How to install applications SD-Map in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways and nuances

Why Xiaomi is limiting the installation of applications SD-map and how to get around

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially if the device from the budget line of Redmi or Poco with 32-64 GB of storage. SD-The map, but here users are waiting for an unpleasant surprise: in modern versions MIUI (12 and later) the external drive installation function is either missing or is severely restricted?

It's about Google's policies and the architecture of Android, and since Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the company has banned direct app installations on the Android platform. SD-However, some manufacturers (such as Samsung or Huawei) circumvent this restriction by offering their own solutions. Xiaomi chose to follow the recommendations of Google, leaving users only partial tools to work with external memory.

But that doesn't mean that it's impossible. In this article, we'll look at all the ways that you can install applications on the Internet. SD-Map in Xiaomi smartphones, including official settings MIUI, roundabout ADB, And alternative methods for Android Go or custom firmware models, and it's important to understand that each method's effectiveness depends on the version. MIUI, smartphone model and type SD-Cards (ordinary or adoptable storage).

Official ways to transfer applications to SD-map MIUI

Despite the limitations, in MIUI It retains the ability to partially transfer application data to an external drive, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices with a firmware version up to the end of the current time. MIUI 14 (inclusive). Here's how to do it:

1. Put it in. SD-card in the slot of the smartphone. Make sure it is formatted in the file system FAT32 or exFAT (for cards larger than 32 GB).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Please note that the option is only available for programs that support this feature (usually games or cache apps).
4. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-If the button is inactive, then the transfer for this application is impossible.

An important point: this method transfers to SD-The card is only a part of the data (usually cache or additional files), but not the card itself. APK-So the internal memory is released slightly, on average, 10 to 30 percent of the size of the application, for example, for a game called Genshin Impact. ~15GB) can be transferred to 4-5GB of data, but the main file will remain in internal memory.

SD-map FAT32/exFAT|Smartphone supports memory expansion (check in the characteristics of the model)|The application has the option "Move to the SD" customized|There is enough free space on the map (minimum) 1 GB)-->

Another official way is to use SD-The card is an internal storage function (adoptable storage function). MIUI This option is hidden and available only through ADB (I'll talk about it later. Even if you can activate it, keep it in mind:

• 🔄 The card will be encrypted and tied to the device – it will not be read on another smartphone or PC.
• ⚡ Productivity may fall, especially if the cheapest is used. SD-Class-class 4/6.
• 📱 Not all applications will work properly with external memory (especially system services).

Transfer applications through ADB: step-by-step

If the official methods do not give the desired result, you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB). This method allows you to forcibly transfer applications to SD-map, even if in the interface MIUI It's not. It's important: it requires you to turn on Developer Mode and work with the command line.

First, prepare your smartphone and computer:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI And press it 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Download and install ADB Tools on your PC (Windows, macOS or Linux).
4. Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable (use the original cable for connection stability).

Now run the following commands in the terminal (command line):

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on SD-But there are some critical points:

• 🛑 After restarting the smartphone, the setting is reset - it must be used again.
• 📦 Not all applications will work correctly with external memory (especially system or high-performance applications).
• 🔧 To transfer already installed applications, use the pm move-package command com.example.app, where com.example.app is the batch name of the program (you can find out through the App Inspector in the Developer Settings).

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If the pm set-install-location 2 command doesn’t work, try an alternative method: adb shell pm set-install-location 1 (installation to internal memory), then manually transfer the desired applications through Settings. → Annexes.

A critical nuance for Xiaomi: on some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or Poco) X3 Pro) after use ADB protection may work MIUI, lock-in SD-In this case, only resetting or rolling back the firmware will help.

Comparison of methods of transferring applications to SD-map

To choose the best way, compare all available options on key parameters: complexity, compatibility and efficiency. Below is a table with the main characteristics of each method.

The table shows that the most balanced option is the use of ADB But if you want maximum efficiency and you're willing to sacrifice stability, you should consider Adoptable Storage or custom firmware, which is only suitable for advanced users, because it requires unlocking the bootloader and carries risks for the device.

