How to transfer all data to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: photos, videos and applications

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer flexible storage settings, but it’s not always clear how to get the system to save files to a memory card rather than internal memory. This is especially true for owners of devices with 32-64 GB of built-in storage, where every megabyte counts. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to transfer data — from photos and videos to app cache — taking into account the features of different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi limits the ability to work with the SD-For example, starting with Android 6.0, apps by default cannot write data to external media without explicit permission. However, there are workarounds, and we will describe them in detail (FAT32, exFAT, NTFS), How to avoid formatting errors and what to do if the system does not see the memory card.

Preparation of a memory card: selection and formatting

Before you set up data storage, make sure your memory card is compatible with the device. Xiaomi officially supports microSD up to 2 TB (in practice up to 1 TB due to file system limitations), but there are nuances:

• 🔹 Speed classes: for recording video in 4K full HD class UHS-I U3 or V30 (30MB/s minimum write speeds Class 10 cards are only suitable for photos.
• 🔹 File system: MIUI working correctly FAT32 (up to 32 GB and exFAT (up to 2 TB). NTFS It is supported only for reading.
• 🔹 Manufacturers: SanDisk Ultra, Samsung cards are recommended EVO Kingston Canvas – They are less likely to cause errors in Xiaomi.

If the card is new or previously used in another device, it must be formatted directly in the smartphone:

1. Insert the card into the slot (some models, such as the Redmi Note 10, require you to turn off the phone).
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
3. Click Format as internal storage (if you need to expand memory) or Format as portable (for normal use).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (the process can take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Formatting as internal storage will encrypt the card and it will become unreadable on other devices. SD, But it can reduce its lifespan.

2. Configure the saving of photos and videos on the memory card

By default, Xiaomi's camera saves the pictures to internal memory. To change that:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (settings) in upper right corner.
3. Select the location of the save → memory card.
4. Restart the camera to make the changes effective.

If the Memory Card option is inactive:

• 📌 Make sure the card is formatted and recognized by the system (check in Settings). → Warehouse).
• 📌 In some models (for example, POCO X3) You need to take a picture first, then click on the gallery SD-map.
• 📌 For videotaping in 4K the card should be supported UHS-I U3.

Automating the transfer of old photos:

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Select.
2. Tag files and click More → Move → Memory Map.
3. Use the function Storage Optimization in Settings → Storage to remove duplicates.

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If the camera does not save the photo on SD-card, try restarting your phone or temporarily disabling battery optimization for the Camera app in the settings.

3. Transfer of applications to a memory card

MIUI has two ways to transfer applications:

Method 1: Through storage settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
3. Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.
4. Confirm the transfer (may take a few minutes).

Method 2: Formatting the card as internal memory

This method allows you to install new applications immediately on the SD, but has limitations:

• 🔧 The card will be encrypted and will not work on other devices.
• 🔧 Not all apps support portability (e.g. Google Play Services or system utilities).
• 🔧 Application speed may decrease (depending on the card class).

To activate:

1. Insert the card and go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
2. Select Format as Internal Storage → Format.
3. After formatting in the storage settings, the option Storage by default will appear - select SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be retrieved without data loss, and this can lead to faster wear and tear due to frequent overwriting.

4. Automatic saving of downloads and files on SD-map

By default, downloaded files from the browser or messengers are saved to internal memory.

For the Mi Browser browser:

1. Open the browser and press. ⋮ (menu) → Settings.
2. Select Downloads → Folder for downloads.
3. Show the way. SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Downloads).

For Google Chrome:

Chrome does not directly select SD-map, but you can use a workaround:

1. Download the file.
2. Open Files → Downloads, select the file and click Move → Memory Map.
3. Use automatic sorting in Settings → Storage → Optimization of files.

For instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp):

• 📥 In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Download folder → choose SD-map.
• 📥 WhatsApp: Transfer is only possible manually through Files → WhatsApp → Media.

Choose. SD-map as the default storage in the browser|Move existing downloads manually|Set up auto sorting in "Files"|Check the free space on the map once a week-->

5. Solving memory card problems

If Xiaomi doesn’t see the map or there are errors in writing, follow these steps:

The map is not recognized:

• 🔌 Reboot the phone.
• 🔌 Check the card on another device (it may be damaged).
• 🔌 Clean the contacts of the card with alcohol and move it.
• 🔌 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (some firmware has bugs with the SD).

The "Map damaged" error:

1. Make a backup of the data (if the card is read on a PC).
2. Format the card in your phone: Settings → Storage → Memory Map → Format.
3. If the error is repeated, the card is faulty, replace it.

Applications are not portable to SD:

• 🛠️ Make sure the card is formatted as an internal storage.
• 🛠️ Check if the app supports portability (some games and system utilities – no).
• 🛠️ Use it. ADB For forced transfer (only for experienced users).

To diagnose memory card problems, MIUI has a hidden menu:

Enter the dialer in ##4636##


Select "Testing" → "Memory Card Test"

Storage optimization: How to free up space in internal memory

Even after the data transfer to SD-This is the internal memory card that can fill up:

• 🗑️ Cache cleanup: Settings → Warehouse → Clear cache (releases up to several gigabytes).
• 🗑️ Removing duplicates: use the built-in Storage Optimization utility or the Files by Google app.
• 🗑️ Transfer media files: in the Gallery or Files, select unnecessary photos / videos and click Move to SD.
• 🗑️ Disable auto download: in messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) turn off automatic download media.

For deep cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click Application Data → Sort by size.
3. Remove or transfer to SD the most “heavy” applications (for example, Facebook, TikTok).

If the internal memory is 90%+ full, the system starts to slow down, the optimal filling rate is up to 70%, and use the Warehouse widget on the home screen to monitor it.

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Regularly check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder – it accumulates thumbnails of photos that can be safely deleted (releases up to 1-2 GB).

7.Alternative ways to expand memory

If the transfer is SD-The card does not solve the problem of memory shortage, consider other options:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: Mi Cloud (5GB free for Xiaomi users), Google Drive (15GB) or Yandex Disk (10GB). Set up autosynchronization photos in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of the gallery.
• 🖥️ USB-OTG Drives: Connect the flash drive through the adapter USB-C/OTG. Use to store movies, music or backups.
• 🔄 Factory reset: Last resort if memory is clogged with system debris.Before reset, back up to Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

For POCO or Redmi owners with a 3.5mm connector, there’s an unexpected life hack: some models (like the POCO X3 NFC) support memory cards up to 1TB, but only if they’re formatted to exFAT on a PC before inserting into the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cards in Xiaomi