How do you do it? SD-Main memory card on Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their value for money, but many models suffer from limited internal storage. This problem is especially acute in budget devices with 32 or 64 GB of storage, where after installing the system and basic applications, there is critically little free space. SD-The card is the main memory, but there are nuances: not all models support this feature, and incorrect actions can lead to data loss or slow down the phone.

In this article, we will discuss how to combine the memory of the smartphone and SD-Xiaomi Redmi maps, which models support this feature, and what to do if the standard settings are available MIUI You'll also learn about the hidden features of the system, alternative methods of expanding memory and the typical errors that users make. MIUI and smartphone models, so check compatibility carefully before starting.

What Xiaomi Redmi models support? SD-maps as the primary memory

Not all Xiaomi smartphones allow you to combine internal memory with SD-This function depends on the version of Android, the shell. MIUI And the hardware constraints:

• 📱 Redmi Note 4/5/6/7/8/9/10 — support formatting SD-Cards as internal memory (Adoptable Storage function), but with limitations on some firmware.
• 📱 Redmi 4X/5A/6A/7A/8A/9A/10A — in most cases, support, but may require manual inclusion through ADB.
• 🚫 Redmi K20/K30/K40 And newer – often deprived of this feature due to Xiaomi’s policy of optimizing performance.
• ⚠️ Redmi with MIUI 12 and later – a function may be hidden or may not work as it is due to changes in the storage system.

To see if your model supports memory unification, check:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory.
3. If you have the option to format as internal memory, the function is supported.
4. If there is no option, you will need to use it. ADB alternative methods.

Important: Even if your model is on the supported list, not everyone is. SD-The cards are fine. We recommend using class cards. A1 or A2 (Optimized for applications) with a volume of at least 32 GB. Class maps UHS-I or UHS-II They also show better performance, but their support depends on the smartphone model.

Preparation SD-maps: selection, formatting and verification

Before you do SD-The card is the main memory, it needs to be properly prepared, and the wrong choice or formatting can lead to data loss or slowdown of the phone.

1. Choice. SD-map

For use as the main memory suitable only high-speed cards with a class not lower A1. Best options:

• 🔹 SanDisk Ultra A1 — Reliable choice for most smartphones.
• 🔹 Samsung EVO Plus A2 — Best Performance for Heavy Applications.
• 🔹 Kingston Canvas Go! Plus is a budget option with good speed.

Avoid cards without markings A1/A2 — They're not optimized for application installation, and they can slow down the system, and it's not recommended to use more than one card. 256 GB, since MIUI They may not work properly with them.

2. Formatting the map

If the card is new, you need to format it directly on your smartphone, not on your PC.

1. Insert the card into the slot (if a hybrid slot is used, make sure the second one is used). SIM-map extracted).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Select Set Up → Formatting as an internal memory.
4. Confirm the action – all data on the map will be deleted!

Once formatted, the card will be encrypted and tied to your smartphone, which means:

• ✅ It cannot be read on another device without formatting.
• ✅ Applications and data will be automatically transferred to it.
• ⚠️ When you remove the map, some applications may stop working.

⚠️ Attention: If you extract SD-A card formatted as internal memory, the smartphone can begin to automatically delete the cache of applications, which will lead to their incorrect operation.

Step-by-step instructions: how to do SD-card

If your Xiaomi Redmi model supports Adoptable Storage, follow this instruction. If you do not have an option, go to the section about the new model. ADB.

Method 1: Using standard MIUI settings

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Open the Settings → Memory.
3. Press on. SD-map → Three dots (menu) → Memory settings.
4. Choose to format as internal.
5. Confirm the formatting (the data will be deleted!).
6. After completion, restart the smartphone.

Now the map will be displayed as part of the internal memory, so that you can transfer the applications to it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → Warehouse → Change.
3. Indicate. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

Method 2: Through ADB (if the option is hidden)

If there is no Format as internal in the settings, you can turn it on through ADB. For that:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
4. Enter the command: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true
5. Restart your phone and check for formatting options.

After you run the command, the formatting option should appear. If not, check that your model is compatible with Adoptable Storage.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause the system to work in an unstable way if the command is entered incorrectly. ADB, unless they are sure of their appointment.

Transfer of applications and data to SD-map

Even after formatting SD-Not all apps can be ported, but it depends on the developer's policies and Android limitations.

What applications can be transferred

• ✅ Most user applications (social networks, instant messengers, games).
• ✅ Music, photo, video and other media files.
• ❌ System applications (MIUI, Google Play Services and others.).
• ❌ Copy protection applications (some banking programs).

To move the application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → Warehouse.
3. Click Change and specify SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer (some data may remain in internal memory).

💡

If the app is not portable, try clearing its cache (Storage) → Clear cache. Sometimes this helps unlock the transfer option.

Automatic portability of new applications

To ensure that new applications are installed by default on SD-map:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
2. Click on Three Dots (menu) → Memory settings.
3. Choose Use as a default memory.

Note: Even so, some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may ignore settings and install in internal memory.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do If SD-The card does not work as a primary memory.

In the case of SD-There are a number of errors that can occur in the memory of cards as the primary memory.

If after formatting the card as internal memory, the smartphone began to slow down or overheat, this may be due to:

• 🔋 Low-class. SD-cards - replace them with A1/A2.
• 📱 System Overload – Only Move Lightweight Applications.
• 🔄 Conflict with firmware - update MIUI last-minute.

💡

If, after transferring the applications to SD-They start to fly out, try to put them back in internal memory, maybe the card doesn't provide enough read/write speed to work smoothly.

Alternative ways to expand memory on Xiaomi Redmi

If your model does not support formatting SD-Cards as internal memory or you don’t want to risk performance, there are alternative methods:

1.Use of SD-card as a portable storage device

You can store it on the map:

• 📷 Photo and video (transfer the folder) DCIM manually).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (specify the path to the map in the player settings).
• 📄 Documents and downloads (change the way you save in your browser).

2. Transfer applications using third-party utilities

Apps like this App2SD or Link2SD permit:

• 🔗 Create symbolic references to SD-map.
• 🗃️ Transfer cache and application data.
• ⚙️ Manage partitions on the map (requires root).

For use Link2SD:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Grant the rights of the superuser (if there is root).
3. Select the application → Link up → specify SD-map.

3. Cloud storage

If physical memory expansion is not possible, use:

• 🌥️ Google Drive (15GB free).
• 🌥️ Mi Cloud (5GB for Xiaomi accounts).
• 🌥️ Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud (10-20 GB free).

To automatically upload photos to the cloud:

1. Open the gallery → Settings → Backup.
2. Choose Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
3. Activate autoboot over Wi-Fi.

What happens if you remove it? SD-card used as the primary memory

If you extract. SD-A card that's formatted as internal memory, the smartphone won't work properly:

• 🚨 Applications installed on the map will stop running.
• 📉 The performance of the system can significantly decrease.
• ⚠️ The next time you connect the card, you may need to re-format.

To avoid problems:

1. Before you retrieve the card, transfer all important applications back to your internal memory.
2. Use the Safe Retrieval option in the settings.
3. If the card is damaged, do not format it on a PC – do it on your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: If you have lost SD-A card that is formatted as an internal memory, and it's not possible to recover data from it without specialized software. Always back up important files.

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