Official transfer through MIUI|ADB-team|Adoptable Storage|Custom firmware|I can't stand it, I have enough internal memory.|Another way.-->

Adoptable Storage on Xiaomi: How to turn it into a new one SD-card

Adoptable Storage allows you to "tether" SD-The card to the smartphone, making it part of the internal storage, in theory, solves the problem of memory shortage, but in practice Xiaomi hid this option in the computer. MIUI. However, it can be activated through ADB. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate Debugging USB (as described in the previous section).
2. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and type: adb shell sm list-disks Remember your identifier SD-maps, for example, disk:179,64).
3. Execute the command to format the map as internal storage (all data will be deleted!): adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private
4. Reboot your smartphone. SD-The card will be displayed as part of the internal memory.

Warnings:

⚠️ Note: After activating Adoptable Storage SD-The card will be encrypted and tied to the device, and if you take it out and paste it into another smartphone or PC, the data will be unavailable, and the card can fail with frequent recording operations (especially if it is a cheap Class 10 model without wear protection).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or Poco) F4) After activating Adoptable Storage, you may have problems with the update. MIUI through OTA. In this case, you will have to roll back changes or install firmware manually.

The advantage of this method is the ability to install most applications on the SD-It's like it's an internal memory, but there are some drawbacks:

• 🐢 Significant decrease in productivity when using slow SD-cards (class recommended) UHS-I U3 higher).
• 🔄 When resetting settings or firmware, the card can be formatted and all data will be lost.
• 📵 Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Google Pay) refuse to work with external memory for security reasons.

Alternative ways to free up memory without transferring to SD-map

If none of the methods described are suitable or you do not want to risk the stability of the smartphone, consider alternative options for freeing internal memory. SD-The map, but it can be equally effective.

1. Clearing cache and unnecessary files

MIUI has a built-in garbage cleaning tool:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Click Clear – the system will delete temporary files, cache and residual data.
3. For deep cleaning, use the Security app (Cleanup tab).

2. Transfer of media files to SD-map

Photos, videos and music occupy the lion's share of memory. SD-map:

• 📷 For photos and videos: open the Gallery, select files → More. → Move it → SD-map.
• 🎵 For Music: In the Music app, select tracks → Management → Move it to SD.

3. Use of cloud storage

Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive allow you to automatically back up photos and videos, freeing up space on your device.

4. Removal of system applications (for power users)

MIUI It contains many preinstalled applications that cannot be removed by standard means. ADB You can uninstall them without root rights:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2 # Example: weather removal


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.scanner # Scanner removal

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. Before executing commands, create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5. Installation of “lightweight” versions of applications

Many popular services have Lite-versions, which take up much less space:

• 📱 Facebook Lite instead of Facebook.
• 💬 Messenger Lite instead of Messenger.
• 🎵 Spotify Lite or YouTube Go to save traffic and memory.

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If internal memory is sorely lacking, consider buying a smartphone with a large storage capacity. e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 512 GB of memory is not much more expensive than models with 128 GB, but will save you from problems with data transfer.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions when working with SD-mapping

When you try to move applications to SD-Users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

1. SD-The card is not defined or is an error

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Bad contact: Remove the card and repaint it. If the problem recurs, try another card.
• 🗃️ Incompatible file system: format the card into FAT32 or exFAT via PC.
• 🛠️ Damaged sectors: Check the map for errors using the utility chkdsk (Windows) or fsck (Linux/macOS).

2. “Move to the button” SD" idle

This means that:

• 📱 The app does not support portability (such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services).
• 🔒 SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage, not an internal one (see the Adoptable Storage section).
• 📵 In the developer settings, the option is enabled Forced to allow transfer to external storage - turn it off.

3.The applications are painted after transfer to SD-map

This is most often the case with:

• 🎮 Games with high performance requirements (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).
• 🔐 Applications with broad rights (bank clients, encrypted messengers).
• 🤖 Widgets and system utilities.

Solution: Move problem applications back to internal memory or use it SD-class A2 speed up reading/write.

4.After the update MIUI transfer of applications

This is a typical problem for Xiaomi. After the firmware update:

• 🔄 Re-apply the pm set-install-location 2 command via ADB.
• 📲 Move apps manually through Settings → Annexes.
• 🔧 If the transfer is not possible, reset the settings (but this will delete all data!).

5. SD-The card is "raw" and cannot be read.

This is a critical error, meaning that the file system is damaged.

• 🖥️ Connect the card to the PC and format it in FAT32 utility-wise SD Formatter.
• 🔧 If formatting doesn't work, the map is physically damaged.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Transferring Applications to SD-Xiaomi