How to transfer files from internal memory to SD-Map in Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide 2026

Why Xiaomi can’t just drag files to a memory card?

You bought a 256GB microSD, inserted it into the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, is the system stubbornly ignoring the new memory? Or is the transfer of applications to the map blocked in gray? It's not a bug, it works. MIUI It's about Xiaomi's security policy: the default system is looking at SD-And there are three key things about this card as a removable medium, not as an extension of internal memory:

First, MIUI separates files into “system” and “user” files: photos, videos and music can almost always be transferred, and app cache or messenger data can only be transferred through workarounds. Second, since Android 9, Google has banned porting applications to SD without root rights (this applies to Xiaomi), and third, even if the card is formatted as internal memory, some functions (for example, software updates) will still require free space in internal storage.

But the good news is that 90 percent of the time, you can fix this problem without rooting and losing warranty, and then we'll go through all the working methods, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for advanced users.

Method 1: Transfer files through the MIUI Explorer (without additional programs)

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi's built-in file manager, which supports batch movement and even shows you which files can be safely transferred to the SD. Here's how it works:

1. Open the "Conductor" (the folder icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to Internal Memory → select a folder (for example, DCIM for photos or Download for downloads).
3. Press and hold the file / folder → tick the necessary elements → tap the icon “Move” (arrow in the square).
4. In the top panel, select SD-map → Specify your target folder (or create a new one) → confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: Some system folders (such as Android or Android) MIUI) If the Move button is inactive, the files are protected from change.

• 📁 What files can be transferred: photo (.jpg,.png), video (.mp4), music (.mp3), documents (.pdf,.docx), archives (.zip,.rar).
• 🚫 What files cannot be transferred: application cache (com.*.cache), game data (OBB-files), system APK, update-file (MIUI_update.zip).
• ⚡ Transfer speed: by UFS 2.2 (for example, in Xiaomi 13) – up to 500 MB / s, on eMMC 5.1 (budget models) – up to 100 MB / s.

Format the map in FAT32 (volume ≤32 GB or exFAT (if) >32GB)

Check the recording speed (class) UHS-I U3 for 4K-video)

Disable "Battery Optimization" for "Conductor" in the settings

Backup of important files on PC

-->

Method 2: Formatting SD-Cards as internal memory (extended storage)

If you need not just to transfer files, but to expand the internal memory at the expense of SD-This method works on all Xiaomi Android 6.0 cards, you can format it as Adoptable Storage.+, but has critical limitations:

To activate this mode:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → select "Storage settings".
4. Click Format as internal → Confirm the action (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After formatting, select Move Data Now or do it manually later.

⚠️ Attention: If you extract SD-After formatting the card as an internal card, Xiaomi will require it back the next time it connects!

💡

Before formatting, check the real speed. SD-mapping A1 SD If the write speed is below 20 MB/s, the card is not suitable for use as internal memory.

Method 3: Transfer applications to SD through settings (no root rights)

Yeah, in MIUI You can transfer some of the applications to SD-The card is not even root-righted, but with reservations. First, it only works for applications that explicitly support external storage (less than 30% of them on Google Play.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app from a list (like Spotify or Netflix).
3. Slip on the Warehouse → if the option is active, click "Change".
4. Choose. SD-map → confirm the transfer.

List of applications that most often support transfer:

• 🎵 Music Players: Spotify, VLC, Poweramp.
• 📺 Video players: MX Player, Kodi.
• 📚 Readers: Moon+ Reader, FBReader.
• 🎮 Some games: Minecraft, Asphalt 9 (cache only).

⚠️ Note: After the transfer, the application may run slower – especially if it is not SD-class UHS-I U1 Also, some features (such as notifications in Spotify) may be disabled.

Method 4: Using ADB to Force Application Transfer

For advanced users, there is a way to cheat the system with ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This does not require root rights, but you need to connect the smartphone to the PC. The method works on all Xiaomi with Android 6.0-13.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → Tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Find out the packet name of the app (for example, for WhatsApp it is com.whatsapp).
6. Perform the port command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will cause the system to install new applications on the SD by default.
7. To transfer an already installed application: adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp (replace com.whatsapp with the desired package).

⚠️ Note: Not all applications will be transferred even through ADB. For example, Google Play Services or MIUI System Apps will remain on internal memory, as well as after the update. MIUI setting ADB may throw off.

💡

ADB-It doesn't guarantee 100% transfer, it depends on the policies of the application, but it's the only way to migrate programs like Telegram or Yandex Maps without rooting rights.

Method 5: Automatically transfer photos and videos through the "Gallery" and "Google Photos"

If you want to make space for photos and videos, you don't have to manually move files. Xiaomi and Google offer automated solutions:

Option A: Setup in the MIUI Gallery

1. Open the "Gallery" → tap on three points → Settings.
2. Select Saving Media Files → specify SD-map as default save place.
3. Activate the option Automatic sort – new photos will be immediately saved to the map.

Option B: Google Photos with SD backup

If you are using Google Photos:

1. Open the application → go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
2. Turn off backup (if enabled) → select Quality → Original.
3. In the device settings (Settings) → Memory) move the folder. DCIM/Google Photos on SD-map.

📌 Important: When you use Google Photos in Original Quality mode, the files will take up space on the map and in the cloud. SD You can delete local copies from internal memory.

What to do if SD-The card is not defined or files are not transferred?

If the system does not see the map or gives an error when transferring, check these points:

If the card is detected but the write speed is extremely low (for example, transferring 1 GB takes 10+ minutes), the problem may be:

• 🔋 A non-original adapter (for example, instead of a UHS-II used UHS-I).
• 🛠️ Wear of slot contacts (a frequent problem in Redmi Note) 8/9 after 2+ years).
• 📉 Map fragmentation (use) SD Card Formatter from SD Association for Deep Cleaning).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to SD in Xiaomi