Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in late 2017, is still a popular device due to its combination of price and specs. However, the basic version of 16 or 32 gigabytes is often not enough for the modern user, who actively takes photos, shoots high-resolution video and installs many applications from Google Play. Built-in storage quickly fills up, and the system starts to run slower, requiring immediate intervention.
Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have designed the ability to expand memory with microSD cards, which allows you to increase the available space to 128 GB (and sometimes more, depending on the compatibility of the card), turning the device into a real multimedia center. Proper installation of the drive is not just a mechanical action, but also a process that requires understanding the principles of the Android file system.
In this article, we will go through all the steps, from tool preparation to the configuration of the card you just installed, you will learn how to safely remove the tray without damaging contacts, and whether to format the drive as internal memory or use it as a portable storage.
Choosing the right storage device for Redmi 5
Before you physically insert a card into your device, you need to make sure you have the right type of drive. For Redmi 5, microSDHC or microSDXC cards are suitable. It is important to pay attention to the speed class, as this depends on how quickly files and applications will open if you decide to transfer them to an external medium.
Class 10, UHS-I, or A1 cards are the best choice. Slow cards (such as Class 4 or Class 6) can lead to noticeable delays in video capture or photo saving, and slow down the system interface. Manufacturers like SanDisk, Samsung, and Kingston have proven to be reliable suppliers of components for mobile devices.
- 📏 Form factor: MicroSD (standard) SD The card does not physically fit into the slot).
- ⚡ Speed class: minimum Class 10 / U1 comfortable.
- 💾 Volume: Officially supported up to 128GB, but 256GB cards often work correctly.
- 🛡️ Reliability: Choose models with protection from water and temperature changes.
It’s also worth mentioning that buying too large cards (like 512GB or 1TB) for this smartphone may not be advisable. The memory controller in the Snapdragon 450 processor, which is installed in Redmi 5, may not work properly with extremely large volumes, or the file system will work unstable.
⚠️ Warning: Buy memory cards only in trusted stores. There are many counterfeits in the electronics market that have a declared volume, but when filling in more than one. 4-8 GBs start overwriting old data, which leads to their irretrievable loss.
💡
Check your memory card on your computer before installing it on your phone using h3testw, which will reveal a fake or a fake before you upload important photos.
Preparation for installation and search for tray
The installation process begins with the search for a tray for SIM-In the Xiaomi Redmi 5, it is located on the lower end of the case, to the left of the microUSB charging socket. The design is made in the form of a retractable mechanism, which requires careful handling so as not to damage plastic guides or metal contacts.
To extract the tray, you will need a special metal clip (comes complete) or a thin needle.Do not use thick objects such as toothpicks (they can break inside the hole) or knives (they can easily scratch the body).Put the tool into a small circular hole on the tray frame and press until a characteristic click.
Once the tray is out, carefully remove it completely. Notice its shape: it has two seats. One is designed for the purpose of the car. SIM-The cards (usually nano-SIM) and the second one is for a microSD card. It is important not to confuse them, as they have different shapes and sizes of contacts.
☑️ Preparation for map installation
It is recommended to wipe the contacts of the card with a soft dry cloth before installation to remove dust and static electricity. It is also a good practice to turn off the smartphone before manipulating the hardware, although modern Android devices often support hot replacement. Redmi 5 is safer to perform all operations with the power turned off.
Instructions: how to insert a memory card correctly
The most critical thing is physically putting the drive into the tray. The tray in Redmi 5 has a specific form of "clip" or frame, where the memory card is inserted on the back of the tray relative to the other side. SIM-It's a hybrid slot, but most of the time, the memory card is placed on one side of the frame, and it's a hybrid slot. SIM-card - on another, or they are located on top of each other depending on the revision of the tray.
