How to install games on SD-Xiaomi map: 5 proven ways (2026)

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially if they are actively installing games. 128 GBs fill up quickly when it comes to modern projects like Genshin Impact (15+ GB or Call of Duty Mobile (8-10 GB) Use SD-maps as an additional storage seems a logical solution, but here users are waiting for pitfalls: from restrictions MIUI before the technical nuances of formatting.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install games on the SD-map in smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — From standard system features to workarounds for power users, you'll learn how to properly prepare a memory card, what games can be ported without losing performance, and why some techniques don't work on all models. MIUI 14/15 Android 13+ Automatic methods of transferring applications to SD They are often blocked, and we will show you how to get around them.

Before you start the instructions, check two key points:

1. Yours. SD-map UHS-I (U1/U3) Or higher, or the game will be slowed down.
2. The smartphone supports adoptable storage (using the card as internal memory), which does not work on all Xiaomi models (for example, not available in the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+, but POCO X3 Pro).

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1. Preparation SD-Maps: which class to choose and how to format

Not every one. SD-This card is suitable for installing games. 4/6 They won't be able to handle the load, and the games will hang or they won't run at all. 2026 year:

• 🔹 Class speed: UHS-I U3 or V30/V60/V90 (hard-playing PUBG Mobile).
• 🔹 Volume: from 64 GB (32 GB will not be used as internal memory).
• 🔹 Manufacturer: SanDisk Extreme, Samsung EVO Plus, Kingston Canvas Go! – proven brands without counterfeits.
• 🔹 Format: exFAT or FAT32 (Adaptable storage will require a redesign of ext4).

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with the help of the utility H2testw (Windows or SD Insight (Android) Counterfeits often pose as branded but have real-world recording speeds below 10MB/s — not enough for gaming.

How to format properly SD-map:

1. Insert the card into your smartphone and open Settings → Storage.
2. Tap it on. SD-map → Format as internal storage (if optional).
3. Confirm the action – the system will warn that the card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
4. Wait until it is completed (may take a while). 5-15 minute).

⚠️ Warning: Once formatted as internal memory, the card will not be retrieved without data loss, and it will become "bound" to this smartphone, and on another device it will have to be formatted again.

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2. Method 1: Use of SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

This is the most reliable method, but it doesn't work on all Xiaomi models. MIUI Android 9-based+ This feature is often hidden, especially on flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi). K60 Pro) Availability can be verified as follows:

Go to Settings. → Warehouse → [Name of name SD-map] → Three dots (menu) → If there's a Format as internal, you're in luck. If not, read the following ways.

Step-by-step:

After formatting, the system will automatically prompt you to transfer some of the data to the SD. However, games will still be set into internal memory – to change that, you need to be able to play the game:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a game (such as Free Fire or Brawl Stars).
3. Stick the vault. → Change. → SD-map.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not working. MIUI 14/15 For most models (except budget series) POCO M and Redmi A).
• 🚫 The card becomes "one-time" - after extraction, the data on it will be inaccessible.
• 🚫 Read/write speeds are lower than those of internal memory (especially noticeable in Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail).

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If the option “Format as internal” is missing, try inserting SD-The card is to another smartphone (like Samsung or Motorola) and format it there. Then return the card to Xiaomi, sometimes the system recognizes it as internal.

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Method 2: Manually moving game files through file manager

If MIUI It's not like you can migrate the game with standard tools, you can do it manually, and it's a method that's good for games that store basic data in a folder. Android/obb or Android/data. Examples of such games: Asphalt 9, Need for Speed: No Limits, Minecraft.

Instructions:

1. Set the game into your internal memory.
2. Open a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
3. Go to the Inner Memory → Android → obb (or data).
4. Find a folder with the game name (e.g. com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM for Asphalt 9).
5. Copy the folder to SD-same-way (SD-map → Android → obb).
6. Remove the original folder from your internal memory.
7. Restart the game - it must download the data from SD.

What games can be transferred in this way:

⚠️ Attention: Some games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile checks file integrity when it is launched, and if it is found that the data is not in the internal memory, the game may give an error "Files are corrupted" or not start at all. APK (Read Method 4).

