How to turn SD-Map to internal memory on Xiaomi: Complete guide 2026

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a lack of internal memory, especially on budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage. SD-I'm going to use the internal memory card and install applications on it. MIUI This option is hidden or not in the settings menu, and in this article we will discuss all the working ways of activating the function, the nuances of formatting and possible risks.

It is important to understand that once converted to an internal drive, it will not be retrieved without losing data – the system encrypts the partition and binds it to a specific device. Also, not all Xiaomi models support this feature: on flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro), it can be blocked by the manufacturer. Before starting the procedure, check the compatibility of your model and prepare a backup of important files.

What is Adoptable Storage and How it Works with Xiaomi

Adoptable Storage is a technology introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow that allows you to use external devices. SD-Once formatted, the map becomes an integral part of the system, and you can transfer applications, cache and even OS updates to it:

• 🔒 The map is tied to one device and will not be read on other gadgets without formatting.
• ⚠️ The speed of work depends on the class. SD-Cards: for comfortable work is recommended UHS-I Class 10 or higher (e.g. SanDisk Extreme).
• 📱 Not all applications support external storage portability (especially system and protected games).
• 🔄 After extracting the card, part of the smartphone functions may become inaccessible.

On Xiaomi smartphones, the function works differently depending on the version of MIUI:

• 📱 MIUI 8–11: option available in storage settings, but may require manual activation via ADB.
• 📱 MIUI 12–14: The function is hidden, but it can be activated via the command line or third-party utilities.
• 📱 HyperOS (2026): Adoptable Storage support officially removed, but workarounds remain.

If your Xiaomi runs Android 10+, you’ll probably have to use ADB or alternative methods.

Requirements for SD-card to be used as internal memory

Not every memory card is suitable for conversion to internal storage, but here are the key criteria for choosing:

Note that cheap cards without certification can be slow or cause errors. For example, no-name cards of brands often have real write speeds below the stated one, which leads to lags when installing applications. Before buying, check the reviews of the model on forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

⚠️ Note: If you use a microSDHC card (up to 32 GB) instead of a microSDXC (64 GB)+ GB, the system can limit the partition space for applications, for example, on a 32-gigabyte card, only the partition space will be available. ~20GB.

Before the procedure begins:

1. Create a backup of the data from the card (all will be deleted!).
2. Check the card for errors using the utility chkdsk (Windows) or fsck (Linux/Mac).
3. Charge your smartphone by at least 50% – the formatting process can take 10–30 minutes.

Method 1: Enabling Adoptable Storage through Settings (MIUI 8–11)

If your Xiaomi is running MIUI 8–11 (like the Redmi Note 5 or Mi A2), you can try enabling the feature in the standard way:

1. Put it in. SD-Card to smartphone and wait for its definition.
2. Go to Settings → Memory (or Storage).
3. Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 64GB).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
5. Select Internal Memory (or Format as an Internal Storage).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the formatting to be completed.

If there is no internal memory:

• 📌 Try to update. MIUI Update (sometimes the function returns after the update).
• 📌 Use the method with ADB (described below).
• 📌 Check if the manufacturer has disabled the option (on some models, for example, POCO F1, it's locked).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may not be able to retrieve the card without resetting the settings once the card is formatted as internal memory.

Create a backup copy of data from the card|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Check the card speed class (Class 10)+)|Make sure the card is not fake (use the utility). H2testw)|Disable the antivirus (it can block it) ADB-team)-->

Method 2: Activation via ADB (for MIUI 12–14 and HyperOS)

On current versions of MIUI and HyperOS, Adoptable Storage is hidden, but you can turn it on via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/Mac.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Steps for activation:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to unlock Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging and confirm permission.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and check the connection: Adb devices should show up on your device (e.g., 1234abcd device).
3. Execute the command to format the map: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true Then: adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private Note: instead of 179,64 specify your card ID (you can find it by adb shell ls command). /dev/block/mmcblk1*).
4. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

After restarting, the card should show up as internal memory. If you have a Failed to partition disk error, try:

• 🔹 Repeat a command with a different disk identifier (e.g., 179.32).
• 🔹 Use the card of another manufacturer.
• 🔹 Check the card for errors with chkdsk.

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If the sm partition command doesn’t work, try the alternative method via pm set-install-location 2. SD-The card (but it will not make it a full internal memory).

Method 3: Using third-party utilities (without ADB)

If ADB commands seem complicated, you can use specialized applications, but be careful: some utilities require root rights, which voids the Xiaomi warranty.

App2SD App (without root)

The utility allows you to transfer applications to SD-It's a card, but it doesn't make it a full internal memory, but it's a temporary vacancy.

• ✅ No root.
• ❌ Not all applications are supported.
• ⚠️ It can cause errors in MIUI 14.

2. Link2SD (requires root)

A more powerful solution that creates symbolic links for porting applications, and you need to do this.

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Break it up SD-two-part: FAT32 (for files and ext2/ext4 (application).
3. Install Link2SD and follow the instructions in the application.

⚠️ Attention: Use Link2SD Xiaomi MIUI 12+ This can cause a cyclic reboot if you don't configure the partitions correctly. 4PDA for your model.

Important: On HyperOS devices (2026), Adoptable Storage is completely removed at the kernel level.The only working way is to use ADB with custom recovery (e.g., TWRP), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty.

How to transfer applications to SD-map

After successfully converting the card to internal memory, you need to correctly configure the data transfer:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like WhatsApp or Facebook).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. Click Change and select SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Some apps (like Google Play Services or MIUI System Apps) won’t be able to migrate.

• 📌 Annexes to SD-The card may work slower (depending on the class of the card).
• 📌 Widgets will stop working if the card is removed.
• 📌 Application updates will be installed on internal memory if there is not enough space on the map.

To automatically transfer new applications:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings. → For developers.
3. Find the default installation location and select External Storage.

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Even after the application has been transferred to SD-Some of the data (cache, temporary files) will remain in the internal memory. SD Maid or Files by Google.

Frequent problems and their solutions

In the case of SD-Xiaomi users often encounter errors. Consider typical cases and ways to fix them:

If, after formatting, the map has ceased to be defined at all:

1. Remove the card and connect it to the PC through the card reader.
2. Use DiskPart (Windows) to clean partitions: Diskpart list disk select disk X (where X is your card number) clean create partition primary format fs=fat32 quick
3. Put the card back into your smartphone and repeat the procedure.

If nothing helps, check:

• 🔹 Compatibility with your Xiaomi model (some devices have volume restrictions).
• 🔹 Firmware updates (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions) MIUI).
• 🔹 Card slot operation (possibly a problem in contacts).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions