How to transfer data to a memory card in Xiaomi: all the ways to photo, video and applications

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones often face a lack of internal memory, especially if you actively shoot high-resolution photos, download movies or install heavy games. A microSD card can be a salvation, but it is not always obvious how to get the system to save data there. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to transfer files to an external drive, from standard Android settings to hidden MIUI functions and workarounds for stubborn applications.

It is important to understand that not all data can be moved to SD-For example, app cache and system files are usually stored in internal memory for security and performance reasons, but photos, videos, music and even some games are perfectly feasible to transfer. 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Lite with the latest versions MIUI 14/15 — The instructions are relevant to most modern brand models.

1. Memory card preparation: formatting and file system selection

Before you set up data storage, you need to properly prepare the memory card itself. Xiaomi supports microSD up to 2 TB (in practice, up to 1 TB is tested), but there are nuances with the file system:

• 📁 FAT32 — It is compatible with all devices, but limits the size of a single file to 4 GB. It is suitable for photos and music, but not for video in the video. 4K or large archives.
• 🔧 ExFAT is the best choice for Xiaomi. removes the file size limit, runs faster, but may not be readable on older computers (before Windows). XP).
• ⚠️ NTFS — Not recommended, Android does not support recording on NTFS rootless.

If the card is already formatted in FAT32 and you need to write files larger than 4 GB, reformat it via your smartphone:

1. Insert the card into the slot (some Xiaomi models require a nano-SIM adapter).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Click Format → as internal memory (this will allow you to install applications on SD) or as a portable device (for file storage only).
4. Select exFAT from the list of file systems.

⚠️ Note: Formatting as internal memory encrypts the card and binds it to your smartphone. Once extracted, the data will not be available on other devices without resetting the settings.

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. Choose Memory. → Memory map.
4. Confirm your choice if a speed warning appears.

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11), the path may be different: Camera settings → Additional → Save Place. If the Memory Card option is inactive, check:

• 🔌 The card is inserted correctly and recognized by the system (check in Settings). → Memory).
• 📸 No format for shooting. RAW — version MIUI blockage RAW-file SD.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone after changing your camera settings.

On smartphones with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), when recording video in 8K, saving to a memory card can be blocked due to performance limitations, in which case you only need to transfer files manually after shooting.

3. Transfer existing files to SD-map

If you've already had your internal memory clogged and you've set up new files to save to a map, you can transfer the old data in a number of ways:

Method 1: Through the built-in file manager

1. Open the Files app (Folder icon).
2. Go to the Internal Memory section.
3. Select files (hold your finger on the file → mark the rest).
4. Click More → Move → Memory Map and select the destination folder.

Method 2: Through PC (for large volumes)

If you need to transfer tens of gigabytes, it is easier to connect your smartphone to your computer:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-C cable.
2. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification on your phone.
3. On your computer, open this computer → find a Xiaomi device.
4. Copy files from the Internal Storage folder into the SD Card.

⚠️ Note: Do not move the Android folder manually, this can break the application. Use specialized methods to transfer the cache and data programs (see section 5).

4. Set up downloads and app cache

Browsers, instant messengers and other applications by default save downloaded files to internal memory, which can be changed in the settings of each application separately:

MIUI Browser or Google Chrome:

1. Open the browser → ⋮ → Settings → Downloads.
2. Select a Retention Site → Memory map.
3. Specify the folder (for example, Download).

Telegram:

1. Go to Settings → Data and memory → folder for downloads.
2. Click Change. → Memory map.

For app cache (such as Google Maps or Spotify music):

• 🗺️ In Google Maps: Profile → Settings → Offline maps → Preservation site.
• 🎵 In Spotify: Settings → Data data → Storage area (premium subscription required).

💡

If the application does not allow you to choose SD-Try creating a folder with its name (for example, a map, SDCard/Telegram) And then manually move the files there, and some programs automatically pick up the new path.

5. Transfer of applications to a memory card (with restrictions)

Android MIUI greatly limit the ability to transfer applications to SD-But some of the software can be moved:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as a game).
3. Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.

Please note:

• ✅ It only works for applications that support adoptable storage (usually games and lightweight utilities).
• ❌ System applications, Google Play Services and most social networks cannot be moved.
• ⚠️ After the transfer, the application may run slower (depending on the class). SD-map).

Root rights will be required to force all applications to be transferred, but this voids the warranty and may disrupt MIUI. The alternative is to use the application cloning function in MIUI (for some models) to create a copy of the program that will store data on the SD.

6. Automation of data transfer

To avoid manually moving files, set up automatic saving on SD:

For photo and video:

Use the Google Photos app:

1. Open Google Photos → Profile → Settings → Backup.
2. Turn off auto-save to internal memory.
3. In the camera settings (as in Section 2) select SD-map.

For downloads from the Internet:

Files by Google can automatically clear internal memory and offer to transfer files to SD:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Launch the Cleanup. → File transfers.
3. Select files to move and specify SD-map.

For advanced users, Tasker or MacroDroid is a good tool for creating a rule like “if a new file appears in Download, move it to SD.” However, setting up takes time and understanding the logic of automatic tasks.

💡

The most reliable way is to immediately set up the saving of new files on the SD-Automatic transfer of existing data is often slow and can skip files.

7 Solving Saving Problems on SD

If your smartphone refuses to save data to a memory card, check the following points:

If the memory card suddenly ceased to be defined:

1. Remove it and re-paste it.
2. Check the card on another device (for example, on a PC through a card reader).
3. Format it in exFAT via your smartphone.
4. If it doesn’t work, the card might fail (especially if it’s a cheap no-name).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F4 GT) post-refresh MIUI Reset the settings of saving photos on SD. Check the path of saving after each major update!

FAQ: Frequent questions about saving data on SD in Xiaomi