How to transfer all data to SD-Map of Xiaomi Redmi 9: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with the ability to expand memory through a microSD card. However, many users face a problem: even after installing a memory card, the system does not offer to automatically transfer data to it. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from standard MIUI functions to hidden settings and workarounds for applications that “do not want” to move to an external drive.

The biggest challenge is the limitations of Android 10, which runs Redmi 9, which is that Google has tightened its external drives since that version, but there are some nuances, like photos and videos are easy to port, but apps are a mess.

• 📁 How do you do it? SD-Home Memory Cards (and Why It’s Not Always a Good Idea)
• 📱 Application portability: what can be moved and what can not
• 📷 Automatic transfer of photos and videos from the gallery
• 🔧 Hidden settings MIUI, which are not written in the official instructions

Important: Not all methods are universal. For example, apps from Google Play do not support porting to the Internet. SD-map, if they use it OBB-files (game cache), but for media files and some APK There are ways around solutions.

1. Preparation SD-maps: formatting and choosing the type of memory

Before you transfer data, you need to properly prepare the card itself. Redmi 9 supports microSD up to 512 GB, but there are two options for using it:

• 🔄 Portable storage – the card works like a flash drive (files need to be manually transferred)
• 💾 Internal memory – the card becomes part of the system (applications can be transferred automatically)

If you need flexibility (like pulling out a card for use in other devices), choose portable mode. If the goal is to free up the internal memory as much as possible, format it as internal.

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be read on other devices without completely erasing the data. A1 or UHS-I.

To format the map:

1. Insert the card into the slot (in Redmi 9 it is combined, so SIM-The card will be temporarily removed).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Click Format as internal (or Configure in newer versions of MIUI).
4. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes).

2. Transfer of applications to SD-map: what works and what doesn't

V MIUI 12/13 portability SD-The map is partially blocked due to Google's policy. APK-You can move files. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Through application settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or VLC).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → choose SD-map.

Method 2: With ADB (for advanced users)

If the transfer button is inactive, you can use the command:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

After that, new applications will be installed on SD-But! this method does not work for system applications and many games (for example, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

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Before you transfer the application, check its size in Settings → Memory. If it weighs less than 100 MB, the transfer may not have a noticeable effect.

3. Automatic transfer of photos and videos from the camera

Unlike apps, media files are transferred to SD-This is how to set up automatic saving:

Step 1: Change the default save location

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the gears (⚙️) top-right.
3. Select a Retention Site → SD-map.

Step 2: Move your existing photos

• 📂 Open the gallery. → highlight files → Move it → select the folder on SD-map.
• 🔄 Use the Explorer (Settings) → Memory. → Files) for packet transfer.

If you have a card installed as an internal memory, all new photos will automatically be saved to it.

⚠️ Attention: When extracting SD-The camera will stop working until it is re-inserted, and some applications (such as WhatsApp) may not see media files on the external drive.

4. File Transfers through Explorer and Third Party Applications

For manual data transfer, it is convenient to use built-in Explorer or third-party file managers (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

Method 1: Integrated MIUI Conductor

1. Open Settings → Memory → Files.
2. Select a category (such as Images or Audio).
3. Click Select → Mark files → Move.
4. In the folder list, select SD-map and confirm.

Method 2: Total Commander (for packet transfer)

• 📂 Install Total Commander from Google Play.
• 🔍 Open the left panel. /storage/emulated/0/ (memory).
• 📁 In the right panel — /storage/XXXX-XXXX/ (SD-map XXXX — her ID).
• 🔄 Select files and press. F6 (Move it).

You can use the "Select All" function to speed up the process, but be careful: some system files cannot be transferred.

• Android – contains application data;
• MIUI - System Firmware Files;
• DCIM/.thumbnails – photo miniatures (transfer can break the gallery).

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Use a computer to transfer large amounts of data (such as movies or music). USB file transfer (MTP) and copy the files directly to SD-This is faster than using a smartphone.

5. Clear cache and temporary files before transfer

Before transferring data, it is recommended to clear unnecessary files so as not to clog up. SD-map of garbage. MIUI There is a built-in tool for this:

Step 1: Cleaning the app cache

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click Deep Clean and select unnecessary files (cache, temporary data, APK).
3. Confirm removal.

Step 2: Removing duplicate photos

• 📷 Open the gallery. → Albums. → Duplicate.
• 🗑️ Select unnecessary copies and delete them.

Step 3: Cleaning up downloads

Download folder often contains outdated files, so you can clean it up.

1. Open Explorer (Settings → Memory → Files).
2. Go to Downloads.
3. Sort files by date and delete unnecessary ones.

After cleaning, check the free space in the internal memory: this will help to estimate how much data you need to transfer to the storage center. SD-For example, if you have 5 GB left after cleaning, and you want to release 10 GB, you transfer that volume.

6. Problems and errors in transferring data to SD-map

Even after you set it up correctly, you can have errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

If they start to crash or not update after transferring applications, return them to internal memory. APK-Files require access to system resources that are not available on the SD-map.

⚠️ Note: If after formatting the card as internal memory, the phone began to brake, check its speed using the application A1 SD If the write speed is below 10 MB/s, the card is better used as a portable storage.

7.Alternative ways to free memory without SD-map

If the transfer is SD-The card did not help or the card is not at hand, you can make room in other ways:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: transfer photos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (gives 5 GB for free).
• 🗑️ Cache Cleanup: Use Settings → Memory. → Cleaning (can be released up to 1-3 GB).
• 🔄 Transfer to PC: connect the phone to USB And copy the files to the computer.
• 📦 Archiving: Pack in rarely used files ZIP (for example, through RAR for Android).

For automatic cleaning, you can configure smart cleaning in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Autoclean.
2. Turn on the option and select the frequency (e.g. Daily).
3. Mark the file types to delete (cache, temporary files, APK).

If you install and delete applications frequently, turn on the Clean After Deletion option in the memory settings.This will automatically delete the remaining files after the APK is uninstalled.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer to SD-map 9