Redmi series smartphones traditionally please users with the ratio of price to characteristics, but built-in storage of 32 or 64 gigabytes of the modern owner of the gadget is often catastrophically lacking. Heavy games, social media applications with cache and high-resolution photos quickly fill the available space, forcing the system to work slower and issue notifications about the lack of space. The only effective solution in this situation is the use of an external microSD storage format, which allows you to expand the memory to 512 GB or more.
Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 model face the need for competent file distribution, since data transfer here has its own nuances that differ from other versions of the MIUI shell. Proper configuration of the memory card allows you not only to store media files, but also in some cases to run applications on it, freeing up precious space in the system partition. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparing, formatting and transferring information so that your smartphone works quickly and stably.
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure that you are using a quality memory card from a trusted manufacturer, as cheap analogues can cause data loss or system freeze.The process of optimizing storage requires care, especially if you plan to transfer system data or use the drive as internal memory of the device.
Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work
The first step on the way to freeing up space is to physically install the drive and its initial setup on the Android system.In the Redmi 9 model, a slot for the drive is available. SIM-The card is paired with a microSD slot, so you'll have to choose between using two SIM cards or one SIM card and a memory card. To extract the tray, use a special clip that comes with the kit, and gently press the hole next to the tray.
Once the card is installed in the phone and turned on, the system automatically prompts you to format the drive. Formatting is the process of creating a file system without which the device will not be able to write information. Beware: this procedure will completely delete all data that may already be on the flash drive, so if it has important files, copy them to the computer in advance.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the memory card during the smartphone operation or data recording process, this can cause damage to the file system and loss of information without the possibility of recovery.
The choice of formatting type plays a key role in the future operation of the device: you can use the card as a portable storage for photos and music or try to integrate it into the system. For most Xiaomi users, the best option is to use it as a portable medium, which ensures better compatibility and speed of the interface.
Recording speed checks are an important step that is often ignored: If the memory card is too slow, the smartphone interface may start to slow down and video will be interrupted when shooting, and it is recommended to use cards of UHS-I or higher to ensure stable multimedia functions.
Storage configuration and formatting in MIUI
After physical installation, the Android-based MIUI system will suggest setting up the drive. The standard action algorithm involves going to the settings menu where you need to find the partition responsible for working with memory. The path to the desired parameters is usually: Settings → About phone → Storage or through the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → Memory.
In the menu you will see information about the occupation of internal space and connected SD-Click on your card name to open additional options. Here, it is critical to select "Format" to bring the file system into compliance with the requirements of the smartphone operating system.
☑️ Pre-formatting verification
During the formatting process, the system will create the necessary hidden partitions and folders for the Android system to work correctly. If the menu has a choice between “Use as internal storage” and “Use as portable storage”, the Redmi 9 model is strongly recommended to choose the second option, which will avoid problems with accessing data when connecting the card to other devices and reduce the load on the memory controller.
| Type of storage | Reading speed | Recording speed | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 10 | up to 80 MB/s | up to 20 MB/s | Photos, music, documents |
| UHS-I U1 | up to 100 MB/s | up to 30MB/s | Recording Full HD video |
| UHS-I U3 | up to 100 MB/s | up to 60 MB/s | 4K video recording, games |
| UHS-II | up to 300 MB/s | up to 150 MB/s | Professional photography |
The completion of the formatting is marked by the notification of the successful installation of the drive. From this point, the system is ready to write files, but by default, all new data continues to be stored in internal memory until you change the corresponding settings in the application and camera settings.
Transfer of photos and videos through the Explorer
The easiest and most reliable way to free up space is to manually move your already accumulated media files, and for that, MIUI has a built-in Explorer app that has all the functionality you need to manage your files. Open the app and go to Images or Video to see all the files sorted by folder.
Select the files you need with a long press, and you can choose between individual images and entire folders, which greatly speeds up the process. After highlighting, click the "More" button (three dots or stripes in the corner of the screen) and select "Move". The system will suggest you to choose a destination – in this case, it is yours. SD-map.
