How to install applications on a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 7A: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi 7A — A budget smartphone with 16 or 32 GB of internal memory, which is often not enough to install all the necessary applications. A microSD card is a salvation, but not everyone knows how to use it correctly. SD-map, including hidden settings MIUI, Bypassing constraints and optimizing productivity.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 7A runs on Android 9 Pie with a MIUI 10/11 shell, where the function of porting applications to a memory card is partially limited by the manufacturer, we will show how to circumvent these restrictions by legal methods without resorting to root rights, and also talk about pitfalls that can reduce the speed of the phone.

Why you can’t install applications on SD-map 7A?

Many users are faced with the fact that in the settings of Redmi 7A There is no option to “move to” SD-The reason lies in the policy of Xiaomi and the features of Android 9:

• 🔹 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi blocks the transfer of most applications to the memory card, leaving this feature only for multimedia files (photos, videos, music).
• 🔹 Card format: By default SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage (FAT32/exFAT), Not as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage).
• 🔹 Performance: Class Class Class Memory Cards 4/6 They are slower than internal memory, which can slow down applications.
• 🔹 Security: Some applications (banking, instant messengers) do not support installation on the main SD due to the risk of data leakage.

But there are workarounds, like forcing a map to be internalized, or using third-party tools to move some of the data, and then we'll go through each method in detail.

⚠️ Note: If you use a memory card as an internal storage device, it can't be retrieved without losing data. SD-maps due to frequent overwriting.

Method 1: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

This method allows you to combine the memory card with the phone's internal memory, but has critical consequences: once formatted, the card will not be used in other devices without being completely cleaned.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-map 7A (Supported cards up to 256 GB).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory.
3. Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 64GB).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
5. Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
6. Confirm the action. It'll take 1-3 minutes.

Once formatted, the system will suggest moving some of the data to the map.

• 📉 Application speeds can drop by 20-40% (depending on class) SD-map).
• 🔄 Not all apps will be automatically transferred – many will remain in the internal memory.
• 🚫 The card cannot be removed without resetting the phone to the factory settings.

Make a backup copy of data from the card|Use a class card UHS-I (U1/U3) higher|Charge your phone at least to 50%|Make sure the card is not fake (check through the app) SD Insight)-->

⚠️ Warning: If after formatting the phone started to brake, return the card to portable storage mode via Settings → Memory. → SD-map → Format it as portable. All data will be deleted!

Method 2: Transfer applications through settings (if optional)

In some versions MIUI for Redmi 7A It is possible to transfer individual applications to SD-You can check it out like this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If there is a button, change or move to SD-map -- press it.

List of applications that usually support portability:

If there is no port button, try updating the app via Google Play – sometimes this will unlock the option, and check if the app is system (you can’t move it).

SanDisk (Ultra, Extreme)|Samsung EVO|Kingston|Transcend|Another mark.|I don't use it.-->

Method 3: Using ADB for Forced Transfer

For advanced users, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It allows you to manually specify to the system which applications can be transferred to the SD-map, even if there is no option in the interface.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

USB debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands through ADB: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on the default SD-map (if possible).

Examples of applications where this works:

• 🎵 Spotify: Settings → Sound quality → Offline music folder.
• 🗺️ Google Maps: Settings → Offline maps → Storage settings.
• 📷 Galery: In the settings of the gallery can be specified SD-map as a place to save photos/video.
• 🎮 Games: Many games (such as Genshin Impact) allow you to choose where to install additional files.

💡

To free up as much space as possible, use Files by Google. it automatically finds unnecessary files (duplicates, old screenshots, cache) and suggests that they be deleted or moved to the Internet. SD-map.

Method 5: Using third-party applications for portability

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, the best ones are:

• 🔧 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — shows you which apps can be migrated, and does so in one click.
• 📱 Link2SD — It requires root rights, but it allows you to port even those applications that are normally blocked.
• 🗃️ FolderMount – only transfers application data (not APK-Files that are safer for system stability.