How to make a flash drive the main memory on Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially on budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage, the solution is to use a microSD card as the main storage, but simply inserting a flash drive is not enough: you need to format it correctly and configure the system so that applications and files are saved to the external storage media by default.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for transferring memory to the SD-Map in Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO Black Shark: through standard settings MIUI, assisted ADB-You will also learn which memory cards are suitable for this task, how to avoid errors and what to do if the system does not see the flash drive after formatting.

1. Which memory cards are suitable for use as the main storage

Not every microSD card can be a complete replacement for internal memory. To work correctly on Xiaomi, the media must meet several criteria:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum UHS-I (U1) class 10. Optimally — UHS-I U3 or A2 (Application-specific maps. Class maps U1/Class 10 Suitable for storing files, but can slow down when you start applications.
• 🔹 Volume: from 32 GB to 2 TB (in practice, it is better to choose 64-512 GB). Cards less than 32 GB may not be formatted as internal memory.
• 🔹 Manufacturer: give preference to brands SanDisk, Samsung EVO, Kingston or Lexar: Cheap no-name cards are often forged to indicate overrated features.
• 🔹 File system format: For use as internal memory, the card will be automatically formatted to ext4 or f2fs (Don't be afraid - that's okay).

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be read on other devices (e.g., PC or camera) without resetting the settings first.

Method 2: Formatting the card as internal memory via MIUI

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on Android 9-14.

Instructions:

1. Insert the memory card into the smartphone slot (if you have a hybrid-slot, you will have to choose between the second one). SIM-map SD).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → Memory card (in some versions) MIUI The path may be different: Settings → Warehouse → SD-map).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
4. Tap to format as internal (or internal) memory.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (may take 5-15 minutes).
6. After formatting, the system will prompt you to Transfer Data – agree to free up the built-in memory.

Make a backup copy of data from the card|Charge your smartphone at least 50%|Make sure the card is compatible|Disable the antivirus (can block the process)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) The formatting option as internal memory may be hidden. MIUI Use alternative methods before the latest version (see Section 4).

Method 2: Transfer applications to SD-formatting-free

If you don't want to format the card as internal memory (for example, to use it on other devices), you can transfer applications to it manually, which is less effective, but it keeps the card compatible with other gadgets.

How to move applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want to migrate (not all programs support this feature).
3. Tap the Warehouse and click Change (or Move to) SD-map).
4. Confirm the action. Some system applications won't be portable.

Limitations of the method:

• 📌 Ported application widgets may not work.
• 📌 Some programs will be slower to start (depending on the speed of the card).
• 📌 Application updates can reset portability settings.

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Before perenosom, check its size in Settings → Applications. If the program weighs less than 100 MB, the transfer may not provide significant memory savings.

Method 3: Using ADB for Forced Transfer

If MIUI doesn’t have the option of formatting a card as internal memory, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and working with the command line, but gives you more control over the process.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode (go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the MIUI version).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB, select File Transfer mode and confirm debugging permission.
5. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell


sm list-disks

You'll see a memory card ID, like disk:179.64. Copy it and follow the command:

sm partition disk:179,64 private

Replace 179.64 with your ID, and once you execute the command, the card will be formatted as internal memory.

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If the card is not determined after the command is executed, restart the smartphone. In some cases, re-formatting via MIUI is required.

Possible problems and solutions

In the case of SD-Xiaomi users often encounter typical errors. Let's consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Note: If after formatting the card as internal memory, the smartphone began to slow down, check its speed using the application A1 SD If the write speed is below 10 MB/s, the card is not suitable for use as the main storage.

6. How to return the memory card to its original state

If you have decided to refuse to use SD-It's like internal memory, and it can be returned to standard mode:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
2. Click on the three dots in the top corner and select Storage Settings.
3. Tap format as portable (or portable storage).
4. Confirm the action. All data on the map will be deleted!

After reset, the card can be used on other devices, but all previously transferred applications will have to be installed again.

7. Alternative ways to save memory on Xiaomi

If the transfer is SD-The card has not solved the problem of memory shortage, consider additional methods:

• 🗑️ Cache Cleanup: Regularly delete unnecessary files through Settings → Memory. → Cleaning or using the Security app.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or Yandex Disk to automatically upload photos and videos.
• 📱 Lite versions of apps: Install lightweight versions of instant messengers (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔄 Transfer media files: Manually move photos, videos and music to the map through any file manager.

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Enable Smart Cleanup in MIUI (Settings → Memory → Auto Clean) and it will automatically delete unnecessary files (e.g. duplicate photos or old APKs).

FAQ: Frequent questions about using a flash drive as a primary memory