Xiaomi smartphones have taken a strong lead in the market in recent years thanks to a combination of powerful hardware and affordable prices. However, even owners of top-end models of Redmi or POCO sooner or later face a lack of internal memory. Especially acute is the problem for users of budget devices with 32-64 GB of storage, where the system and preinstalled applications occupy the lion’s share of space. The microSD card seems to be the obvious solution – but here’s the problem: MIUI by default blocks the transfer of most applications to external media.
Why is that happening? It's about Android architecture and Xiaomi's security policy. Since MIUI 12, the company has tightened restrictions on external drives, citing data protection and system stability. But the good news is that you can get around these restrictions -- and we'll show you how to do it legally, without root rights and the risk of bricking a device. In this article, you'll find current ways to use MIUI 13/14, including hidden settings, workarounds for popular applications, and solving common bugs.
Before you start porting, make sure your memory card meets the minimum requirements: UHS-I (U1/U3) or Class 10 speed class, 16 GB. The best choice is SanDisk Ultra or Samsung EVO Plus cards with A1/A2 support (application optimized).
Why Xiaomi restricts the portability of applications to SD-card?
At first glance, the ban on porting apps seems counterintuitive: why buy a memory card if it can’t be used to the fullest?In fact, Xiaomi has good reasons for such restrictions, and they are not so much related to marketing as they are to technical nuances.
First, performance. Memory cards, even the fastest, are slower than the built-in eMMC/UFS. Transferring applications to SD can lead to lags, especially for games or programs that actively use cache. Second, security: external media are easier to remove or replace, which poses risks to sensitive data (for example, banking applications). Finally, system stability: not all applications work correctly with external memory, which can cause malfunctions.
However, these limitations are not absolute. Xiaomi leaves loopholes for users:
- 📱 Partial Transfer: Some data (such as media files or cache) can be saved to a map even without root rights.
- 🔧 Hidden settings: in MIUI There are undocumented options for forced transfer (more about them).
- 🛠️ Bypasses: There are special methods for individual applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram.
It is important to understand: starting with Android 9 (MIUI 11+) Google has officially banned the transfer of applications SD-This is a standard setting for the new file system. FUSE, It doesn't support external code execution, but Xiaomi has left a back door for some scenarios, and we'll use it.
Method 1: Standard portability through settings (for supported applications)
It’s the easiest method, but it only works with a limited list of applications, and it’s suitable for MIUI 12-14 on all models, including the Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4, and more.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
- Slip on Warehouse.
- If the option is available, you will see the Change or Move button. SD-Press it.
- Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (may take a few minutes).
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Note: After porting, the application may run slower, especially if the Class 4/6 memory card is used.
Unfortunately, most modern apps (including Instagram, VK, YouTube) do not support this method. If there is no Transfer button, move to the next method.
Formatting a memory card in FAT32/exFAT|Check the vacant space for SD (minimum 1 GB)|Close all background applications|Connect the charger (the process can drain the battery)-->
Method 2: Forced transfer via ADB (no root rights)
If the standard method doesn’t work, you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which doesn’t require superuser rights, but requires a computer and minimal technical skills.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 USB-Type-C cable (original or high-quality analogue).
- 📦 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Step-by-step:
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
- Find out the batch name of the application (for example, for WhatsApp it is com.whatsapp), you can do this through the App Inspector or the Google Play site (name in the address bar).
- Run the port command (replace package.name with real name): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package package.name
- Reboot the phone.
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Note: Not all applications support this method. If a Failure error appears after the move-package command [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], Transfer is not possible. Also, after updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.
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Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will help restore the system in the event of a crash.
Method 3: Transfer of cache and media files of applications
If the application itself cannot be moved, you can free up space by moving its cache, downloads or media files to the site. SD-This method works for most instant messengers, social networks and multimedia players.
How to do this:
- 📸 Photo/video in the gallery: Open the gallery, select files → More. → Move it → Memory map.
- 🎵 Music in Player: In Mi Music or Google Play Music, go to the settings and specify the path to the game. SD-map.
- 💬 Media in messengers: WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Preservation of media → Memory card. Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → The way to the folder → Memory map.
- 🎮 Games: Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) allow you to choose where to install additional files.
You can use file managers like Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer to automate the process:
- Open the manager and go to the internal memory (/storage/emulated/0).
- Find the application folders (e.g. Android/data/com.whatsapp).
- Copy them on SD-map (/storage/XXXX-XXXX).
- In some applications (such as Kodi), you can manually specify a new path to data.
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Note: Not all apps work correctly with the transferred data. For example, Instagram may stop downloading stories if its cache is stored on the SD. Before transferring, check if this will disrupt the functionality.
| Annex | What can I transfer? | Method | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media files (photos, videos, voice) | Settings → Storage | Backup copies remain in internal memory | |
| Telegram | Cash, uploaded files, media | Settings → Data and memory | Secret chats are not portable |
| Spotify | Offline playlists | Settings → Storage | Premium account required |
| Google Maps | Offline maps | Profile → Offline maps → Settings | Map updates are loaded into internal memory |
| Games (COC, PUBG) | Additional Files (OBB) | Manual transfer through file manager | Reloading may be required. |
Method 4: Using a memory card as an internal storage device (Adoptable Storage)
Starting with Android 6.0, Google has added Adoptable Storage feature that allows you to format SD-The card is part of the internal memory, and unfortunately, Xiaomi has disabled this option in the memory system. MIUI, But it can be activated through ADB.
Advantages of the method:
- 🔄 Applications are installed automatically on the card (if there is not enough space in the internal memory).
- 📈 The total amount of available storage is increasing.
- 🔒 Data is encrypted (like in internal memory).
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ The card becomes “tied” to the device – it cannot be retrieved without losing data.
- ⚡ Performance may fall (depending on the card class).
- 🔄 After the map is removed, the applications will stop working.
Instructions for activation:
- Connect your phone to your PC and activate ADB (as in Method 2).
- Enter the command to check the connected card: adb shell sm list-disks Remember the identifier (e.g., disk:179.64).
- Format the card as internal memory: adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private
- Reset the device.
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Note: This method irreversibly formats the card, which can not be used on other devices without being cleaned, and some applications (e.g. banking) may refuse to work on the adopted card.
What to do if Adoptable Storage is not working?
Method 5: Porting root-right applications (for advanced users)
If you’re willing to take drastic measures, root rights will give you full control of the file system, a method that’s suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized recap (such as TWRP).
Warnings:
- ⚠️ The warranty on the device will be cancelled.
- ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” with incorrect actions.
- ⚠️ Some apps (like Google Pay or banking) will stop working.
Instructions:
- Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
- Install TWRP Recovery for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
- Squeeze Magisk to obtain root rights.
- Install App Mgr III (or Link2SD) from Google Play.
- In the application, select the desired software and press Move to SD (or Link to SD).
With root rights, you can also use scripts to force transfer of system applications, but this is fraught with instability.For example, migrating Google Play Services can lead to permanent sync errors.
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root rights give you maximum freedom, but require technical knowledge. If you are not confident in your abilities, use methods without root (Methods 1-4).
Solving Common Mistakes When Transferring Applications
Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.
Error 1: Move to SD button is inactive or not
- 🔹 Reason: The app doesn’t support portability (e.g. Facebook or Chrome block this feature).
- 🔹 Solution: Try it. ADB (Method 2) or transfer only the cache (Method 3).
Error 2: “Not enough space on the device” despite free space on SD
- 🔹 Reason: The system reserves space for updates or cache.
- 🔹 Solution: Clear the cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clean or use. ADB forced transfer.
Error 3: App dyes after transfer
- 🔹 Reason: Memory card is too slow (class below) U1) damaged.
- 🔹 Solution: Check the card for errors through the PC (utility chkdsk in Windows) or replace it with a faster one.
Mistake 4: «SD-Card damaged after formatting as internal memory
- 🔹 Cause: File system incompatibility or card hardware malfunction.
- 🔹 Solution: Format the map in FAT32 Repeat the Adoptable Storage procedure.
Error 5: The app automatically returns to internal memory after the update
- 🔹 Reason: Update resets installation path.
- 🔹 Solution: Disable Auto Update for this app or re-move it after the update.
If none of the methods worked, check:
- 🔧 Memory card compatibility with your Xiaomi model (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro does not support cards larger than 512 GB).
- 📋 Availability of updates MIUI (Additional restrictions may appear in new versions).
- 🛠️ Integrity of the file system of the card (use utilities such as: SD Card Formatter).