How to clean it safely SD-Xiaomi internal memory card: 3 working methods

Many Xiaomi users are faced with a situation where a microSD card installed as internal memory is no longer needed, either because of the purchase of a smartphone with a large amount of built-in storage or because of the desire to transfer it to another device. However, simply removing the memory card will not work: the MIUI system blocks it as part of the main storage, and improper actions can lead to data loss or malfunctions of the phone.

In this article, we will discuss three proven ways to disable SD-Xiaomi internal memory card including Redmi models, POCO Black Shark, which is relevant to the versions MIUI 12, 13 and 14. You'll learn how to do this through your phone settings, using ADB, And what to do if the system doesn't allow you to unmount the drive, and we'll focus on data retention and nuances for different versions of the firmware.

Why can't we just take it out? SD-card?

When you format a microSD as internal memory in Xiaomi, the system encrypts its data and binds it to a particular device.

• 🔒 The card becomes unreadable on other devices without prior unmounting.
• 📱 Applications and files can be partially installed on it (Adoptable Storage function in Android).
• ⚠️ Interrupting the process of disabling or retrieving the card without preparation will lead to data loss or errors in the OS.

In fact, in MIUI 12 and newer Xiaomi has limited the possibility of disconnection SD-maps through standard settings - this item may not be on the menu. ADB or-reset.

⚠️ Note: If the memory card contains application data (such as WhatsApp cache or game files), it will have to be moved back to the internal memory before unmounting.

Method 1: Disconnection SD-maps through settings MIUI (pre-version MIUI 12)

This is the easiest way to do this, but it doesn’t work on all devices.If you have Xiaomi with MIUI 11 or older, try the following sequence:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Tap your name on it. SD-cards (for example, 128 GB external drive).
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
4. Click Format as a portable drive (or Disable if there is one).
5. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

If you don't have a Format as a portable drive, your version of MIUI is blocking that functionality.

Transfer all important files from the map to the cloud or PC

Check that there is no application data on the map (e.g. game saves)

Battery charge of at least 50%

Connect your phone to charge during the procedure-->

Method 2: Dismantling SD-map ADB (for MIUI 12/13/14)

If the standard method didn’t work, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manage system settings.

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to activate the developer mode, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Follow the instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the adb folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Run the command to unmount SD-maps: adb shell sm list-volumes Find a line with private or emulated in the output - this is yours SD-Remember her. ID (for example, 179_65).
4. Enter the command (replace). ID For your own sake: adb shell sm forget ID For example, adb shell sm forget 179_65.
5. Reboot the phone. The memory card will be portable.

If the card does not appear after rebooting, try formatting it through your phone settings (Settings) → Memory. → SD-map → Format).

⚠️ Note: Sm forget and sm partition commands can cause data loss if the card has been encrypted.If it stores important files, first make a backup via adb pull /sdcard (if available).

Method 3: Resetting (if other methods have not helped)

If no settings, no ADB If it doesn't work, the radical method is to reset to factory settings, and it will delete all the data from the phone, but it will unlock it. SD-Before the procedure:

• 📤 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or manually copy files to PC.
• 🔄 Make sure there is no application data on the map (they will be deleted!).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70%.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data (do not Reset settings!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart several times).
4. After activation, remove SD-The map, it's going to be portable.

If the card is still not readable on other devices, format it via your phone or PC (file system – FAT32 or exFAT).

Through MIUI settings

With ADB

Reset to factory settings

Nothing helped, I'm looking for another way.-->

What to do if SD-The card is not determined after extraction?

If you have removed a memory card but it is not readable on other devices, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔐 The card is encrypted (typical for the MIUI 12+). Solution: Return it to Xiaomi, unlock your phone and format it through settings.
• 🛠️ File system damaged. Solution: connect to your PC and execute chkdsk X: /f (replace X with disk).
• 🗑️ The map is formatted in ext4 or f2fs (Solution: format in the form of internal memory. FAT32/exFAT via phone or PC.

If the card is not detected even on the original device, try:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Show system-based → Storage.
3. Swipe your phone through Fastboot (extreme case).

💡

If SD-The map is defined, but asks you to format, don't agree right away! Try reading it through programs like DiskInternals Linux Reader. ext4) TestDisk (to restore partitions).

How to avoid problems with SD-map?

To avoid having trouble disabling microSD, follow the following rules:

• 📌 Don't use it. SD-If you want to retrieve it, choose Portable storage when you first connect.
• 🔄 Regularly transfer important data from the map to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or on PC.
• 🛡️ Do not remove the card while running applications installed on it.
• 🔋 Keep track of the health of the card: if it starts to slow down or give errors, replace it (flash memory life is limited).

If you often move a card between devices, prefer models with high read/write speeds (class A2 or UHS-I), which are less likely to cause failures when connecting to different devices.

💡

Formatting SD-Xiaomi’s internal memory card is an irreversible process without properly unmounting.Always plan to use the drive in advance to avoid retrieval issues.

FAQ: Frequent questions about working with SD-mapping