Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7A Often face a lack of internal memory, especially if you are actively installing games from Google Play or third-party sources. SD-The map seems to be an obvious solution, but in MIUI This process is nuanced: not all games support external storage, and incorrect actions can lead to failures. In this article, we will discuss three working methods for transferring games to a memory card, including system settings, using the system. ADB-commands and circumvention of restrictions through third-party launchers.
The Redmi 7A features a budget Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor and only 16/32 GB of internal memory (depending on the modification). Even after expanding through a microSD (up to 256 GB), the system defaults to save games in internal memory. Why is this happening? It's about Android security policy and manufacturer restrictions. However, there are legal ways to get around this - about them later.
1. Preparation SD-maps: formatting and choosing the type of memory
Before you can carry games, you need to properly prepare the memory card. - Xiaomi Redmi 7A supports two modes of operation SD-cards: portable (as a removable drive) and internal (as part of system memory). The second option is optimal for games, but it has disadvantages: the card cannot be retrieved without losing data.
To format. SD-map as an internal memory:
- Insert the card into the Redmi 7A slot (FAT32, exFAT, NTFS formats are supported, but the system will offer its own version).
- Go to the Settings → Storage → Storage → Storage.
- Tap by name. SD-map → Set up → Internal memory.
- Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
⚠️ Note: After formatting as internal memory, the card will not be used in other devices without re-formatting. PUBG Mobile may refuse to work with external memory due to cheating protection.
If you choose portable storage mode, games can still be ported manually, but with limitations: some of the data (cache, updates) will remain in internal memory. Full control will require additional settings, which we will discuss in the next section.
2. Transfer games through MIUI settings (without root)
The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, but it doesn't work for all games: some applications (especially those with high performance requirements) block the transfer.
Steps:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Choose the game you want to migrate (such as Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars).
- Slip the vault. → Change (if the button is active).
- Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.
If the Change button is inactive, the game does not support the transfer. ADB-command (section 3) or installation through a third-party store (section 4).
- Check the vacant space for SD-card (minimum 2 GB)
- Close the game before the transfer
Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)
- Make sure the card is formatted as internal memory (for full portability)-->
Important: After a transfer, some games may run slower, especially if they are not. SD-Class 4 or Class 6 card recommended for gaming UHS-I (Class 10) with read/write speeds of 90 MB/s.
3. Forced transfer via ADB (for power users)
If the game is not portable through the settings, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manually specify the installation location, which requires connecting the phone to a PC, but does not require root rights.
Instructions:
- Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack the archive.
- Turn on Redmi 7A Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and type:
adb devices(Your device name should appear. If not, check the drivers.)
adb shell pm set-install-location 2This team is forced to install all new applications on SD-To return the default settings, use:
adb shell pm set-install-location 0⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Call of Duty: Mobile or Free Fire) may not start after forced transfer, in which case return them to internal memory or use the method in section 4.
You can also transfer games that are already installed through ADB.
- Find out the batch name of the game (for example, using the App Inspector app).
- Follow the command:
adb shell pm move-package com.example.game /sdcard(Replace com.example.game with the real name of the package.)
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If ADB does not recognize the device, try disabling and enabling USB Debugging again in the developer settings, as well as installing Mi PC Suite drivers from the official Xiaomi website.
4. Installation of games on SD-map
If standard methods don't work, you can install games through alternative sources, where you can choose the installation path, for example, the Aptoide store or APKMirror store let you specify the game's location. SD-map.
Step-by-step instructions for Aptoide:
- Download and install Aptoide from the official website (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security).
- Open Aptoide, find the right game and click Install.
- In the path selection window, tap SD-map (if option is not available, check permissions for Aptoide in Settings) → Annexes).
- Wait until the installation is complete.
The advantage of this method is the ability to bypass the restrictions of Google Play, but there are also risks:
- 🔴 Installation APK Unknown sources may contain malicious code.
- 🔴 Some games require additional files (OBB), which you have to hand-carry.
- 🟢 But this way you can install modified versions of games (for example, with characters already unlocked).
For transfer OBB-file:
- Download the archive from OBB (usually a file with the.obb extension).
- Get Redmi on board. 7A to the PC and move the file to the folder Android/obb/[game-pack name] SD-map.
- If you don’t have an obb folder, create it manually.
5. Problem Solving: Games don't start or crash
If the game does not work after the transfer, check the following points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The game is not set to SD-map | The map is formatted as a portable | Reformatting as internal memory (Section 1) |
| The game flies off at launch | Insufficient speed of card reading | Use the UHS-I class card or transfer the game back to the game. |
| There's not enough space, though. SD-blank-card | MIUI Restriction on Memory Partitions | Use it. ADB-Pm set-install location 2 |
| The game asks you to download additional files, but can not | OBB-files are not copied to SD-map | Move them manually (Section 4) |
Another common problem is the cache of games, for example, in PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact, the cache can take several gigabytes and automatically store it in internal memory.
- Open Settings → Applications → [game name] → Storage.
- Click Clear the cache (games will be saved).
- Start the game again – it will start downloading cache on SD-map (if there is enough space).
What if the game is slowed down after the transfer?
6. Alternative methods: launchers and root access
If neither of these methods worked, there are radical solutions: custom launchers or root rights, which are suitable for advanced users, because they require profound changes in the system.
Method 1: AppMgr III launcher (App 2 SD)
This application allows you to forcibly transfer games to the SD-This is a card, even if it doesn't support this feature by default, but it doesn't work on all devices:
- Download AppMgr III from Google Play.
- Open the app and give it root access (if any) or use built-in tools.
- Select the game from the list and tap Move to SD-map.
Method 2: Root + Link2SD
If you are ready to get root access (for example, through Magisk), then Link2SD will allow you to port games completely, including data and cache. However, this will void the warranty and can lead to unstable system operation. The detailed instructions for rooting Redmi 7A are outside the scope of this article, but the key steps are:
- 🔧 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
- 🔧 Install custom recovery (TWRP).
- 🔧 Switch Magisk to get root.
- 🔧 Use it. Link2SD portable.
⚠️ Warning: Root access disables the possibility of updating MIUI through OTA It can cause problems with banking applications (due to SafetyNet), and some online games (e.g. Clash Royale or the Internet). Pokémon GO) Blocking Root Devices as Potentially Hacked.
7.Memory Optimization: How to Free Up Space Without Playing Games
If the games are transferred SD-The card does not solve the memory problem, try alternative ways to optimize the memory:
- 🗑️ Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning and removing unnecessary files.
- 📁 Transfer of media files: Photos, videos and music can be moved to SD-map through the Gallery or Files.
- 🔄 Disable Auto Updates: In Google Play, turn off automatic game updates (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Never).
- 🎮 Removing Unused Games: Programs Like SD Maid or Files by Google help you find and delete heavy unused files.
Redmi 7A also has a built-in memory cleanup feature:
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
- Put Clean in the Unnecessary Files section.
- Select categories for cleaning (cache, temporary files, downloads).
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Regular cleaning of cache and transfer of media files to SD-The card can be freed up to 3-5 GB of memory without removing games.