Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device is budget or has been in use for several years. SD-But in the modern versions. MIUI (12, 13, 14) this function is either hidden or limited. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of porting applications, including official and workarounds, and explain why some programs can not be moved and what to do about it.
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi is gradually abandoning support for porting applications to external drives due to the peculiarities of Android and security policies. However, for many models (Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 10/11) there are still working solutions. We tested them on the firmware of MIUI 14 (Android 12/13) and collected only current methods that work in 2026.
Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?
With each MIUI update, the application portability function becomes less available, due to several factors:
- 🔒 Security: Annexes to SD-It is easier to hack or replace the card, since external drives are not encrypted by default.
- ⚡ Performance: MicroSD read/write speeds are lower than those of internal memory (especially on cheap class cards). UHS-I Class 10).
- 📱 Android architecture: with version 6.0 (Marshmallow) Google recommends using SD-Cards are only for storing files, not for installing programs.
- 🔄 Stability: When you extract the map, applications can crash or lose data.
However, for smartphone users on MIUI 12 and older, there are workarounds. SD-card with internal drive (with formatting) or use ADB-manual transfer commands. More on this in the following sections.
Official method: transfer via MIUI settings
Some Xiaomi models (mostly until 2021) still have the portability feature built in, and check for it as follows:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want (such as Facebook or Telegram).
- Click on Warehouse.
- If there is a button, move to SD-If you don't have a button, your model doesn't support this method.
⚠️ Note: Even if the button is active, not all applications can be moved. System programs, widgets and online-authorized games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact is usually blocked.
| Xiaomi model | Support for transfer through settings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/9 | ✅ Yes (MIUI 11-12) | It doesn't work for all apps. |
| POCO X3 NFC | ✅ Yes (MIUI 12) | Reboot is required after transfer |
| Mi 9/10 | ❌ No (MIUI 13+) | Function removed in updates |
| Redmi 10/11/12 | ❌ No. | Only alternative methods |
If your model doesn't have an official option, move on to the following methods, but first check if your device supports forced formatting. SD-Cards as an internal drive is the most reliable method for older smartphones.
Method 2: Formatting SD-card-based
This method is suitable for Android 6.0-9.0 devices (including: MIUI 10-12) It allows the use of SD-The card is part of the internal memory, but has critical nuances:
- 🔄 The card will be encrypted and work only on this smartphone.
- 🚫 After extracting the map, the application will stop working on it.
- ⚠️ All data on the map will be deleted during formatting.
- ⚡ Application speeds may drop (depending on class) SD-map).
Instructions:
- Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
- Go to Settings. → Memory.
- Press on. SD-map → Three dots (menu) → Storage settings.
- Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
- Once formatted, the smartphone will suggest moving the data. Choose Move now.
Important: This method does not work on newer models (Redmi Note 11 and later) due to the limitations of MIUI 13+. If the menu does not have the option "Internal Memory", then your device does not support this method.
Make a backup copy of data from the card|Use a class card UHS-I higher|Charge your smartphone at least 50%|Make sure the card is not damaged-->
Method 3: Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)
If the official methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to migrate even those applications that are locked in the settings.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📦 Installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
- 🔓 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then enable debugging in Additional settings → For developers).
Step-by-step:
- Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
- Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows) and type:
adb devicesIf the device appears on the list, go ahead. If not, check the drivers.
- Enter a command to check supported applications:
adb shell pm get-install-locationIf the result is 0 [auto] or 2 [external], you can carry it. If 1 [internal], the transfer is blocked.
- Install the app on SD-map (replace com.example.app with a batch name for the program, such as com.whatsapp):
adb shell pm set-install-location 2
adb shell pm move-package com.example.app⚠️ Note: Not all applications support this method, if a Failure error occurs after the command. [NOT_MOVED], So, it's impossible to transfer, and then after you reboot, some programs can go back to internal memory.
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To find out the batch name of the application, install App Inspector from Google Play or use the command adb shell pm list packages | find "application name" (for Windows).
Alternative methods: what to do if nothing works
If none of the above methods work, there are workarounds. They don't port applications to the Internet. SD-The card is literally, but it helps to free up internal memory:
1. Transfer of cache and media files
Many applications (e.g. Telegram, VK, Google Photos) allow you to manually specify a folder for storing files:
- 📁 In the application settings, find the Memory or Storage section.
- 🔄 Show the way to SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera).
- 📥 Transfer existing files through a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).
2. Use Link2SD (requires root)
Link2SD allows you to create symbolic links by cheating the system, you need root rights to work, which void the warranty.
- Install Link2SD from Google Play.
- Select the application → Create a link → Dalvik-cache and Library file.
- Reboot your smartphone.
⚠️ Attention: incorrect use Link2SD It can cause app malfunctions or even a device to crash.
3. Cleaning up cache and unnecessary files
Sometimes the problem isn't the number of apps, it's the garbage. MIUI:
- 🧹 Settings → Memory. → Cleaning (deletes temporary files).
- 🗑️ Security → Cleaning up garbage (analyzing unnecessary data).
- 📦 Remove unused applications through Settings → Annexes → Size (sorting by volume).
How do I know which apps take up the most space?
Which applications cannot be transferred to SD-map (and why)
Even if you use ADB or formatting your card as an internal drive, some programs are fundamentally unportable.
| Type of application | Reason for blocking | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| System applications | Shielded at the MIUI level, their transfer can disrupt the system. | Settings, Phone, Messages, Google Services |
| Widget annexes | Widgets require constant access to internal memory. | Weather, Calendar, Yandex.Weather |
| Online Authorization Games | Developers block the transfer to protect against cheats. | PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Free Fire |
| Annexes with DRM-protection | Licenses (such as Netflix or Spotify) are tied to internal memory. | Netflix, Disney+, Spotify |
| Banking applications | Security requirements prohibit storage on external media. | SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online |
If you critically need to vacate space and you can not move the application, try:
- 🔄 Remove and re-install it by selecting SD-map as installation site (if available).
- 📥 Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
- ☁️ Transfer media files (photos, videos) to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
Frequent mistakes and how to fix them
When transferring applications to SD-And so, we're going to have a lot of problems with this map:
1. "Move to the button" SD-card
Causes and solutions:
- 📵 SD-The card is not recognized: check that the card is formatted in FAT32 or exFAT (via computer).
- 🔒 The app is blocked: try to move it through ADB (see method 3).
- 📱 Outdated. MIUI: Update your firmware to the latest version (but remember that new versions may have a feature that may disappear).
2.The application has moved, but is not working
Possible causes:
- ⚡ Slow. SD-map: use class cards UHS-I U3 or A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme).
- 🔌 Map Retrieved: Some Apps Require Reboot After Connecting SD.
- 🔄 Data conflict: Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
3. After the transfer, the application flies or updates are not installed
This is a typical problem for applications installed on SD-Solutions:
- 📥 Turn off auto updates: in Google Play, click on three dots on the app → Remove from auto-update.
- 🔄 Move it back: If an application is critical (like a banking app), put it back in internal memory.
- ☁️ Use cloud versions: for example, Google Docs or Telegram Web in the browser.
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If the application is unstable after transfer, it is better to return it to internal memory. SD-The card is suitable for storing media files and backups, but not for mission-critical programs.