How do you do it? SD-Main memory card on Xiaomi smartphones: a complete guide 2026

Xiaomi smartphones with limited internal memory often face a lack of space for apps, photos and videos. SD-The card is the primary storage, but not everyone knows how to do it correctly. Unlike simple file transfer, fully formatting the card as internal memory allows you to install applications on it and store data from system processes.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways of integration. SD-card MIUI, Including official settings and workarounds for models where the function is disabled by the manufacturer, you will learn which cards are suitable for this task, how to avoid formatting errors and what to do if the system does not see the drive. SD-cards with a volume of more than 256 GB – this information is critical for owners of flagship models.

What are they? SD-The cards are suitable for use as primary memory.

Not every microSD card is capable of internal storage, performance and compatibility depend on speed class, volume and even brand. Xiaomi is the best card with characteristics:

• 🔹 Speed class: not lower UHS-I (U1/U3) or A1/A2 (For quick recording of small files. Class maps C10 They can slow down when installing applications.
• 🔹 Volume: 32 GB to 256 GB. 512 GB and 1 TB cards are often not supported MIUI Due to ExFAT File System Restrictions.
• 🔹 Brand: SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO Plus, Kingston Canvas Go!. Cheap no-name cards can fail when used heavily.
• 🔹 Format: MicroSDXC only (for cards) >32GB) MicroSDHC cards (up to 32GB) will not be suitable for full formatting.

Important: Xiaomi officially supports the function "Format as internal memory" only on devices with Android 6.0+ and MIUI 8+. On older versions you will have to use workarounds (about them - in the section about ADB).

⚠️ Note: After formatting SD-It's not going to be used in other devices without being cleaned. All the data on the map will be deleted!

Preparing a smartphone before formatting SD-map

Before you do SD-The card is the main memory, you need to perform several critical steps:

1. Back up your phone. When formatting a card as internal memory, the system may suggest that you transfer some files to it, which sometimes causes a crash.
2. Check the card for errors. Connect it to your PC through a card reader and run the check through Properties → Tools → Check (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS).
3. Charge the phone at least 50%. The formatting process can take up to 10-15 minutes, and interruption due to battery discharge will lead to data loss.
4. Update. MIUI There may be bugs in old firmware. SD-maps (e.g. in MIUI 12.5 Redmi Note 9 had an issue with mounting exFAT cards).

If you are using a card that previously worked on another device, format it in a different format. FAT32 This will eliminate any file system conflicts, and formatting will be a good tool. SD Formatter (official software from the SD Association).

Backup of data from phone | Checking the card for errors via PC| Charging the phone ≥50% | Updating MIUI to the current version | Formation of the card in FAT32 (if used previously)

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⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) formatting SD It's like the internal memory is locked even if there's a slot, and then only manual intervention through the slot will help. ADB (see section below).

Step-by-step instruction: formatting SD-maps as internal memory

If your Xiaomi model supports the feature, follow this instruction:

1. Put it in. SD-card to the phone slot. Make sure it is identified by the system (notification "New drive detected").
2. Go to Settings → Memory (or Storage).
3. Tap by name. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
5. Choose Format as internal memory. The system will warn you to delete all data, confirm the action.
6. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes). After the reboot, the card will be displayed as part of the main memory.

If there is no point to format as internal memory, it means:

• 📵 Your Xiaomi model doesn’t support the feature (e.g. Redmi) 10C).
• 📵 The map is formatted in exFAT (you need to reformat it into a new format). FAT32).
• 📵 You have custom firmware installed without Adoptable Storage support.

After successful formatting, the system will offer to transfer data (photos, videos, some applications) to the SD-Don't agree right away -- check the card's stability for 1-2 days first. If you have a lag when you open apps, the map is too slow for that task.

SanDisk Ultra|Samsung EVO Plus|Kingston Canvas| Other (write in the comments)|Not using

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How do you do it? SD-card of primary memory through ADB (for non-supported models)

If MIUI does not have a formatting option, you can force it to activate via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that works on most Xiaomi devices but requires a PC connection.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (Download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the assembly number → return to additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your Xiaomi.
4. Execute the command to format SD-maps (replace X with the disk number that will show the adb shell sm list-disks command): adb shell sm partition disk:X private
5. Reboot the phone. The map will be formatted as internal memory.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you are not sure about the commands, use alternative methods (for example, root rights). + attachment App2SD).

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Before using ADB, check if your model supports Adoptable Storage. Type in the adb shell sm list-disks command, and if the answer is blank, the function is locked at the firmware level.

What to do if SD-map is unstable

After formatting SD-Cards as internal memory may have problems:

• 🐢 Lags when opening applications – the map is too slow (class below) A1).
• 🔄 Spontaneous unmounting – malfunction of the card or slot.
• ❌ File write errors – the file system is damaged.
• 📱 Phone not turned on – critical formatting error (reset via Fastboot needed).

Decisions:

1. For lags: Move frequently used applications back to the internal memory (Settings → Applications → [select app] → Storage → Change).
2. For unmounting, check the card on another device. If the problem recurs, replace it.
3. For write errors: Format the card over the PC in FAT32, then repeat the procedure on the phone.
4. If the phone is not turned on: go to Fastboot (Power + Vol- button) and reset via the command: fastboot erase userdata

If the problems do not disappear, return the card to removable storage mode:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Tap it on. SD-map → three-point (⋮) → Formatting as a portable.
3. Confirm the action. All data will be deleted!

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SD-class A1/A2 They are suitable for installing applications, but even they can slow down when working with large files (for example, video in the Internet). 4K). For media files, it is better to use the card as a removable drive.

Transfer of applications to SD-map

After successful formatting SD-maps as internal memory MIUI It will automatically offer to move some of the data, but not all apps can be moved, depending on their settings and the Android version.

How to transfer applications manually:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the app you want (such as WhatsApp or Spotify).
3. Slip the vault. → Change.
4. Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

Limitations:

• 🚫 System applications (Settings, Phone, Messages) cannot be transferred.
• 🚫 Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact block transfer due to cheat protection.
• 🚫 Annexes with OBB-Files (additional data) may not work smoothly.

To force transfer of all supported applications, use ADB:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This team will establish SD-map as a priority installation location for new applications. To return default settings, follow:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Alternative ways to expand memory on Xiaomi

If your model does not support formatting SD-Cards as internal memory, consider alternatives:

• 🔧 Ruth-Right. + App2SD. Apps like this App2SD or Link2SD portable APK, OBB And cache to the map, even without official support, requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.
• 🖥️ OTG-plug the flash drive through the drive. USB-C/OTG-You can use it to store your media files.
• ☁️ Cloud storage. Mi Cloud, Google Drive or Yandex Disk are suitable for backup photos and documents. To automatically upload photos, turn on Settings → Google → Backup.
• 📱 Replacement of internal memory on some models (e.g, POCO F3) You can change the memory chip yourself, but this requires soldering skills and risks losing warranty.

Xiaomi owners with MIUI 14+ have access to RAM Expansion, but it doesn’t add physical storage, it just optimizes RAM usage.

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Expand memory.
2. Select the amount of virtual memory (from 1 to 3 GB).
3. Reboot the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about use SD-maps as the primary memory