How to combine memory card with internal memory on Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their price-performance ratio, but users often face a shortage of internal memory — especially on budget models with 32 or 64 GB. The solution seems obvious: install a microSD card and expand storage. However, simply copying files to an external drive does not solve the problem completely — many applications still require installation in internal memory. Fortunately, MIUI has a feature to combine the memory card with internal storage, which allows you to use microSD as part of the system memory.

But there are pitfalls here. Not all cards are good for this operation, and the wrong actions can lead to data loss or even phone malfunction. In this article, we'll look at how to safely make a memory card internal memory on Xiaomi Redmi, what requirements are imposed on the drive, and what to do if something goes wrong, and you'll learn which Redmi models support this feature and where it can be blocked by the manufacturer.

Xiaomi Redmi models support memory integration

Adoptable Storage was first introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and Xiaomi has integrated it into its MIUI shell. However, not all Redmi devices support this option the same.

• 📱 Redmi Note 4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11 — Supports the function on all versions MIUI 8–14, But some firmware may require unlocking the bootloader.
• 📱 Redmi 4/5/6/7/8/9/10 — similar, but on budget models (e.g. Redmi) 5A) The function may be unstable.
• 📱 Redmi K20/30/40/50 and POCO-Supported by the series, but on some versions MIUI The option is hidden in the developer.
• ⚠️ Redmi with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A/9C) — It may have limitations due to the chipset.

Important: on Android 10+ and MIUI 12+ devices, the function can be called "Format as internal memory", "Expand memory" or "Merge with device". If you don't find this item in the settings, your model may not support it officially.

Requirements for a memory card to combine with internal memory

Not every microSD is suitable for expansion of system storage, Xiaomi and Google have strict requirements for storage drives to be used as internal memory.

Why does it matter? When combined, the memory card is formatted into ext4 or f2fs, a file system that only your smartphone understands. If you extract it and paste it into another device, the data will be unavailable. In addition, slow cards (such as Class 4) will cause lags and slow down the phone, as the system will constantly access the external drive.

⚠️ Note: If you use a microSD card as internal memory, it can't be retrieved without resetting your phone to factory settings.

Step-by-step: how to make a memory card internal on Xiaomi Redmi

Before you start, make sure that:

Now we move on to the setting:

1. Insert a microSD card into your smartphone. If a notification appears "New media detected", click "Configure".
2. Go to Settings → Memory (or Storage).
3. Tap on the name of your memory card (for example, "SD-map: 64GB").
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select "Storage settings" (or "Moreover").
5. Select "Format as internal" (or "Combine with device").
6. Read the warning that all data will be deleted and confirm the action.
7. Wait until the formatting is complete (it can take 5-15 minutes) and after the reboot, the card will become part of the internal memory.

If the "Format as internal" item is missing, try:

• 🔧 Update MIUI last-minute.
• 🔧 Enable "Developer Mode" and check the settings there.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-team (instruction below).

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If the phone is slowing down after the combination, check the card speed using the A1 SD Bench application. If the write speed is below 10 MB / s, replace the card with a faster one.

Memory integration via ADB (if the standard method does not work)

Some MIUI firmwares have hidden the memory-unification function, and in this case you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for advanced users.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB smartphone.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Find out your memory card ID: adb shell sm list-disks is usually disk:179,X, where X is a digit.
4. Format the card as internal memory (replace X with your value): adb shell sm partition disk:179,X private
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After this operation, the card will be encrypted and tied to your device, and retrieving it without resetting the settings will lead to data loss.

⚠️ Note: If you are selling or transferring a phone, make sure to Format as portable in the storage settings, otherwise the new memory card will not work on another device.

What to do if after the combination of the phone began to slow down

One of the most common problems with using microSD as internal memory is slowing down your smartphone.

• 🐢 Low speed of writing/reading cards (especially on Class) 4/6).
• 🔄 Constant access of the system to an external drive (for example, when running applications).
• 🗑️ Data fragmentation (over time, the card gets clogged and the speed drops).

Decisions:

1. Move frequently used applications back to internal memory: Go to Settings → Apps → Select App → Storage → Change → Internal Memory.
2. Clear the cache: In Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
3. Format the card again: If the lags don’t pass, return the card to portable memory mode, format it on your PC in FAT32, and then reunite.
4. Buy a faster card: The best option is a microSD UHS-I U3 or A2 (for example, SanDisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus).

How to return the memory card to normal mode (portable)

If you decide to give up the combined memory or want to retrieve the card for use in another device, you need to return it to portable storage mode.

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Press on the memory card.
2. From the menu, select "Format as portable" (or "Disable as internal").
3. Confirm the action. All data on the map will be deleted!
4. After formatting, the card will again become a normal removable drive.

If this item is not in the settings, you can use ADB:

adb shell sm partition disk:179,X public

(where X is your card ID, as in the previous instruction).

⚠️ Note: If you remove a memory card formatted as an internal one without first "switching off", the phone may stop loading or not work stable, in which case you will need to reset to factory settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When combining a memory card with internal storage, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

Another common mistake is trying to use a card that has already been formatted as an internal card on another phone, in which case Xiaomi Redmi will not be able to read it because the data is encrypted, the solution is one: format the card on a PC in FAT32 (with loss of all data).

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If you plan to sell or transfer your phone, make sure to put the memory card back in portable mode, otherwise the new owner won’t be able to use it, and you’ll have to explain how to fix the situation.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions