How to move files from a memory card from a Xiaomi phone: photos, videos and applications

Transferring data to an external memory card in Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face the limitations of MIUI, the lack of a microSD slot in new models or copying errors. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to move files (including hidden ones), explain why some applications can not be moved, and show how to get around typical problems — from “insufficient memory” to “read-only card”.

Xiaomi’s peculiarity is that even in phones with a microSD slot (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO X5 Pro), the system defaults to save media files in internal memory. And in flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra slot is not at all — you will need alternative solutions. We tested the instructions on MIUI 12, 13 and 14, so the methods are relevant for most devices of the brand.

1.Preparation: Which Memory Card to Choose for Xiaomi

Before you transfer files, make sure your microSD is compatible with your phone. Xiaomi officially supports SDXC (up to 2TB) cards, but there are nuances:

• 🔹 Speed class: for recording video in 4K need UHS-I U3 or V30. Class cards C10 It's only suitable for photos.
• 🔹 File system: Xiaomi works with the FAT32 (up to 32 GB and exFAT (64 GB). NTFS unsupported!
• 🔹 Manufacturer: avoid no-name cards - they often fake speed performance.SanDisk Extreme, Samsung are optimal EVO or Kingston Canvas.

If the phone doesn’t see the card, check:

1. Is it formatted in exFAT (via PC or phone settings)?
2. Are there any physical injuries (try inserting them into another device)
3. Does your Xiaomi model support memory cards? For example, the Xiaomi 13T Pro does not have a slot, but the Redmi 12C does.

⚠️ Attention: MicroSD cards wear out over time. If your phone says "card is damaged," don't format it right away -- try reading the data via PC using TestDisk or PhotoRec.

2. Method 1: Move files through the MIUI Explorer

The easiest method is to use the built-in Explorer (Files app) that allows you to move photos, videos, music and documents without any additional software.

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Device → tab > select a folder (e.g. DCIM for photos or Download for downloads).
3. Press your finger on the file (or several) → click Allocate (if you want to move everything).
4. Slip the Move icon (or Copy if you want to leave the original).
5. Go back to the root directory, select SD-map → Create a folder (for example, Photos) → press Insert.

If the button is inactive:

• 📌 Memory card is protected from writing (check the switch on the adapter).
• 📌 File system of the map — NTFS (You need to format it in exFAT).
• 📌 The destination folder on the map has limited rights (try creating a new folder).

Method 2: Automatically save photos and videos to the map

To save new photos and videos to microSD, change your camera settings:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
3. Select Camera Settings → Save Place.
4. Indicate. SD-map and confirm the choice.

Important: This option is not available on all models, for example, in the Xiaomi 13 Pro it is not due to the lack of a slot for the card, and some shooting modes (for example, 8K or Pro mode) can ignore this option and save to internal memory.

If after changing the settings, the photos are still stored in the internal memory:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🔄 Check if the card is installed as a portable storage (you need to format it as an internal storage device).
• 🔄 Update the Camera app via Google Play.

Method 3: Use of the card as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

This method allows you to expand internal memory due to microSD, but has limitations:

• ✅ Applications can be installed on the map (if you support the transfer).
• ❌ The map cannot be extracted; it becomes part of the system.
• ❌ After extraction, the data on the map will be inaccessible (formatting will be required).

How to set up:

1. Put the card in the phone.
2. When the notice “New” appears SD-map" tap "set up the setup.
3. Choose to use it as an internal memory.
4. Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
5. After completion, go to Settings → Storage and select which data to transfer to the map.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps will work from a card, such as WhatsApp, banking apps and high-demand games (Genshin Impact, PUBG) They may refuse to start or brake.

5. Method 4: Transfer applications to a memory card

In MIUI, the transfer of applications to microSD is limited, and even if the card is configured as internal memory, many programs (especially system ones) remain in internal storage.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Slip the vault. → Change.
4. If you're an option SD-Card active – select it and confirm the transfer.

Critical information: Apps with a widget (e.g. Google Widget) or services with background work (Telegram, Viber) may stop updating in real time after transfer to the map.

If the transfer button is inactive:

• 📱 The app does not support transfer (most games and social networks).
• 📱 The card is not formatted as internal memory.
• 📱 In the developer settings, the item Forced to allow the transfer to SD (see below).

💡

To see the hidden port option, turn on the developer mode: go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the MIUI version. Then in Additional settings → For developers, activate Forced to allow port to SD (if any).

Method 5: Transfer files over PC (for large volumes)

If you need to move tens of gigabytes (like a movie collection or backup), it's easier to use a computer. USB-cable and follow instructions:

1. On the phone, when connecting, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On PC, open “This Computer” → find a Xiaomi device.
3. Copy files from internal storage to an SD card.
4. Use TeraCopy or FastCopy to speed up (they copy data faster than standard Windows Explorer).

If the PC does not see the memory card:

• 🖥️ Check if the card is recognized on the phone (open Files» → SD-map).
• 🖥️ Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 🖥️ Update the drivers MTP on PC (via Device Manager).

💡

When you copy large files (>4 GB) to a FAT32 card, you will have an error. Format the card in exFAT in advance!

7. Solving errors when transferring files

Let’s look at the typical problems and their solutions:

If the phone says "Map damaged":

1. Connect the card to the PC through the card reader.
2. Run chkdsk X: /f in the command line (replace X with a disk letter).
3. If it doesn’t work, use the SD Card Formatter for low-level formatting.

8.Alternatives: Cloud Storage and OTG-accumulator

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have a microSD slot (like the Xiaomi 13T or Mix Fold 3), consider other ways to expand your memory:

• ☁️ Cloud services: Google Photos (free up to 15 GB, photo compression). Mi Cloud (5 GB free for Xiaomi owners). Yandex Drive (10 GB free).
• 🔌 OTG-drives: plug-in flash drives USB-C (For example, SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive. SSD (connect through the adapter USB-C → USB-A).
• 📱 Transfer over the network: Send files to your PC over Wi-Fi via Mi Drop or LocalSend. FTP-server FX File Explorer).

To automate backup to the cloud:

1. In Google Photos: Enable Backup and Sync.
2. In Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.

💡

Cloud storage is convenient, but it depends on the speed of the Internet (>1 GB is better to use OTG-storage or memory card (if there is a slot).

FAQ: Frequent questions about file transfer to Xiaomi