How to install applications SD-Map of Xiaomi Redmi 8: Full guide

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device has been in use for several years. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system can issue a notification "Memory is full", blocking the installation of new applications. The solution seems obvious: to move the programs to the SD-map, but in modern versions of Android and shell MIUI This process is complicated by security restrictions.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods of installing and transferring applications to an external drive in Redmi. 8, including official methods through settings MIUI, Hand-formatted maps as internal storage, and workarounds for applications that don't support portability. A1/A2 — Why they are preferred for installing programs, and how to avoid formatting errors.

It’s important to understand that not all applications can be transferred to a memory card. For example, Google and MIUI system services always remain in internal memory, and some games (such as PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) can work unstable when installed on an SD. We tested all methods on Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5 and Android 10, so the instructions are relevant for this firmware.

Why Redmi 8 does not allow you to install apps SD-default-card

With Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has tightened its security policy by banning apps from being installed on external drives without additional settings. In MIUI, these restrictions are maintained, but there are workarounds.

• 🔒 Data security: Annexes to the SD It is easier to steal or swap, especially if the card is retrieved and connected to other devices.
• ⚡ Performance: Memory cards (even class) A2) Slower embedded eMMC memory, which can cause lags in games.
• 📱 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi has disabled the Adoptable Storage feature SD internal memory in some regional firmware.
• 🔄 Compatibility: Not all apps support external drives (such as WhatsApp or Netflix).

However, there are legal ways to get around these limitations, such as manually specifying the SD as the default installation location (some versions of MIUI have this option hidden) or formatting the card as internal storage, the latter method being the most effective but has risks - for example, once the card is removed, applications will stop working.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is like internal memory, and it can't be retrieved without the phone being reset, and all the data on the card will be encrypted and will be inaccessible on other devices.

Preparation SD-maps: selection and formatting

Before you port applications, make sure your microSD meets the requirements:

• 📌 Speed class: Minimum A1 (optimally A2) Application installation. Class maps. C10 or U1 Suitable only for storing media files.
• 💾 Volume: 32 GB (for basic needs) to 512 GB (maximum supported by Redmi 8).
• 🔄 File system: For cards up to 32 GB — FAT32, ExFAT (but it is better to reformat it) ext4 using as internal memory).

Before formatting, back up your data - the process erases all files! Redmi 8 has a built-in formatting tool:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Press yours. SD-map (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
3. Select formatting → Like an internal storage facility.
4. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes).

Make a backup of important data from the map

Check the speed class (should be A1/A2)

Insert the card into the slot (not through the adapter!)

Formatting as internal memory in settings

Reboot the phone after formatting-->

If the option is not available, then your MIUI firmware will block it, in which case manual formatting via ADB (discuss below) or using the card only to store files (music, photos, videos) will help.

16-32 GB

64GB

128GB

256 GB or more

I don't use it.-->

Method 1: Transfer applications through MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in port function in MIUI, which doesn't work for all applications, but it frees up some of the internal memory.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or VK).
3. Press Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, change (or move to) SD-map, tap it.
5. Wait until the process is completed (may take a few minutes).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all apps support portability (e.g. Google Play Services or Google Play Services). MIUI System).
• ❌ Some of the data (cache, settings) may remain in internal memory.
• ❌ After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If the application starts to crash or doesn’t update after the transfer, return it to internal memory. SD.

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

This method allows us to combine SD-A card with internal memory, but with critical consequences:

• 🔐 The card is encrypted and linked to the phone – it will not be used in other devices.
• 🔄 After the map is removed, the applications will stop working.
• ⚠️ When resetting the phone to the factory settings, the map will have to be formatted again.

If you are prepared for these restrictions, follow the instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Open Settings → Memory → [Your card name].
3. Press Three dots (⋮) → Storage settings → Formatting as an internal.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart).
5. After the reboot, open Settings → Memory and make sure the card is displayed as part of the internal storage.

If you don't have the option to format as internal, your MIUI firmware has hidden it, and in this case, the manual command via ADB will help:

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true


adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

Replace 179.64 with your card’s current settings (you can find them through the adb shell sm list-disks command).

Method 3: Installation of applications on SD-map ADB (power-user)

If the built-in methods do not work, you can manually specify SD-map as the default installation location via ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires connecting the phone to your computer and enabling developer mode.

Steps:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect Redmi 8 to your computer via USB (use the original cable!).
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
5. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed. If not, check the drivers.)

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This team is setting up SD-The map is the default setting. To return the settings back, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Note that not all apps will be installed on the map even after this command, and some (like Google Maps) ignore this setting because of security policies.

1. Reconnect. USB-cable.

2. Enable File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.

3. Install Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers from the official website.

4. Try another. USB-port on the computer (preferably) USB 2.0).-->

Method 4: Using third-party applications for portability

If the standard methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD): Allows you to port apps, clear cache and analyze memory usage.link to Google Play.
• 🔄 Link2SD: Creates symbolic links to transfer part of the data to SD (root).
• 📂 Files by Google: Built-in memory cleanup and big file analysis.

Example of AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. Go to the Transfer to the Transfer to the SD-map.
4. Select the apps that can be moved (marked in green).
5. Click Transfer and wait until completion.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like Link2SD require root rights that void the warranty and may disrupt the operation MIUI. Use them only if other methods do not help.

💡

The portable side of the application (e.g. AppMgr III) only works with programs that initially support SD installation. They cannot bypass the limitations of Android for system or secure applications.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-In Redmi 8, users are faced with typical problems:

If the phone slows down after formatting the card as internal memory, it means that the card's read/write speed is not enough.

1. Transfer critical applications (messengers, launchers) back to internal memory.
2. Use the card only to store media files.
3. Buy a faster card (such as the Samsung EVO Plus A2).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions