How to make the games to be downloaded SD-Xiaomi map: Complete guide 2026

Why Xiaomi does not allow you to save games SD-default-card?

You downloaded a new game from Google Play, but it stubbornly occupies internal memory, although the smartphone is installed SD-128GB card? It's not a bug, it's a feature. MIUI And the current versions of Android, manufacturers restrict the recording of applications to external drives for three reasons:

1. Security of data: SD-Slower memory (especially class) UHS-I vs UFS 3.1 Xiaomi flagship 13/14), Which can lead to lag in games. 2. Fragmentation of files: frequent overwriting SD Speeds up card wear and reduces productivity. 3. Google's Politics: With Android 6.0 applications are installed in internal memory by default, and transfer to SD It requires support from the developer.

However, there are workarounds – from standard MIUI settings to manual transfer through ADB. Next, we will analyze all working methods, including those that do not require root rights and work on models of 2020-2026 (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

Method 1: Adjustment SD-Cards as an internal drive (for Android 9 and below)

This method is suitable for smartphones on Android 9 Pie and older (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T). in newer versions of MIUI (based on Android 10+), the function can be disabled.

To use SD-map as an internal memory:

1. Put it in. SD-card in a slot (class recommended) UHS-I U3 higher).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Select Set Up → Internal memory.
4. Follow the system instructions (the data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After formatting, restart the device.

Important: After this procedure, the card cannot be removed without losing data, and some applications (such as WhatsApp or Google Photos) may not work stable.

Make sure that the card is U3 or higher | Make a backup of the data from the card | Charge the phone at least 50% | Use the original adapter (for models with a hybrid slot)

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⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with Android 10+ (For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) If the option Internal Memory is not on the menu, then proceed to the following methods.

Method 2: Transfer games through application settings (without root)

Not all games support the transfer to SD-A map, but some of them (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) allow you to move some of the data:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the game you want to migrate (e.g. PUBG Mobile).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).

If the Change button is inactive, the game developer has blocked this function, in which case only manual transfer (see Method 4) or ADB (Method 3) will help.

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Before transferring the game, close it through the multitasking menu – this will speed up the process and reduce the risk of errors.

Method 3: Using ADB for forced transfer (advanced)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system where to install applications, a method that works on most Xiaomi models, including the POCO F4 and Redmi K50.

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
2. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (the device should appear).
5. Execute the command to transfer: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (where 2 is priority) SD-map).

After that, new games will be installed on the SD-The default card. To return the settings back, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Honor of Kings) may not work with the game. SD-post-transfer ADB. In this case, you will have to reinstall them manually in internal memory.

Method 4: Manually move game files through file manager

If the game is already installed, but takes up too much space, you can transfer its files to the game. SD-This method is suitable for games with large cache (for example, Asphalt 9 or NBA 2K Mobile).

Step-by-step:

1. Download a file manager with access to system folders (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /Android/obb/ (more game data is stored here).
3. Find a folder with the game name (e.g. com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM for Asphalt 9).
4. Copy it on. SD-map to the same obb folder.
5. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
6. Reboot the phone.

Important: Not all games support this transfer. If the game stops working after the reboot, return the files.

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Manual transfer is only suitable for additional files (cache, obb). APK-You can’t transfer game files – this will lead to errors.

Method 5: Using Optimizer Applications (for beginners)

If you don't want to deal with ADB or manual porting, you can use third-party utilities.

• 🔹 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — It shows you what games you can transfer, and it does it in one tap. MIUI 12–14.
• 🔹 Files by Google – has a built-in tool for cleaning memory and transferring files.
• 🔹 SD Maid – Deletes unnecessary files and helps optimize storage.

Example of AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. Go to the Moving tab.
4. Select the game and click Transfer to SD-map.

The downside of this method is that not all games will appear on the rotating list, and some utilities require root rights to work properly.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When transferring games to SD-Xiaomi users often encounter errors. Let's analyze the most common:

• 🚫 "There is not enough space on the device, even if SD-Solution: Make sure the card is formatted in FAT32 exFAT (NTFS unsupported).
• 🚫 "Application not installed after transfer. Solution: reinstall the game, pre-deleting its remnants through Settings → Annexes.
• 🚫 The game is dead after transfer. Solution: put it back in your internal memory or use it. SD-class UHS-II (For example, SanDisk Extreme Pro).

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔧 Compatibility SD-cards with your Xiaomi model (some budget phones, such as Redmi) A1, Do not support cards larger than 512 GB).
• 🔧 Availability of updates MIUI (In new versions, sometimes fix bugs with the transfer of applications).
• 🔧 Antivirus settings (some, such as Avast, block changes to system folders).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions