Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a budget smartphone with limited internal memory (32 or 64 GB), which is quickly clogged with applications, cache and multimedia. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in MIUI This process is nuanced: not all applications support movement, and the system often blocks the function due to the features of Android. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer applications to the memory card in Redmi 8, from standard settings to manual methods using the use of the device. ADB.
It's important to understand that even after a successful transfer, some of the data may remain in internal memory, and the performance of some applications (especially games) will decrease. We tested each method on Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5 and Android 10 - the results are summarized in the comparison table below. If your firmware is newer, check the compatibility of the methods in the comments to the article.
Why Xiaomi Redmi 8 can’t be ported to all applications SD-map?
The main problem lies in the policy of Google and Xiaomi: starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the Adoptable Storage feature (conversion) SD-The cards were limited to internal memory, and manufacturers, including Xiaomi, turned them off in most devices to make sure that they were not able to do so:
- 🔒 Improved security: data on SD-It is easier to steal or replace cards.
- ⚡ Maintaining performance: Class memory cards UHS-I slower than the built-in eMMC memory.
- 📱 Encourage the purchase of models with a large amount of memory (for example, Redmi 8 128 GB).
In MIUI, only two official portability scenarios are available for Redmi 8:
- Partial transfer (only app cache and media files).
- Full portability (only for applications that explicitly support this feature).
⚠️ Note: After the application has been moved to SD-The map will stop working, and the notifications may come with a delay. MIUI.
Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings
This is the easiest method, but it only works for apps that support portability: Google Maps or Spotify can be moved, for example, but WhatsApp or Instagram can't.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select an app from a list (like Facebook).
- Press Warehouse. → Move it to SD-map.
- Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 5 minutes).
If the button is moved to SD-card:
- 🚫 The app does not support portability (check Google Play in the section "Android Required").
- 📛 SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage (you need to make it internal, but this will delete all data!).
- 🔄 The app has already been updated – try to remove the updates in its settings first.
Format the card as internal memory (deletes all data) |
Use a class card UHS-I (U1/U3) higher|
Check the vacant space (minimum 10 GB) |
Disable card encryption in security settings
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Method 2: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)
This method allows you to expand the internal memory due to the SD-card, but has critical drawbacks:
- 🔄 The map cannot be extracted, it will become part of the system.
- 📉 Performance will fall (especially noticeable in games).
- ⚠️ If the card fails, the phone may stop loading.
If you are prepared for the risks, follow the instructions:
- Put it in. SD-card to slot (cards up to 512 GB are supported).
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map.
- Press Three dots (⋮) → Storage settings → Internal memory.
- Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
- After the reboot, some applications can be moved through Settings → Applications.
⚠️ Note: After this operation, the card will not be used in other devices without full formatting. Xiaomi recommends using cards UHS-I U3 (For example, SanDisk Extreme to minimize lags.
What to do if your phone can’t see SD-map as an internal memory?
Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don’t work, you can force the application to be moved using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.
Step-by-step:
- Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
Redmi 8
ADB Tools
C:\adb
Command line.
Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here
adb devices(device to appear)
adb shell pm set-install-location 2(It's what sets it SD-map as default installation location)
adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard(Replace com.example.app with an app package, such as com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
A critical nuance: After using this command, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may stop updating through Google Play.
adb shell pm set-install-location 0💡
To find out the batch name of the application, install the App Inspector utility from Google Play on your phone, which shows the full names of the packages (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
Comparison of methods of transferring applications to SD-map
| Method | Difficulty | Supported applications | Risks. | PC required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard transfer (MIUI) | ⭐ | Only supported | No. | ❌ |
| Adoptable Storage | ⭐⭐ | Most (except for the system) | Data loss, lags | ❌ |
| ADB-team | ⭐⭐⭐ | Any (except system) | Update failures | ✅ |
| Manual copying (through file manager) | ⭐⭐ | Data only (not APK) | The application may not work | ❌ |
As you can see from the table, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you need to migrate 1-2 apps (like Google Maps), the standard method will suffice. For mass transfer, you better combine Adoptable Storage and ADB, but be prepared for performance declines.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When transferring applications to SD-Redmi 8 users are faced with typical problems:
- 🔌 The "Transfer" button is inactive: Reason: the application does not support porting or SD-The card is formatted as portable. Solution: check the card settings in Settings → Warehouse.
- 📱 Application moved but not opened: Reason: Not all files were copied (e.g., file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file, OBB-Solution: Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Warehouse.
- ⚡ Phone brakes after transfer: Reason: SD-Class 10 card is too slow for applications. Solution: use cards UHS-I U3 (for example, Samsung EVO Plus).
⚠️ Note: If the application stopped sending notifications after the transfer, check its permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permits: Some programs (e.g. Viber) require re-accessing contacts and storage.
Alternative ways to free up memory in Redmi 8
If porting apps hasn’t helped or isn’t possible, try these methods:
- 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clean up and delete unnecessary files, especially Facebook, Instagram and instant messengers accumulate a lot of garbage.
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud. Redmi 8 has a built-in backup feature in Settings → The phone. → Backup.
- 📂 Media Transfer: Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) to manually move music, videos, and documents to the file. SD-map.
- 🔄 Removal of System Applications: With the ADB You can turn off unnecessary services MIUI (For example, Mi Video or Mi Music, but it's risky. List of safe packets to remove: com.miui.videoplayer com.miui.player com.android.browser
💡
Transfer of applications to SD-For comfortable work, it is better to use cloud services or buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory (for example, Redmi Note 10 with 128 GB).