How do you do it? SD-Main memory card on Xiaomi Redmi: 3 proven methods

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often face a lack of internal memory, especially on budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage. SD-The map seems like a logical solution, but the standard settings MIUI This article will show you how to turn microSD into a primary storage facility with full support for app installation, photo and cache storage, without losing performance.

It is important to understand: technically a complete replacement of internal memory SD-The card is only available on devices with support for Adoptable Storage (Android). 6.0+), But Xiaomi blocks this feature in standard firmware, but there are workarounds, from formatting the card as an internal drive to using third-party utilities. 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and POCO X3, Therefore, the instructions are relevant for most modern devices of the brand.

Before you start, check out two key points: 1. Yours. SD-card must be of class UHS-I (U1/U3) Higher or lower – Cheap Class Cards 4/6 They are not suitable due to the low speed of the recording. 2. Data backup is mandatory: when formatting the card as internal memory, all files on it will be deleted without the possibility of recovery.

1. Preparation SD-maps: selection and verification

Not every microSD is suitable for use as a primary storage. Xiaomi Redmi requires a card with a high read/write speed, otherwise the system will slow down.

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum UHS-I U1 (10MB/s, better. U3 (30 MB/s) or A2 (Application-optimized) Class 10 cards without labeling UHS won't fit.
• 🔹 Capacity: 64GB (32GB may not have enough space to transfer system files) and the maximum depends on the smartphone model (usually up to 512GB).
• 🔹 Brand: Preference SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO Plus or Kingston Canvas Go! Plus. Cheap no-name cards are often forged.
• 🔹 File system: the card must be formatted in exFAT or FAT32 (not NTFS — Android doesn't support it).

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with the help of the utility H2testw (Windows or F3 (Linux/macOS). Fakes often have a real amount of 2–4 less than the number claimed, "128 The GB map may actually be 32 GB, which will lead to errors in formatting.

⚠️ Note: If you use a card from a bonus set from a carrier (for example, MTS or Beeline), it is likely not suitable.

After purchase, format the card in your smartphone: Settings → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → Format → Like a portable device.

This will clear it of possible file system errors. Don't format it as internal memory at this point, we'll do that later.

2. Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This is the official method from Google, but Xiaomi hides it in standard firmware. To activate Adoptable Storage mode, you need to use a hidden developer menu or a hidden developer menu. ADB-Let's look at both.

Method 1: Through settings MIUI (for firmware on Android 8-11)

This method works for most Redmis. MIUI 10–13:

1. Put it in. SD-card to slot (if there is a hybrid slot, choose a priority for the memory card rather than the second one) SIM).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the debugging permission.
5. Open the Settings. → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → Threefold (⋮) → Storage settings.
6. Select Internal Memory and follow the instructions, and the system will warn you that the card will be encrypted and not readable on other devices.

If there's no internal memory, your firmware is blocking it. Go to Method 2.

Method 2: Through ADB (It works on all versions of Android)

For this method, you will need a PC with drivers installed ADB Download Google's Platform Tools and unpack it to the root of the disk. C:\.

Next, follow the steps:

1. Connect Redmi to PC, turn on Debugging USB (as in Method 1).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
3. Enter a command to check. ID Maps: adb shell sm list-disks Remember the value after the disk: (e.g. 179.64).
4. Format the card as an internal one (replace X,Y with your digits): adb shell sm partition disk:X,Y private

⚠️ Note: After this command, the card will be tied to your smartphone and will not be read on other devices (including PCs). All data on it will be deleted. If you want to return the card to its original state, use the command: adb shell sm partition disk:X,Y public

The formatting process will take 5-15 minutes. Once complete, restart the phone. SD-The card will be displayed as part of the internal memory in the Settings section. → Warehouse.

Backup of data from the card|Checking of speed class (U3/A2)|Activation of debugging by USB|Installation ADB PC-only|Connecting the original USB-cable-->

3. Transfer of applications and data to SD-map

After formatting the card as internal memory MIUI It'll automatically move some of the data, but not all applications support this mode:

Transfer of installed applications

Go to Settings. → Annexes → App management. Select the application you want and click Storage. If the Modify option is active, select SD-- Take note:

• 📱 System applications (e.g. Camera, Phone) cannot be transferred.
• 🎮 Games (e.g., games, PUBG, Genshin Impact can brake when starting with SD-cards, even if it's class A2.
• 🔄 Application updates will be automatically installed on SD-If the main version is there.

For mass transfer, use the AppMgr utility III (It shows you what apps you can move, and it sorts them by size.

Set up file saving by default

To ensure that new photos, videos and downloads are automatically saved to the SD-map:

1. Photo/video: Open the camera → Settings → Preservation site → SD-map.
2. Downloads from the browser: in Chrome or MIUI Browser Go to Settings → Downloads. → Download folder and select the path to SD.
3. WhatsApp/Telegram: In the settings of messengers there is a section Storage and data where you can change the path for media files.

Note that some apps (such as Instagram) ignore these settings and save files to internal memory, in which case use the File Manager for manual transfer.

💡

If, after transferring the application to SD-The card has stopped working, try to clear its cache (Settings) → Annexes → [Name] → Clear the cache. Often this solves the compatibility problem.

4. Solving problems after formatting SD internal memory

Even after successful formatting, errors can occur, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Problem 1: SD-The card is not defined as an internal memory.

If after rebooting the card is again displayed as portable:

• 🔌 Reconnect the card (physically remove and paste back in).
• 📱 Check if the settings are reset: Settings → Warehouse → [SD-map] → Threefold → Storage settings.
• 🖥️ Repeat the procedure through ADB, But before you do this, do: adb shell sm forget disk:X,Y (where X,Y — ID your card).

Problem 2: Apps are flying out or slowing down

This is a typical situation for class cards. U1 Or cheap fakes. Solutions:

• 🛑 Transfer problematic applications back to internal memory.
• 🔄 Turn off window animation in Settings → For developers, this will reduce the load on the map.
• 🗑️ Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → [Name] → Clear the cache).

Problem 3: There is not enough space for SD-map

When formatted as internal memory, Android reserves some space for system needs to make room for:

1. Remove unnecessary applications through Settings → Apps.
2. Move your media files to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
3. Use Files by Google to clean up your garbage (Clean up section).

⚠️ Please note: if you see the message "SD-The card is corrupted" after formatting as internal memory, do not try to restore it via the PC - this can lead to the loss of all data on the phone. ADB command: adb shell sm forget disk:X,Y Format the card again as portable, then repeat the procedure.

5. Alternative uses SD-maps as the primary memory

If Adoptable Storage doesn’t work or you don’t want to risk data, there are workarounds:

Method 1: FolderMount (FolderMount)

The FolderMount application (requires root) allows you to “mount” folders from the SD-For example, you can move a folder instead of a system card. /Android/obb (where game data is stored) to a memory card:

1. Install FolderMount from Google Play.
2. Select a folder to transfer (for example, /Android/obb).
3. Specify the target folder on SD-map.
4. Press Mount and restart the phone.

Advantage: you don't need to format the card as an internal one, disadvantage: you need root rights, which makes it unsafe.

Method 2: Use of the SD-media card

If the application port is not critical, set up automatic saving of photos, videos and music to the map:

• 📸 Camera: Camera settings → Preservation site → SD-map.
• 🎵 Music: In Google Play Music or Mi Music, select SD-map.
• 📥 Downloads: In Chrome or MIUI Browser change the download folder to SD.

This will free up 10 to 30 GB of internal memory without risk.

Method 3: Installation of applications on SD through ADB (formatless)

If the card is formatted as portable, you can manually specify Android where to install the applications:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

After this command, new applications will be installed on SD-Default card. To get the settings back:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

⚠️ Note: This method does not carry already installed applications and does not work for system utilities.

💡

Formatting SD-Cards as internal memory are the most reliable way, but only suitable for fast cards (U3/A2). For other cases, it is better to use folder binding or default file saving settings.

6 How to get it back. SD-map

If you decide to stop using your card as internal memory (for example, to transfer to another phone), follow these steps:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map].
2. Press three-points (⋮) and select Format as a portable device.
3. Confirm the action. All data on the map will be deleted.

Method 2: Through ADB

If the card is not defined in the settings, use the command:

adb shell sm partition disk:X,Y public

Where's X, Y — ID You can find your card (adb shell sm list-disks command).

Method 3: Through PC (if the phone can't see the card)

If the card is damaged and cannot be read:

1. Remove it from your phone and connect it to your PC via a card reader.
2. Format in FAT32 or exFAT with the help of utility SD Formatter (official utility from the SD Association).
3. If the card is not formatted, it is corrupted. Try to recover data with Recuva or TestDisk, then dispose of it.

Once the card is returned to portable mode, all the applications installed on it will stop working. They will have to be reinstalled into internal memory.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with SD-Users often make mistakes that lead to data loss or system failures:

• 🚫 Slow card use: Class 10 without marking UHS Check the speed with CrystalDiskMark.
• 🚫 Remove the card without turning off: Always use Secure Retrieval in the notification curtain, otherwise you risk losing data.
• 🚫 Formatting in NTFS: Android doesn't support this file system. FAT32 exFAT.
• 🚫 Installation of critical applications SD: Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) and launchers are better to keep in internal memory.
• 🚫 Ignoring backup: Repeat data from time to time SD-PC or cloud maps. Memory cards have a limited record life.

Another common mistake is trying to use a hybrid slot (where at the same time). SD-map SIM) In this case, read/write speeds can drop by 30-50% due to hardware limitations. If you are critical to performance, use the Redmi model with a dedicated microSD slot (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro).+ or POCO X4 Pro).

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions