Install applications on the flash drive Xiaomi: how to transfer programs to the USB-accumulator

Are you running out of internal memory on a Xiaomi smartphone and thinking about how to make room without removing important apps? Installing programs on an external flash drive is one of the most effective solutions. USB-This article will explain how to make the flash drive the main storage for applications, what formats are supported, and why some programs will still remain in internal memory.

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI (Especially with a hybrid slot under SIM-The cards are often affected by limited internal memory, and even flagship devices, after a year or two of active use, start to choke on space, and an external flash drive can be a lifeline, but there are nuances: Not all applications support portability, and some drives are simply not recognized by the system. USB-accumulator.

What flash drives are suitable for installing applications on Xiaomi

Not everyone. USB-You can use it to store applications. Android has very strict requirements for read/write speed and file system format. If you insert the first flash drive you see, the smartphone will either not see it or will only use it for media files.

The main selection criteria:

• 🔹 Record speed: minimum Class 10 (UHS-I) It's optimal for modern applications — UHS-II or UHS-III.
• 🔹 Volume: from 32 GB (less is impractical due to formatting overheads).
• 🔹 Format: only FAT32 (for media or exFAT/NTFS (for applications, but requires manual formatting).
• 🔹 Interface: USB Type-C (for newer models) or Micro-USB OTG (Adapters don't always work smoothly!

The best options for Xiaomi:

⚠️ Attention: Flash drives with interface USB 2.0 (speed 480 Mbps can slow down applications. For games and heavy programs (such as Genshin Impact or Lightroom), use only USB 3.0/3.1.

Preparation of the flash drive: formatting and choosing a file system

Before you use the flash drive to install applications, it needs to be formatted in the correct format, and by default, most drives go to FAT32, which is not suitable for storing programs — only for music, photos and videos.

Formatting instructions:

1. Connect the flash drive to the smartphone through OTG-adapter.
2. Open the Settings → Storage.
3. Click on the name of the flash drive (for example, USB-accumulator).
4. Choose Format as internal storage (this will delete all data!).
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 5-15 minutes).

If the option to format as internal storage is not available:

• 🔧 Connect the flash drive to your PC and format to exFAT via Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac).
• 🔧 Use third-party utilities, for example, SD Formatter from SD Association.

Important: Once formatted as internal storage, the flash drive will be encrypted and tied to your device, and it won't be read on another smartphone or PC without being reset!

Set up Xiaomi to install apps on a flash drive

Even after formatting, the system continues to install applications in internal memory by default, and to change this, you need to manually specify the flash drive as the default storage.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Depository.
3. Select your flash drive (e.g. SanDisk USB).
4. Confirm the choice and restart the smartphone.

The flash drive is formatted in exFAT/NTFS|

USB-OTG adapter is connected securely |

In the settings selected external storage by default |

The smartphone is rebooted after changes-->

Some applications (e.g., system or high-performance) will still be installed in internal memory, which is normal, because that's how Android security works.

⚠️ Warning: If applications start to slow down or crash after changing storage, return settings back. Your USB drive may be too slow to use actively.

How to transfer already installed applications to the flash drive

If you already have applications that are taking up space in your internal memory, you can transfer them to a flash drive without reinstallation, but not all programs support this function, it depends on the developer.

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change.
4. Select the flash drive and confirm the transfer.

Method 2: With ADB (for power users)

If the transfer option is blocked, you can use the command:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install all new applications on an external drive. To get it back, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 0

Problems and errors when installing on a flash drive

Even when you set it up properly, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

If the smartphone does not see the flash drive at all:

• 🔌 Check it out. OTG-adapter on another device.
• 🔌 Update the firmware MIUI last-minute.
• 🔌 Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times).

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If the flash drive is defined but not formatted as internal storage, try connecting it to your PC and removing all partitions via DiskPart (clean command).

Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi

If transferring to a flash drive didn’t help or isn’t suitable for some reason, there are other ways to vacate the space:

• 📱 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache. This can release up to 1 to 3 GB.
• 📱 Media Transfer: Use Google Photos to automatically upload photos to the cloud and delete local copies.
• 📱 System debris disposal: Annex MIUI Security → Deep cleaning.
• 📱 Disabling Pre-installed Applications: Through Settings → Applications can be disabled for unnecessary services (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).

Important: Some apps (like Facebook or Instagram) even after transferring to a flash drive, leave some data in internal memory, and this is due to their architecture, they cache data in a protected area.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing apps on Xiaomi flash drive

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A USB 3.0+ flash drive and exFAT file system are the best choice for installing applications. Formatting as an internal storage binds it to the device, so use a separate drive only for your smartphone.