How to save photos to a memory card Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is equipped with a slot for microSD cards up to 512 GB, but many users face the problem: the default photos are stored in internal memory, quickly filling it. This is especially true for owners of models with 32/64 GB of storage, where free space runs out after several hundred pictures.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to transfer a photo to a memory card, from basic camera settings to manually moving through the file manager. SD-If you want to automatically save new images to an external drive or free internal memory from old photos, you'll find step-by-step instructions with illustrations and optimization tips.

Why are photos stored in the internal memory, and not on the map?

By default, MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) is configured so that all media files — photos, videos, screenshots — are saved to the DCIM/Camera folder on the internal drive.

• 🔹 Speed: recording internal memory (UFS 2.1 redmi 9) It is faster than most microSD classes. A1/A2.
• 🔹 Compatibility: Some applications (such as Google Photos) may not work properly with files on external media.
• 🔹 security: SD-Cards are more likely to fail or be retrieved by the user, resulting in data loss.

However, if you are critical to save space on your smartphone, this setting is easy to change, the main thing is to format the memory card correctly and choose the appropriate way to transfer it. For example, for Redmi 9 with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM, moving a photo to a microSD can free up to 10-15 GB of space.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-Class-class 4/6 (slow, saving photos in format RAW or videotape 4K It can lead to lags and recording errors. 9 We recommend class cards. 10/UHS-I marked A1 or A2.

Method 1: Setup the camera to save to the memory card

The easiest method is to change the save location right in the Camera app, which ensures that all new photos and videos are automatically recorded on the microSD.

Instructions:

1. Open the Camera app on Redmi 9.
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) in the upper right corner to open the settings.
3. Scroll down to the Save Place section (or Storage Location in English).
4. Select a memory card (SD card).
5. Confirm your choice if you request permission to record.

If the conservation location is absent or inactive, the cause may be one of the following:

• 📛 SD-The card is not formatted as internal memory (see the section on formatting).
• 🔄 Card extracted or mispasted (check Slot 2 in the tray for SIM).
• 🚫 There is not enough space on the map (minimum free volume is 500 MB).

Memory card inserted into Slot 2 slot (hybrid tray)

There is enough free space on the map (from 1 GB).

SD-map FAT32 or as an internal memory

There are no restrictions on the camera settings MIUI-->

Method 2: Transfer a photo through a file manager

If you already have photos in your internal memory, you can manually move them to a microSD, such as a standard Xiaomi File Manager or third-party applications like Solid Explorer.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the File Manager (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Images section → Camera (or) DCIM/Camera).
3. Select the desired photo (long press → tick).
4. Click Move (or Cut) in the lower menu.
5. Go back to the root directory, select SD-map → Create a folder (such as Photos) or select an existing one.
6. Press Paste.

Important nuances:

• 📁 When moving, do not copy files, namely cut out - this will free up space on the internal drive.
• 🔍 If the folder DCIM No map, create it manually (system) MIUI You may need it for the proper operation of the gallery).
• ⏳ Moving large numbers of files (e.g. 500)+ Photos can take 5-10 minutes.

Through camera settings

Manually through the file manager

Using Google Photos.

I can't stand it, I keep it in my inner memory.

Another way.-->

Method 3: Formatting the card as internal memory

If Xiaomi Redmi 9 does not allow you to save photos SD-The card or it is displayed as soon as you read, the problem may be in the file system format. FAT32, It has a file size limit of 4GB, and it is better to use exFAT or format the card as internal memory for full operation.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Click on Memory Map. → Format.
3. Choose internal storage (internal storage).
4. Confirm the action (all data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After formatting, restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: After formatting the card as internal memory, it will not be read on other devices (PCs, other phones) without additional manipulation, and this can also slow down the smartphone if the class card is lower than the previous one. A1.

💡

Before formatting, copy all important data from SD-Maps to the computer - the process erases everything without the possibility of recovery.

Method 4: Using Google Photos to Automatically Sync

If you don't want to manually transfer photos, you can set up Google Photos to automatically upload images to the cloud and then delete them from the device. SD-The card is directly but frees up internal memory.

How to set up:

1. Install Google Photos from Play Market (if not installed).
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Tap the avatar in the upper right corner → Photo settings.
4. Select Backup and Sync → turn on the switch.
5. In the Memory Management section, click Free space – this will remove photos from the device that are already uploaded to the cloud.

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Photos are stored in the cloud and available from any device.
• 📱 Redmi 9's internal memory is released.
• 🔍 Convenient search by dates, persons, places.

Disadvantages:

• 📶 Requires a stable internet to download.
• 💰 Only 15 GB is available for free (you will have to buy a place for a large number of photos).
• 🔒 Photos are stored on Google servers, which may not be safe for sensitive photos.

Method 5: Automatic transfer via Tasker (for advanced)

If you need to automate your photo transfers on a schedule (e.g. every evening), you can use the Tasker app, which will require some technical skills, but will allow you to set up flexible rules.

Example of Tasker's task:

Profile: Daily transfer (Time: 22:00)


Task:




1 File → Move (Source: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/, Purpose: /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera/)




2. If → %Success ~ 0 → Notification ("Photo portability error!")

Where XXXX-XXXX — This is your ID. SD-maps (you can find them through the FX Explorer or the adb shell ls command /storage).

⚠️ Attention: An incorrectly configured task in Tasker can lead to data loss or looped file transfer.

Typical errors and their solutions

When working with SD-Xiaomi Redmi 9 users often face the following problems:

If after all the manipulations, the photos are not saved SD-map, try it:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version (Settings → About Phone → System Update).
2. Reset the camera settings (Camera settings → Reset).
3. Test the card on another device (it may be damaged).

💡

If the memory card is unstable, try formatting it in your smartphone rather than on your PC – this often solves the recording problems.

FAQ: Frequent questions about saving photos to a memory card