How to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi Redmi 5: all the ways and limitations

Why Xiaomi Redmi 5 can not save applications SD-map?

Xiaomi Redmi 5 owners often face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially if the device has been in use for several years.Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system continues to issue notifications about overcrowded storage. The logical solution is to transfer applications to SD-map, but here users are waiting for an unpleasant surprise: in the standard settings MIUI This option may not be available.

The fact is that since Android 6.0 Marshmallow (and Redmi 5 originally ran on MIUI 9 with Android 7.1 Nougat), Google has limited the ability to migrate applications to external drives by default. Manufacturers, including Xiaomi, have gone even further: in some versions of the firmware, the feature is either hidden or works selectively, but this does not mean that the solution is impossible – you just need to use workarounds, which we will discuss below.

Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting and Selection of File System

Before trying to transfer applications, you need to properly prepare yourself. SD-Xiaomi Redmi 5 supports memory cards up to 256 GB (officially up to 128 GB, but in practice work and more capacious), but there are nuances with the file system:

• 📁 FAT32 — Compatible with all devices, but does not support files larger than 4GB and has speed limits.
• 🔄 exFAT – the best choice for cards with a volume of 64 GB, supports large files and works faster.
• 🛠️ NTFS — Not recommended for Android, as it requires additional drivers and can cause errors.

For Redmi 5, it is better to use exFAT if the card is 32 GB or more. You need to format it not on your phone, but on your computer using standard Windows or macOS tools. Importantly, after formatting, all data from the card will be deleted!

⚠️ Please note: if you have already used SD-The card is like a portable storage in the phone, before formatting on a PC, it must be safely extracted through the Xiaomi settings, otherwise you risk damaging the file system.

Method 1: Transfer applications through standard MIUI settings

In some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 10/11 for Redmi 5) portability SD-The map is still available, but it's hidden deep in the menu:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list (for example, Facebook or Messenger).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, you will see the Change or Move button. SD-map.

This method has serious limitations:

• ❌ It does not work with all applications (system and some third-party applications cannot be moved).
• ❌ After updating MIUI function may disappear.
• ❌ The ported application may be slower, especially if SD-Class-class 4/6.

⚠️ Warning: If the application starts to crash or fails to open after the transfer, return it to internal memory. This means that the developer has blocked work from external storage.

Method 2: Use of the SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

A more radical method is to make Xiaomi Redmi 5 accept the SD-It's a card as part of internal memory, and it allows you to install applications directly onto it, but it has its pitfalls:

• 🔒 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🔄 After extracting the map, the application will not work on it.
• ⚡ A quick card (class) is required UHS-I/U3 or higher, otherwise the system will be slowed down.

Instructions for Adoptable Storage:

1. Insert the formatted SD-phone-card.
2. When a notification is received, a new SD-Then, click on the card and select the card.
3. In the next window, select Internal Memory (not Portable Storage!).
4. Confirm the formatting (all data will be erased!).
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10-15 minutes).
6. After the reboot, go to Settings → Storage and check that the card is displayed as part of the internal memory.

Now, when you install new applications, the system will prompt you to choose a save location, but some applications (such as WhatsApp or banking) may still refuse to install on the device. SD-map because of security policy.

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — a debugging tool that allows you to manually specify to the system which applications can be ported to SD-This requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Steps to carry through ADB:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 5: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification you become a developer appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

Xiaomi

adb devices

The serial number of your device should appear.

package.name

com.facebook.katana

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to default to install applications on SD-map.

adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana

A list of packages of installed applications can be obtained by the command:

adb shell pm list packages

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability ADB. If you see a Failure message after completing the command [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], The developer has blocked this possibility.

💡

To find out the batch name of an application without ADB, install the App Inspector app from Google Play or Package Name Viewer. These show the package name for any software installed.

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (with reservations)

In Google Play there are many utilities that promise to transfer applications to the Internet. SD-One-click card, for example, AppMgr III or Link2SD. However, their effectiveness on Xiaomi Redmi 5 is questionable for several reasons:

• 🚫 Most of these applications require root rights that void the warranty and can lead to unstable system operation.
• 🔒 Even with root, some applications (especially system) will not be able to transfer.
• ⚠️ Risk of installing malware under the guise of “memory optimizers".

If you do decide to try, here is a quick guide for Link2SD (root required):

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. Provide root access (if requested).
3. Select the application from the list and tap Create a link.
4. Select the options to Move to SD-map or link to SD-card.

In practice, this method works in an unstable way: mobile apps can crash and disappear from the card after a phone restarts, and we don't recommend it for everyday use, especially if you're not prepared for possible crashes.

💡

Party of the annex for portability SD-The card is always a compromise between freeing up memory and keeping the phone running smoothly. On the Xiaomi Redmi 5 without root, they are virtually useless.

What to do if none of the methods work?

If you have tried all the methods, but transfer the applications to the SD-The map has failed, radical measures remain:

• 🗑️ Clearing the cache and data: - Go to Settings → Apps, select unnecessary programs and click Clear Cache/Clean Data. - Remove unused applications (even system ones if they are not critical).
• ☁️ Transfer media to the cloud: Upload photos and videos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive, and then delete local copies.
• 🔄 Factory reset: - Extreme measure, but sometimes helps to return a "clean" system with freed memory!
• 📱 Replacement SD-The most important card: If you have a card 16–32 GB, try installing it. 128–256 GB (class) UHS-I or A1/A2).

It’s also worth checking if the system updates are taking up memory. In MIUI, they are often downloaded automatically and stored in /cache. You can delete them through Settings → Storage → Clean or with a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).

⚠️ Note: If you decide to reset your phone to factory settings, note that Xiaomi Redmi 5 may require re-assignment of your Mi Account after reset. Without this, some features (such as themes or the cloud) will not work.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map 5