How to transfer applications to the flash drive in Xiaomi Redmi: 3 working methods + error solving

Moving apps to the flash drive in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a pressing task for users who face a lack of internal memory. Despite the fact that modern models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Redmi 10C) are equipped with 128-256 GB drives, system files, cache and updates quickly eat up free space. In this article, we will analyze three proven methods of porting programs to microSD, including official Android settings and workarounds for persistent applications.

It’s important to understand that not all programs can be moved, such as system services (com.miui.gallery, com.android.settings) and some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) block this feature by default. We’ll also look at how to format a flash drive as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage) and what to do if the smartphone does not see the card after transfer.

1. Preparation of the flash drive: selection and formatting

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones support memory cards up to 2 TB (starting with the Redmi Note 11 on MIUI 13+), but for stable operation we recommend using flash drives of class A2 or UHS-I (for example, SanDisk Ultra or Samsung EVO Plus). Cheap cards without labeling can slow down applications or cause errors.

There are two formatting options:

• 📁 Portable storage: The flash drive works like a removable disk, and it's good for transferring media files, but not all applications.
• 🔄 Adoptable Storage – The card becomes part of the system, allows you to transfer most programs, but is tied to a specific smartphone (after extraction, the data will not be available).

To format the flash drive as an internal memory:

1. Insert the card into the smartphone and open the notification Settings SD-map.
2. Choose Use as internal memory → Clean and format.
3. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: After formatting as internal memory, the card will not be read on other devices without completely erasing the data. MIUI.

Method 2: Transfer through Android settings (official method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in function. MIUI. It works for most user applications (e.g. Telegram, VK, Spotify), but does not affect system services. MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change (or Move to) SD-map MIUI).
4. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 5 minutes for major games).

If the button is inactive, it means:

• 🚫 The app does not support portability (such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services).
• 🔒 The flash drive is formatted as a portable storage (you need to reformat it into internal memory).
• 📱 You have a Redmi with a MediaTek processor (on some models, for example, Redmi). 9A, Transfer function disabled at firmware level).

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

If the standard method didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to force transfer even those programs that block movement, works on all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi K50 and others.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original......>
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC and type in the command line (terminal):

adb devices

If the device is displayed, enter:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install new applications on the SD-Default card. To transfer programs that are already installed, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard

(Replace com.example.app with a batch name for the app, such as com.whatsapp).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Google Pay or bank customers) may stop working after a forced transfer. ADB for system applications – this can cause a failure MIUI.

Method 3: Applications for portability (App Mgr III, Link2SD)

If the first two methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, like App Mgr III (App Manager) that allows you to port applications even without root permissions, and Link2SD (requires root) creates symbolic links to save space. Let's look at both.

App Mgr III (without root):

• 📥 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔍 Select the Moving tab - here you will see programs that can be transferred.
• 📤 Tap on the app. → Move it to SD-map.

Link2SD (with root):

• ⚙️ Install Magisk to get root rights (instructions for Xiaomi below in the app). FAQ).
• 📦 Download. Link2SD Select the section on the flash drive (recommended) ext2/ext3).
• 🔗 For each application, click Create a link → Select Data and APK.

💡

If the app is slowing down after transfer, try clearing its cache in the settings. Also check the speed of the flash drive using the A1 SD Bench app.

5. Common mistakes and their solution

When migrating applications to the flash drive, Xiaomi Redmi users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 The "Transfer" button is inactive. → Check if the flash drive is formatted as internal memory. If it is, but the button is gray, then the application does not support portability (for example, Chrome or other devices). MIUI Launcher).
• ⚠️ Appendix crashes after transfer → Remove it and reinstall it. If the error repeats, return the program to internal memory.
• 📵 Smartphone does not see the flash drive after formatting → Reboot the device. If it doesn't work, format the map on your PC. FAT32 Repeat the settings in Xiaomi.
• 🐢 Apps are being braked on a flash drive → Use the class map A2 If the flash drive is old, replace it, the read/write speed may have degraded.

Pay particular attention to Redmi with MediaTek Helio processors (e.g. Redmi 9T or Redmi Note 8), which sometimes cause a "Not enough space on the device" error even with a free flash drive.

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clean up and delete unnecessary files.
2. Turn off MIUI Optimization in the developer settings (may block portability).

💡

If the app stopped updating through the Play Market after the transfer, return it to internal memory, update, and then transfer it to the flash drive again.

6.Transfer games to the flash drive: nuances for Genshin Impact, PUBG and others

Games with large data files (e.g. Genshin Impact (~15 GB), PUBG Mobile (~2 GB), Call of Duty Mobile) often refuse to be ported using standard methods.

For Genshin Impact:

• 🎮 Use the official launcher miHoYo – it allows you to choose the path of installation on the flash drive at the first boot.
• 📂 If the game is already installed, copy the Genshin Impact folder from the /Android/data/ manually on a flash drive (you will need a file manager with root, for example, Solid Explorer).

For PUBG Mobile/COD Mobile:

• 🔄 Reinstall the game by selecting SD-map as a storage location in the installer settings.
• 🛠️ If there is no path selection button, use ADB (see section 3) or Link2SD.

Important: After transferring games to the flash drive, do not remove the card while playing, this will lead to a crash, and note that texture loading may slow down if the flash drive has a low read speed (Class C10 or lower).

7 How to return applications to internal memory

If the program is unstable after transfer or you want to free the USB drive, it is simple to return the application back:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → Warehouse.
3. Click Change and select Internal Memory.

For applications that have been migrated over ADB or Link2SD, use the following commands:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app 0

(where 0 is internal memory, 2 — SD-map).

If the app doesn’t return or gives you an error, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🗑️ Remove and install the program again.
• 🛠️ Clear the cache and application data in the settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting applications to Xiaomi Redmi