How to install the game on a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: 5 working ways

Installing games on a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi line, POCO and Mi is a relevant task for users with limited internal storage. 128 GB of memory is quickly filled with modern games, the weight of which often exceeds the current level. 2-5 GB, however, just move the game to SD-map, like a regular file, will not work: Android and shell MIUI impose restrictions on the installation of applications on external media.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to install games on a memory card, including official methods through settings. MIUI We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with Adoptable Storage (maps as internal memory binding), since this mode has critical limitations on Xiaomi devices. You will also learn how to avoid errors such as “Insufficient memory” or “Application not installed”, and which games cannot be transferred to the game. SD-map.

Why Games Aren't Installed on a Default Memory Card

Android and MIUI block the installation of applications on external media for several reasons:

• 🔒 Security: Memory card games are slower and may contain modified code (virus risk).
• 📱 Performance: Internal Memory (UFS/eMMC) into 3-5 faster than most SD-Cards (MicroSD Class) 10/UHS-I).
• 🔄 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi has disabled the "Install on" function SD-Map in the application settings available in pure Android.
• 🎮 DRM-Protection: Licensed games (e.g. Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) check file integrity and block external launch media.

Also, starting with Android 6.0, Google introduced the concept of Adoptable Storage, but Xiaomi limited this feature. SD-The error appears as internal memory: “This card is too slow” – even if you use it. UHS-II read speed of 200 MB/s.

⚠️ Warning: If you format a card as internal memory, it can't be retrieved without losing data. The system encrypts the partition and it becomes unreadable on other devices.

Method 1: Transfer the game through MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest method is to use the built-in app portability feature, but it doesn't work for all games.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the game you want to migrate (like Brawl Stars or Clash of Clans).
3. Press "Storage" → "Change" → "SD-map".
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until the completion (may take up to 5-10 minutes).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It only works for games that support transfer (usually old or lightweight projects).
• 📛 Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire are blocking this feature.
• 🔄 After updating the game, it can automatically return to internal memory.

Memory card formatted as portable storage (not internal) |

There is enough free space on the map (at least 20% more weight of the game)|

The game does not use anticheat (e.g. Garena or Tencent games)|

MIUI version at least 12 (older versions may not have a feature)

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If the Change button is inactive, the game does not support portability, in which case move on to the following methods.

Method 2: Install the game directly to SD-map (through APK)

If the game is unpacked in.apk +.obb format (for example, Asphalt 9 or Need for Speed: No Limits), you can install it immediately on the memory card:

1. Download the.apk file and the.obb folder (usually called com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM for Asphalt 9).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
3. Move the.obb folder to the SD-map/Android/obb/ (Create an obb folder if it is not available).
4. Install.apk file by selecting as the installation location SD-card (if requested).

Important: Some games (such as Minecraft) require that the.obb folder be stored in internal memory, in which case the transfer is impossible without root rights.

💡

If the game does not see the.obb files on SD-For the map, try creating a symbolic link using the FolderMount app (requires root).

Method 3: Adoptable Storage (formatting the card as internal memory)

This method allows the system to be “deceived” by making it perceive SD-The map is part of the internal storage, but it has critical flaws:

• 🔐 The card will be encrypted and tied to the device, and once it's extracted, the data will be inaccessible.
• ⚡ The speed of the game will decrease (even if it is UHS-II card).
• 📵 Some games (e.g. Fortnite, Diablo Immortal) refuse to run with external memory.

Instructions for Adoptable Storage:

1 Insert SD- card (Class 10/UHS-I or higher is recommended).


2. Go to Settings → Storage.




3. Click on SD-map → Three dots (⋮) →Settings of storage.




4. Select "Inner Memory" → "Clean and Format".




5. After formatting, restart the device.

Now, when installing games, the system will suggest choosing a storage location (internal memory or storage). SD-However, take note of this:

Method 4: Transfer games with ADB (for power users)

If the previous methods did not work, you can force the game to be transferred to the game. SD-Map via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on "Version" MIUI".
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB drivers (download from the Android Developers website).
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install all new applications on the SD-Default card. To transfer the game already installed, use:

pm move-package com.package.name /sdcard

(Replace com.package.name with a real game identifier, such as com.epicgames.fortnite.)

⚠️ Attention: Some games (for example, Pokémon GO or Roblox) block the launch when changes are detected at the installation site.

Method 5: Root access and forced transfer applications

If you are ready to get root rights, additional opportunities will open up:

• 📲 App2SD — It allows you to transfer games even if they do not support this feature.
• 🔗 Link2SD — creates symbolic references, "deceiving" the game (it "thinks" that it is set in the internal memory).
• 🗃️ FolderMount – mounts folders of games from SD-maps in system directories.

Instructions for Link2SD:

1. Install Magisk and get root access.
2. Download Link2SD from Google Play.
3. Select the game in the list of applications.
4. Click “Create a link” and select the folders to transfer (e.g. lib, obb).
5. Reset the device.

Critical nuance: After the MIUI update, symbolic links may break.Be sure to back up games via Titanium Backup before upgrading the system.

What games cannot be transferred to SD-map

Despite all the tricks, some games don't work from external memory, and here's a list of categories and examples:

If your game makes it to this list, the only way out is to free up internal memory by deleting unnecessary files or using cloud storage (e.g. Google Play Backup Games).

Lack of space to install new games |

Games are being laid due to lack of memory |

It is difficult to transfer games to SD-card |

Other (write in the comments)

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Optimization of memory: alternatives to transfer to the SD-map

If the games are transferred SD-The card is impossible or ineffective, consider alternative ways to vacate space:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Apps, select the game and click "Clear Cache." For example, in Genshin Impact, the cache can take up to 10 GB.
• ☁️ Cloud saves: Google Play games (e.g. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened) support saving progress to the cloud.Delete the game and reinstall it if necessary.
• 🔄 Lite versions of games: Many popular games have lightweight versions (e.g, PUBG Mobile Lite, Free Fire Max 2-3 lesser.
• 📦 Game Archives: Applications like APK Extractor allows you to back up your game in.apk format +.obb, tolater.

It is also worth checking which files take up the most space.

1. Open the Settings → Storage → Storage Analysis.
2. Click on the category "Apps" and sort by size.
3. Delete unused games or their data (such as downloaded maps in Google Maps).

💡

If the internal memory is filled with 90%+, The system starts to slow down. Optimally maintain free. 10-15% total.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing games SD-map