How to set the game to SD-Map in Xiaomi: all ways 2026

Installation of games SD-card in smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO — This is a real challenge for users with limited internal memory, even models from 2023 to 2026 (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro).+ or POCO X6 Pros with 128-256 GB are often clogged with heavy games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or Honkai: Star Rail.

However, it is not so simple: Xiaomi artificially limits the ability to install games on the site. SD-map MIUI (14 and above), even if the card is formatted as internal memory, and in this article we will discuss all working methods, from standard settings to circumventing restrictions through the use of the system. ADB We also explain why some games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire may not be launched from the card and how to fix it.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the installation of games SD-map?

Since 2020, Xiaomi has been consistently tightening its policy on external drives.

• 🔒 Security: Android is forbidden to install APK-files on removable media due to the risk of hacking (modified) APK They may contain malicious code).
• ⚡ Productivity: SD-maps (even UHS-I U3) slower-than-integrated memory UFS 2.2/3.1, Which leads to lags in games.
• 📱 Optimization MIUI: In new versions of firmware (MIUI 13–15 Adoptable Storage (conversion) SD internal memory) is hidden or works with errors.

Below are all the current methods tested on Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro and POCO F5.

Method 1: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

The most reliable method is to convert SD-This is a map to expand the internal memory through Adoptable Storage, which allows you to install games directly on it, but there are nuances:

⚠️ Warning: Once formatted, the card will be encrypted and not read on other devices, and it will not be retrieved without data loss.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-Smartphone card (recommended class) A2 or UHS-I U3 64GB).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Press Set up. → Internal memory.
4. Confirm the formatting (the process will take 5-10 minutes).
5. After restart, go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications, select the game and click Move to SD-map.

Buy a Class A2/U3 card (SanDisk, Samsung)

Make a backup copy of data from the card

Charge your phone at least 50%

Disable antivirus (can block formatting)-->

If there is no Inner Memory, your Xiaomi model blocks the function. Go to Method 2.

Method 2: Transfer games over ADB (for advanced)

If MIUI hid the formatting option, you can force Adoptable Storage to be enabled via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).The method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with Android 10 and newer, but requires a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, download ADB Tools and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the commands in order: adb shell sm list-disks Remember the disk identifier (e.g., disk:179.64).
5. Format (replace disk:XXX,XX with your identifier): sm partition disk:179.64 private
6. Reset the phone. SD-The card will be displayed as internal memory.

After that, the game can be transferred through Settings → Apps or installed directly to the map from Google Play.

Method 3: Using third-party launchers

If previous methods didn’t work, try support launchers. SD-maps, for example:

• 📱 Nova Launcher (paid version) – allows you to choose the installation site for each APK.
• 🎮 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — Transfers games to the map even without formatting.
• 🔧 Files by Google – has a built-in application manager with the option to move.

Instructions for AppMgr III:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and grant the Root (if any) or ADB rights.
3. Select the game in the list and click Move to SD Card.
4. Confirm the transfer and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Genshin Impact) may display a file corrupt error after transfer, in which case you will have to reinstall the game or use Method 4.

Method 4: Manual transfer of game files (for experienced)

If the game is already installed, but takes up a lot of space, you can manually transfer its files to the game. SD-This method is suitable for cache games like Call of Duty Mobile or Asphalt 9.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Go to the Android/obb folder (or Android/data for some games).
3. Copy the folder with the game (for example, com.activision.callofduty.shooter) SD-map.
4. Remove the original folder from your phone.
5. Create a symbolic link (root rights are required or ADB): adb shell ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.game.package /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game.package (substitute XXXX-XXXX on ID yours SD-maps and com.game.package for the game package).

💡

To find out the game package, use the App Inspector app or Google Play site (the address of the game page contains an ID, for example, com.supercell.clashroyale).

After that, the game will be launched with SD-cards, but with a slight delay at the first load.

Compatibility table with Xiaomi models

Not all methods work on all devices, and the following are the popular models (based on 2026 tests):

If your model is not in the table, try the methods in order, starting with the simplest.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring games to SD-And the problem is that people are facing a lot of problems:

• 🚫 "Not enough space on the device" - even after the transfer: Reason: some games (for example, Honor of Kings) install some files in internal memory. Solution: clear the game's cache in Settings → Apps or use AppMgr III deep-transfer.
• 🔄 "Game doesn't start after transfer": Reason: damaged symbolic links or slow memory card. Solution: check speed SD-map A1 SD Bench (should be at least 40MB/s per record) If the speed is low, replace the card.
• 🔒 "SD-The card is not defined as internal: MIUI It blocks the function for cards with exFAT file system. Solution: format the card into FAT32 via PC, then repeat the procedure on your phone.

💡

If the game after the transfer slows down, try to transfer only the cache (Android/obb), leave out APK It's going to reduce the load on the memory. SD-map.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions