How to download and transfer games to SD-Map in Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi line and POCO) They often suffer from a lack of internal memory, especially if you're into mobile games. PUBG It takes 2 to 5 GB each, and then it gets bigger after the updates, and the solution seems obvious: move the games to the next level. SD-But in the MIUI This process has nuances that depend on the firmware version, phone model and even the type of memory card.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods of downloading and transferring games to the SD-Map in Xiaomi, including bypassing Android restrictions 10+, configure the card as an internal drive, as well as solve typical errors like “Not enough space on the device, despite free storage” SD-We will focus on models with a hybrid slot (for example, Redmi Note). 12 Pro+), where the memory card replaces the second SIM, and peculiar MIUI 14/15.

Why don't games get downloaded SD-default-card?

The main reason is the security policies of Android and MIUI. Since Android 6.0, Google has limited the ability to write application data to removable media due to the risks:

• 🔒 Slowdown: SD-cards (even class) A2) slower-than-integrated memory UFS 2.2/3.1, play-critical.
• 🛡️ Security: data on removable media is easier to steal or replace.
• 🔄 Stability: when you extract the card during the game, the application will crash.

In MIUI, these limitations are reinforced: by default, the system allows only media files (photos, videos, music) and some caches to be transferred to SD, games and applications remain in internal memory, but there are workarounds, and we will consider them.

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of games to SD-The card can lead to lags in heavy projects (like Honor of Kings or Diablo Immortal!

Preparation SD-Maps: which class to choose and how to format

Not every memory card is suitable for gaming, and the minimum requirements for Xiaomi in 2026 are:

If your card doesn’t match these parameters, the games will slow down or not start at all. For example, Genshin Impact requires a write speed of at least 30 MB/s for stable operation.

How to format SD-game-card?

Insert the card into your smartphone and do:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
2. Click on “Format as internal memory” (if available).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the data on the map will be deleted!).

⚠️ Warning: Once formatted as an internal drive, the card cannot be retrieved without losing data.

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

This method works on most Xiaomi models with MIUI 12-15, but has limitations: not all games support portability.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the game you want to migrate (such as Clash of Clans).
3. Click on “Storage” → “Change” (if the option is active).
4. Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

If the Change button is inactive, the game does not support the transfer, and Method 2 or Method 3 will help.

Make sure you're on SD-The card has enough space (about 1.5-2 times the size of the game)

Close the game and all background processes

Connect your phone to charge (transfer can take 5-15 minutes)

Backup saves (via Google Play Games or manually)-->

Method 2: Use of the SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method allows you to “deceive” the system, making it perceive SD-The advantage is that games will be downloaded automatically to the map, and the disadvantage is that the map cannot be used in other devices without formatting.

Step-by-step:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Press "Three dots (⋮) → Settings → Formatting as an internal».
4. Confirm the action. The system will suggest that you move the data, you agree.
5. After formatting, restart the phone.

Now, when installing games from Google Play, select SD-Note that some games (such as Free Fire or Mobile Legends) may require additional permissions to write to removable media.

💡

If the game is still installed in internal memory after formatting, clear the Google Play Store cache (Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear the cache).

Method 3: Manually move game files through file manager

If the official methods don't work, you can manually transfer game files, which is suitable for games that store data in Android/obb or Android/data folders.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root permissions (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to /sdcard/Android/obb (or /sdcard/Android/data).
4. Find a folder with the game name (e.g. com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact).
5. Copy it on. SD-map (/storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb).
6. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
7. Create a symbolic link (if the manager supports): -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.game /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game

⚠️ Note: Not all games work properly after manual transfer, PUBG Mobile may give you a 999 error when you start up, in which case, return the files back.

Method 4: Using ADB for Forced Transfer (for Advanced)

If previous methods didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

ADB-driver

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on SD-default-card.

adb shell pm move-package com.game.package /sdcard

(Replace com.game.package with a real game identifier, such as com.epicgames.fortnite).

If the team returns a Failure error [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], So the game doesn't support transfer.

- 0 - automatic selection

-1 - Internal memory

- 2 - External memory (SD-map)-->

Solving errors when transferring games to SD-map

Even after successful transfer, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If the game is running a license error after the transfer (e.g. Asphalt 9), try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Remove and reinstall the game (selected) SD-map).
• 🔑 Check the authenticity of a memory card (fakes often impersonate SanDisk or Samsung).

Optimizing the performance of games SD-map

Even if the game is successfully rescheduled, its performance may deteriorate, to minimize the lags:

• 🚀 Use a memory card at high speed: For heavy gaming (such as Genshin Impact) UHS-II or A2 Reading speeds of 90 MB/s.
• 🔧 Turn off background processes: In Settings → Battery → Select Performance Mode “High Performance».
• 🗃️ Clean the game cache once every 1-2 weeks: Settings → Annexes → [Game] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Defragment regularly SD-card (if it is formatted as internal). To do this, connect it to the PC and use the utility SD Card Formatter.

For Xiaomi models with Snapdragon processors 8 Gen 2/3 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro) performance difference between internal memory and SD-The map will be less visible, but still present.

💡

If the game is slowed down SD-In the card, try to transfer only the.obb files (graphics, sounds) by leaving the executable file (.apk) in the internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring games to SD-map