How to Transfer Apps to a Memory Card in Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete Guide to 2026

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with a modest 32 or 64 GB. Transferring applications to a memory card seems logical, but in reality it is not so simple. The manufacturer imposes restrictions, and the MIUI shell behaves unpredictable with different versions of Android. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, from standard tools to workarounds for experienced users.

It's important to understand that not all apps can be ported. System utilities, anti-piracy games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile), and instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram are most often left tied to internal memory. However, for most user programs, from social networks to offline navigators, transfer is possible. The main thing is to prepare the map correctly and follow the instructions.

We tested the methods on current models: Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and even on the budget Redmi A2. Results differed depending on the version of MIUI (from 13 to 14) and the type of memory card (A1 vs A2).

Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?

The manufacturer argues for performance and safety limitations, because memory cards (even class) are not the only ones that are the most powerful. A2) It is slower than the built-in flash memory UFS 2.2/3.1, It's a modern smartphone, and it's a new application. SD may lead to:

• 🐢 Slowing down the opening of programs (especially noticeable in games and heavy social networks)
• 🔄 Frequent reboots of applications due to lack of RAM
• 🚨 Risk of data loss when retrieving a card without safely shutting down
• 🔒 Security vulnerabilities (annexes to the SD easier to modify maliciously)

Google also introduced the Adoptable Storage concept with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which allows you to “tether” a memory card as part of internal storage, but Xiaomi has disabled this feature in MIUI due to frequent complaints of crashes, and now the transfer is only possible for individual applications that support this option, and then with reservations.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5 and newer transfer of applications to SD It can be blocked for cards formatted as portable (FAT32/exFAT). To unlock the option, you need to reformat the card to internal memory, but this will lead to a complete data cleanup!

Preparation of a memory card: which class to choose and how to format

Before you port applications, make sure your memory card meets the requirements:

• 📱 Speed class: minimum Class 10 (UHS-I), better — A1 or A2. Maps. A2 Optimized to run applications and increase productivity up to 30%.
• 💾 Volume: 32 GB (on smaller cards, the transfer is often blocked by the system) Optimally 64-128 GB.
• 🔧 File system: for cards up to 32 GB — FAT32, If you plan to use a card as an internal memory, the system will format it into a computer. ext4.

To check the current map format:

1. Put the card in your smartphone.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory.
3. Slip on the name of the card - the file system and free space will be displayed.

Important: If the card has already been used on another device, format it directly in the Xiaomi smartphone.

1. Go to Settings. → Memory. → [Name of the map] → Settings (⚙️) → Format.
2. Choose Internal Memory (if you want to use it as a primary storage extension) or Portable Device (if only for files).
3. Confirm the action – all data will be deleted!

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

It's the simplest method, but it doesn't work for all applications. MIUI 13/14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Slip it on the Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, you will see the Change or Move button. SD-Press it.
5. Wait until the process is completed (may take up to a few minutes).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It doesn’t work for system applications and most games.
• ❌ On some models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) The option is hidden even for supported applications.
• ❌ After the transfer, some of the data may remain in internal memory (cache, settings).

⚠️ Warning: If the app starts to crash or slow down after the transfer, return it to internal memory.This is a sign that the memory card is too slow to work smoothly.

Buy a class memory card A1/A2|Format the card in a smartphone|Make a backup copy of important data|Check the free space on the map|Close the portable annex-->

Method 2: Use the card as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

This method allows the system to be “deceived” by making it perceive SD-Importantly, after this operation, the card cannot be retrieved without losing data, it will become inextricably linked to the device, suitable for users who do not plan to change their smartphone or use the card in other gadgets.

Instructions:

1. Put the card in your smartphone and wait for it to be discovered.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → [Name of the map] → Settings (⚙️) → Formatting as an internal storage.
3. Read the warning that all data will be erased and confirm the action.
4. After formatting, the system will suggest moving the data. Choose Move now or Move later.
5. Reset the device.

Now, when you install new applications, the system will ask you to choose a storage location, so you can transfer the programs that are already installed:

1. Go to Settings → Apps.
2. Select the app and tap the Warehouse.
3. Click Change and specify SD-map.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ Most applications can be moved (except for system applications).
• ✅ New programs are installed on the map by default.
• ✅ The total amount of internal memory is increased.

Cons:

• ❌ The card cannot be removed without resetting to factory settings.
• ❌ When the card is broken, the data will be lost.
• ❌ Some apps (like Google Play Services) will still be in internal memory.

💡

If after formatting the card as internal memory, the smartphone began to slow down, try turning off animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then return to Additional settings → Developer Settings → Animation Scale and select No Animation).

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 requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but allows you to migrate even those applications that are blocked in the interface.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap it 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers and activate Debugging via USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)

1. Find out the batch name of the app (for example, for Facebook it is com.facebook.katana).
2. Enter the transfer command (replace package.name with your real name):

adb shell pm set-install-location 2


adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana

If the command is successful, you'll see a message Success. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability ADB. For example, WhatsApp and banking apps are the most likely to issue a Failure error. [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION]. In this case, the transfer is not possible.

Method 4: Transfer application data (cache, media files)

If you can't move the application, you can make space by moving the data -- downloaded files, cache, media -- and this is for:

• 🎵 Music Players (Spotify, VK Music)
• 📷 Photo editors (PicsArt, Lightroom)
• 🗺️ Offline maps (Google Maps, 2GIS)
• 📥 File Managers (Total Commander, FX File Explorer)

How to transfer data:

1. Open the app settings (e.g., in Google Maps: Profile → Settings → Offline Maps → Storage settings).
2. Select the option Device Memory or Storage.
3. Indicate. SD-map.
4. If you don’t have an option in the interface, use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager):

• Find the application folder in /Android/data/[package.name].
• Copy it on. SD-map (e.g. in the /SDCard/Android/data/[package.name]).
• Remove the original folder from your internal memory.

Example for Spotify:

1. In Spotify settings, select Warehouse → Memory of the device → SD-map.
2. Download songs for offline listening – they will automatically be saved to the map.

💡

Transferring data from applications (cache, media) is the safest way to free up internal memory, and does not affect performance, since files are only downloaded when needed, rather than participating in the application in real time.

Post-transfer problems and solutions

Even if the transfer was successful, Xiaomi users often encounter bugs, and consider typical situations and ways to fix them:

Frequent errors and codes:

• INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION — Application does not support transfer.
• ERROR_MOVE_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE — There's not enough space on the map.
• ERROR_MOVE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR — System failure, rebooting will help.

If the application is unstable after transfer, check:

1. Memory card speed with A1 SD Bench (must be at least 10 MB/s for reading).
2. Free space on the map (at least 10% of the total).
3. No broken sectors (scan the map through the computer utility CrystalDiskInfo).

Alternative ways to free up memory without transferring

If the applications are transferred SD-card is impossible or causes failures, consider alternative methods:

• 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Apps, select the program and tap Clear the cache. Use Settings for bulk cleaning. → Memory. → Cleanup.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive. Set up automatic download to Settings → Google → Backup.
• 🗑️ Removing duplicates: Use Files by Google or SD Maid to find unnecessary files.
• 🔄 Resetting the system cache: In Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Cache system (does not delete personal data, but releases up to 1-3 GB).
• 📦 Lite versions of apps: Install lightweight versions of social networks (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) and instant messengers (Telegram X).

Hidden MIUI function: Some firmware has a Memory Optimization option that automatically cleans unused files to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Slip on Optimization (Broommark).
3. Turn on the Auto Clean option and set up a schedule.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving apps to Xiaomi