Place the memory card in the appropriate recess. Make sure it lies flat and does not protrude beyond the edges of the frame. The contacts of the card should be directed downward (to the contacts of the phone), and the bevelled angle should coincide with the shape of the tray. If the card does not fall easily, do not push with force - you may be confusing the sides.
| Tray element | Location. | Orientation of contacts | Type of card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 (external) | On the one hand, the framework | Down. | Nano-SIM |
| Slot 2 (internal) | On the back of the frame | Down (to the frame) | microSD |
| Slot 3 (alternative) | Near the SIM | Down. | Second SIM or microSD |
Once the card is placed in the tray, carefully insert the frame back into the phone case. Watch the direction: the tray should enter smoothly, without skewing. If you feel resistance, turn the tray over, most likely it is inserted on the wrong side. Bring the frame to the click so that it matches the body.
⚠️ Warning: Never insert a tray into your phone if the memory card dangles or falls out of it.This can lead to the card getting stuck inside the slot and damage to the smartphone contact group.
Primary configuration and formatting
After switching on the smartphone system MIUI It's going to automatically detect a new drive, and it's going to show a notification that a new drive has been discovered. SD-But to work properly, you have to format it, and it's going to destroy all the data, so if there's something on the map, you have to copy it to your computer in advance.
Go to the settings menu, scroll down to Advanced Settings (or immediately find Storage in the main settings). The system will suggest how to use the memory, which is an important point that affects the future operation of the device.
You can choose formatting as Portable Storage or Internal Memory. The first option allows you to store photos, videos and music, and port some applications. The second option encrypts the card and makes it part of the system partition, but after that it will not be read on other devices without a complete reset.
Settings → About Phone → Storage → SD- Card → SetupFor most Redmi 5 users, the best choice is a portable drive mode, which gives you flexibility: you can pull out the card at any time, paste it into the card reader and copy files to your computer. Internal memory only makes sense if the built-in 16/32 GB is critically small for installing applications.
What is the difference between the card operation modes?
Configure the default photo and file saving
After successful formatting, it is important to reconfigure the camera and other applications to store data immediately on the new bulk drive, bypassing limited internal memory, which will prevent the phone from receiving calls due to overflowing system partition.
Open the Camera app. In the upper right corner, click on the menu (three bars) and select Settings. Find the storage priority and switch it to the Settings menu. SD-Now all the new images and videos will be recorded there.
Similar actions should be taken for instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, and each app has a data and storage section in its settings, where you can specify a path to save media files, especially for group chats that can take up gigabytes of space.
- 📸 Camera: Settings → Priority of conservation → SD-map.
- 🎵 Settings: Settings → The way to preserve → Memory map.
- 📥 Downloads: Browser → Settings → Download folder → Choose the path SD.
Remember that some system processes and application cache will still take up space in internal memory. Periodically check the main partition through the Warehouse menu and clear the cache if necessary.
⚠️ Note: If you are actively using the serial shooting mode or recording video in the video 4K (If supported by third-party software, make sure that the memory card is fast enough. A slow card can interrupt the recording or cause delays between frames.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Even with the right installation, users can encounter errors "SD-card damaged" or "Empty SD-This may indicate poor contact in the first place. Try gently wipe the contacts of the card with a wipe or an alcohol wipe and insert it again.
Another common problem is file system incompatibility: If the card was formatted on a computer in NTFS format, the phone won't see it or will offer formatting. Android works best with FAT32 (for cards up to 32 GB) or exFAT (for cards above 32 GB).
If the phone cyclically restarts after installing the card, it may be that the drive has damaged sectors or a virus. Check the card on your computer with antivirus and chkdsk utility. In rare cases, the problem may be the oxidation of the contacts of the smartphone itself.
💡
Most memory card problems in Xiaomi Redmi 5 are solved by re-formatting directly into the phone menu or replacing the card with a better-quality model of a well-known brand.
In case nothing helps and the phone doesn’t see the card at all, try resetting the phone to factory settings (pre-made a backup).If that doesn’t help, the power controller or the slot itself in the phone may be faulty, which requires contacting the service center.