How to transfer applications to SD-Map in Xiaomi Redmi 9: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device has many applications installed. SD-But in the MIUI This process has its own characteristics, which are important to consider, so as not to face errors or slowdown of the smartphone.

In this article, we will discuss all available ways to transfer applications to an external drive, including standard settings. MIUI, utilization ADB-You'll learn which apps you can move and which you can't, how to prepare them properly. SD-map and what to do if the system does not allow the transfer.

Before you start, make sure that your SD-The card complies with the requirements: it must be microSDXC or microSDHC format with a speed class not lower than the previous one. UHS-I (Class 10: Otherwise, applications may not work smoothly.

Why Redmi 9 can’t move apps to the same location SD-map?

Many users of Xiaomi Redmi 9 are faced with the fact that the option of porting applications to the SD-The map is simply not in the settings. It's political. MIUI Android's limitations since version 6.0. Here are the main reasons:

• 📱 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi’s firmware blocks most apps from being ported by default, leaving this option only for individual programs (such as some games or media players).
• 🔒 Android Security: Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has tightened rules for working with external drives to prevent data theft.
• 💾 Format SD-If the card is formatted as a portable storage (rather than internal memory), the system limits the recording of application data.
• 🚫 Developer ban: Some apps (e.g. WhatsApp, Banking clients) explicitly block the transfer to the Internet SD-card.

If your Redmi 9 does not have a "Move to" button SD-map" in the application settings, this does not mean that a solution is impossible. Below we will look at workarounds, including the use of the ADB and third-party tools.

⚠️ Note: Transfer of Google system applications or services to SD-The card can lead to unstable operation of the phone. it is recommended to move only user programs (games, instant messengers, utilities).

Preparation of SD-card for application transfer

Before transferring applications, it is necessary to prepare correctly SD-There are two ways to use the map in Redmi 9:

1. Portable storage: The card works like a removable drive (photo, music, documents) and cannot be moved to it.
2. Internal memory: The card is formatted as part of the system, and you can install programs on it. All data from the card will be deleted!

To do SD-memory-card:

1. Insert the card into the Redmi 9 slot.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Press Three dots (⋮) → Settings → Formatting as an internal.
4. Confirm the action. Attention! All data on the map will be erased.
5. After formatting, select Transfer Data if you want to move some files from internal memory.

After Formatting as Internal Memory SD-The map will be displayed as part of the main storage, but keep in mind:

• 🔄 The card cannot be retrieved without data loss (the system will require a reboot).
• 📉 The speed of the application may decrease if SD-slow-card.
• 🔧 Some apps (like Google Play Services) won’t be able to move.

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If you often get out SD-For example, to transfer a photo to a PC, it is better not to format it as internal memory. ADB (described below).

Standard Application Transfers through MIUI Settings

If your application supports the transfer to SD-This can be done through standard settings. MIUI. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

Open "Settings" → "Applications"

Select the desired application

Press "Storage"

Tap "Transfer to" SD-card" (if the option is active)-->

Unfortunately, Redmi 9 doesn't have this option available for all programs, and you can usually see it for:

• 🎮 Some games (such as Subway Surfers, Candy Crush).
• 🎵 Media players (VLC, MX Player).
• 📖 Book Reader (Moon)+ Reader, FBReader).

If the "Move to" buttons SD-No card, which means that:

• 🚫 Application does not support transfer (blocked by the developer).
• 💾 SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage.
• 🔧 In the developer settings, the option Forced transfer to SD (If you have it in your version MIUI).

⚠️ Note: After the application has been moved to SD-The map may stop working, and the notifications may come with a delay.

Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method does not work, you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to force some applications to move to the Internet. SD-map, even if in MIUI There's no such option.

This will require:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable for the Redmi 9 connection.
• 📱 Initiated Debugging Mode USB phone-on.

Steps for transfer:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and allow debugging.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This team is setting up SD-map as the default installation location for new applications. To migrate an already installed application, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

Where com.example.app is the batch name of the application (you can find out through the App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

Not all apps will be able to transfer – some will give the Failure error. [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION]. This means that the developer has blocked the transfer.

⚠️ Attention: After use ADB Some applications may not work properly, such as Google Maps or YouTube, which may produce errors when running from the Internet. SD-Before transferring, back up the data!

Using third-party applications to transfer to SD

If previous methods have not worked, you can try specialized utilities from Google Play. They do not guarantee 100% results, but sometimes help to bypass the limitations of MIUI.

Popular applications for transfer:

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — shows which programs can be transferred and suggests alternative methods (e.g., cleaning the cache).
• 🔧 Link2SD — requires root rights, but allows you to port almost any application, creating symbolic links.
• 🗃️ Files by Google – helps to free up space, finds unnecessary files and suggests you delete them.

Example of AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. In the list, select an application marked Movable (portable).
4. Press Move to SD card.

If the application is not portable, AppMgr III may offer:

• 🧹 Clear cache (releases up to several gigabytes).
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files (APK, time-data).
• 🔄 Transfer media files (photos, videos) to SD-hand-write.

Link2SD is a more powerful tool, but it requires root access.

• 🔗 Create links to applications so that they “think” that they are installed in internal memory, although they actually lie on the back of the app. SD.
• 🗑️ Transfer cache and application data (e.g. saving games).
• 🔧 Automatically move new applications to SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: Use Link2SD without root rights, it's pointless -- most functions will be blocked, and there's a risk of damaging data if you don't set up symbolic links correctly.

What to do if the application is not transferred to SD-map?

If none of these methods worked, don't despair. Here are some alternative ways to make room for Redmi 9:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Clear the cache. For example, YouTube or Telegram cache can take several gigabytes.
• 🗑️ Removal of unnecessary APK: After updating the applications, the old versions remain in the folder. /data/app. You can delete them via Files by Google or Settings. → Memory. → Unnecessary files.
• ☁️ Using Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos, Yandex Drive, or Mi Cloud, and then delete local copies.
• 🔄 Media transfer: Music, movies and documents can be manually moved to SD-A card via any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
• 📦 Installation of lightweight versions of applications: For example, instead of Facebook, use Facebook Lite, and instead of Messenger, use Messenger Lite.

It’s also worth checking which apps take up the most space:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Sort by size.
2. Remove or clean the most “heavy” programs.
3. Pay attention to system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) – you can turn them off if you don’t use them.

If the internal memory is filled with 90% And more, the system starts to slow down. 10-15% memory.

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Even if the application is transferred to SD-The card is impossible, regular cache cleaning and deleting unnecessary files can free up several gigabytes of memory.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Redmi 9 card users often encounter errors. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If, after transferring the application to SD-The card starts to slow down or fly out, try it:

• 🔄 Putting it back in your inner memory.
• 🔧 Update the application to the latest version.
• 💾 Replace SD-A faster card (e.g. SanDisk Extreme instead of no-name).

If problems arise with system applications (e.g. Mi Browser or Security), transfer them to the system. SD-The card can lead to malfunctions in the work MIUI. In this case, it is better to clear their cache or turn off (if possible).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions