How to transfer applications to SD-Xiaomi map: all ways to MIUI

Filling the internal memory of the smartphone is a problem faced by every second owner of Xiaomi, Redmi or other devices. POCO. Even models with 128GB and 256GB are quickly clogged due to app cache, updates and multimedia files. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in modern versions. MIUI And Android is often hidden or limited, and why that happens and how to get around the limitations, let's look at this guide.

Manufacturers (including Xiaomi) are gradually abandoning support for porting applications to external drives for several reasons: performance (SD-cards are slower than internal memory, security (risk of data loss when retrieving the card), and fragmentation of Android (not all applications work correctly with external memory). MIUI bypasses with use ADB.

In this article you will find:

• 🔍 Why Xiaomi is blocking the transfer of applications to the SD-map and when it is justified
• 📱 Standard Methods for Function Supported Models (List of Compatible Devices)
• 🛠️ Manual solution through ADB — step-by-step instruction with commands
• ⚠️ What happens if you migrate system applications and how to avoid it
• 🔄 Alternative methods: symbolic links, cache clearing, cloud services

Why Xiaomi is limiting the portability of applications SD-map

Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow (and the corresponding versions of MIUI 8+), Xiaomi has narrowed the portability of applications to external drives.

1. Productivity: even UHS-I SD-cards (class) A2) into 3–5 time-slower than the built-in memory UFS 2.1/3.0, Which leads to lags when you run ported applications.
2. Data security: When you extract the card, applications stop working, and some (for example, messengers) may lose unsaved data.
3. Google policy: With Android 9 Pie, the company has banned porting apps to SD by default, leaving this option only to manufacturers.

However, the limitations are not absolute. For example, in MIUI 12.5 and later, the port function is available for:

• 📌 Older models: Redmi Note 5/6/7, Mi A1/A2 (Android One-based)
• 📌 Hybrid slot devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro, where SD-The card is used as a memory extension
• 📌 Applications with external memory support (for example, some games or media players)

⚠️ Note: Transferring system applications (e.g., com.miui.gallery or com.android.contacts) can cause a cyclical reboot of the device.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

If your device supports the function, follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (such as Telegram or Spotify).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5 minutes).

If no Modify, your model does not support the function. Check compatibility in the table below:

Important: After the transfer, the application may run slower and notifications may come with a delay. Test performance before migrating critical programs (for example, banking).

Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method is not available, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works on most Xiaomi devices with Android 8.0+, but requires a PC connection.

Step 1: Enable debugging over USB:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times to activate Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.

Step 2: Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2 # Allows installation on SD by default




pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard # Replace com.example.app with the app package

List of packages of popular applications:

• 📱 WhatsApp: com.whatsapp
• 🎵 Spotify: com.spotify.music
• 🎮 Genshin Impact: com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact
• 📷 Google Photo: com.google.android.apps.photos

⚠️ Note: pm set-install-location 2 command forces the system to install all new applications on the system. SD-This can cause crashes if the card is slow or often retrieved:

pm set-install-location 0 # Return to internal memory

Method 3: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

This method allows us to use SD-map as part of the main storage facility, but has critical flaws:

• 🔐 The card is encrypted and becomes unreadable on other devices.
• ⚡ After the map is removed, the applications will stop working.
• 🔄 When resetting the phone, the card will have to be formatted again.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map → Set up → Internal memory.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (the system will suggest transferring the data).
4. After formatting, restart the device.

Recommendations for choosing a card for this method:

• 📌 Speed class: minimum A2 (For example, SanDisk Ultra A2 Samsung EVO Plus).
• 📌 Volume: from 64 GB (32 GB is not enough space after formatting).
• 📌 Manufacturer: Avoid no-name cards - they are often forged.

💡

Before formatting, check the speed SD-mapping A1 SD If the write speed is below 10 MB/s, the card is not suitable for porting applications.

What to do if transfer is not possible: alternative solutions

If none of the methods worked, use the workarounds:

1. Symbolic references (requires root)

Using the FolderMount app or ln commands in Terminal Emulator, you can create shortcuts for application folders, for example, Telegram cache will be stored on SD, and the application itself will be stored in internal memory.

2. Cleaning up cache and unnecessary files

Use the built-in Cleanup utility in MIUI or third-party applications (SD Maid, Files by Google).

• 🗑️ Cache apps (especially games and social networks).
• 📁 Photo and video duplicates (use Google Photos or Gallery Doctor).
• 🎬 Downloads from messengers (folders) WhatsApp/Media, Telegram/Telegram Images).

3. Cloud storage

Move your media files and backups to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Disk. For example, you can enable automatic uploading of photos in the original quality (settings → Backup and Sync).

4. Only transfer of application media files

Some programs (such as Spotify or Netflix) allow you to save downloaded content to your website. SD-map:

1. Open the application settings.
2. Find the Warehouse or Downloads section.
3. Show the way to SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/1234-5678/Music).

💡

Transfer of applications to SD-For long-term space savings, consider buying a smartphone with a large amount of memory or using cloud services.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When migrating applications, users often face problems:

Critical error: if after transferring the system application (for example, com.miui.home) the smartphone stopped turning on, reset via Fastboot command fastboot erase userdata. This will delete all data, but restore the functionality.

⚠️ Attention: Don't put it on SD-map: 🚫 Applications with push notifications (e.g. Viber, Slack) – they may stop working. 🚫 Launchers (Nova Launcher, MIUI Launcher – this will lead to a cycle of reboots. 🚫 Games with online competitions (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire – Ban for cheating". FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD Xiaomi: Can you transfer WhatsApp to Xiaomi? SD-Yes, but only media files (photos, videos, voice messages) for this: Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Data and storage → Saving media files. Choose SD-The app itself cannot be moved, it will no longer receive notifications. SD Does music slow down? Is it due to slow reading speed? SD-Solutions: Use the class map A2 or UHS-I. Transfer it back to internal memory. In Spotify settings, reduce the quality of streaming (Settings) → Sound quality → How to transfer games to the low. SD-map 11? On the Redmi Note. 11 (MIUI 13+) standard transfer blocked. Alternatives: ADB-Method: Use the pm move-package command com.game.package /sdcard. Symbolic links: Redirect the folder with FolderMount Android/obb on SD. Lite versions of games: for example, PUBG Mobile Lite or Call of Duty Mobile Lite take up less space.What happens if you extract it? SD-Apps will stop working and their icons will disappear from the home screen. When you return the card: Reboot your smartphone. If the apps don't recover, reinstall them. System applications may need to reset settings. 🔹 Important: Before removing the card, unmount it through Settings → Warehouse → SD-map → Extract. How do you know which apps to migrate to SD? Use AppMgr III (or App2SD): Install from Google Play. Open the Movable tab to show compatible apps. Click on the app and select Move to SD. The app will also show how much space you can free up.