Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi line and POCO) They often suffer from a lack of internal memory, especially in budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage. SD-Not only do you have a photo and video card, but you also have an application installation. MIUI This is limited by the fact that not all applications can be moved, and some models do not support the function at all.
In this article, we will analyze all working methods of downloading and transferring applications to SD-Maps in Xiaomi devices, including:
- 📱 The official method through settings MIUI (for supported models)
- 🔧 Manual formatting SD-Cards as an internal storage device (with risks)
- 🛠️ Bypassing restrictions ADB and third-party utilities
- ⚠️ List of apps that can’t be moved and why
You will also find out which Xiaomi models (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Others) support this function and how to avoid common errors when working with SD-map.
1 What Xiaomi models support the installation of applications on SD-map?
Not all Xiaomi smartphones allow you to install applications on an external drive.
- 📋 Versions MIUI (into MIUI 12-14 function)
- 🔄 Like, SD-cards (microSDXC class only) 10/UHS-I)
- 📱 Smartphone models (list below)
| Xiaomi model | Support for application portability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | ✅ Yes (partially) | Only through formatting as an internal drive |
| POCO X3/X4/X5 | ✅ Yes. | Adoptable Storage (Android 10+) |
| Xiaomi 11T/12T | ❌ No. | There's no slot for SD-map |
| Redmi 9A/9C | ✅ Yes. | Manual formatting is required |
Important: Even if your model supports the function, not all applications can be ported, for example, system utilities (Mi Browser, Security) and security games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) will remain in internal memory.
2.Official method: transfer applications through MIUI settings
If your Xiaomi smartphone supports the feature, the easiest way is to use the built-in settings. MIUI 12–14:
- Put it in. SD-card to slot (when the phone is turned off, if required).
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the application you want (such as Telegram or Spotify).
- Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
- Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).
Important: After transfer, the application can run slower, as the read/write speed SD-Cards are lower than the built-in memory eMMC/UFS.
Make sure the card is formatted in FAT32 or exFAT|
Check the free space (minimum 10 GB for applications) |
Backup data from the map (they will be deleted during formatting) |
Use a UHS-I (U1 or U3) card for stable operation
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3. Formatting SD-Cards as an internal storage device (Adoptable Storage)
If there is no transfer option in the settings, you can try formatting. SD-This method works for most Xiaomi devices with Android 6.0+, but with serious shortcomings:
- ⚠️ The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
- ⚠️ When you remove the map, the applications will stop working.
- ⚠️ The speed of the system may decrease.
Instructions:
- Put it in. SD-map and go to Settings → Warehouse.
- Click on the card name (for example, SD-map: 128GB).
- Select Settings (⋮) → Internal memory.
- Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
- After the restart, the system will offer to transfer some of the data to the map.
What if the system does not offer to format the card as an internal one?
4. Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system which apps to port, which requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.
Steps:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line.
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of the device).
- Run the command to port the application (replace package.name with a real package, such as com.whatsapp): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (this will force the system to install new applications on the application). SD-default-card).
Warning: Not all apps will work properly after the transfer, for example, WhatsApp or Banking applications may block access due to a changed storage path.
adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"For example, for Telegram, type grep "telegram".
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5 Why some applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?
Even if your Xiaomi supports portability, some of the apps will remain in internal memory.
- 🔒 Data protection: Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff) and instant messengers (Viber, Signal) store sensitive information and block transfer.
- 🎮 Anticheat games: PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Genshin Impact check file integrity and can ban your account when transferring.
- 📱 System utilities: Mi Home, Mi Fit, Google Play Services are tied to firmware.
- ⚡ Performance: Apps with high speed requirements (such as Chrome or YouTube) can slow down the speed of the app. SD-map.
If you try to migrate such an application manually (via ADB or file manager), it will either return to internal memory after the update or stop working.
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6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
When working with SD-And these are the most common problems that people have with Xiaomi cards:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| SD-map not defined | Incorrect format (NTFS) or corrupted file system | Format your card in FAT32 or exFAT via PC |
| Apps dyed after transfer | Low card reading speed (class below U1) | Use a UHS-I U3 card (e.g. SanDisk Extreme) |
| There's not enough space on the map. | FAT32 File System Limits 4GB File Size | Reformat the card to exFAT (but you will lose compatibility with some devices) |
⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-card as internal memory, do not remove it without first "safely disconnecting" in the settings (Settings) → Warehouse → Extract SD-Otherwise, you risk losing data or damaging the file system.
Another common problem is that the app doesn't update after the port, which is because Google Play defaults to install updates to internal memory.
- Transfer the app back to internal memory.
- Update it through the Play Market.
- Move it back to the SD-map.
7. Alternative ways to save memory on Xiaomi
If the applications are transferred SD-The card doesn’t fit (or your Xiaomi model doesn’t support this feature), use alternative methods:
- 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management and select Clear cache for large apps (like Facebook or Instagram).
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (gives 5GB for free).
- 🔄 Lite versions of applications: Install lightweight versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite), which take up 2-3 times less space.
- 🗑️ Remove duplicates: Use utilities like Files by Google or CCleaner to find unnecessary files.
For models without slots for SD-The only way out (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Mix 4) is to clean or use the cards regularly. USB-OTG drive (but applications cannot be transferred to it).