How to install apps on a flash drive in Xiaomi phones: the complete guide

Installing apps on a flash drive in Xiaomi smartphones is a pressing task for users who are running out of internal memory, despite the fact that modern models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro) are not very popular.+ or POCO X5 Pros are equipped with 256 GB or more, many still use budget devices with 32-64 GB, where every megabyte counts. APK-file on the memory card is not enough: for correct operation, the correct system configuration and taking into account the features of the system are required MIUI.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can install applications on a flash drive, from standard MIUI functions to manually transferring them using ADB. You’ll learn which memory cards are suitable for this task, how to avoid “App Not Installed” errors, and why some programs (such as WhatsApp or bank clients) fundamentally don’t work with external drives.

Why apps aren’t installed on the default flash drive

Xiaomi Android-based smartphones are initially configured to have all apps installed in internal memory, due to several technical limitations:

• 🔒 Security: External drives are easier to lose or replace, which poses risks to sensitive data (passwords, authorization tokens).
• ⚡ Performance: Memory cards (even class) A2) They are slower than the built-in memory. UFS 2.2/3.1, what might cause the lags.
• 📱 Limitations MIUI: Firmware MIUI 12-14 blocks the transfer of system applications and services Google on the flash drive.
• 🔄 Updates: Apps on external drive may not automatically update via Google Play.

However, you can circumvent these restrictions, in part or in full, depending on the smartphone model and the version of MIUI. For example, on devices with a microSD connector (for example, Redmi 10C or POCO M5), Adoptable Storage mode is available, which formats the flash drive as internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If you use a flash drive as an Adoptable Storage, it can't be retrieved without losing data. The system encrypts the drive and it becomes tied to a particular device.

Which flash drive to choose for installing applications

Not every memory card is suitable for installing applications, but here are the key criteria for choosing:

For Adoptable Storage, you'd better use cards with a minimum of 32GB of storage, or the system might refuse to format it. Also note the overwrite resource: cheap cards wear out faster when you update applications frequently.

If you are planning to install only APK-manual files (without system binding), any Class 10 card will do. But for full-fledged applications (for example, games or messengers), it is better to choose a model marked with a marking. A2 — It is optimized for random access to small files.

Method 1: Installation APK-hand-drive

The easiest method is to download APK-Application files and install them from a flash drive. This method is suitable for applications that do not require integration with the system (for example, games, utilities, alternative launchers).

Instructions:

1. Download. APK-file of the desired application from a verified source (for example, APKMirror or the official developer site).
2. Connect the flash drive to your smartphone and move the downloaded file to any folder on the drive (such as Download or APK).
3. Open any file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) and search for the file manager. APK-file.
4. Click on the file and confirm installation. If the “Installation locked” error appears, allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings (Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Install Unknown Applications).

This method doesn't transfer the application entirely to the USB drive, just the installation file. The data itself (cache, settings) will remain in internal memory. To fully migrate the application, read the following sections.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK Always check the hash amounts of files (for example, via VirusTotal) and avoid sites with suspicious reputations.

Downloaded the file from an official source?|

Is installation from unknown sources allowed?|

Is there enough space on the flash drive for the application?|

Is the app compatible with the Android version on your Xiaomi?-->

Method 2: Use of the flash drive as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

Adoptable Storage allows you to format the flash drive as part of the smartphone’s internal memory, and then the system will automatically install some applications on an external drive, which works on Android 6.0+ devices, but in MIUI it is often hidden or limited.

How to turn Adoptable Storage on Xiaomi:

1. Insert the flash drive in the smartphone and wait for its detection.
2. Open the Settings → Memory.
3. Click on the name of your flash drive (for example, SD-map) and select Settings (Icon) ⚙️).
4. Tap Format as internal (if there is no option, see the next paragraph).
5. Confirm the formatting. All the data on the flash drive will be deleted, and it will not be used on other devices without re-formatting.
6. After the process is complete, restart the smartphone.

If there is no option to format as internal, this means that:

• 📵 Your Xiaomi model does not support Adoptable Storage (relevant for flagships, for example, Xiaomi). 12T Pro).
• 🔧 In the firmware MIUI This function is disabled (reflashing to Global is solved). ROM custom-made).
• 💾 Memory card is incompatible (for example, too small in volume or slow in size).

Once Adoptable Storage is activated, the system will decide which apps to move to the USB drive, but some programs (such as Google Play Services or Miui Home) will remain in internal memory.

Method 3: Transfer applications to a flash drive via ADB (for power users)

If Adoptable Storage is not available, you can manually transfer applications to a USB flash drive using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode). Then: Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
3. Download ADB Tools (like the official Google package) and unpack it into a folder on your PC.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: adb devices Make sure your smartphone appears in the list.
5. Enter the command to port the application (replace package.name with the real name of the package): adb shell pm move-package package.name For example, to transfer Telegram: adb shell pm move-package org.telegram.messenger

To find out the name of the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, to search for WhatsApp:

adb shell pm list packages | grep whatsapp

Not all apps support portability. If you see a Failure error after the command, [NOT_MOVED: Operation not allowed for: package.name, which means the application is blocked for port.

⚠️ Note: Transferring system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) can cause a smartphone to run in an unstable way, and some applications (e.g. banking) may stop working after the transfer.

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Forced formatting of a flash drive as internal via ADB

If Xiaomi does not have Adoptable Storage, you can enable it forcibly via ADB. This method works on most Android 6.0-13 devices, but requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate Debugging over USB (see the previous section).
2. Enter in the command line: adb shell sm list-disks Remember your flash drive ID (e.g., disk:179.64).
3. Format the flash drive as internal memory with the command: adb shell sm partition disk:179.64 private (replace 179.64 with your ID).
4. Wait until the process is complete (may take a few minutes) and restart your smartphone.

After that, the flash drive will be displayed as part of the internal memory in the Settings → Memory section.

• 🔐 The card will be encrypted and tied to the device.
• 📉 Performance may fall if the flash drive is slow.
• 🚫 Some apps (like Google Pay) will not work.

To return the flash drive to its original state, use the command:

adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 public

But all the data on it will be deleted.

💡

Forced ADB formatting is the only way to enable Adoptable Storage on devices where it is disabled by the manufacturer, but it can invalidate the warranty and lead to unstable system operation.

What applications can not be transferred to the flash drive

Even if you have successfully configured the flash drive as internal memory or used ADB, some applications will not work with external drives.

If you try to migrate an app like this, it will either fail or it will constantly give out errors, and in some cases (for example, with WhatsApp), the messenger may even block the account due to suspicions of hacking.

It’s also worth considering that even if an app is successful, its performance may fall, such as games like Genshin Impact will load textures more slowly, and Google Maps may slow down when working with a cache on a flash drive.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing apps on Xiaomi flash drive