Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with the ability to expand memory via microSD. However, many users face a problem: even after installing a memory card, new applications by default are stored in internal memory, quickly clogging it. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring applications to SD-map, including hidden settings MIUI, team ADB Bypassing the limitations of Android 10+.
It’s important to understand that since Android 6.0, Google has tightened its rules on external drives, with manufacturers including Xiaomi often blocking direct installation of apps on SD due to security and performance risks. However, workarounds exist, ranging from standard features to advanced methods for power users.
Why does Redmi 9 not allow you to install apps on a memory card?
The reasons are rooted in the Android architecture and Xiaomi’s policies:
- 🔒 Limitations MIUI: The firmware by default blocks the installation on SD For most applications, except media files.
- 📱 Android 10+: Since this version, Google has banned direct installation. APK External drives without root rights.
- ⚡ Performance: Class Memory Cards A1/A2 slower internal memory, which can slow down applications.
- 🛡️ Security: Annexes to SD It is easier to steal or replace, especially if the card is retrieved.
However, there are workarounds, such as some apps (like Google Maps or Spotify) that allow you to manually save cache to the SD, and for full transfer, you will need additional manipulation.
Method 1: Configure a memory card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage)
This is the official method from Google, but Xiaomi hides it in the depths of settings, suitable for A1/A2 cards up to 256 GB.
⚠️ Note: Once formatted as an internal storage card, it cannot be retrieved without data loss, and it can reduce card speed by 15 to 30% due to encryption.
- Insert the memory card into the Redmi 9 slot (up to 512GB cards are supported, but up to 256GB is better for Adoptable Storage).
- Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
- Stick to three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Storage Settings.
- Click Format as internal storage → Clean and format.
- Wait until it is completed (it may take 5-10 minutes). After the restart, the system will suggest moving the data.
Make a backup copy of data from the card|Check the speed class (minimum) A1)|Charge the phone to 50%+|Disable important notifications during the process-->
After formatting:
- 📁 New applications will be installed automatically if there is not enough space in the internal memory.
- 🔄 Existing applications can be manually transferred through Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Warehouse → Change.
- ⚠️ Some system applications (such as Mi Store or Google Play Services) will not be portable.
Method 2: Transfer applications over ADB (no root rights)
If the previous method didn’t work or you don’t want to format the map, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).
⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB They can disrupt the system. On Xiaomi Redmi 9S MIUI 12+ This method only works for a part of the applications – system and some games (for example, for example, for the game, PUBG Mobile cannot be moved.
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
- Download ADB Tools and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.
- Open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + PCM → Open PowerShell window here) and type:
adb devices(Series numbered device should appear. If not, check the drivers.)
adb shell pm set-install-location 2This command forces the system to install applications on the SD by default.
adb shell pm get-install-locationCheck: If 2 [external] returns, the setting is applied.
To transfer already installed applications, use:
adb shell pm move-package com.example.app(Replace com.example.app with a batch name for the app, such as com.whatsapp.)
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You can find out the batch name of the application through the App Inspector utility (free in Google Play).
Method 3: Use of third-party applications (with limitations)
Google Play has utilities that promise to port apps to SD, but most require root rights or are unstable. We tested several options for Redmi 9:
| Annex | Demands a rut? | Works for MIUI? | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| App2SD | ❌ No. | ✅ Partially. | It only transfers cache and data, not APK. |
| App Quarantine | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Only for "freezing" applications, does not transfer to SD |
| ES Conductor | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | It can only move files, not APK. |
| FolderMount (XDA) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Requires root and setup through ADB |
The only app that more or less stable works without root rights — App2SD, But it only carries a fraction of the data. APK-file.
Why do most of the carriers not work for MIUI?
Method 4: Root rights + Link2SD (for advanced users)
If you're ready to get root rights, Link2SD is the most powerful solution, and it creates symbolic links, allowing applications to "think" that they're in internal memory, even though they're actually on an SD.
⚠️ Note: Getting root rights to Redmi 9 leads to:
- 🔴 Loss of warranty (if phone warranty).
- 🔴 Inability to use banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.).
- 🔴 Risk of "bricking" in case of firmware error.
If the risks are acceptable, act as follows:
- Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
- Install custom recovery (TWRP) for Redmi 9 (instructions for XDA).
- Squeeze Magisk to obtain root rights.
- Install Link2SD and follow the instructions in the application to create a second partition on SD (ext2/ext4).
Once configured, Link2SD will allow:
- 📲 Move over APK, data SD.
- 🔄 Automatically move new applications.
- 🗃️ Freeze and defrost applications.
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Link2SD is the only way to transfer all application data (including APK) to the SD without losing functionality, but requires root rights and ext4 partition configuration.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after a successful transfer, Redmi 9 users are plagued with bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The application does not start after the transfer | SD-The card is too slow or damaged | Check the card for errors through chkdsk on PC or replace it with class A2 |
| The system does not see the card after formatting as an internal one. | Encryption failure | Reboot your phone. If it doesn't work, format the map again. |
| You can't move system applications | MIUI Limitation | Use ADB or root rights (see Method 2 and 4) |
| After the MIUI update, the transfer was reset | Resetting the storage settings | Repeat the command adb shell pm set-install-location 2 |
If after transferring the application begins to slow down or fly out, try:
- 🔄 Putting it back in your inner memory.
- 📥 Install the Lite version of the app (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main client).
- 🛠️ Clear the cache through Settings → Annexes → [Choose] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
Alternative ways to free up memory on Redmi 9
If porting apps to SD didn’t help or isn’t suitable, consider these options:
- 🗑️ Cache cleaning: In Settings → Memory. → Cleaning Up to 1-3 GB of Unnecessary Files.
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos (up to 15GB free) or Mi Cloud (5GB).
- 📂 Media transfer: Music, movies and documents are easy to move to SD manually through any file manager.
- 🔄 Factory reset: The last resort if the phone is full of junk!
To automate cleaning, install CCleaner or Mi Security (built into MIUI).
- Delete residual files after uninstallation of applications.
- Clean the cache of social networks (Vkontakte, Instagram, etc.).
- Find and delete duplicate photos.