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Method 3: Transfer of games through ADB (for advanced users)

If MIUI block the transfer of applications to SD, You can get around the restrictions with Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires a PC connection.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from the official website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer's settings).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the batch name of the game (for example, for Clash of Clans it is com.supercell.clashofclans). → Annexes → [Game] → Information.
5. Run the port command (replace package.name with real name): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package package.name
6. Reboot your smartphone.

If the pm move-package command returns the error "Failure" [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed:...], which means the game is locked for transfer. APK (Method 5).

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5. Method 4: Use of modified APK (circumvention)

Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact) are tightly tied to internal memory and are not portable by any of the above methods. APK, which allow you to specify the user path to the game files.

Where to look for modified APK:

• 🌐 APKMody – a proven source with modified games.
• 🌐 PlatinMods – it often offers versions with support SD-map.
• 🌐 Telegram channels (e.g, @modapk or @androidmods).

How to install a modified version:

1. Download. APK playback SD (for example, PUBG Mobile SD Card Version).
2. Remove the original game if it is installed.
3. Enable installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Install Unknown Applications).
4. Install the modified APK.
5. When you first start, select the path to the files on SD-map (usually) /sdcard/Android/obb/[game-filler]).

⚠️ Attention: Modified APK may contain malicious code or be banned from online games (for example, in the PUBG Use only verified sources and back up your data, and note that updates to such versions will have to be manually installed.

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Method 5: Forced transfer through Link2SD (ROOT)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and Root rights, you can use the app. Link2SD forcing the transfer of games to SD-This method works even with games that don't normally support external storage.

What needs to be done:

1. Install Magisk to obtain Root rights (instructions are available on the XDA Developers).
2. Download Link2SD from Google Play.
3. Open the app and give Root access.
4. Select the game from the list and tap Create a link.
5. Indicate. SD-map as a target storage for files and cache.
6. Reboot your smartphone.

Pros and cons of the method:

If you have never received Root rights on Xiaomi, we recommend that you first study the bootloader unlock guides for your model. 13T Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) The process is complicated by anti-Rollback protection.

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7. Optimization of the performance of games on SD-map

Even if you managed to transfer the game to SD-The read/write speed of external memory is often inferior to the built-in memory, which leads to friezes and long loads:

Optimization tips:

• 🔧 Use it. SD-cards with a write speed of at least 90 MB/s (for example, SanDisk Extreme Pro or Samsung) PRO Endurance).
• 🔧 Turn off background optimization to play Settings → Annexes → [Game] → Battery → No restrictions.
• 🔧 Install Game Turbo (built-in app) MIUI) Add the game to the list of optimized.
• 🔧 Clean the game cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 If the game is slowing down, try to move to SD only a portion of the data (e.g., obb files) leaving APK inner-memory.

For heavy games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, a hybrid approach is recommended:

1. Install. APK memory-play.
2. Move the data folder (Android/obb or Android/data) on SD-map.
3. Use a modified one. APK, which allows you to point the path to the files SD.

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If the game is transferred to SD Starts to fly, try to disable the option "Optimization" MIUI" in the developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Optimization MIUI).

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8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring games to SD-Xiaomi users often face typical problems. Let's look at the most common and ways to fix them.

Error: “Not enough space on the device” when installed on the device SD

• 🔹 Make sure that SD-The card is formatted as an internal memory (Method 1).
• 🔹 Make sure there is enough free space on the map (some games require a free space). 2-3 twice as much space as their weight).
• 🔹 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes MIUI misrepresents the available space.

Error: "Files are corrupted" after transfer

• 🔹 Remove the game and install it again, but this time, choose the internal memory as the installation location.
• 🔹 If you are using a modified APK, So, download it from another source.
• 🔹 Check it out. SD-error-card SD Card Tester (available on Google Play).

Error: The game does not start after the transfer to the SD

• 🔹 Try transferring it back to internal memory (via Settings) → Annexes → [Game] → Warehouse).
• 🔹 If the game requires internet (such as Clash Royale), check the connection – sometimes the transfer resets the network settings.
• 🔹 Online gaming (such as Free Fire or Mobile Legends) may require re-authorization.

Mistake: SD-The card is not defined after formatting as an internal

• 🔹 Remove the card and repaint (sometimes physical reinstallation helps).
• 🔹 Check the card on another device – it may be damaged.
• 🔹 If the smartphone does not see the card at all, try formatting it on a PC in the future. FAT32 assisted SD Formatter (official instrument).

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions