How to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi Redmi card: all ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory. Even models with 64 or 128 GB quickly clog with apps, cache and media. SD-But here, users are in for a nasty surprise: starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has significantly limited the ability to move applications to external media. MIUI adds its nuances.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi Redmi card – from standard system functions to advanced methods using ADB. You will learn which applications can be transferred and which will remain in internal memory, how to avoid errors in formatting the card and what to do if the system does not see the external drive. MIUI Redmi models from Redmi Note 4 to Redmi 12).

Why Xiaomi Redmi can’t just transfer any app to the same location SD-map

With the release of Android 6.0, Google has tightened its security policy, prohibiting the arbitrary transfer of applications to external media. SD-It's a map, it's written in the manifesto of the application. Most popular programs (including WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram) block this ability.

Xiaomi’s MIUI shell adds another layer of constraints:

• 📱 There is no option to "move to" SD" in the settings of applications (unlike "pure" Android).
• 🔒 Forcing the map formatting as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage) is unstable and can lead to data loss.
• 🚫 System applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) cannot be ported under any circumstances.

Another problem is MIUI 12 Adoptable Storage has been officially removed, which means that the Redmi Note has a new feature. 10/11/12 and other modern models of application transfer SD-The map is only possible through the detours (ADB root-right).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is an Adoptable Storage, which cannot be retrieved without losing data.

Preparation SD-Maps: which class to choose and how to format

Before transferring applications, you need to prepare correctly SD-And the type of map that you have depends not only on the speed of the work, but also on the ability to move the applications.

Requirements for SD-map for Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum class 10 (UHS-I U1/U3). For modern models (Redmi Note) 11 Pro+, Redmi K50) recommended UHS-II.
• 🔹 Volume: from 32 GB (on cards less than 16 GB Adoptable Storage does not work).
• 🔹 Format: exFAT or FAT32 (Adoptable Storage system will format itself in ext4).
• 🔹 Brand: Preference SanDisk, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas is better compatible with the MIUI.

If the card has already been used on another device, it must be formatted directly in the smartphone:

1. Put it in. SD-card to slot (some Redmi models require a reboot).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
4. Click Format as internal (if the option is active) or Clear for normal formatting.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13/14 (Redmi Note 12, Redmi 12C) formatting SD-map as internal memory can cause system failure. Use only external mode!

Method 1: Transfer applications through standard MIUI settings (for supported models)

This method only works on older versions. MIUI (Up to and including 12th) and for apps that support portability. Check it out on Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 9A similarly.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is active, click Change and select SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).

If the button is not Change, it means:

• 🚫 The application does not support transfer (most modern programs).
• 📵 Your version. MIUI This does not allow it to be done (relevant to the MIUI 13/14).
• 🔧 SD-The card is formatted as an external storage (you need to make it internal).

Download the latest version of the app from Google Play|Check the vacant space on SD-card (minimum) 2x size)|Turn off auto-update the app in the Play Market|Make a backup copy of the application data-->

Method 2: Use ADB for forced transfer (works on all models)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system which apps to move, which works even on MIUI 14 and the new Redmi, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Tool. ADB (Download from Android Studio).

Instructions:

1. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the adb.exe folder.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your Redmi.
6. Find out the batch name of the application (for example, for Facebook it is com.facebook.katana). You can do this through the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "app name" or use the App Inspector app from the Play Market.
7. Move the app to SD-Map by command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 Then: adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana (replace com.facebook.katana with the desired package).

If the command is successful, you will see a message Success. Reboot your smartphone and check if the application has moved to Settings → Apps → [App name] → Storage.

adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana 0

0 is the internal memory and com.facebook.katana is the batch name.-->

Method 3: Root-right transfer (for advanced users only)

If neither standard settings nor ADB work, the last option is to get root rights and use specialized applications like Link2SD or App2SD, which gives maximum freedom, but has serious risks:

Cons of rooting:

• 🛡️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔓 Security vulnerabilities (virus and unauthorized access risk).
• 🔄 Impossibility of updates OTA (You will have to install the firmware manually).
• 💥 Risk of “bricking” (turning the phone into a “brick”) when making an error.

How to transfer applications with root rights:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install a custom recavator (TWRP) for your Redmi model.
3. Squeeze Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Download. Link2SD from the Play Market and follow the instructions of the application to create a second partition on the SD-map.
5. Move selected applications through the Link2SD interface.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10C, Redmi 9T) unlocking the bootloader may result in hardware limitations (e.g., shutting down) 5G Check this information on the forum. XDA Developers before the start of the procedure.

Which apps can be moved and which ones can’t.

Even if you manage to activate the transfer, not all applications will work correctly with the SD-These are the main limitations:

Best of all. SD-carry-over:

• 🎵 Offline music and podcasts (apps like Spotify or Yandex Music let you save tracks to the map).
• 📷 Photo and video (via Gallery) → Settings → Preservation site).
• 📖 Books and documents (FBReader annexes, WPS Office supports external storage).
• 🎮 Light games (e.g. Among Us, Brawl Stars) can be transferred through the ADB).

💡

Transfer system applications (e.g. Mi Gallery or Mi Music) to SD-You can't have a card without a root license, and even with a root, it can cause a malfunction. MIUI.

What to do if the application does not work after transfer

Transfer of applications to SD-If the card is not always a stable procedure, if the program makes errors after moving, crashes or doesn't start, try the following steps:

Solutions to problems:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone. Sometimes the system doesn't pick up the changes right away.
• 📥 Update the app. Go to the Play Market and check for updates.
• 🔙 Return the application back. In the application settings, select Move to internal memory.
• 🧹 Clear the cache. Go to Settings. → Annexes → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Check it out. SD-You can plug it into your PC and run the Properties check. → Service → Check it out (Windows).

If the application still doesn't work, it probably doesn't support portability, so there are two options:

1. Uninstall the app and use its web version (e.g. Twitter Lite instead of a full-fledged client).
2. Buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory or regularly clean internal storage (for example, through Settings → Storage → Cleanup).

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map