How to transfer data to the fullest SD-map in Xiaomi smartphones: applications, photos, documents

Memory ends on Xiaomi smartphone, and you do not want to delete your favorite photos or important documents? SD-The map is the best solution for users who are facing a lack of built-in storage. MIUI This process has nuances: from restrictions on the transfer of applications and ending with the features of formatting memory cards as an internal drive.

In this article you will find the most important ways to transfer MIUI 14/15, including step-by-step instructions for different types of data (photos, videos, applications, files), as well as analyze typical errors - from "SD-The card is "undetectable" before recording problems. Particular emphasis is placed on the model with a hybrid slot (Redmi Note). 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro, where the memory card replaces the second SIM.

Before you start transferring, make sure your SD-The card meets the requirements of Xiaomi:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum UHS-I (Class 10 for recording video 4K, better — A2 application.
• 🔹 Volume: 32 GB (at least 64 GB is required for formatting as internal memory).
• 🔹 Format: exFAT or FAT32 (The latter does not support files. >4GB).

Important: Not all applications can be transferred to SD-System utilities (Settings, Phone, Messages) and some games (such as Genshin Impact) will remain in internal memory. Also note that once the card is formatted as an internal drive, it will not be read on other devices without formatting it.

1. Preparation SD-maps: formatting and compatibility check

Before transferring data, the memory card must be properly prepared. Incorrect formatting is the main cause of errors such as "SD-"Card damaged" or "Inadequate rights to record." Here's how to avoid problems:

First, insert the card into the slot (in models with a hybrid slot, for example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro, you will have to choose between the second one). SIM and SD). Then go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-The system will offer two use cases:

• 📱 Portable storage: the card works like a flash drive, files are transferred manually.
• 🖥️ Internal memory: the card becomes part of the system (requires formatting, data will be deleted!).

For full application transfer, choose internal memory, but remember:

⚠️ Note: After formatting as an internal drive, the card cannot be retrieved without losing data, it will also become "bound" to the device and will not be read on a PC without additional manipulation.

If the map is not determined:

1. Check it on another device (for example, on a PC through a card reader).
2. Update MIUI to the latest version – older versions had bugs with exFAT card recognition.
3. Try formatting the card on a PC in FAT32 (use the SD Formatter utility from the SD Association).

2. Transfer of applications to SD-map: step-by-step instruction

Application portability is the most difficult step, because MIUI blocks this feature for most system and popular programs, but for supported applications, the algorithm is as follows:

Open the Settings. → Annexes → App management. Select the application you want (like Telegram or Spotify) and click Storage. If the Change option is active, select SD-map and confirm the transfer.

What to do if the "Change" button is inactive?

• 🔧 Check if the card is formatted as internal memory (portable storage does not support application portability).
• 🔧 Some apps (like WhatsApp) block the transfer for security reasons.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-commands for forced transfer (instruction below).

For advanced users: transfer via ADB (requires a PC and enabled debugging over USB).

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install new applications on the SD-The default card. To get the settings back, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Format SD internal memory|Enable debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps)|Install ADB-PC drivers|Download the Android platform SDK Tools|Create a backup copy of the data-->

3. Transfer of photos, videos and documents

Media files and documents are the easiest to transfer — you don't have to format the map as internal memory, just use the built-in MIUI file manager or third-party applications like Files by Google.

Method 1: Through the "Conductor" MIUI

1. Open the Explorer application (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Internal Memory section and highlight the files (press your finger on the file → mark the rest).
3. Press More. → Copy, then go to the SD-map and select Insert.

Method 2: Automatic booting on SD

To save new photos and videos to the map:

1. Open the camera → Settings (cogs) → Storage.
2. Choose. SD-card (if the option is inactive – the card is not formatted as an internal card).

Method 3: For documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX)

Use the WPS Office or Google Drive app:

• 📄 V WPS Office: Open the file → Save how → choose SD-map.
• ☁️ Google Drive: Upload files to the cloud, then download them directly to the cloud SD browser.

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If the process is interrupted when copying large files (>1 GB), try breaking them up with an archiver (such as ZArchiver) or use a PC to transfer them through a card reader.

4. Data portability errors and their solutions

Even after proper preparation, Xiaomi users face errors, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

Special case: error "SD-slow-card"

This problem arises when using Class 4/6 cards or forgeries.

• 🛒 Buy a card with a marking A1 or A2 (optimized for applications).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the system misidentifies the card speed.
• 📉 Turn off the app caching on SD in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → For developers → Not to keep the action SD).

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If, after transferring the application to SD They start to slow down, put them back in their internal memory, even the memory cards in their class. A2 slower-than-integrated memory eMMC/UFS.

5. Data portability for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi models have unique features of working with the SD-Let's look at the most popular maps:

Redmi Note 11/12 Series: Support cards up to 1TB, but in a hybrid slot. To transfer applications, formatting as internal memory is required. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has an exFAT recognition bug - use FAT32.

POCO F4/F5: Optimized for gaming, but transferring the heavy games (Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG) to SD leads to lags. Solution: only transfer media files, and leave games in internal memory.

Xiaomi 13/14 Series: flagships without a slot under SD-The alternative is to use the map. OTG-Driver or cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).

Redmi 9/10 Series: 512 GB card size limit. If you exceed it, the system may not see the card. Solution: split the card into two sections (for example, 256 GB + 256 GB) using MiniTool Partition Wizard.

6. Alternative Memory Release Methods

If the transfer is SD-The card didn’t solve the memory problem, consider these methods:

Cleaning up cache and garbage:

• 🧹 Use the built-in Cleanup utility (Settings) → Warehouse → Cleanup).
• 🧹 Remove the cache of individual applications in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Moving to the cloud:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, Gallery and Notes integration.
• ☁️ Google Photos: Unlimited storage of compressed photos (quality "High quality").

Use of the OTG-storage:

If there is no slot in the device under SD (For example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, connect the flash drive through OTG-Adapter for automatic mounting:

1. Connect the flash drive through the adapter.
2. In the conductor MIUI choose USB-accumulator.
3. Transfer files as usual SD-map.

Important for Xiaomi users with a hybrid slot: if you often switch between the second SIM and SD-With a map, consider the eSIM option (available in Xiaomi) 12T Pro, 13 Lite and later, this will allow you to use the memory card without victims.

7.Security of data: backup before transfer

Data portability is always fraught with risks, from random formatting to hardware failures, and backup will help avoid losing important files.

Backup methods:

What must be kept:

⚠️ Note: When formatting SD-The cards as internal memory erase all data, including hidden application files: 📸 Photos and videos from folders DCIM and Pictures. 📄 Documents from Download and Documents. 🎵 Music and downloads from Music and Downloads. 📱 Backups of applications (if you use Titanium Backup).

For automatic backup photos in Google Photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Enable the option and select quality (Original or High).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to SD in Xiaomi