Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone often face an unpleasant situation when the built-in drive of 32 or 64 GB is no longer enough to install modern games and heavy messengers. Android operating system and the shell MIUI occupy a significant part of the space before the start of active operation of the device, which forces users to look for ways to expand the available volume without buying a new gadget.
Fortunately, the Redmi 9 features a hybrid slot that allows microSD memory cards. However, standard portability methods that work on older versions of Android can be hidden or changed by developers. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to effectively use an external drive for storing data and programs, bypassing the software limitations of the shell.
There are several approaches to solving the problem, from the regular system tools to the use of special commands through the computer, the choice of the specific method depends on the version of the firmware installed and the presence of root rights. It is important to understand that moving system components requires caution so as not to disrupt the stability of the operating system.
Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work
The first step before any manipulation is to properly prepare the external drive, not to insert a card that was previously used in the camera or other device without first cleaning, the file system could be changed, which will lead to conflicts when formatting in the Android environment.
Insert a microSD card into the device slot and wait for the notification to appear in the notification curtain. The system will suggest configuring the drive. If you plan to use it specifically to expand the application memory, you need to select the internal storage mode if such an option is available in your version of the software. Otherwise, you will have to use the portable media mode.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone is at least 50% charged to avoid turning off at a critical time.
- 💾 Backup important photos and contacts as the map will be formatted.
- 🔒 Use only quality memory cards from proven brands like Samsung or SanDisk.
Pay attention to your card speed class. Heavy applications require fast write and read speeds to work properly. The minimum recommended standard is Class 10 or UHS-I. Using slow cards will cause noticeable delays when programs start and system errors.
⚠️ Warning: The formatting process will completely destroy all data on the memory card. Copy music, documents and photos to your computer or cloud storage in advance.
The standard method of transfer through the MIUI settings
Some versions of the MIUI retain the ability to port individual applications using standard means, a method that is most secure for inexperienced users because it does not require a computer connection or complex commands, but it does not work for all programs, as application developers may not allow their products to be moved.
To start, go to the settings menu and find the section that manages installed programs. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find a specific application that takes up a lot of space and check the availability of the portability function.
Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications. Select the program you want from the list. If you click "Move to" SD-The map is active, you can use it safely, but if the button is hidden or inactive, then the developer has banned this operation, and you need to use alternative methods.
Why is the transfer button inactive?
Application developers often block transfer to external drives for security or stability reasons. Critical system components and messengers must be on a fast internal drive for the correct functioning of background services and push notifications.> It is worth noting that even if the transfer is successful, some of the data will still remain in internal memory. This is due to the features of the Android architecture, where executable files and libraries can remain on the system partition, while cache and resources are transferred to an external medium. Using the Adoptable Storage function allows the system to perceive the memory card as an extension of internal memory, encrypting it, and integrating it into the general file structure of Xiaomi, if it does not work perfectly. However, in global versions of MIUI firmware, this feature is often hidden by default. To activate this feature, you will need to use USB debugging and a computer. This is a more complex method that requires care. You will need a USB cable and installed ADB drivers on your personal computer. Without this tool, you will not be able to execute a command to activate the function. Connect your smartphone to your PC in debugging mode. In the command line, you will need to enter a special command that will force support for expandable storage. After that, when formatting the card in the phone, you will use it as an internal drive. adb shell pmForce settable will be used again to reboot the device. This will allow you to automatically transfer data of new programs to an external medium without manual intervention. ⚠️ Note: Once activated, the Adoptable Storage card will be encrypted and linked to that particular smartphone, and you won’t be able to insert it into another phone or computer without formatting, because the data will be unavailable. Even if you can’t migrate the app itself, you can often move its “heavy” data. Messengers like Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber store a huge amount of photos and videos that take up precious gigabytes. Many of them allow you to change the way you save files in your own settings, for example, in the Telegram settings you can specify that downloads must be saved to your own settings. SD-This will free up the internal memory, leaving the program on the system disk, but removing the main load on the storage. You can have the same settings in the gallery and the recorder, and you should also look at the folder. DCIM And Downloads. By moving their content to an external medium, you make room for temporary system files, which indirectly helps applications run faster, because the system doesn't have to constantly clean the cache because of space constraints. Data Type You can transfer Recommended method Photos and Video Yes Camera Settings / File Manager Music and Documents Yes File Manager Cash Games (OBB) Partially the function of transfer to MIUI System Files No Use of File Manager is not recommended MIUI Or a third-party, like Total Commander, allows you to manually move folders, but be careful: moving system folders can cause malfunctions in the relevant programs. During the transfer process, users of Xiaomi Redmi 9 can encounter various errors. Often the system writes “Not enough space”, even if several gigabytes are free on the map. This is because the transfer operation requires time space on both the internal and external drives, another common problem is slowdown after the application is transferred. This happens if the memory card's write speed is lower than that of the phone's internal flash memory, in which case the phone may hang when running portable programs. 🐌 The application runs for a long time – the memory card is too slow for this type of software. ❌ Application Not Installed Error – The file may be corrupted or incompatible with the Android version. 🔄 Cyclical reboot – a critical error that requires the card to return to its original state. If you notice an unstable device, it is better to return all changes back. To do this, in the storage settings, select a memory card and click “Format as internal” (with loss of data) or simply remove it by previously returning applications to the internal drive. ⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the memory card while recording processes are underway or portable applications are running, which can damage the program's database and lose game progress. If porting applications has proved too difficult or risky, there are other ways to combat space shortages on Redmi 9. One effective method is to use cloud services. Photos can be automatically uploaded to Google Photos, freeing up local space, and check the Downloads folder and the trash cans in the gallery regularly. Deleted photos often stay on the system for another 30 days, taking up space. Clearing the social network cache through their internal settings also gives a tangible result. In a pinch, you can consider resetting the smartphone to factory settings. This is a radical method that will delete all the data, but return the system to the original speed and purity of the file structure. Before that, make sure to make a full backup. Can you transfer MIUI system applications to the SD card? Transfer system applications (Themes, Explorer, Security) is extremely discouraged. This can lead to unstable shell operation, the appearance of errors, the appearance of the initial speed and the file structure of the system to ensure the stability of the system is stopped after the system's movement? This is a common problem with external drives, and some games don't work properly with ways to save on the computer. SD-It is recommended to store important games in internal memory or use cloud-based Google Play Games account saving. SD Officially, Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports memory cards up to 512 GB. However, in practice, the device often works correctly with 1 TB cards, if they are formatted into the exFAT file system.