How to transfer applications from phone to memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 7A: all working methods

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7A often face a lack of internal memory โ€” especially if the device has many applications or games. Even with 16/32 GB of internal storage (depending on the modification), the MIUI system and cache quickly take up precious megabytes. Transferring applications to a microSD card seems logical, but there are nuances: not all programs support this feature, and Xiaomi artificially limits the capabilities of users without root rights.

In this article, we will discuss all available ways to transfer applications to SD-map 7A โ€” standard-tool MIUI Advanced methods with the use of ADB You'll learn which apps can be moved and which ones will remain in internal memory, how to avoid errors and what to do if the phone doesn't see the card, and we'll also analyze alternative solutions to optimize storage if portability is not possible.

โš ๏ธ It's important! Xiaomi Redmi! 7A It works on Android. 9 Pie with a shell MIUI 10/11, where the function of transferring applications to SD-The card is partially blocked by the manufacturer, which means that many applications (especially system and games) will not be able to work with an external drive even after the transfer.

1.Preparation: Which memory card is right for the Redmi 7A?

Before you port applications, make sure your microSD card meets the requirements:

  • ๐Ÿ”น Format: only FAT32 exFAT. NTFS unsupported!
  • ๐Ÿ”น Speed class: minimum Class 10 (UHS-I), Otherwise, the app will be slowed down.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Volume: up to 256GB (officially supported by Xiaomi) 512GB cards+ may not be recognized.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Manufacturer: give preference to brands SanDisk, Samsung EVO Kingston, they are more stable with the MIUI.

If the card is new, format it directly on your phone: go to Settings โ†’ Storage โ†’ Memory Map โ†’ Format as internal storage. Attention: after that, the card will not be read on other devices without re-formatting!

๐Ÿ“Š How much memory you use in Redmi? 7A?
Up to 32GB.
64GB
128GB
256GB
I don't use it.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Formatting the card as an "inside storage" can lead to data loss. Backup is mandatory! Also note that after that the card will be encrypted and tied to the phone - extracting it without first "unmounting" in the settings will lead to errors.

2. Standard application portability without root (MIUI restrictions)

Xiaomi Redmi 7A allows you to port only those applications that support this feature at the Android level. Unfortunately, their minority.

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or VK).
  3. Slip it on the Warehouse.
  4. If the Change option is active, click it and select the Memory Card.
Type of applicationCan I reschedule?Notes
Social Media (VK, OK)โœ… Yes.They work steadily, but the cache remains in the internal memory.
Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)โš ๏ธ Partially.WhatsApp is not portable, Telegram is only data.
Games (PUBG, Clash Royale)โŒ No.Games with OBB-Files do not support transfer.
System applicationsโŒ No.The transfer is blocked by Xiaomi.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the Change button is inactive, try clearing the app cache. Sometimes this will unlock the port option.

โš ๏ธ Note: After porting, the application may run slower โ€“ especially if the memory card is Class 4 or lower.

3. ADB Transfer: Bypassing MIUI Restrictions

If the standard method didnโ€™t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually specify the path of installing applications, which doesnโ€™t require root, but requires a computer.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download ADB Tools|Enable USB Debugging in your phone (Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ MIUI Version (7 times tap) โ†’ Developer โ†’ USB Debugging)|Connect your phone to your PC via cable-->

Instructions:

  1. Open the command line (Win + R โ†’ cmd) in the folder with ADB.
  2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your Redmi 7A.
  3. Run a port command (replace com.example.app with the application batch name): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the application. SD-default-card.
  4. Reinstall the desired application - it will automatically stand on the memory card.

How to find out the package name of the application?
Open Settings โ†’ Apps, select a program, and scroll down to the Additional section. There will be a Packet Name bar (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).

โš ๏ธ Note: pm set-install-location 2 is only valid for new installations, already installed applications will have to be removed and installed again, and some programs (such as Google Play Services) will refuse to work from the memory card.

4. Root-right transfer: full control

If you're ready to get root access, the portability is expanded many times over, and the Redmi 7A is a good way to use Magisk and the App2SD module:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Step 1: Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7 days).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Step 2: Install TWRP Recovery and scroll Magisk to get root.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Step 3: Install the module in Magisk Manager App2SD or use the app Link2SD.

โš ๏ธ Warning: On Redmi 7A With Android 9, some app portable modules may conflict with MIUI Optimization (built-in optimization Xiaomi) If after the transfer the phone began to overheat or fly out, roll back the changes.

5. Alternative ways to free up memory

If the application portability is not possible or doesnโ€™t solve the problem, try these methods:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Delete unnecessary files and app cache (especially Google Play Services and Google Play Services) MIUI Gallery).
  • โ˜๏ธ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, and then delete local copies.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Many games (such as Genshin Impact) allow you to download additional files (OBB) straight SD-Check the game settings.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Lite versions of applications: Replace "heavy" programs with lightweight ones (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

๐Ÿ’ก

MIUI has a built-in Smart Cleanup (Settings โ†’ Storage โ†’ Smart Cleanup) feature, which allows the system to automatically delete unnecessary files once a week.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-mapping 7A They face typical problems:

Mistake.Reason.Decision
Not enough space on the mapThe card is formatted in FAT32 (max. file - 4 GB).Reformat to exFAT via PC.
The application does not start after the transferThe card is too slow or damaged.Check the map for errors (chkdsk in Windows).
SD-map not foundThe card contacts are contaminated or the slot is damaged.Clean the contacts with alcohol, reboot the phone.

โš ๏ธ Warning: If the phone becomes too slow after transferring the application to the card, return it to internal memory. MIUI).

Can I transfer WhatsApp to a memory card in Redmi 7A?
No, WhatsApp is blocking the transfer to SD-Alternative: Clean the messenger cache regularly in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ WhatsApp โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache.
Why does it fly out after transferring the game to the map?
Games with OBB-Files like Asphalt 9 require high read speeds, and if a Class 10 card or lower, the game will slow down. OBB Manually (via file manager) or buy a card UHS-I.
How to return the app back to internal memory?
Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ [select app] โ†’ Storage โ†’ Change โ†’ Internal Memory. If the button is inactive, uninstall and reinstall the program.
Can I use a memory card as an internal one without formatting?
No, MIUI requires full map formatting when selecting the option Internal Storage. Alternative: Use the card as Portable Storage and port only supported applications.
Why did the portable applications disappear after the MIUI update?
Xiaomi sometimes resets storage settings with major updates. Check if the card is unmounted in Settings โ†’ Storage โ†’ Memory Map. If so, restart your phone.