⚠️ Note: When moving large amounts of data (more than 10 GB), do not lock the screen of the smartphone and do not switch to other heavy applications, so as not to interrupt the copying process.
Create a new folder on the memory card, for example, DCIM_External or Archive_Photos, If you are moving, make sure to check if the files are opening from a new location, and only then delete the originals from the internal memory if they are not deleted automatically.
💡
Use the “Sort by Size” feature in Explorer to quickly find and move the heaviest video files that take up the most space.
The alternative is to use the Cleanup menu in the Security app, which will analyze the storage itself and suggest that large files be transferred to an external drive, a convenient way for users who do not want to understand the structure of folders and prefer automated solutions.
Setup of the camera to record SD-map
To avoid the possibility of internal memory overflows in the future, it is advisable to set up the standard Camera app so that all new images and videos are saved immediately to an external drive, especially for mobile photography enthusiasts who take hundreds of frames a day.
To change your settings, open the Camera app and click on the menu icon (three bars) in the top right corner. In the list that opens, select Settings. Scroll down to the Saving or Memory section. Here's the Save to the Settings toggle. SD-The card that needs to be activated.
Once this option is enabled, a memory card icon may appear in the viewfinder indicating that the mode is active. Please note that when shooting high-resolution video (for example, 1080p 60fps or higher), the recording speed may be limited by the capabilities of the card itself. If the memory card is slow, the camera may suggest lowering the shooting quality or stop recording video.
What to do if the camera does not save SD-map?
It is important to understand that the settings RAW-Photos or some professional video modes may ignore the drive selection and only store data in internal storage to ensure maximum buffering speed. Check card fullness regularly to avoid missing an important point due to overflow.
Application transfer and cache work
The issue of porting installed applications to a memory card in modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell is not as clear as in older versions of the system. Google has limited the possibility of completely migrating programs to external drives for security and stability.
To check for portability, go to Settings → Annexes → All applications. Select the desired application (such as a navigator or a game) and find the Memory button. If the app developer has authorized the transfer, the Change or Move button will be active. SD-If the button is missing or inactive, the application is rigidly tied to the system partition.
Even if you can't port an app completely, you can transfer its cache and media files. Many social networks (Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram) store uploaded images and videos in separate folders. By moving Android/media folders or specific messenger folders to a memory card, you can free up gigabytes of space.
- 📱 Telegram: folder Android/data/org.telegram.messenger/files contains.
- 📸 Instagram: Stores temporary files in the Android/data/com.instagram.android.
- 🗺️ Navigators: Offline maps can often be reassigned to the settings of the app itself.
- 🎵 Music players: allow you to select a folder for storing downloaded tracks.
⚠️ Note: Transferring system applications or important Google services to a memory card can lead to unstable smartphone operation, so move only custom software that has the appropriate option.
For advanced users, it is possible to use the card as part of internal memory through the ADB-Redmi 9 can be risky due to the features of the MediaTek processor and optimization MIUI. It is better to use the card as a file storage, and install applications in internal memory for performance.
Solution and maintenance of the drive
During operation, there may be situations when the smartphone stops seeing the memory card or the write speed drops to a minimum, often due to fragmentation of files or errors in the file system, regular maintenance of the drive will help to avoid data loss and prolong its life.
If you notice that photos are loaded for a long time or the video is interrupted during playback, try checking for errors. In the "Storage" menu, select your SD-You can find the "Check" or "Fix Errors" option, and the system will automatically scan the sectors and try to repair the damaged areas.
💡
Regular check of memory card for errors and defragmentation (via PC) every 3-4 months significantly increase the stability of multimedia functions of the smartphone.
Also, consider the temperature regime. When you record video in high resolution, the card can heat up. In the Redmi 9 model, where the slot is near other components, overheating can cause the drive to temporarily shut down. Let the smartphone “rest” after a long shoot.
To safely retrieve the card, always use software shutdown. Go to Settings → Storage, select a card, and click "Extract." Only after the notice that the card can be taken out, remove the tray, which will prevent corruption of the data.