How to transfer memory to SD-Xiaomi Redmi: We make a micro card-SD main-storage

The memory shortage on Xiaomi Redmi is one of the most common problems users have. 128 GB internal drive quickly clogged with photos, videos and apps, especially if you are actively shooting in the video. 4K or set up heavy games. SD-A card can be a lifesaver, but just inserting it into a slot is not enough. To really expand memory, you need to turn a microscope into a microscope.-SD The main storage, so that the system perceives it as part of the internal memory.

But there are nuances: not all Redmi models support this feature out of the box, and the wrong actions can lead to data loss or slowdown of the phone. In this article, we will discuss the official method (for supported devices) and alternative methods for other cases. You will also know which ones SD-The cards are suitable for this task, how to avoid typical errors and what to do if the phone "can't see" the drive.

We will warn you right away that not all applications can be transferred to SD-a card, even if it is formatted as an internal memory. some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile refuses to work with external media due to protection against cheating. SD-The cards are lower than the internal memory, so performance can fall by 10-30% with heavy use.

1 What Xiaomi Redmi models support SD-card

Adoptable Storage (Acceptance) SD-Maps as internal memory) appeared in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but Xiaomi often blocks it in its shells MIUI. Here is a list of models where it works (tested on the latest firmware versions):

✅ Officially supported:

• 📱 Redmi Note 10/10 Pro/10S (s MIUI 12.5+)
• 📱 Redmi Note 9/9 Pro/9T (Manual inclusion is required in the settings for developers)
• 📱 Redmi 9A/9C/9 Power (limited support, only for applications)
• 📱 POCO X3/X3 Pro (full support)

❌ Do not support or operate with restrictions:

• ⚠️ Redmi Note 12 Series – Disabled in MIUI 14 over Google's policy.
• ⚠️ Redmi K50/K60 — hybrid (SD + second-second SIM), There is no formatting option as internal memory.
• ⚠️ Redmi A1/A2 — Budget models with reduced functions.

If your model isn't on the list, it doesn't mean it won't work. Check it manually. SD-map, open Settings → Memory and see if you have the option to format as internal. If not, read the section on alternative methods.

Requirements for SD-map: speed, volume and class

Not every micro.-SD It's suitable for use as a primary memory:

✔️ Volume: from 32 GB (but better 64 GB or 128 GB), as after formatting part of the memory will take the system.

✔️ Class speed: UHS-I (U1 or U3) or A1/A2 (Best for applications. Class maps C10 can slow down!

✔️ Manufacturer: recommend SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO Kingston Canvas – they are more stable than the Chinese counterparts.

⚠️ Note: If you are using cheap SD-The card without certification, the phone can:

• 🐢 Slow down when you start apps from the map.
• 🔄 Dismount the storage device spontaneously.
• 💥 Lose data in abrupt extraction.

🔍 How to check the speed of your own SD-map?

Download the app A1 SD Bench from Google Play and run the test. If the write speed is below 20 MB/s, the card is not suitable for use as a primary memory.

💡

Before the purchase SD-Check it for counterfeit with the help of the utility H2testw (Windows) or FakeFlashTest (Android). Many of the 128GB actually end up with 16GB of over-flashed controller.

3. Step-by-step instruction: how to do SD-card

If your Xiaomi Redmi model supports the function, follow this instruction. SD-You can get your card deleted! You can copy your important files to your computer in advance.

📌 Step 1. Insert. SD-map

• 📱 Turn off the phone.
• 🔌 Insert the card into the slot (on some models you will need to remove the tray for the game). SIM).
• 🔄 Turn on the device and wait for card identification.

📌 Step 2: Format as an internal memory

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Press yours. SD-map (e.g. SanDisk) 64GB).
3. In the upper right corner, tap on ⋮ (three-point) → Memory settings.
4. Choose to format as internal.
5. Confirm the action (the system will warn you about the deletion of data).

📌 Step 3: Data Transfer

• After formatting, the system will prompt you to Transfer Data Now – agree.
• Choose which files to transfer: photos, videos, applications.
• 🕒 The process can take 10–30 minutes depending on the volume.

⚠️ Note: After formatting SD-The card cannot be retrieved without first “disabling” in the settings, otherwise you risk losing data or damaging the file system.

