How to set the game to SD-Map in Xiaomi phones: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a lack of internal memory, especially if they actively install modern games such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or other games. PUBG. Even 128GB models are quickly clogged with cache, updates and media. SD-map, but here users are waiting for pitfalls: not all games support installation on an external drive, and MIUI impose additional restrictions.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for installing games on the SD-Map in the phones Xiaomi Redmi, POCO and Mi (relevant to the MIUI 14/15 Android 12-14). You will learn how to format your memory card correctly, what settings to change in the system, and what to do if the game refuses to start after transferring. SD How to get around this limitation.

1. Preparation SD-Cards: which drive to choose and how to format

Before you can transfer games, you need to properly prepare the memory card. SD-Cards are suitable for application installation – cheap models with low write speed (Class) 4/6) It leads to lags and errors:

• 🔹 Class speed: UHS-I (U1/U3) or A1/A2 (for quick work with small files)
• 🔹 Volume: from 64 GB (32 GB may not have enough space for cache)
• 🔹 Format: exFAT or FAT32 (Only exFAT supports files. >4GB, critical for gaming)
• 🔹 Brand: SanDisk Ultra, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas (Avoid No-Name)

To format the map in exFAT:

1. Insert SD into your phone and open Settings → Storage.
2. Tap it on. SD-map → Format → As an internal storage device (this will delete all data!).
3. Select exFAT (if you don’t have an option, format via PC using SD Formatter).
4. After formatting, restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Formatting as "internal storage" links the card to the phone, and once extracted, the data on it will not be available on other devices!

2. Method 1: Install the game directly to SD via Google Play

The easiest method is to indicate SD-The map is the default setting, but it doesn’t work for all games (many, like Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal, ignore this setting).

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store and find the game you want.
2. On the game page, tap three points (⋮) → Set on SD-Card (if the option is active).
3. If there is no item, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Store → Warehouse and select SD-map.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It only works for games that support adoptable storage. SD internal memory).
• 🚫 Some games (such as Among Us) are set to SD, but retain the cache in the internal memory.
• 🚫 After updating MIUI settings may reset.

Check the vacant space on SD|Format the map in exFAT|Install. SD default-storage|Reboot the phone.-->

Method 3: Transfer of the installed game with ADB (for advanced)

If the game is already installed in internal memory, it can be transferred to SD via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC and the developer mode on.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (download from the official website).
4. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to install applications on the SD by default. To migrate a particular game, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.pubg.krmobile (replace with game ID)

You can find out the game’s package name through the App Inspector app or the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "game name"

⚠️ Note: Some games (e.g. Clash of Clans) after transferring through the ADB You may lose access to cloud storage!

Method 3: Symbolic links to deceive the system

If the game refuses to install on SD, you can “cheat” the system by creating a symbolic link (symlink), which requires root rights or the use of Termux.

Instructions for Termux (without root):

1. Install Termux from F-Droid (the version from Google Play will not work).
2. Enter the commands in order:

pkg update && pkg upgrade


pkg install tsu




tsu




ln -s /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/com.game.package /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game.package.

Replace com.game.package with the game ID (e.g. com.supercell.clashofclans).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 It works for games that block installation on SD (for example, PUBG).
• 🔹 It does not require transferring the game itself – only cache and updates.
• 🔹 Maintains access to cloud storage.

Risks:

• 🚫 When updating the game, the link may break.
• 🚫 Some anticheats (e.g. in Call of Duty) Detect simlinkas as hacking.

💡

Before creating a simlink, check if the game supports SD storage. To do this, download a small game (like Subway Surfers) and try to migrate it through the application settings. If you can, symlink will work for other games as well.

5. Solving common installation errors on SD

Even after a successful transfer, problems can arise, and let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them.

Additional advice:

• 🔹 If the game is delayed after the transfer to SD, Try to turn off window animation in Settings → Special facilities → Speed of animation.
• 🔹 For online games (such as Brawl Stars), check if the anticheat block the installation of the game. SD.
• 🔹 Clean the game cache regularly through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache.

💡

If the game starts to slow down after transfer to SD, the problem is most likely the speed of reading the memory card. Even A1 cards may not cope with modern games - the best choice is UHS-I U3 or A2.

6.Alternative solutions: cloud games and memory optimization

If porting to SD didn’t help or your Xiaomi model (like the Redmi Note 10 or POCO X3 Pro) doesn’t support installation on an external drive, consider alternatives:

• 🎮 Cloud Gaming: Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or NVIDIA GeForce NOW They allow you to play without installation.
• 📱 Memory Optimization: Delete Unnecessary Files through Settings → Warehouse → Clean up or use Files by Google.
• 🔄 Transfer to USB-OTG: Some games (such as Stardew Valley) can be installed on a flash drive via a OTG-cable.
• 📦 APK + OBB: Download games manually from sites like APKMirror and place.obb files on the site. SD file Android/obb.

For models with dynamic memory (for example, Xiaomi 12T), you can expand internal storage due to unused memory:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Advanced settings.
2. Choose to expand memory and specify SD-map.
3. Confirm the merger (the data on the map will be deleted!).

7. Compatible with different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work the same way with installing games on SD. Below is the compatibility table for popular models:

For flagship models (Xiaomi 13, 14), the manufacturer recommends using internal memory, as the speed of the device is very high. UFS 3.1 is much higher than any other SD-In budget devices (Redmi) A1, POCO C40) fitting SD It may be the only way to play heavy projects.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing games on SD in Xiaomi