How to install apps on a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 5: a complete guide with nuances

Why Redmi 5 can’t move apps to the same place SD-standard-map?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 5 often face a problem: despite the presence of a slot for microSD and official support for memory cards up to 256 GB, the system is not easy to use. MIUI It blocks most applications from being transferred to an external drive, and it's all about Google's policy and the Android 7.1.2 Nougat that runs the device. Since Android 6.0, Google has limited the ability to migrate apps to the external drive. SD-Card due to security and performance risks.

In this article, we will discuss 3 working methods: formatting the card as internal memory (with loss of data!), using the data. ADB-commands for forced transfer and installation of applications directly to SD It is important to understand that not all applications support external memory, especially system utilities and games with protection against piracy.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. The instructions are relevant to MIUI 9–12.
• 💾 Type SD-cards: Class 10 only or UHS-I (slow cards cause lags!).
• ⚙️ Developer Settings: They must be enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times).

Critical information: after formatting SD-The card as internal memory cannot be used on other devices without completely erasing the data, and it can also slow down the phone if the card is slow.

Method 1: Formatting SD-Cards as internal memory (official method)

This is the only way Xiaomi supports out of the box, and once formatted, the card will become part of the internal memory, and the system will automatically prompt you to install new applications on it.

• ⚠️ All data on the map will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery.
• ⚠️ The map will be encrypted and will become unreadable on other devices.
• ⚠️ Phone performance may fall if card is slow.

If you are ready for this, follow the instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-Redmi 5 slot card (microSD support up to 256 GB).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Memory Settings.
4. Select Format as Internal → Erase and Format.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).
6. After the reboot, the phone will offer to transfer the data to the new “internal” memory.

If the option to format as internal is inactive, check:

• 🔹 The card is not damaged (try formatting it on PC) FAT32).
• 🔹 There's no second on the phone. SIM-cards in a hybrid slot (on Redmi 5 slot combined!).
• 🔹 Is the firmware updated to the latest version? MIUI (In older versions of bugs with option display).

Make a backup copy of the data from the card|Check the speed of the card (minimum Class 10)|Make sure the battery is charged. >50%|Turn off the second. SIM-card (if a hybrid slot is used)-->

Method 2: Forced porting of applications over ADB (without formatting)

If you don’t want to format the map as an internal one, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), an Android debugging tool that lets you manually specify which apps you can migrate to SD. It doesn’t work with all apps (especially games and system utilities), but it gives you more control.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Steps:

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
2. Connect Redmi 5 to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Find out the batch name of the application (for example, for WhatsApp it is com.whatsapp). This can be done through the App Inspector or the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "app name"
6. Move the application to SD command: Adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will force the system to install new applications on the SD by default.
7. To transfer the already installed application, use: adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp (replace com.whatsapp with the desired package).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all apps support portability (for example, Facebook or Instagram may not work).
• 🚫 After updating the application, it can automatically return to internal memory.
• 🚫 Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact will block the launch from the SD.

💡

If the pm move-package command returns the error [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], The application does not support the transfer of SD. Try another method or accept it in your internal memory.

Method 3: Install applications directly to SD via third-party launchers

If the first two methods didn't work or seemed too complicated, you can go around the way by using alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) that allow you to choose where to install applications, which does not carry programs that are already installed, but gives you control over new installations.

Instructions:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Launch the launcher and install it as the main one (when offering the system).
3. Go to Settings Nova → Applications and widgets → Installation location.
4. Choose External Memory (SD-map).
5. When installing new apps through Google Play or APK-files will be offered on SD.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need to format the map.
• ✅ It works without root rights.
• ✅ You can flexibly manage the installation site for each application.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Cannot tolerate already installed applications.
• ❌ Some applications (such as widgets) may not work with SD.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key parameters of each method in the table:

Recommendation: If you need to move 1-2 apps, try ADB. If you want to offload internal memory for a long time, format the SD as an internal one (but take a quick card!). Nova Launcher is good for new installations.

💡

The most versatile method is to format SD as internal memory, but it is only suitable for UHS-I (U1/U3) cards with a volume of 64 GB. Cheap or slow cards will lead to system brakes!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with porting applications to SD, Redmi 5 users often face typical problems.

⚠️ Attention, if after formatting SD As the internal memory of the phone began to brake, check the speed of the card using the application A1 SD If the write speed is below 10 MB / s, the card is better to return to external drive mode.

Error 1: “Can’t move the app” in the settings.

Causes and solutions:

• 🔸 The app does not support portability (e.g. Google Play Services).Solution: Use ADB or accept.
• 🔸 The map is formatted as a portable. Solution: format as an internal one (see Method 1).
• 🔸 Not enough space for SD. Solution: Free up space or use a larger map.

Error 2: After the transfer, the application stopped working.

This is typical for security games (Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars) or banking applications.

• 🔹 Return the app to internal memory.
• 🔹 Use the function Clear cache in the application settings.
• 🔹 If you are playing, try transferring only a part of the data through Settings. → Annexes → Warehouse → Transfer data to SD.

Mistake 3: The system cannot see SD-map after formatting as an internal.

Possible causes:

• 🔸 Solution: Check it on a PC with the help of H2testw.
• 🔸 Incompatible format. Solution: format the card on a PC in FAT32 and repeat the procedure.
• 🔸 Conflict with the second SIM. Solution: Extract SIM hybrid-slot.

💡

If the phone warms up or runs out quickly after formatting the SD as internal memory, check the card for authenticity. Fake cards (especially non-neume brands) often have low speeds and cause an increased load on the processor.

Alternative ways to free up memory in Redmi 5

If porting applications to SD didn’t help or work well, try these methods to free up internal memory:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. This can release up to 1 to 3 GB.
• 📂 Transfer Media: Use Google Photos to automatically upload photos/videos to the cloud, then delete local copies.
• 🎮 Cleaning these games: in Settings → Applications select the game (for example, PUBG) and click Clear Data (Progress will be removed!).
• 🔄 Use Lite versions: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Messenger with Messenger Lite, etc.
• 🗑️ Removal of unnecessary APK: Check the Download folder for old installation files.

Hidden MIUI: Redmi 5 has a built-in memory optimizer to run it:

1. Go to Settings → Further → Optimization.
2. Choose Deep Cleanup.
3. The system will prompt you to delete temporary files and residual data of remote applications.

If internal storage is critically lacking, consider upgrading to the Redmi Note 7/8 — these models start at 64GB, and they support microSD without such rigid restrictions.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions