How to transfer applications from phone to memory card on Xiaomi: all ways to MIUI

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially on budget models like the Redmi 9A or Poco M3, where on Board only 32-64 GB. Even after cleaning the cache and delete unnecessary files, the system persistently signals: “Memory is full.” The solution seems obvious – to move applications to a microSD card, but here users are waiting for pitfalls: since Android 6.0 Google has tightened the rules for external drives, and MIUI added its limitations.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi smartphone map, including bypassing system restrictions, you will learn which apps can be ported without root rights, how to format the memory card correctly for maximum compatibility, and what to do if the button "Move to" SD" We will focus on the nuances for Android 11 devices separately.+, where standard methods often do not work.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the transfer of applications to the memory card?

Since 2015, Google has made changes to Android Marshmallow (6.0) security policy, and the alater version has made restrictions worse, with the main reasons Xiaomi (like other vendors) is restricting the portability of apps to SD:

• 🔒 Data security: Memory card applications are easier to steal or replace, especially if you have a memory card. SD-It's a risk to payment services, instant messengers with access to the card. SMS.
• ⚡ Performance: Class Memory Cards 10 or UHS-I slower-than-integrated memory eMMC/UFS. Launching applications with SD may cause lag.
• 📱 Fragmentation MIUI: Xiaomi firmware is optimized to work with internal memory. migrating system applications (for example, com.miui.gallery) can lead to failures.
• 📉 Google Play Limits: With Android 11, apps are default only installed in internal memory. Portability is only possible for select apps with adoptable storage support.

But there are loopholes, MIUI It allows you to transfer some user applications (not system!) to the SD-The map, if it's formatted as an internal storage, has its downsides, and the map can't be retrieved without losing data.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ (For example, Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) function to port applications to the SD It can be completely turned off. In this case, it will only help. ADB-root-access.

Preparation: Which memory card to choose for Xiaomi?

Not every microSD is suitable for porting applications, but here are the key requirements:

For Xiaomi models with adoptable storage support (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro, Poco X3), it is better to choose a card marked A2 - it is optimized for running applications. Class 4/6 cards or fakes lead to brakes and errors "Application does not respond".

Important: Before buying, check if your Xiaomi model supports adoptable storage. For example, Xiaomi’s flagship 12T or Black Shark 5 don’t have this feature, while the budget Redmi 10A does.

Method 1: Transfer through MIUI settings (without root)

It's the simplest method, but it doesn't work for all applications. MIUI 12–14:

1. Insert the memory card in the smartphone and wait for its definition.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
4. Press "Storage" → "Move it to SD-map".
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

If the "Move to" button SD-The card is inactive, which means that:

• 🚫 System application (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Video).
• 🚫 The memory card is formatted as a portable storage (you need to make it internal).
• 🚫 The application does not support transfer (often found in banking applications or games with protection).

Memory card inserted and recognized by the system

Application is not system (checked in Settings → Applications)

There is enough free space on the map (at least 1.5× of the application size).

Smartphone is not in power saving mode (can block operations)

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Limitation: Even if the transfer is successful, only a portion of the application data (usually cache and media files) will remain on the memory card. The main files (.apk,.odex) will remain in internal memory, due to the Android Runtime (ART) policy.

Method 2: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

This method allows the memory card to be used as an extension of internal storage, but has critical drawbacks:

• 🔐 The card cannot be retrieved without data loss (it is encrypted).
• ⚠️ When resetting the phone to factory settings, the map is also formatted.
• ⚡ Application speeds can drop by 20-40% (depending on class) SD-map).

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
3. Click on “Format as internal storage” (on some models – “Settings → Additional → Storage → SD Card”).
4. Confirm the formatting (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After formatting, select “Move Data Now” or do it later manually through Settings → Apps.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 11+ (for example, Xiaomi 11T, Redmi Note 11) formatting option as internal storage can be hidden. ADB-command (see Method 3).

After formatting as internal storage, the system will automatically prompt you to transfer some applications to the SD-However, some applications (such as WhatsApp or Google Pay) will still refuse to work with external memory for security reasons.

Method 3: Transfer applications over ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This requires a computer, but it doesn't need root rights. MIUI 12-14 based on Android 10-13.

Steps:

1. Install. ADB-computer-driver.
2. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode (7 times click on "Version" MIUI" In Settings → The phone).
3. Activate "Debugging by" USB" In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal (CMD/PowerShell):

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on SD-The default card. To get back to the original settings, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

To transfer already installed applications, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with the application’s batch name (you can find out through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

💡

To find out the batch name of an application without ADB, install the Package Name Viewer or App Inspector app from Google Play.

Limitations ADB-method:

• Not all apps support portability (like Google Chrome or Mi Fit).
• Android. 11+ You may need an additional command adb shell appops set com.example.app RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow.
• After the MIUI update, the settings may reset.

Method 4: Transfer applications with root rights (for experienced)

If you're ready to get root access (like Magisk), there's more to it.

• 📱 App2SD — It allows you to transfer applications, data and even parts of system applications.
• 🔧 Link2SD — Creates symbolic links, saving space in the internal memory.
• 🛠️ FolderMount – transfers cache and media files of applications (for example, Genshin Impact games or Call of Duty Mobile games).

Instructions for Link2SD:

1. Install Magisk and get root access.
2. Download Link2SD from Google Play.
3. Launch the application and select "Create a mounting script".
4. Select the transfer application and click "Connect".
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Transfer system applications (e.g. com.android.settings) can lead to bootloop ( looped boot). TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

The advantages of root-method:

• ✅ Any application can be moved, including system applications.
• ✅ Full control of storage (e.g., Dalvik-cache transfer).
• ✅ Ability to use init.d scripts for automatic mounting.

Cons:

• ❌ The risk of losing the warranty (on some models, Xiaomi root blocks) OTA-update).
• ❌ Security Threat (root-access applications can steal data).
• ❌ Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online) refuse to work on rooted devices.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi users are facing typical problems. Let's analyze the most common problems:

If the app stopped updating through Google Play after the transfer, try:

1. Transfer it back to your internal memory.
2. Clear the cache of the Google Play Store (Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear the cache).
3. Update the application manually via an.apk file (e.g. with APKMirror).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

- Removing unnecessary system applications through ADB (pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app).

Use cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) for backups.

- Buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro)+ 512GB).-->