How to transfer and save data to a memory card in Xiaomi: photos, videos, applications

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with only 32 GB or 64 GB of storage. The microSD card is a salvation – it allows you to expand the volume to 1 TB and save thousands of photos, hours of video or dozens of applications. However, simply inserting a card into the slot is not enough: you need to configure it correctly, otherwise the system will continue to clog internal memory.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to save data on SD-map in smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — From basic camera settings to app portability. MIUI 12/13/14 If you've just bought a card or haven't used it in a long time, here's the answer to the questions: why the phone doesn't see the drive, how to make the card the default memory, and what to do if the data isn't saved.

Important: The instructions may vary slightly depending on the smartphone model (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro vs Redmi Note 12) and the firmware version, but the overall algorithm remains the same.

Preparation of a memory card: formatting and verification

Before you set up file saving, make sure the memory card is compatible with your Xiaomi and formatted correctly.Not all drives work equally well with Android devices.

Xiaomi smartphones support microSD, microSDHC (up to 32 GB) and microSDXC (up to 2 TB). However, for stable operation, we recommend using UHS-I (U1/U3) or A1/A2 cards - they are optimized for recording small files (as is the case with applications).

If the card is new, it is still worth formatting directly on the phone:

1. Insert the card into the slot (some models, such as the Xiaomi 12T, require a tray for SIM + microSD).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Click Format → As internal memory (if you want to use it for applications) or as a portable device (for media files only).

⚠️ Note: Formatting as internal memory will link the card to the phone, and once extracted, the data on it will not be available on other devices without re-formatting!

If the phone doesn't see the map,

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🛠️ Check the slot contacts (keep your breath clean or wipe with an alcohol napkin).
• 📱 Try the card on another phone - if it doesn't work, the problem is in the drive.
• 🔧 Update the firmware: sometimes bugs with SD-The cards are corrected in new versions MIUI.

2. Configure the saving of photos and videos on the memory card

By default, Xiaomi’s camera saves the images to internal memory. To change this, follow the following steps:

Open the Camera app, then:

1. Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (or swipe up/down depending on the model).
2. Select the location of the save → memory card.
3. Confirm the choice (some firmware will require a restart of the camera).

If the Memory Card option is inactive:

• 📸 Make sure the card is formatted as a portable device (internal memory does not support saving media from the camera).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the system doesn’t immediately recognize the drive.
• 📱 Check if there is a restriction in the camera settings (for example, for mode) 4K or RAW preserve SD may be blocked).

For dual-camera models (e.g. Xiaomi 11T Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+): save settings apply to all modules (main, wide-angle, telephoto) except for Pro or Night Mode modes, where the save path can be reset.

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If you shoot 4K/60fps video frequently, use a U3 or A2 card to eliminate the lags of recording.

3. Transfer of existing photos and videos to SD-map

If your internal memory is already full of images, you can transfer them manually or automatically to the map, depending on whether you want to leave copies on your phone.

Method 1: Through the Files app

1. Open Files → Categories → Images (or Videos).
2. Select files (long press → tick).
3. Click Move → Memory Map → Select a folder (e.g. DCIM/Camera).

Method 2: Through the PC

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your computer in File Transfer mode (MTP).
• 📁 Copy the folders. DCIM Pictures from internal memory to map.
• 🔄 After transfer, check that the paths in the gallery have been updated (sometimes a reboot is required).

Critical error: If files are lost from internal memory when transferring, but do not appear on the card, immediately use recovery programs (for example, DiskDigger or Recuva), the reason is a failure when copying or retrieving the card during the process.

Backup important photos | Check free space on the map |Use the original USB cable (when transferring via PC) |Do not retrieve the card until copying is complete |Check files after transfer-->

4. Save downloads and files from the browser to the map

By default, downloaded files from Chrome, Mi Browser or Firefox are saved to internal memory.

For Mi Browser:

1. Open the browser, press. ⋮ → Settings → Downloads.
2. Select the Downloads folder → Memory Map.
3. Create a new folder (like Downloads) or select an existing one.

For Chrome:

• 🌐 Open up. chrome://settings/downloads address-bar.
• 📁 Click Change. → Memory map.
• ⚠️ In some versions of Chrome on MIUI You can block the option – use Mi Browser or Firefox.

If the browser does not see the map:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📲 Check the permissions for the browser in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Memory.
• 🗃️ Make sure that the map has a Download folder (create it manually through Files").

5. Transfer of applications to a memory card (with restrictions)

Unlike older versions of Android, modern firmware MIUI HyperOS severely restricts the transfer of applications to SD-This is due to Google's security policy and the nature of the work. ART/Dalvik. However, some applications can still be moved.

How to check for support:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. If you have the option Memory → Change → Memory card, you can use it.

Limitations:

• 🚫 System applications (such as Mi Home or Security) cannot be migrated.
• 🎮 Cache games >1GB (Genshin Impact) does not support portability.
• ⚠️ After the transfer, the application can run slower (depending on the speed of the card).

Alternatively, some apps (like WhatsApp) allow you to save media files to a map through their settings:

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → Warehouse and data.
2. Select the Multimedia Saving → Memory Map.

⚠️ Note: Transferring applications to a card formatted as a portable device is not possible. It requires formatting as internal memory, but it will result in the reset of all data on it!

6. Automatic saving of screenshots and screen recordings

Screenshots and screen recordings are saved by default to the Pictures/Screenshots folder of internal memory to change the path:

For screenshots:

• 📱 Install the Screenshots app (included in the MIUI).
• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Conservation folder.
• 📁 Select a Memory Card → Create a folder (for example, Screenshots).

For screen recording:

1. Open the Notification Panel → Screen recording (or Settings → Special Options → Screen recording).
2. Press on. ⚙️ and select the Conservation Location → Memory map.

If there is no option:

• 🔧 Use third-party applications (for example, AZ Screen Recorder, where you can set a way to save.
• 📲 Check the permissions for the Screen Recorder app in the settings.

7 Problem Solving: Card does not save files or issues errors

If files are not saved to the card or notifications like “failed to save” appear, or "SD-The card is deleted, use this instruction:

Frequent errors and correction methods:

If the card is damaged:

1. Connect it to your PC and check with chkdsk (in CMD, type chkdsk E: /f, where E: is the letter of the disk).
2. Use programs like SD Card Formatter for low-level formatting.
3. If the card is not restored, replace it (the average life of a microSD is 3-5 years with heavy use).

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If the card is no longer identified after the phone falls, the problem may be in the SIM/SD slot, in which case repairs are required at the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about saving to a memory card in Xiaomi