How to transfer all data to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI There is a lot of internal memory, especially in budget models with 32-64 GB of storage. The solution seems obvious to use a microSD card, but the system defaults to save files in internal memory, and data portability is not always intuitive. In this article, we will discuss all the ways of forced preservation of the SD-map: from photos and videos to apps and cache, including hidden settings MIUI bypassing the limitations of Android.

It's important to understand that current versions of Android (starting with the 11th) and MIUI 12+ block full portability of applications to the memory card for security reasons. However, for media files, documents and parts of system data, solutions exist. We tested the methods on the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and Mi 11 Lite models, the instructions are universal for most devices of the brand.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t save files to the default memory card

The manufacturer configures the MIUI so that by default all data is written to internal memory.

• 🔹 Productivity: Internal storage (eMMC/UFS) It is faster than most microSDs.
• 🔹 Security: Memory card files are easier to steal or damage.
• 🔹 Android restrictions: since version 11, Google has banned apps from writing data to external media without explicit permission.
• 🔹 Fragmentation of files: frequent recording on SD-card shortens its lifespan.

However, the user can manually reconfigure the save for most file types, with the exception of some system data (e.g. MIUI updates) and secure application files.

⚠️ Attention: Class Memory Cards UHS-I U1 or below may inhibit the recording of video in 4K. For stable work, use cards. UHS-I U3 or V30/V60 (For example, SanDisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus).

Preparation of a memory card: formatting and verification

Before setting up the save, make sure the memory card:

1. It is formatted in the exFAT or FAT32 file system (for cards up to 32 GB).
2. It is supported by the device (maximum volume depends on the model, usually up to 1 TB).
3. Not damaged (check through Settings) → Memory. → Verification SD-map).

To format the card directly in the smartphone:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
2. Click Format as internal (if you want to expand memory) or Format as portable (for normal use).
3. Confirm the action. Attention: formatting will delete all data!

If you chose formatting as internal memory, after the reboot, the system will offer to transfer some data, which is suitable for devices with Android 9 and below. On new versions of MIUI (12+), it is better to use portable mode and configure the saving manually.

Configure saving photos and videos to a memory card

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

Step instructions:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the icons ⚙️ Settings (usually in the upper right corner).
3. Scroll to the Warehouse section.
4. Select a Memory Card (or) SD-map).
5. Confirm the change. All new photos and videos will now be saved to SD.

For models with MIUI 13/14, the path may be different:

Camera → Settings → Additional → Save Place → Memory Map

⚠️ Note: If after changing the settings, photos are still stored in internal memory, check the permissions for the Camera application in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Memory. Make sure that access to SD-map allowed.

To transfer existing photos:

1. Open the Gallery or the Files.
2. Select the required files (long press). → pick up).
3. Click Move and point the way to SD-map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera).

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If the memory card isn't on the storage list, remove it and repaint it, sometimes rebooting your smartphone helps.

Transfer of applications and their data to SD-map

With Android 11 and MIUI 12+, porting apps to a memory card is severely limited, but for some applications, it is possible through:

• 📱 Application settings: some programs (for example, Telegram or VLC) allow you to choose the place of cache and downloads.
• 🔧 ADB-commands: for forced transfer (requires PC and debugging by USB).
• 📁 Manual transfer: through Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Memory.

Instructions for manual transfer:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
3. Press Memory.
4. If the option is available to Change or Move to SD-map, use it.

For Xiaomi models on Android 10 and below, you can use ADB:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on SD-Default card. Once executed, restart the device and check the free space in Settings. → Memory.

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD This can cause them to slow down, especially if the class memory card is UHS-I U1 Don't carry system applications (MIUI Launcher, Services – This will cause disruption.

Automatically save downloads and files on SD-map

By default, browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser) and file managers save downloads to internal memory.

For Google Chrome:

1. Open Chrome and press it. ⋮ → Settings.
2. Go to Downloads.
3. Click the Save Place and select the folder on SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Download).

For Mi Browser:

1. Open the browser, tap. ⋮ → Settings → Additionally.
2. Select the Loading Path and specify SD-map.

To save all files to SD by default, use Google Files:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory.
3. Select the Memory Card as the primary storage.

Transferring cache and game data to a memory card

Games (like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) take up gigabytes of space, and you can't transfer them to SD entirely, but you can change the cache location:

For Google Play Games:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Google Play Games → Memory.
2. If the option Clear the cache is available, do so, then reinstall the game by selecting SD-map.

For manual transfer:

• 📂 Use a File Manager (such as Solid Explorer) to manually move the folder. Android/obb on SD-map.
• 🔄 After moving, create a symbolic link (requires root or ADB):

adb shell ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb /sdcard/Android/obb

On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13, some games (such as PUBG Mobile) block startup from external memory, in which case only cleaning the data and rebooting to the internal drive will help.

Problem Solving: The memory card is not defined or saves files

If after all the settings files are still saved to internal memory, check:

If the card is defined but does not save files:

1. Check the free space: Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
2. Make sure the card is not protected from writing (switch on the adapter).
3. Restart the device – sometimes resetting the MIUI cache helps.

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On devices with MIUI 13/14 Android 12+ Some functions of data transfer to SD-The card can be locked at the system level, in which case use cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) or external storage. SSD-adapter-driven USB-C.

FAQ: Frequent questions about saving to a memory card in Xiaomi