How to install applications SD-Map in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI Often face a shortage of internal memory, especially in budget models with 32 or 64 GB of drive. SD-The map seems to be a logical solution, but in modern versions of Android and MIUI This feature is either hidden or limited, and in this article, we'll look at all the current ways to install and migrate applications to an external drive, from standard settings to workarounds for power users.

It is important to understand: starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google tightened the rules for working with the SD-Now they can't just be used as an extension of internal memory, they require Adoptable Storage formatting, which is not always supported by manufacturers. MIUI 12/13/14 It's narrowed the scope even further, leaving portability only for individual applications, but there's a way out, and we'll show you how to use it.

Why Xiaomi is limiting the installation of applications SD-map?

Xiaomi smartphones don’t just block the free portability of applications to external drives, here are the key reasons:

• 🔒 Security of data: SD-Cards are easier to lose or retrieve, putting personal information at risk from apps.
• ⚡ Performance: Read/write speed even for class cards UHS-I or A2 into 2–5 less than the internal memory eMMC/UFS. It's slowing down applications.
• 🛠️ System Stability: If the card is removed or damaged, the applications installed on it will stop working.
• 📱 Google policy: Starting with Android 9 Pie, Google has banned manufacturers from allowing apps to be ported to the Internet SD without formatting the card as an internal storage device.

However, there are loopholes in MIUI, such as some apps (like Google Maps or Netflix) that allow you to save cache data to a map, and some games to upload additional files to the same, but full portability of.apk and data is possible only through Adoptable Storage or manual intervention.

Method 1: Formatting SD-Cards as an internal storage device (Adoptable Storage)

This is the only official method that allows you to install applications directly on the SD-But it has critical limitations:

⚠️ Warning: Once formatted, the map will not be used on other devices without being completely cleaned!

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Put it in. SD-Card to smartphone (class recommended) A2 or UHS-I Reading speeds of 90 MB/s).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Switch to Storage Settings (or Format as an internal drive).
4. Confirm the formatting. The system will suggest that you transfer some of the data to the map, you agree.
5. After rebooting, the option to Transfer data to the memory settings will appear SD-map for supported applications.

Important: not all Xiaomi models support this mode. For example, in the Redmi Note 10 Pro and the new feature can be disabled at the firmware level. ADB:

adb shell sm list-disks

If the command returns a disk ID (e.g., disk:179.64), the card can be formatted as an internal one. If empty, the function is blocked.

Class A2 or UHS-I memory card (minimum 64 GB)

Backup of data from the card (all will be erased)

Battery charge of at least 50%

Support for the function in the firmware (checked through ADB)-->

Method 2: Transfer individual applications through MIUI settings

Even without formatting the card as an internal drive, MIUI can transfer some of the data from some applications.

• 🗺️ Map (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps, 2GIS) — cash-card.
• 🎮 Genshin Impact (Call of Duty Mobile) - Additional Files.
• 📥 Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) – media files.

How to move:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
3. Slip the vault. → Change. → SD-Card (if the option is active).
4. Confirm the transfer. Some applications will require a reboot.

Note: Many apps (such as Facebook or Instagram) block data transfer to the Internet. SD-In such cases, only manually moving files through the file manager will help (more on this in the next section).

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Before transferring the application data to SD-Check the speed of the card using the application A1 SD If the recording speed is below 20 MB/s, the applications will slow down.

Method 3: Manually move application files (for power users)

If standard methods do not work, you can manually transfer application files to the SD-a file manager card (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) and ADB. This method requires root or unlocked bootloader rights, but gives more control.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Install. ADB on PC and execute the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the computer. SD-Default card (does not work on all firmware).
3. For manual transfer of application data: adb shell run-as com.example.app cat /data/data/com.example.app/files/* > /sdcard/Android/data/com.example.app/files/ (replace com.example.app with your application’s batch name).
4. In the file manager, move the application folder from /Android/data/ internal memory SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications will work after manual transfer! System applications and games with protection (e.g, Pokémon GO or bank customers may make mistakes or make mistakes.

Critical detail: on some Xiaomi models (for example, on the other hand, the model, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) path SD-The card in the system may differ from the standard /sdcard/. Check the real path through the adb shell ls command /storage/.

Method 4: Using application managers to force transfer

If previous methods have failed, you can use third-party utilities that bypass Android's limitations.

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Shows which applications support the transfer and suggests alternative methods for others.
• 🔧 Link2SD — requires root, but allows you to create symbolic links to application files, saving space in internal memory.
• 📁 FolderMount – Redirects application folders to SD-map without transferring the.apk files themselves.

Example of Link2SD:

1. Install the application and provide root access.
2. Select the application you want to transfer.
3. Create a link and specify the target folder to SD-map.
4. Reset the device.

The advantage of this method is that.apk is stored in internal memory (which suits Android), and heavy data (cache, media, databases) is transferred to the map.

• Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader).
• Installed by Magisk or another root rights manager.
• SD-file-card ext4 (for Link2SD).

Method 5: Install applications on SD-Default card (for older versions) MIUI)

In the firmware MIUI Android 8.1 Oreo and below (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) There was an option to install applications on SD-It's the default card. In modern versions, it's deleted, but it can be returned via ADB:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

After this command, new applications will be installed on SD-To return the installation to internal memory, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not working. MIUI 12+ Android 10+ rootless.
• ❌ Not all applications will work properly (especially system applications).
• ❌ When you remove the map, the applications will stop opening.

To check the current location of the installation, use:

adb shell pm get-install-location

Result:

• 0 is internal memory.
• 1 - selection when installing.
• 2 — SD-map.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-Xiaomi users face typical errors. Let's analyze the most common:

If, after transferring the application to SD-The smartphone started to slow down, check the speed of the card using the A1 SD Bench Minimum Requirements for Comfortable Work:

• 📊 Reading speed: 40 MB/s and higher.
• ⬇️ Record speed: 20 MB/s and higher.
• 🔄 IOPS (4K): 1,000 and above.

Class A1 or lower cards are not suitable for installing applications.

💡

Formatting SD-The card as an internal drive is the only official way to install applications on it, but it blocks the card from being used on other devices.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions