Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They often face a shortage of internal memory, especially on budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage. SD-The problem is that the modern versions of Android (starting with 6.0 Marshmallow) and the shell are waiting for users. MIUI Google Play Market installs programs in internal memory by default, and the ability to transfer to a removable drive depends on many factors: OS version, device model and even a specific application.
Many instructions on the web are outdated or describe methods that have stopped working after the updates. MIUI 12/13/14. In this article, we will discuss current ways of installing and transferring applications to SD-You will learn which apps can be moved and which can not, how to format the memory card correctly and what to do if the system blocks the installation. Separately, we will consider the nuances for devices with Adoptable Storage (mounted card as part of internal memory) and without it.
It is important to understand that MIUI Actively resists the transfer of applications to SD-The map is designed for two reasons: first, it slows down programs due to low read/write speed of removable drives; second, Google prohibits the installation of applications on external media for security reasons (risk of substitution). APK-However, there are legal and semi-legal ways to circumvent these restrictions, and they will be discussed later.
Why Play Market does not allow you to install apps SD-map
The main problem lies in Google’s policy and Android architecture, and since version 6.0, the system has divided apps into two categories:
- 📱 Installed only in internal memory – most games and programs from the Play Market (WhatsApp, Instagram, banking applications, etc.).
- 💾 Supportive transfer to SD — Usually simple utilities that don’t require constant work in the background (such as some file managers or offline cards).
In Xiaomi smartphones, the situation is complicated by the shell of MIUI, which:
- Hiding the option "Move to" SD-map in application settings for most programs.
- Blocking the installation APK-files to the removable drive through standard means.
- Ignores the pm set-install-location 2 command (which in pure Android allows you to force applications to install on SD).
In addition, Play Market has not technically supported external media installation since 2019 – Google has removed this feature from the official developer documentation. Now, even if the application theoretically supports portability, the “Move” button may not be in its settings.
Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting and Selection of File System
Before you try to install applications on a memory card, you need to prepare it correctly, and the format and file system will determine whether you can use Adoptable Storage (mount the card as part of internal memory) or limit yourself to a classic removable drive.
In Xiaomi smartphones, two formatting options are available:
| Type of formatting | File system | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable (removable) | FAT32 or exFAT | The card can be retrieved and used on other devices. | You cannot install most applications |
| The internal (adoptable) style | ext4 (encrypted) | The card becomes part of the internal memory, you can install applications | You can’t get it out without losing data; it doesn’t work on all Xiaomi models. |
The second option is internal storage, but keep in mind:
⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be used on other devices without completely erasing the data. MIUI 12+) This feature can be blocked for cards larger than 128 GB.
To format the card as an internal storage:
- Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
- Select the internal memory and confirm the formatting.
- Wait until the process is completed (it can take 5-15 minutes).
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If the internal memory option is missing, try formatting the card on another Android 6-9 device and then pasting it into Xiaomi.
Method 1: Installation of applications on SD-map through Android settings
If you format a map as an internal storage, some applications can be manually migrated, and this method doesn't work for all programs, but it's worth trying:
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want to migrate (like Google Maps or Spotify).
- Click Warehouse → Change (if the option is active).
- Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.
Limitations of the method:
- 🚫 It only works for applications that explicitly support portability (usually utilities, not games or social media).
- 🚫 System applications and most games from the Play Market cannot be transferred.
- 🚫 After the transfer, the application may run slower or give errors.
☑️ Pre-mobilization checks
If the Change button is inactive or not, the application does not support the transfer, in which case you will have to use alternative methods described below.
Method 2: Forced SD installation via ADB (for power users)
For advanced users, there is a way to cheat the system with Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to force Xiaomi to specify that new applications should be installed on the site. SD-Attention: requires a connection to the PC and enable the developer mode.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Click on the line 7 times until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
USB debugging
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the PC. SD-default-card.
What's important to know:
- 🔧 The pm set-install-location 2 command doesn't work on all versions. MIUI. Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi may ignore this setting.
- 🔧 After restarting the device, the setting may reset.
- 🔧 Some apps (such as WhatsApp or banking) will still be installed in internal memory.
What to do if ADB is not working?
Method 3: Using third-party launchers and file managers
If standard methods don't work, you can try to get around the limitations with third-party tools. Some launchers and file managers are able to trick the system into installing it. APK-file SD-map.
Popular solutions:
- 📂 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Applications for Application Transfer, Supports MIUI (not all models).
- 📂 Link2SD — It creates symbolic links to allow you to cheat the system. It requires root rights.
- 📂 APK Editor – allows you to change the installation path manually (for experienced users).
Example of AppMgr III:
- Download and install the app from the Play Market.
- Open it and give access to Special Features (in Android settings).
- Select the app from the list and click Move to SD-map.
- If the option is inactive, try using the Cache Cleanup feature – sometimes this frees up space for transfer.
⚠️ Note: Applications migrated with third-party utilities may not work stable or even stop running after the update. MIUI They can block such tools, considering them potentially dangerous.
Method 4: Manual installation APK-file SD-map
If the Play Market refuses to install apps SD-map, downloadable APK-Manually install files from an external drive, which works for most programs but requires caution (risk of downloading malware).
How to do this:
- Download. APK-file from a reliable source (for example, APKMirror or the official developer site).
- Transfer the file to SD-Card (e.g., through a Conductor or Total Commander).
- Open the file manager, find the APK on the memory card and start the installation.
- When you receive a warning, “Installation from unknown sources” allow it in the settings.
Limitations and risks:
- 🛡️ Installation APK Unknown sources can be dangerous (viruses, spyware).
- 🔄 Not all apps will be updated through the Play Market after manual installation.
- 📱 Some programs (such as Netflix or banking apps) block the installation from the Internet. APK.
To reduce the risks, always check the hash amounts of downloaded files and use an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes).
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Hand-mounted APK — The only reliable way to install the application on SD-This method requires care and does not guarantee the stable operation of the program.
Why some applications cannot be moved to SD-map
Even if you format the card as an internal storage device and use all of the methods described, some applications will not work from a removable drive, which is due to their technical features:
Reasons for blocking the transfer:
- 🔒 Widgets – applications with widgets (such as Google Widget or Poco Launcher) cannot work with SD-map.
- 🔒 Background processes – messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and notification programs require internal memory.
- 🔒 DRM-Protection – video viewing apps (Netflix, Disney)+) Blocking work from external media.
- 🔒 System Services – Google Play Services, MIUI System Apps and other critical components are always installed in internal memory.
In addition, some developers explicitly prohibit installation on the SD in the application manifest (android:installLocation), which can be checked using the AAPK Tool utility (for power users).
If it is critical to free up your internal memory, consider alternative solutions:
- 🗃️ Transfer of media files (photos, videos, music) to SD-Map via Gallery or Files by Google.
- ☁️ Using Google Drive (Mi Cloud) for backups.
- 🧹 Cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.