Xiaomi’s microSD-enabled smartphones allow you to expand storage, but by default, the system stores files into internal memory. This quickly clogs it up, especially if you’re actively shooting 4K videos, installing games, or downloading large files. In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to transfer data to an SD card, from standard MIUI settings to hidden features for power users.
It's important to understand that not all data can be transferred. For example, system applications and some cache will remain in internal memory. But photos, videos, music, documents and even some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) can be saved to an external drive. We tested the methods on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13T — all of which work on MIUI 14/15 and Android 12-14.
1. Preparation SD-maps: formatting and type selection
Before you set up file saving, you need to properly prepare the memory card. Xiaomi supports two microSD modes:
- 📁 Portable storage: The card works like a flash drive, files are manually transferred.
- 🔄 Internal memory: the card becomes part of the system (Adoptable Storage format) and allows you to install applications, but once the card is removed, the data will become unavailable.
For most tasks, portable mode is enough. SD-Choose your internal memory, but remember:
⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card will not be read on other devices (PC, camera) and all data from the card will be deleted without recovery.
To format the map:
- Insert the microSD into the slot (some models, such as the POCO F5, need an adapter for the SIM2).
- Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
- Click Format → Internal Memory (or Portable Storage).
- Confirm the action. It'll take 1-5 minutes.
2. Configure the saving of photos and videos on SD-map
By default, Xiaomi's camera saves the pictures to internal memory. To change that:
In the standard annex, the Chamber:
- Open the camera and tap on it. ⚙️ Settings (or swipe left on some models).
- Select a Retention Site → Memory map.
- Restart the application to make the changes effective.
If you don't have a memory card, your model doesn't support SD directly, so use a workaround:
- 📱 Install an alternative camera (such as Open Camera or GCam) and set the path to the camera. SD-map.
- 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and manually transfer files from the folder DCIM memory-card.
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V MIUI 15 there is a function of automatic transfer of old photos to the SD-Included in Settings. → Warehouse → Make room → File transfers.
| Xiaomi model | Support for SD Saving in a Standard Camera | Alternative method |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12/13 | ✅ Yes. | — |
| POCO X5/F5 | ✅ Yes (only in Portable Storage mode) | Use the Open Camera |
| Xiaomi 13/14 | ❌ No. | Transfer via Files or PC |
| Redmi A2/A3 | ✅ Yes. | — |
3. Transfer of installed applications to SD-map
Not all applications can be transferred to a memory card. System utilities (Settings, Phone, Messages) will remain in internal memory, but games and third-party programs (such as Telegram, Spotify) often support portability.
Instructions for MIUI 14/15:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want (such as WhatsApp).
- Slip the vault. → Change. → Memory map.
- Confirm the transfer. The process may take a few minutes.
If the button is not Change, the application does not support portability.
- 📲 Use the function of Cloning applications in MIUI (The clone can be installed on some models. SD-map.
- 🔧 Install the application through ADB Compulsory path indication (method for experienced users).
How to transfer the application through ADB?
4. Automatic saving of downloads on SD-map
Files downloaded through the browser or Google Play are saved by default to internal memory.
For Mi Browser or Google Chrome:
- Open the browser and go to ⋮ → Settings → Downloads.
- Select a Retention Site → Memory map.
- Specify the folder (for example, Download or create a new one).
For files from Google Play:
- 📥 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Preferred installation location.
- Select a Memory Card (not available on all models).
If you do not have an option, use the workaround:
- Download the file to internal memory.
- Open the File Manager+ application.
- Find the downloaded file, click on it → Move → Memory Map.
Install SD-map as a portable storage|Change the download path in the browser|Transfer existing files through "Files"|Checking free space on the map (minimum 10% of the volume)
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5. Transfer of music, documents and other files
Music files (.mp3,.flac, documents (.pdf,.docx) and archives are easily portable to the SD-manually or automatically.
Method 1: Through the Files app
- Open Files (the folder icon on the home screen).
- Go to Audio, Documents or Downloads.
- Select files → Move → Memory card.
Method 2: Automatic synchronization
- 🎵 For music: in Mi Music or Spotify, point the way to the SD-map in settings (Settings) → Download folder).
- 📄 For documents: use Google Drive or Dropbox with setting up offline save to the map.
Method 3: Through the PC
Connect your phone to your computer in file transfer (MTP) mode. Open the Internal Storage folder and manually drag files to the SD Card. This method is more reliable for large files (for example, 1080p movies).
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To speed up the transfer, use the card reader: remove SD-You can connect it directly to your PC through an adapter, and you can copy it 2-3 times faster.
6. Problem Solving: Why Files Are Not Saved SD-map
Sometimes even after all the settings, files continue to be stored in internal memory.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No Memory Card option in camera settings | The card is formatted as internal memory or not supported by the model. | Reformat the card to Portable Storage or use a third-party camera |
| Applications are not portable to SD | The manufacturer has blocked the transfer (for example, Facebook, Instagram) | Use ADB or clone the app in MIUI |
| Files disappear after rebooting | The card is damaged or improperly retrieved | Check the card for errors via PC (chkdsk in Windows) |
| Slow recording on SD | UHS-I U1 Class Card (Write Speed ~10MB/s) | Replace the UHS-II U3 or A2 class card |
If the phone can't see SD-map:
- Reset the device.
- Remove and re-insert the card (on the phone turned off).
- Check the card on another device (for example, on a PC).
- Update your firmware: Sometimes SD bugs are fixed in newer versions of MIUI.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) post-update MIUI 15 can be a lost path to save photos. Check the camera settings after each update!
7. Optimization of work with SD-card: tips for advanced
To make the most of the memory card:
- 🔋 Turn off the caching on the card: in Settings → Warehouse → Memory map → Settings disable Cache. This will extend the life of the card.
- 📊 Separate data by folder: create separate directories for music (Music), photos (Photos), documents (Docs.
- 🔄 Check the map regularly: use utilities like SD Card Tester (available on Google Play) for error diagnosis.
- 🛡️ Encrypt Sensitive Data: C Settings → Security → Encrypting a memory card can protect files with a password.
For POCO and Redmi owners with Game Turbo:
In the Game Turbo settings, you can specify that the games are installed on the SD-It's the default card:
- Open the Game Turbo (joystick icon).
- Go to Settings → Place of installation of games.
- Select Memory Card.
Critical information: On models with a hybrid slot (SIM2 + microSD) with active second SIM-speed of reading/write on the map SD It can drop by 30 to 50 percent. It's a hardware constraint -- for maximum performance, use a separate memory card slot.