Some apps (such as Google Play Services) cannot be moved.
⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB If the phone starts to brake or emit errors after execution, return the default settings with the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 0
Method 3: Use of third-party applications (with or without root)
If the first two methods didn't work, you can use Google Play utilities. Let's look at two options:
| Annex | Need root? | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AppMgr III | ❌ No. | Allows portable applications, shows list of portable APKs | Google Play |
| Link2SD | ✅ Yes. | Creates symbolic links, transfers cache and data (requires ext2/ext3 partition to SD) | Google Play |
| FolderMount | ✅ Yes. | Transfers folders with data (such as game cache) to SD without loss of functionality | Google Play |
Instructions for AppMgr III (without root):
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Open it and give access to the memory.
- In the list of applications, tap on the desired → Select Move to Move to Move to SD-map.
- If the option is inactive, the application does not support the transfer.
For Link2SD (with root):
- Break it. SD-two-part: FAT32 (primary and ext2 (data-data).
- Install Link2SD and select ext2 when you first start.
- In the list of applications, select the desired → Create a link.
Official settings MIUI|ADB-team|Third-party applications (e.g. AppMgr) III)|Nothing helps.|Another way.-->
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When transferring applications to SD-map 8T Users are faced with typical problems:
- 🔴 The error is "not enough memory," although SD-Solution: Format the card as internal memory (Method 1) or check if the space is occupied by hidden files (use Files by Google to clean up the file).
- 🔴 Solution: Some applications (like WhatsApp) require some data in internal memory. Try to transfer only the cache through Link2SD.
- 🔴 After updating MIUI applications are back in internal memory. Solution: Repeat the transfer through ADB or AppMgr III. To prevent, disable automatic firmware updates.
If none of the methods worked:
- 🛠️ Check it out. SD-Error map (through Settings) → Memory. → SD-map → Check it out).
- 🛠️ Try another card (e.g. SanDisk Ultra instead of no-name).
- 🛠️ Reset your phone settings to factory (pre-make a backup!).
How to free up internal memory without transferring applications?
If the application portability is not helpful or impossible, use alternative methods:
- 🗑️ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache (can be released 1-3 GB).
- 🗑️ Removal of unnecessary APK: Use Files by Google → Cleanup → Unnecessary APK.
- 🗑️ Transfer media files: In Gallery or Google Photos, enable automatic upload of photo/video to the Gallery SD-map.
- 🗑️ Disabling pre-installed applications: C Settings → Find unnecessary system programs (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Video) and click Disable.
For games (e.g. PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty):
- 🎮 In the game settings, select Download resources to SD-card (if there is an option).
- 🎮 Use FolderMount (from root) to transfer the folder Android/obb.
💡
On the Redmi Note 8T with MIUI 14, the most reliable way to free up memory is by combining cache cleaning, media transfer and disabling system applications. Porting the APKs themselves to SD often works unstable due to firmware limitations.