How to install apps on a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide with the nuances of MIUI

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the model is purchased with a minimum storage capacity (32 or 64 GB). Transferring applications to a microSD card seems like a logical solution, but in reality this process has a lot of nuances due to the features of the MIUI shell and the limitations of Android. Unlike older versions of the operating system, where the function of “transfer to SD” was available in two clicks, modern smartphones require more complex manipulations – or even block this ability for individual applications.

This article will not just repeat the standard instructions from the directories, but we will look at all the working ways of installing applications on a memory card in Redmi. 9 (including Redmi models 9A/9C/9T), We'll explain why some programs refuse to move to an external drive, and we'll show you workarounds for the most stubborn cases. SD-map to avoid errors, and which applications should never be transferred to external memory – this can lead to system crash or data loss.

Why Redmi 9 can’t just move the app to the next one SD-map?

If you tried to find the "Move to SD" option in the app settings on Redmi 9 and didn't find it, it's not a bug, but a feature of MIUI and modern versions of Android. Since Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has tightened its rules for external drives for two key reasons:

• 🔒 Security: Annexes to SD-It is easier to steal or replace the card, since the external storage file system is not encrypted by default.
• ⚡ Performance: Class Memory Cards UHS-I or Class 10 is still slower than the internal memory of eMMC 5.1 that Redmi 9 uses.
• 📱 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi further blocks the portability of system and pre-installed applications (e.g., com.miui.gallery or com.android.contacts).

But there are loopholes. First, you can format. SD-The card is like internal memory (but it has its downsides). Second, some applications support manual transfer through the computer. ADB (Third, a number of programs (e.g. messengers or media players) allow you to specify the way to save files to an external drive in your settings.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-As a portable storage card (not formatted as internal memory), the application portability will be impossible for 90% of programs.

Which memory card should I choose for Redmi 9?

Not every microSD is suitable for application installation. Redmi 9 supports cards up to 512 GB, but two parameters are critical for program transfer: speed class and file system type.

If you plan to format your card as an internal memory, then:

• 📌 Use only a new or knowingly serviceable card (reflashing the old one is risky).
• 📌 The volume must be at least 32 GB – otherwise the system may refuse to accept it.
• 📌 Record speed not lower than 10 MB / s (otherwise applications will slow down).

Before buying, check the card for authenticity with H2testw (for Windows) or F3 (for Linux/Mac). Counterfeiting for well-known brands often have a real volume of 2-4 times less than claimed, which will lead to errors when transferring applications.

Method 1: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

This is the most reliable method, but it has irreversible consequences:

1. The map will be encrypted and linked to your Redmi 9, and you can't read it on another device without formatting it.
2. All the data on it will be erased.
3. Some apps (like WhatsApp or Google Play Services) will still not be ported.

If you are satisfied with this, follow the instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-Redmi 9 slot card (hybrid slot for the second one) SIM or individually, depending on the modification).
2. Open the Settings → Memory.
3. Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. "SanDisk" 128GB").
4. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Storage Settings.
5. Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
6. Confirm the action. It'll take 1-5 minutes.

After formatting, the system will suggest transferring some of the data (photos, videos, some applications) to the map.

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Make sure the card is defined as “Inner Memory” in Settings → Memory.
• 🛠️ Try manually migrating 1-2 non-system applications (e.g, VK Or Yandex Browser).

Reboot the phone|Check the map display in "Settings" → Memory"|Transfer 1-2 test applications|Make sure there are no lags|Create a backup of data on the PC-->

⚠️ If after formatting the phone began to brake, and the applications fly out – most likely yours SD-The card is too slow. Return it to its original state via Settings. → Memory. → [Name of the card] → Formatting as a portable device.

Method 2: Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)

If formatting as internal memory is not suitable, you can try migrating applications over Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not work for all programs, but bypasses the limitations of MIUI for some of them.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/Mac.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools by Google.
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB Redmi 9.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.
2. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the ADB folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear serial number of your phone.
5. Find out the batch name of the application you want to migrate (for example, through the App Inspector from Google Play).
6. Run a port command (replace com.example.app with the real name of the packet): adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

If the command is executed without error, the application will be moved.

• ❌ Not all programs support this method (for example, Facebook or Instagram often block the transfer).
• ⚠️ After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 🔄 If the transfer fails, try the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 (this will force the system to default to install applications on the site). SD, but it's unstable).

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data through Settings → System → Backup. Errors in commands can cause applications to crash.

Method 3: Manually saving application data to SD-map

If the application itself cannot be moved, many programs allow you to save their data (cache, downloads, media files) to an external drive, which will not free up internal memory as efficiently, but will save space.

Examples:

• 📷 Google Photos: Settings → Backup and synchronization → Memory of the device → SD-map.
• 🎵 Spotify or Yandex Music: in the player settings, specify the path to SD-map.
• 💬 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Loading path → Folder on SD-map.
• 🎮 Games (e.g. Genshin Impact): You can select the location of additional files in the launcher.

For system applications (e.g. Gallery or Camera), the save path changes as follows:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Slip the cog icon (settings).
3. Choose Memory. → SD-map.
4. Restart the app.

Mistakes in transferring applications to SD and their solutions

Even if you did everything right, you might have a problem.

If the app stopped updating through Google Play after porting to SD, try:

1. Put it back in your inner memory.
2. Update through the store.
3. Move it back to SD.

⚠️ Attention: Never take out SD-card formatted as internal memory without first "safe retrieval" in Settings → Memory: This can cause data loss or malfunction of applications installed on it.

What applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?

Even if it's technically possible to transfer some programs, you shouldn't move them to an external drive.

• 🔐 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB): can block access for security reasons.
• 🔑 Two-factor authentication apps (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator): the risk of losing access to accounts.
• 📱 System Services (Google Play Services, MIUI Security: Transfer will cause unstable phone operation.
• 🎮 Online Multiplayer Games (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: possible lags and disqualifications for cheating".
• 📡 VPN-Clients (OpenVPN, NordVPN): may lose connection when retrieving the card.

Also avoid transferring:

• 📌 Widgets (such as Weather or Calendar) – they can disappear from the home screen.
• 📌 Permanent Notification Applications (e.g. Health) MIUI) — notifications will stop working.
• 📌 Device Admin (e.g., Cerberus or Find My Device) – will lose administrator rights.

💡

Transfer of system or mission-critical applications to SD-The card can cause a phone to "brick" (loss of performance). Always check if the program is part of the phone. MIUI Android.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting applications to SD in Redmi 9