How to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi card: all the ways and limitations

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with a modest 32 or 64 GB. One of the obvious ways to solve the problem is to transfer applications to the Internet. SD-But in the modern versions. MIUI This feature is either hidden or limited. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, including official settings, workarounds and alternative solutions for models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

It is important to understand that starting with Android 6.0 and MIUI 12 transfer of applications to SD-The map is no longer supported at the system level for most applications, due to Google's security policy and features. MIUI. However, some applications (such as maps, instant messengers or games) can still be partially migrated, while others have workarounds.

Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?

Many users wonder why the feature available on older versions of Android has disappeared in new smartphones, and the reasons are rooted in three key factors:

• 🔒 Security of data: SD-cards are slower than internal memory and do not support encryption, making them vulnerable to data leaks.
• ⚡ Productivity: Applications to SD-The card is slower due to limited read/write speed (especially on Class 10 or lower cards).
• 📱 Politics MIUI: Xiaomi follows the recommendations of Google, which with Android 9.0 de facto banned the transfer of applications to external drives.

However, some applications (such as Google Maps, Telegram or Spotify) allow you to save cache and media files to the Internet. SD-And for the rest of us, there are ways to get around the limitations, and we'll talk about them later.

⚠️ Note: Transfer system applications (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.settings) to SD-The map can cause the system to crash and you need to flash it!

Method 1: Official portability through MIUI settings (for supported applications)

Despite the limitations, some applications in MIUI 12/13/14 still possible to transfer SD-This is a map through the standard settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Google Chrome or Facebook).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, a button will appear to Move to SD-map (on some models - Change the).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Please note that:

• 📌 The Transfer button is only active for applications that support this feature (usually games or instant messengers).
• 📌 Some of the data (such as cache or updates) may remain in internal memory.
• 📌 On Xiaomi with Android 11+ This method works very rarely.

SD-The card is formatted as internal memory.|

Application supports transfer (there is a button in the settings)|

There is enough free space on the map (minimum 1 GB)|

The smartphone does not overheat (transfer loads the processor)

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Method 2: Transfer cache and application media files

If you APK-You can't move the application file, you can free up space by moving the cache and the data you download:

• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music)
• 🗺️ Map (Google Maps, 2GIS)
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact)
• 📸 Social networks (Instagram, TikTok)

Instructions:

1. Open the application settings (for example, in Spotify: Settings → Storage).
2. Select the Location of Save Downloads or Memory for Cache.
3. Show the way to SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/1234-5678/Music).
4. Confirm and restart the application.

For games (such as Genshin Impact):

1. Start the game and open the settings.
2. Find the Data Management or Download Settings section.
3. Choose. SD-map as a place of storage of resources.
4. Restart the game – the files will start to load on the map.

💡

If there is no cache transfer option in the app settings, try to clean it manually (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache) and then re-upload the data – some programs automatically save new files to the cache. SD-The card, if connected as an internal.

Method 3: Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This method allows us to combine SD-It's a card with internal memory, and then you can install some applications directly on it, but it has some serious drawbacks:

• ⚠️ The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• ⚠️ Application speeds will drop (especially on cheap maps).
• ⚠️ When you remove the map, the application will stop working on it.

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

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Tap it on. SD-Select the card and set up as internal memory.
4. Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
5. After the reboot, select Transfer Data (optional).

Now, when you install new applications, the system will suggest you choose a storage location.

• 📌 Not all applications can be installed on SD-map (depends on the developer).
• 📌 The card must be high speed (recommended) UHS-I Class 10 or A2).
• 📌 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) This option may not be available.

32Gb |

64G.NET |

128GB |

256GB and more |

I don't use it.-->

Method 4: Using ADB for forced transfer (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try to force the application to move using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the version number → go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (this will set up the device). SD-map as default installation location).
4. To migrate a particular application, use: adb shell pm move-package com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the application, for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔧 It does not work with all applications (depends on the android:installLocation flag in the application manifesto).
• 🔧 After updating MIUI settings may reset.
• 🔧 Some system applications cannot be transferred.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause data loss or system instability.Before experimenting, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 5: Alternative solutions for memory release

If the applications are transferred SD-The card is not possible, consider other ways to vacate the space:

For automatic memory cleaning, you can use the built-in MIUI function:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click Deep Clean and select unnecessary files.
3. Confirm removal.

Problems and errors in transferring applications to SD-map

When trying to migrate applications, Xiaomi users often encounter errors, and consider the most common and ways to solve them:

• 🚫 The “Move to the button” SD-the card is inactive Reason: the application does not support the transfer or SD-Solution: Try formatting the card as internal memory (see Method 3) or use ADB.
• 🚫 The application has moved, but it does not work: SD-The card is too slow or the application requires internal memory to work properly.Solution: Return the application back or use the class card A2.
• 🚫 Error "Insufficient memory" during transfer Reason: SD-Solution: Free up space on the map or format it.
• 🚫 After updating MIUI apps are missing SD-Reason: System resets storage settings Solution: Move applications over or restore them from backup.

If none of these methods worked, consider expanding your memory in other ways:

• 📲 Buy a smartphone with a large amount of memory (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G 256 GB).
• 📲 Use it. OTG-file-storage.
• 📲 Install lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main Facebook).

💡

Starting with MIUI 14 and Android 13, porting apps to SD-All of the methods described (except for alternative solutions) may not work smoothly or at all on new Xiaomi models.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map