How to transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi Mi 9: 3 proven methods

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 9 sooner or later face a lack of internal memory - especially if you actively install games, messengers or multimedia applications. 64/128 The GB of built-in storage system and cache occupy the lion's share of space, leaving the user with a minimum of free space. The solution seems obvious: move some applications to the Internet. SD-But here's where the trouble starts.

Unlike many Android smartphones, Xiaomi devices are based on the MIUI Restrict the ability to migrate applications to an external drive; in some versions of firmware, this feature is not in the settings menu at all, while in others it works selectively only for individual applications. Moreover, even after a successful transfer, some of the data may remain in internal memory, which does not solve the problem completely. SD-Xiaomi Mi 9 map, including hidden settings and workarounds.

It's important to understand that not all apps can be migrated, and that some of the tools, Google services, and some games (such as those with anti-piracy protection) block this capability — SD-cardboard A1 or A2 They are slower than the built-in memory. UFS 2.1 But if there is no alternative, let us act.

Preparation: what SD-The card is suitable for Xiaomi Mi 9

Before you try to move apps, make sure yours is yours. SD-Xiaomi Mi 9 supports microSD cards (up to 256 GB), but not all of them are equally effective:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum Class 10 (UHS-I), better — A1 or A2 (Application-optimized maps. Class maps. A2 Provide random recording at 4000 IOPS, What is critical for the application.
• 🔹 File system format: Xiaomi Mi 9 automatically offers to format the card in exFAT (for cards) >32 GB) or FAT32. For application transfer, it is better to choose exFAT - it supports files more than 4 GB.
• 🔹 Manufacturer: Choose SanDisk, Samsung or Kingston brands. Cheap cards from nameless manufacturers often forge speed classes.
• 🔹 Size: 64–128 GB is enough to transfer applications. 256 GB cards and more only make sense if you store a lot of media files.

⚠️ Please note: if you have already used SD-card in another device (for example, in a camera or tablet), be sure to format it directly in your smartphone:

1. Insert the card in the Xiaomi Mi 9.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map.
3. Click Format → As internal storage (this will allow you to port applications).
4. Confirm the action – all data on the map will be deleted!

Once formatted as an internal storage, the card will become part of the system and cannot be retrieved (it will require "safe extraction"), and it will not be read on other devices without re-formatting.

Method 1: Transfer through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI function, but it is not available for all applications and may not be available in some firmware versions.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. Press Warehouse.
4. If there is a button, change or move to SD-map -- press it.

If there is no button, it means:

• 🚫 The application does not support portability (often with games and system utilities).
• 🚫 Yours. SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage, not as an internal storage device.
• 🚫 In your version. MIUI function disabled (relevant for firmware based on Android 10)+).

⚠️ Note: Even if the transfer is successful, some of the data (such as cache or settings) may remain in internal memory. This is normal — this is the Android architecture. To free up maximum space, after the transfer, clean the app cache manually (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Clear the cache).

Format SD-map as an internal storage

Check for the “Move” button in the application settings

Clear the app cache after the transfer

Reboot your smartphone to apply changes-->

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

If the standard method doesn’t work, you can force Android to move the app forcibly over the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to a computer, but works even for applications that don’t normally carry.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect Xiaomi Mi 9 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on SD-It's the default card, but it doesn't work with all applications, and it can cause errors:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

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

⚠️ Note: Some applications after transfer through ADB They may stop working or they may give out errors, especially when it comes to games with protection (e.g., security, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact.Before transferring, back up your data!

Method 3: Forced transfer through third-party applications

If the first two methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — It shows you which applications you can migrate, and it does it in a single click. It works even with some system applications.
• 📱 Link2SD — A more advanced tool that allows you to "bind" applications to SD-It's a map, even if it doesn't support the transfer.
• 📱 Files by Google is Google’s built-in file manager that sometimes offers to move unused apps to the map.

Let’s look at the AppMgr III:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. In the list of applications, find those next to which there is an icon. SD-map.
4. Click on the app and select Move to SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like Link2SD require root access, which voids warranty and can lead to unstable smartphone operation.If you are not prepared for the risks, use only AppMgr III standard-of-the-art.

After transferring applications through third-party utilities, be sure to restart your smartphone. Otherwise, some applications may not start or give an error "Application not installed."

Compatibility table: which applications can be transferred

Not all applications support the transfer to SD-Below is the compatibility table for popular programs on Xiaomi Mi 9 (relevant for the first time). MIUI 12–14):

Please note that even if the transfer is technically possible, some apps (such as WhatsApp) do not save media files to the Internet. SD-The card, they'll stay in the internal memory, and that's a limitation that's been put in place by the developers to protect the data.

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If the application is slow after transfer, try moving it back to internal memory. SD-cards (even class) A2) Lose in read/write speed of the built-in memory UFS.

What to do if the transfer does not work: common errors

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the applications don't move or stop working, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

• 🔄 Error "Insufficient space on the device": SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage solution: reformat it as an internal one (Settings) → Warehouse → SD-map → Set up → Internal memory).
• 🚫 The "Transfer" button is inactive: the application does not support porting or your version MIUI It blocks this function. Try updating the firmware or use it. ADB.
• ⚠️ The app dyes after transfer: It's most likely using data in internal memory.Solution: clear the cache and application data or move it back.
• 🔌 SD-card not identified: Check that the card is inserted correctly (contacts should be on top) Also try another card - yours may be damaged.

If neither method works, there are two options:

1. Remove unnecessary apps or transfer their data (such as game cache) to SD-manually through the file manager.
2. Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) to back up and free up space.

⚠️ Attention: Some users try to trick the system by creating symbolic links (symlink) to application files.This only works with root access and can lead to data loss or a smartphone boot cycle!

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Xiaomi Mi 9 S MIUI 12 and newer portability of applications to SD-If standard methods don't work, consider alternatives: cleaning the cache, removing unnecessary applications, or using cloud services.

Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi Mi 9

If porting apps hasn’t solved the memory problem, try these methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clear. You can delete unnecessary files (for example, downloads) here, APK, duplicate).
• 🗑️ System garbage disposal: Use the built-in Optimization utility (Security) → Cleanup. It finds residual files from deleted applications.
• ☁️ Media transfer: Photos, videos and music can be manually moved to SD-A card via any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).
• 🔄 Reset partition cache: In Recovery Mode (Power) + Vol Up) select Wipe Cache Partition. This will not delete your data, but will clear the temporary files of the system.

It’s also worth checking which apps take up the most space:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size.
3. Delete or clear the data for the most voracious applications.

For example, Google Play Services and Facebook can take up several gigabytes of cache, and clearing them will free up space without removing the apps themselves.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map