Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphone often face a shortage of free space, as built-in 32 or 64 gigabytes are quickly filled with modern apps and photos. MIUI, Android-based storage doesn't simply transfer data to an external drive, considering it to be a multimedia storage, but there are proven methods to get around this limitation and integrate it. SD-map.
There are two main ways to solve the problem: using the regular system functions to transfer individual files and a more advanced method using the system. ADB-The first option is secure and does not require a computer connection, but it gives a limited result. The second option requires accuracy, but allows you to actually increase the volume of the system partition, which is critical for installing heavy games and programs.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the risks and prepare the device. Any interference with the file system carries a potential threat of data loss, so backup is a must. In this article, we will discuss both methods in detail, paying special attention to the nuances of working with Redmi 8 and its specific shell.
Preparation of memory card and smartphone for work
The first step will be physical and software training of the media. Not every memory card will work as a system partition, as read and write speed is crucial here. For the Xiaomi Redmi 8, it is recommended to use cards of the UHS-I Class 10 or higher standard, ideally the Extreme or Pro series from proven manufacturers.
Put the card in the slot of the smartphone and wait for the notification of the new device. The system will suggest using the drive as a portable storage, and this is a standard behavior that we need to adopt. If the card has been used in other devices before, it is better to format it immediately with the help of the smartphone itself to create the correct file structure.
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Use cards with a capacity of no more than 128 GB, as more capacious models may not be correctly defined by the memory controller Redmi 8.
It is important to check the status of the card for errors to avoid system failures after implementation, you can do this through a computer, running a disk check, or using specialized utilities on Android.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone battery is above 60% before you start any file system manipulations.
- 💾 Make a full copy of important contacts and photos on your cloud service or PC.
- 🔒 Unlock the lock screen and set a strong pin code as it may be required to confirm actions.
Data transfer method by means of MIUI
Staffing of the shell MIUI It allows you to transfer some of the data to an external medium without using complex commands, and this way, not making the card a full internal memory in the system sense, but freeing up precious megabytes in the main partition. → Memory and choose yours. SD-map.
It has internal formatting functionality, but on global versions of Xiaomi firmware, this button is often hidden or missing. If you are lucky and the feature is available, the system will offer to move all data, including the application cache, otherwise you will have to use the application management menu.
Why is the button hidden?
Go to the Settings section → Annexes → App management. Select a heavy application that supports portability, such as a navigator or messenger. Click on Memory and select Move to SD-If the button is inactive, the app developer has banned the transfer, and only root access can help. ADB.
| Type of data | Possibility of transfer | Impact on speed |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Complete. | Minimum |
| Cash app. | Partial | Average. |
| System files | Impossible. | — |
| Game data (OBB) | Complete (manual) | Notable. |
Activation of the developer mode and debugging via USB
To implement a full memory combination, you will need access to hidden Android features through debugging. Redmi 8 owners need to activate the developer menu, which is hidden by default. Go to Settings → About Phone and find the MIUI version.
Click on this 7-10 times in a row until the notification "You've become a developer" appears, and then a new section "Additional → For Developers" will appear in the settings menu, and this is where the keys to managing the system at a deep level lie.
⚠️ Attention: Including debugging by USB It gives you full access to the file system. Don't connect your smartphone to other people's computers or public charging stations in this mode.
In the developer menu, find the USB Debugging Switch and activate it. The system will issue a risk warning — confirm the action. It is also recommended to turn on the option Do not turn off the screen when you connect the charging, so that the process does not interrupt due to the transition to sleep mode.
☑️ Checking readiness ADB
Using ADB to implement a map into the system
The most effective method of transformation SD-cards in the analogue of internal memory - using the tools of Android Debug Bridge. You will need a computer with drivers installed ADB Download platform tools from Google's official website and unpack them into the C root folder for convenience.
Connect Redmi 8 to your computer and select File Transfer mode on your smartphone screen. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type in the adb device command. The phone screen will see a request for debugging permission — tick "Always Allow" and click OK. The console should display the device's serial number.
adb shell sm list-volumesThis command will show you a list of all the connected storages. SD-The maps will look like public:179,64 or similar sets of digits. Remember or copy this one. ID, You will need it for the next command that will start the formatting process.
To implement the card, use the command adb shell sm partition private 100. 100 means that 100% of the card volume will be given to system needs. Once the command is executed, the phone can restart, and the card will become invisible to the usual file manager, since it will be encrypted and integrated into the system.
Configuring ways to save photos and videos
After successful implementation or data porting, you need to reconfigure the cameras and messengers so that they default to save media files to an external drive. In the standard Xiaomi Camera app, go to the settings (three bars in the corner) and find Save on the SD-map by activating it.
For instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, the settings are inside the apps themselves. On Telegram, go to Settings → Data and Memory → Save Path and specify a memory card, which will prevent cache clogs of images and videos from clogging the main partition.
- 📸 Open the camera settings and enable saving to external media.
- 💬 In each messenger, separately check the path for downloading media.
- 🎵 In music players, specify the folder on SD-map as the main library.
⚠️ Note: Once the card is formatted for internal memory, it will not be read on other devices without re-formatting, as the data will be encrypted with the keys of a particular smartphone.
Possible problems and solutions
During operation, there may be situations when the system stops seeing applications transferred to the map, or works slower than usual, often due to a slow speed of reading the card or its physical wear. If the smartphone began to work unstable, try to remove the card and check it for errors through the PC.
Sometimes, after updating the MIUI firmware, the paths to the files can get lost, in which case cleaning the media service cache through the application menu will help, and it is worth considering that some system applications categorically refuse to work with an external drive due to Android security limitations.
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If the smartphone is slow after the card is inserted, it is possible that the recording speed SD-The map is insufficient for the operation of system processes.
In case of complete loss of access to data, you can try to return the card to its original state through the Settings menu. → Warehouse → SD-map → Format. It will delete all the data, but it will restore the normal operation of the device. Always keep backups of critical files on hand.