Transfer applications to memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular budget smartphone with 32/64 GB of internal memory, which is often not enough to install new applications. Transferring programs to a microSD card seems like a logical solution, but in MIUI this process has nuances: not all applications support movement, and some after transfer work unstable. In this article, 3 proven methods of transfer, including hidden developer settings, error analysis and alternative solutions for freeing memory.

It’s important to understand that Android 9 Pie (which runs Redmi 8) limits portability compared to earlier OS versions. For example, system and piracy-protected apps and games (such as PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) cannot be moved, and we’ll look at how to circumvent these limitations in part, and when to best use card binding as an internal drive – a method that many users miss.

Why Redmi 8 can’t be used to transfer all applications to the SD-map?

The reason is the Android 9 architecture and Google’s policy: since version 6.0 Marshmallow, the portability of applications to external media has become limited. MIUI 11/12 (installed on Redmi 8) these restrictions are retained, but added features:

• 🔒 Secure applications: banking clients (SberBank, Tinkoff), instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and games with DRM (For example, Netflix or Disney+) Blocking the transfer for security reasons.
• 📱 System applications: com.miui.gallery, com.android.contacts and other pre-installed Xiaomi services cannot be moved without root rights.
• ⚡ Productivity: SD-class UHS-I (even labeled A1/A2) It is slower than the built-in eMMC memory. 5.1, What can cause lags in transferred applications.

The critical nuance for Redmi 8 is that if the memory card is formatted as a portable device (FAT32/exFAT), the application portability will not be available. It requires formatting as an internal drive, but it erases all the data on the card!

Before trying to move apps, check:

1. Type of file system of yours SD-maps (in Settings) → Warehouse).
2. Card speed class (must be no lower than Class 10 or U1)
3. Free space on the map (you need at least 20% more than the weight of the application).

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

The simplest method, but it only works for a fraction of the applications, is suitable if:

• 📌 The application supports transfer (checked in its settings).
• 💾 The memory card is formatted as a portable device (not an internal device!).
• 🔄 There is enough space on the map (the transfer creates a copy, not move files immediately).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or VK).
3. Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5 minutes).

Memory card inserted and recognized by the system

The application is not system or secure

There is enough free space on the map (at least +20% of the weight of the application)

Smartphone connected to charging (process can drain battery by 10-15%)

-->

Mistakes and solutions:

⚠️ Note: After the transfer, some applications (such as Google Maps or Yandex Navigator) may lose access to the card cache. → Warehouse → Hand-cleaning cache.

Method 2: Formatting a card as an internal drive

This method allows you to increase the total amount of memory by combining the internal drive and SD-It's good if you're on a map:

• 🔄 You are ready to format the map (all data will be deleted!).
• 📱 You have a class card. UHS-I U3 or A2 (Cheap cards will slow down the system).
• 🔒 You don’t plan to retrieve the card often (the system can crash if suddenly pulled out).

How to do this:

1. Insert the card into the slot (up to 512GB is supported in Redmi 8).
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
3. Press Three dots (⋮) → Storage settings → Internal memory.
4. Confirm the formatting (the process will take 5-10 minutes).
5. After the restart, the system will suggest moving the data. Choose Move now.

What's gonna change:

• 📁 The card will become part of the internal memory (in the File Manager will appear as an Internal drive).
• 🔄 New applications will be installed on the map automatically (if selected in the settings).
• ⚠️ The speed of the system may fall 10-30% (depending on the class of the card).

⚠️ Note: If you extract a card formatted as internal memory without first "safe retrieval" (Settings) → Warehouse → Extract, the system can damage data. In the worst case, the smartphone will stop booting and will need to be reset via Fastboot.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to force applications to be moved, which requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Preparation:

1. Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
2. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 8: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.
3. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

Transfer commands:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2 # Install new applications on SD by default


adb shell pm move-package com.example.app # Move a specific application (replace com.example.app with a batch name)

How to find out the package name of the application?

Use the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "appendix name"

For example, for Facebook:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "facebook"

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It does not work for system applications and some games.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI You may be able to reset the default setting.
• ⚠️ Incorrect commands can cause crashes (for example, a pm move-package for a system application will cause a crash).

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will allow you to restore your smartphone if something goes wrong.

What to do if the application is not portable?

If none of these methods worked, try alternative solutions:

• 🧹 Cache cleanup: Sometimes the app can't be moved because of a large cache. → Annexes → [Name of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reinstall: Remove the app and reinstall it by selecting the memory card as the installation location (not working for all applications).
• 📂 Manual data portability: For some applications (e.g. Spotify), you can only transfer media files. Use File Manager to move folders like this. Android/obb or Android/data.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos, videos and documents to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive to make room.

Example of manual transfer for games:

1. Download the game file (APK + OBB) on PC.
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and copy the OBB folder to your Android/obb/ memory card.
3. Install APK by selecting the memory card as the installation location.

💡

If the application is unstable after transfer (flying, slowing down), return it to internal memory. Memory cards even class A2 will not match the speed of eMMC 5.1 in Redmi 8.

How to avoid errors during transfer?

Frequent problems and their prevention:

Card speed test:

To check if your card is suitable for use as internal memory, install the A1 SD Bench app and run the test.The minimum recommended values for Redmi 8 are:

• 📊 Reading: at least 80 MB/s.
• 📊 Record: at least 20 MB/s.
• 📊 IOPS (4K): at least 500 (for cards) A1) or 2000 (for) A2).

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to Redmi 8