How to install applications SD-map MIUI 12: All working methods

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI 12 often face a shortage of internal memory, especially in budget models with 32 or 64 GB of drive. SD-The map seems like a logical solution, but in reality, this process is associated with nuances: from the limitations of the shell to the technical features of Android. In this article, we will discuss all available ways to install and transfer applications to an external drive, including official methods, workarounds and alternative solutions for users of Redmi, Poco and Mi.

It’s important to understand that since Android 6.0 Marshmallow (and MIUI 12 is based on later versions), Google has significantly limited the ability to port apps to SD. Manufacturers, including Xiaomi, often block this feature due to the risks of reduced performance and stability. However, there are legal and non-obvious techniques that will help free up internal memory.

Why? MIUI 12 limits the installation of SD-map?

The MIUI 12 shell follows Android's policy of working with external drives, but adds its limitations.

• 🔒 Data security: Annexes to the SD-It is easier to steal or replace the card, especially if the drive is retrieved and connected to other devices.
• ⚡ Performance: Read/write speed of microSD (even class) A2) into 5–10 less than the internal memory UFS 2.1/3.0. This leads to lags and hangings.
• 🛠️ Fragmentation: Frequently overwriting data SD Speeds up card wear and can lead to data loss.
• 📱 Xiaomi policy: the company stimulates the purchase of devices with a large amount of memory, therefore artificially complicates the transfer of applications.

However, some applications (such as Google Maps or messengers like Telegram) allow you to save cache or media files to an external drive, and to fully transfer.apk files and data will require additional manipulation.

Preparation SD-maps: formatting and class selection

Before transferring applications, be sure to check and prepare SD-The wrong format or slow recording speed will negate all efforts.

Requirements for SD-map:

• 📌 Speed class: Minimum Class 10 (optimally — A1 or A2 Class maps for applications C4/C6 won't fit.
• 💾 Format: exFAT or FAT32 (but FAT32 does not support files >For full portability of applications, you will need the Adoptable Storage format (see next section).
• 🔄 Volume: 64GB is recommended. 16-32GB cards will fill up quickly, and their performance is usually lower.

To check the current map format:

1. Connect the SD to the PC via the card reader.
2. Open Disk Management (Win + R → diskmgmt.msc).
3. Find your card in the list and look at the file system in the Type column.

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If the card is formatted in NTFS, it cannot be used to port applications to Android. Reformat to exFAT through standard Windows tools or the SD Formatter utility.

How to format SD-map in a Xiaomi smartphone:

1. Insert the card into the slot (if a hybrid slot is used, make sure it doesn’t have a second SIM).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Shoot three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Memory Settings.
4. Select Format as internal (this activates Adoptable Storage mode).
5. Confirm the action and wait until the end (the lesson can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Adoptable Storage formatting encrypts the card and binds it to the device, and once extracted, the data on it will not be available on other gadgets, and this mode may not be supported on some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi). 9A POCO M3).

Official method: transfer applications through MIUI settings

V MIUI 12 the possibility of transferring part of applications to SD-map, but with serious reservations:

• ✅ It only works for applications that support this feature (their minority).
• ✅ Only cache and some data are transferred, not the.apk file itself.
• ❌ Not available for system applications and most games.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Spotify or Netflix).
3. Put it on the Memory (or Warehouse) item.
4. If the option is available, the button Change or Move to SD-map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take a few minutes).

List of applications that most often support transfer:

⚠️ Note: After the transfer, the application may run slower, especially if SD-class C10 marking A1/A2. Also, some functions (for example, notifications in Telegram) can be turned off when you remove the card.

SD-The card is formatted in exFAT or as internal memory.|

Card speed is not lower than Class 10 (optimally A1/A2)|

In the application settings there is an option "Move to SD" |

Free space on the map exceeds the size of the application by 1.5 times-->

Alternative method: using ADB for forced transfer

If the official method doesn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system which apps to move, a method that requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Advantages:

• 🔧 It works for most user applications (but not for system applications).
• 📱 Doesn't require root rights.
• ⚡ Faster than manual transfer through settings.

Disadvantages:

• 🖥️ Need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔄 When you update the app, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 🚫 It does not work for games of protection (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

File transfer

ADB Tools

Win + R → cmd

adb

cd C:\platform-tools

adb devices

(Your Xiaomi serial number should appear.)

com.example.app

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app

To find the batch name of the application, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | find "appendix name"

For WhatsApp, it would be com.whatsapp.

⚠️ Note: The pm set-install-location 2 command sets a global rule for all new applications – they will be installed by default on the app. SD. To return the settings to the original, perform: adb shell pm set-install-location 0 (0 - automatic selection, 1 - internal memory, 2 - external memory).

Transfer applications without root: application managers

If ADB seems complicated, you can use third-party utilities, which don't offer 100% warranty, but make it easier for beginners.

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD): Shows you what apps you can migrate, and it does it in one tap. MIUI 12 but requires Adoptable Storage.
• 🔄 Files by Google: Built-in file manager with cache cleaning and media transfer function (not the applications themselves, but frees up space).
• 💾 SD Maid: Helps you find and delete unnecessary files, and transfer supported data to SD.

How to use AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the memory.
3. Go to the Movable tab (Permanent).
4. Select apps and tap Move to SD card.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

Limitations:

• It doesn’t work for system applications and most games.
• Some applications may not be displayed if they are blocked by MIUI.
• After the Android or MIUI update, the transferred apps may reset.

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Manager apps can’t get around the limitations of Android and MIUI; they only automate what can be done manually through settings or ADB.

Radical Method: Getting Root Rights and Link2SD

If none of the above methods worked, the last resort is to get root rights and use the Link2SD application, which gives you complete control over the installation of applications, but has serious disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔐 Security Risk: Root opens access to system files for malware.
• 🔄 Difficulty of updates: After the update MIUI root can fly, and the device – fixated on the load.

How it works:

1. Unlock the Xiaomi bootloader through the official tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) and scrolle Magisk to get root.
3. Download Link2SD from Google Play.
4. In the appendix, select the second section on SD-map (formatted as a formatted ext2/ext3/ext4).
5. Move the apps through the Link to SD card menu.

Link2SD creates symbolic links, allowing application data to be stored on SD, and.apk files themselves in internal memory, which reduces the load on the drive and speeds up work.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g., Redmi Note 8 Pro with Mediatek processor), unlocking the bootloader can lead to problems with the device. IMEI Before the procedure, back up through the TWRP.

What if nothing works? Alternative solutions

If the applications are transferred SD-Impossible card, consider alternative ways to free up internal memory:

• 🗑️ Cache cleaning: In Settings → Memory. → Clean up remove unnecessary files (cache, temporary data, duplicates).
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos, videos and documents to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Disk.
• 🎮 Install Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Spotify Lite – they take up 2-3 times less space.
• 🔄 Transfer media files: Manually move photos, music and videos to SD File Manager (for example, Mi File Manager).
• 📱 Factory reset: Last resort if memory is clogged with system debris.Pre-backup!

How to transfer media files to SD:

1. Open the gallery or the music.
2. Select the files (click your finger on one of them).
3. Slip again. → Move it.
4. Choose. SD-map and confirm.

Important: Some apps (like WhatsApp) allow you to manually specify a folder to store media. → Warehouse and data → Media folder and point the way SD-map.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting applications to SD in MIUI 12