How to transfer applications to the memory card Xiaomi Redmi 8T: expert guide

Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi 8T smartphone often face a critical shortage of free space, especially given that the basic versions of the device are equipped with only 64 or 128 gigabytes of built-in storage. The MIUI system installed on top of the Android operating system occupies a significant amount of disk space, and modern messengers and social networks grow to giant sizes, absorbing gigabytes in a matter of months.

Unfortunately, the standard Android 9 Pie settings and shells MIUI 11 that are relevant to Redmi 8T, They do not provide a simple "Move to" button. SD-Maps for all installed programs, and Google and Xiaomi deliberately limited this feature for the sake of stability and security of user data. However, there are proven technical methods to circumvent these limitations and effectively use the possibilities of memory expansion.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to optimize storage, from regular funds to advanced manipulation of the debugging code. You will learn how to turn a regular flash card into a full-fledged continuation of the system partition, what risks this process carries and how to minimize the likelihood of losing important files. Proper configuration will significantly extend the comfortable use of your device without the need to buy a new smartphone.

Features of memory in MIUI and Android

Understanding the file system architecture is the first step to successful optimization. Unlike older versions of Android, modern builds, including the one on the Redmi 8T, use dynamic memory management. Applications are installed by default in the internal /data partition, which is physically soldered on the motherboard and has high read and write speeds. External drives, even high-speed UHS-I cards, are significantly inferior to internal memory performance.

MIUI aggressively manages background processes, which can create conflicts when trying to transfer executable program files to a slower medium. If the application tries to read data with a delay, the operating system may find the process to be suspended and force it to terminate, which is why Xiaomi, like many other manufacturers, hides the native feature "Adoptable Storage", which would allow you to combine disks into a single pool.

⚠️ Warning: Forced transfer of system components or mission-critical applications to a slow memory card can lead to unstable interface operation, lags and spontaneous smartphone reboots.

However, for media content, documents and some lightweight utilities, using an external drive is a great solution. It is important to distinguish between moving a file and moving an application. If photos and music are clear, then programs require a special approach, since their cache and libraries often remain in internal storage even after the main body of the application is transferred.

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Use memory cards only from proven brands (Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston) with a speed class of no lower than Class 10 or U3. Cheap cards can cause data loss and brakes in the system.

Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work

Before you start any manipulation of the file system, you need to make sure that your external drive is in good condition and formatted correctly. For Xiaomi Redmi 8T, the best choice will be cards up to 256 GB, although support for large volumes is officially announced. Before installing, it is recommended to check the card for errors using a computer using chkdsk utility or specialized software like H2testw.

Put the card into the smartphone slot and wait for the notification of the new device. Go to the settings, select Settings → About Phone → Storage. If the system suggests formatting the card as Portable Storage or Internal Storage, this is a good sign. For our purposes, it is better to choose a portable mode so that you can quickly extract data on the PC if necessary, although full partitions will require formatting.

• 📱 Make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 60-70%, As the process of formatting and redistributing energy-intensive sections.
• 💾 Back up all important data from the memory card, as it will be completely cleared during the setup process.
• 🔌 Check the density of the tray fitting SIM-cards to exclude loss of contact with the drive during operation.

After initial preparation, activate the developer mode, without which further action is impossible. Find Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version seven times. After the message "You became a developer" appears, go to advanced settings and turn on USB Debugging. This is a key parameter for interacting with the system at a deep level.

Standard methods of data transfer in MIUI

To begin with, what the operating system itself offers without the use of third-party software. 8T steerable MIUI 11 there is the option of porting some applications, but the list of available programs is limited to developers. → Annexes → Manage applications, select the desired program and see if the button "Move to" is active. SD-map".

If the button is inactive (gray), it means that the app developer has banned the transfer, or the program structure itself does not support file separation. However, you can always transfer media files within the applications. For example, on Telegram or WhatsApp, you can change the way you save downloaded files. Open the settings of a particular messenger, find the section "Data and storage" and indicate the path to an external map.

Also worth mentioning is Xiaomi's standard Explorer app, which allows you to move large amounts of data quickly, highlight the heavy content folders at the root of internal memory, and use the Move function, which frees up precious gigabytes to install new system or application updates.

Using ADB for Forced Transfer

The most effective way to get around the limitations of MIUI is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit, which allows you to force the standard behavior of the system to make the memory card the preferred place to install new programs, you will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable.

First, download and install Platform Tools from Google's official website. Connect your smartphone to your PC in debugging mode. Open the command line or terminal in the tool folder. ADB and type in the adb device command to make sure the device is visible. RSA-keyboard.

To change the behavior of the file system, enter the following command:

adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2

Here, 2 is the priority of external memory. 0 is the default setting (auto) and 1 is the default setting, and 1 is the forced setting in the internal memory. Once you execute the command, restart the device. Now, when you install new applications, the system will try to place them on the internal memory. SD-map, if the program manifest allows.

⚠️ Note: The setInstallLocation command cannot tolerate already installed applications, it only affects future installations.

It's important to understand that this method doesn't make the card system-friendly. If you remove the drive, the applications will stop running and their shortcuts may disappear from the desktop. In addition, some heavy games may require cache files in the internal memory to properly run the graphics engine.

Memory sharing (Adoptable Storage)

The most radical, but also the most effective method is transformation. SD-This requires deleting all data from the card and formatting it in a special mode. 8T This function can be activated through ADB, Because it's hidden in the settings menu.

Run the command to get a list of disks:

adb shell sm list-disks

You will receive a disk ID, such as disk:179.64, and then use this ID for the formatting command:

adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

Once the process is complete, the system will restart, and the card will be identified as an internal storage, all the data on it will be encrypted and not available on other devices without resetting, this approach allows you to install any applications, even those that normally prohibit transfer.

• 🔒 The data on the card will be encrypted with the key of a particular smartphone and will not be read on a PC.
• 📉 Phone speed can be reduced if a cheap memory card with a low speed rating is used.
• 🔄 When resetting the phone settings to factory data on the map will also be lost without the possibility of recovery.

Using this method turns your Xiaomi Redmi 8T into a device with significantly increased memory, but imposes a commitment to careful handling of the drive.Do not remove the card while the phone is on, and always back up important information to cloud services.

Optimization and maintenance after the transfer

Once you have moved applications or shared memory, you need to optimize the system. SD-The map is faster than the internal map. NAND-repository. 1-2 month) it is recommended to check the state of the drive through the settings of the phone or third-party utilities.

Watch the temperature of the device. Active recording and reading from an external card can cause additional heating of the processor and memory controller. If you notice that the smartphone is warming more than usual, you may want to revise the list of applications hosted on the external media, or replace the card with a better model.

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Regular backup of data from SD-Maps to the computer or the cloud are the only guarantee of information security when using memory expansion methods.

Also, you should disable automatic updates of applications through the mobile network if memory cards are filled with games and heavy software. Google Play Store settings allow you to choose a Wi-Fi network for updates, which will save traffic and battery resources. Remember that even with extended memory overflow system partition (even virtual) can lead to errors in the OS.