Make a backup copy of data from the card|Check the free space on the map (minimum 32 GB)|Charge the phone to 50%+|Disable the antivirus (can block the process)-->

4.What to do if the option "Format as internal" is missing

If the settings do not have the right item, try these alternative ways:

🔧 Method 1. Including through Developer Settings

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to force formatting SD as an internal one, if any).
4. Reboot your phone and repeat the steps in Section 3.

🔧 Method 2: Manual mounting through ADB

For advanced users: you can install SD-map as an internal through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging.
2. Open the command line and type in: adb shell sm list-disks sm partition DISK_ID private (replace) DISK_ID to a real identifier, for example, disk:179,64).
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB They can cause data loss or system failure. If you're not sure, don't take risks!

🔧 Method 3: Manual transfer of applications

If nothing helps, move the app to SD-map:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the desired application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.
3. ❗ Not all applications support portability (especially system applications).

5. Risks and disadvantages of use SD-maps as the primary memory

Before formatting SD-Map, check out potential problems:

⚠️ Slowing down the phone

• 🐢 Annexes with SD-Cards start 15-40% slower than internal memory.
• 🎮 Games can be “freezed” due to low reading speed.

⚠️ Reduction of the life of the card

• 💾 SD-Cards have limited overwriting resources (especially cheap models).
• 🔄 With intensive use, the card can fail in 1-2 years.

⚠️ Problems with updates and resets

• 🔄 After resetting to factory settings SD-The map will have to be re-formatted.
• 📱 Some updates MIUI They can “reset” memory settings.

⚠️ Incompatibility with certain functions

• 📸 Some cameras (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro) can't save photos on the camera. SD, If it is formatted as an internal.
• 🔒 Annexes with DRM (Netflix, banking may refuse to work.

Critical information: If you are using SD-card as internal memory, do not remove it without first "disabling" in the settings (Settings) → Memory. → SD-map → Otherwise, the phone may stop loading!

6.Alternatives: How to Free Your Memory Without SD-map

If your Xiaomi Redmi model does not support formatting SD As an internal memory, or you don’t want to risk performance, try these ways to free up space:

🗑️ Cleaning up cache and garbage

• 🧹 Use the built-in Cleanup utility (Settings) → Memory. → Clean up).
• 📂 Remove the app cache manually: Settings → Annexes → Choose. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

☁️ Cloud storage

• 📁 Transfer photos to Google Photos (free up to 15GB).
• 🎵 Upload music and documents to Yandex.Disk or Mega.

🔄 Transferring files to the PC

• 🖥️ Connect the phone to the computer by USB Copy heavy files (video, archives).
• 🔌 Use it. OTG-cable and external hard drive.

📱 Light versions of applications

• 📲 Install lightweight versions: Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Spotify Lite.
• 🎮 For games, try Cloud Gaming (NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud).

🔧 Reset to factory settings

If the phone is clogged with “garbage” and slows down, sometimes it is easier to make a complete reset:

1. Save important data to your PC or cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Delete all data and wait until it is completed.

💡

If you only need 5-10GB of extra space, it’s easier to clear the cache and move photos to the cloud than risk performance with a high-quality camera. SD-card.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

In the case of SD-As a primary memory, users are faced with typical problems. Here's how to fix them:

🚨 Mistake: «SD-map damaged»

• 🔧 Solution: Format the map on PC in FAT32 or exFAT (not) NTFS!).
• 🛠️ If it doesn’t work, the card is faulty (check on another device).

🚨 Mistake: "Not enough space," though SD-blank-card

• 🔧 Solution: Reboot your phone. If it doesn't work, format the map again.
• 📊 Check if the space is occupied by hidden files (use File Manager)+).

🚨 Error: Applications are not installed on SD-map

• 🔧 Solution: C Settings → Applications manually transfer each application.
• ⚠️ Some apps (such as WhatsApp) do not support portability.

🚨 Mistake: The phone can't see SD-post-reset

• 🔧 Solution: Remove the card, clean the contacts with alcohol and paste back in.
• 🔄 If it doesn’t help, format the card as portable and then re-format it as internal.

🚨 Error: Slow phone operation after formatting SD

• 🔧 Solution: Only transfer photos and videos to the map, and leave apps in internal memory.
• 🛒 Buy it. SD-class A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme).

If none of these methods worked, it could be the firmware or hardware malfunction of the slot, in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions