How to increase memory on a Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide 2026

Why Xiaomi is running out of memory and what to do about it

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face the same problem: memory ends at the wrong time. High-resolution photos, app cache, system updates – all this eats up precious gigabytes. Especially acute is the issue for budget models with 32 or 64 GB of internal memory, where after installing the MIUI firmware, only 20-25 GB for user files.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to expand memory, from the simple addition of a microSD card to the finer configuration of the system. But not all methods are equally effective: some give a gain of 10-15%, and others increase the available space by many times. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to expand memory on Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden MIUI features that few people use.

It's important to understand that not every method is right for your model, for example, the flagship Xiaomi 13/14 does not support memory cards, but they have built-in optimization tools, but in the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 you can install microSD up to 1 TB - but only with the right format.

1. MicroSD Memory Cards: How to Select and Install

The most obvious way is to buy a memory card, but there are pitfalls: not all Xiaomi models support expansion, and choosing the wrong card can lead to brakes or even data loss.

• 🔍 Check compatibility: flagships (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Mix) usually don't have a microSD slot. in budget series (Redmi, POCO) There is a slot, but sometimes it is combined with a tray for the second SIM.
• 📈 Speed class: for recording video in 4K need UHS-I U3 or V30. For photos and music, Class 10 is enough.
• 💾 File system format: cards up to 32 GB are formatted in FAT32, above, in exFAT. MIUI automatically provide the best option.
• 🔄 Adaptive storage: in MIUI 14+ You can "leak" some applications on the map (but not all work stably).

To set up the map:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray for the SIM using a paper clip.
2. Insert the microSD into the appropriate slot (usually marked with an icon) 📁).
3. Turn on the device and wait for the notification of the new drive.
4. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card and select “Use as internal memory” (if needed for applications) or “Portable storage” (for files).

Make sure the model supports memory cards |Check the maximum volume (usually up to 1 TB) |Choose a speed class not lower than U1 for stable operation |Buy a card of a proven brand (SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston) |Save a check in case of warranty exchange-->

⚠️ Note: If you select the "Use as internal memory" option, the card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices!

2.Inline memory optimization: what can be removed without harm

Before you spend money on a memory card, try to make room in the built-in storage. MIUI has hidden tools that help you find and delete unnecessary files.

Open Settings → Storage and pay attention to the following sections:

• 🗑️ App cache: It can be safely cleaned (but some apps will take longer to load on the next run).
• 📁 Downloads: Old ones are often accumulated here APK, documents and media files.
• 🎵 Music and podcasts: cache of streaming services (Spotify, Yandex Music) can weigh several gigabytes.
• 📸 Duplicate photos: MIUI Can find repeated pictures in the gallery.

For deep cleaning:

1. Launch the built-in Security app (shield icon).
2. Select "Cleanup" →"Deep cleaning".
3. Check the boxes for unnecessary files (especially the “Residual Files” and “Large Files”).
4. Press "Clear" and confirm the action.

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To find the heaviest apps, go to Settings → Apps → App Management and sort by size. Often the culprits are messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) with their media files.

3.Moving apps to a memory card: Does it work in 2026?

In older versions of Android, you could transfer applications to SD-Now, this function is different -- it's not always stable. MIUI 14+ algorithm:

1. Insert the memory card and format it as an internal storage (see Section 1).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application you want to transfer and click "Storage".
4. If the "Change" option is active, select a memory card. If not, transfer is not possible.

But there are nuances:

• ⚠️ Not all apps support portability (especially system and secure games).
• 🐢 Annexes to SD-The map is slower (even on the map). UHS-I U3).
• 🔄 After the map is removed, the applications will stop working.
• 📱 On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) transfer disabled by the manufacturer.

⚠️ Note: Transferring applications to a memory card can cause crashes if the card suddenly goes off (for example, due to poor contact).We recommend using this method only for underused utilities, not for instant messengers or banking applications.

4. Cloud Storage: Mi Cloud vs Google Drive vs Yandex Drive

If you can't physically expand the memory, you can move some of the data to the cloud. Xiaomi has its own solution, Mi Cloud, but it's not always convenient.

How to set up autoload photos in Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Mi Cloud → Autoboot.
4. Turn on the switch and select quality (original or compression).
5. Specify which network to download (only Wi-Fi is recommended).

For Google Photos:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and log in to your Google account.
3. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
4. Turn on the function and select quality ("High" - unlimited "Original" - counts from 15 GB).

Mi Cloud|Google Drive|Yandex Disk |Mail.ru Cloud |Other/Not used-->

5. Hidden MIUI features: how to free up memory without deleting files

MIUI has some little-known tools that help save space, and they're not advertised, but they work.

• 🔄 System compression: c Settings → The phone. → Memory is an option called Optimize. It deletes temporary kernel files and compresses system data (releases up to) 1-2 GB).
• 📦 Light versions of applications: in MIUI There are built-in lightweight versions of Facebook, Messenger and other popular apps. 5-10 less originals. Find them in Settings. → Annexes → Lite applications.
• 🎬 Video optimization: Gallery allows you to convert video to a more compact format without a noticeable loss of quality. → three-point → Squeeze.
• 🔍 Search for large files: in Files → Categories → Large files show all files over 10MB, sorted by size.

Another secret is to disable unnecessary system applications, and many pre-installed services (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) can't be removed, but you can deactivate:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (e.g. Mi Pay if you don’t use it).
3. Click "Disable" (not "Remove Updates"!).
4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu and stop updating.

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Disabling system applications doesn't remove them completely, but it frees up space by stopping updates and clearing the cache.

Alternative methods: OTG-drive-and-drive

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t support memory cards, but there’s a port USB-C, can be used OTG-This is a simple plug-in drive. USB-C Or Micro-USB (with adapter:

• 🔌 Up to 2 TB of volumes are supported (in theory).
• 🚀 Read/write speed is higher than microSD (up to 400 MB/s) USB 3.1).
• 🔄 You can quickly connect/disable without restarting your phone.

How to connect:

1. Buy it. OTG-A flash drive (we recommend SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive or Samsung) DUO Plus).
2. Insert it into the USB-C port of the phone.
3. Notifications will appear"USB-The drive is connected.
4. Select "Use as portable storage" or "Transfer files".

For permanent access to files, you can configure a network drive (for example, via Nextcloud or SMB-It's more complicated, but it gives you access to terabytes of data without physical storage:

1. On a PC, install a file program (e.g., Serva for Windows).
2. Create a folder and remember its network path (for example, \\192.168.1.100\Files).
3. On your smartphone, install a file manager with SMB support (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
4. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.
5. In the file manager, add network storage, enter the path and login data.

⚠️ Attention: When in use OTG-Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks (cafes, airports) and attackers can intercept data if the connection is not secure!

7.Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If none of these methods worked, and you don't know what's going on, the last chance is hard reset, which will completely clean the phone, bring it back out of the box, and free up all the space available.

• 📱 All data, including photos, contacts and messages will be deleted.
• 🔑 Linked accounts (Mi Account, Google) will remain, but local files will not.
• ⚠️ On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) After reset, unlocking the loader can fly.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Save all important data to your PC or cloud (see Section 4).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” (not “Reset”!).
4. Enter. PIN-code.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• Don’t restore your backup right away – check how much free memory is available first.
• Install applications selectively, not all at once.
• Turn off autoloading media files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions