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

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI Often faced with a lack of internal memory, especially in budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage. migrating applications to a memory card seems logical solution, but here users are waiting for nuances: Not all firmware versions support this function directly, and some applications refuse to work from an external medium. SD-map in Xiaomi devices, including hidden settings, circumvention of restrictions and alternative methods.

It’s important to understand that since Android 6.0 Marshmallow (and the corresponding versions of MIUI 8+), Google has imposed strict restrictions on external drives, manufacturers including Xiaomi have been forced to adapt their shells to these rules, so methods that worked on older versions (such as full formatting of the map as internal memory) are now either unavailable or work with reservations. We have tested all the methods described below on current models — from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra — and are ready to share honest results.

Preparation of a memory card: requirements and formatting

Before trying to migrate applications, you need to properly prepare the microSD card itself, and not all media are suitable for this task, and improper formatting can lead to data loss or unstable system operation.

Requirements for the memory card:

• 🔹 Speed class: minimum class 10 (UHS-I/UHS-II Class Class cards are recommended. 4 or below can cause lags.
• 🔹 Size: 16 GB (but better 32 GB and higher) Cards less than 16 GB system may not offer formatting as internal memory.
• 🔹 File system: exFAT or FAT32 portable, Ext4 (or similar) when formatted as an internal drive.
• 🔹 Manufacturer: Preference brands SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston – they are better optimized for working with Android.

If you plan to use the card as internal memory (which allows you to install applications on it), it will have to be formatted directly in your smartphone, which will irreversibly delete all data from the media and encrypt it for your device - once removed, the card will not be read on another phone or PC without formatting.

⚠️ Note: If you format the card as internal memory and then retrieve it without properly "mounting" (via Settings) → Memory, this can cause the applications that are installed on it to crash. Always use secure extraction!

Method 1: Formatting a card as internal memory (MIUI 12 and later)

This is the cleanest method that Xiaomi officially supports in the latest firmware versions, but it has significant limitations:

1. It doesn’t work on all models (for example, this option may not be available on the POCO F3).
2. Not all applications agree to be installed on an external drive.
3. Once formatted, the card will not be used on other devices without data loss.

Step-by-step:

1. Put the memory card in the smartphone.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory.
3. Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
4. Choose Format as internal (or internal Storage in English version of MIUI).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (may take 5-10 minutes).
6. After the device is restarted, the card will be displayed as part of the internal memory.

Back up your data from the card | Charge your phone at least 50% | Connect to stable Wi-Fi (required for optimization) |Close all background apps-->

Now you can move apps to the map through Settings → Applications → Application Management.

• 📌 System applications and some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile does not support portability.
• 📌 Some applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may not work stable from external memory.
• 📌 Speed of downloading applications with SD-The card will be lower than the internal memory.

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If you don’t have the option of formatting as internal memory, try updating your MIUI to the latest version or checking the card for errors through your PC (SD Card Formatter utility from the SD Association).

Method 2: Transfer applications through settings (without formatting)

If you don't want to format the card as internal memory, you can try migrating applications that are already installed, which doesn't work with all programs, but sometimes helps to free up a few gigabytes.

How to transfer the application to SD-map:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to port (like Spotify or VK).
3. Put it on the store (or store).
4. If the option is available, you will see the Change or Change button – click it.
5. Select a Memory Card (or SD Card) and confirm the transfer.

Pay attention to a few key points:

• 🔄 Not all applications support portability. If no button, the developer has banned it.
• 🔄 Only parts of the data (such as cache or additional files) are transferred, not the entire application itself.
• 🔄 After the port, some features may work slower (for example, downloading maps to Google Maps).

16GB|32GB|64GB|128GB and more|Do not use-->

⚠️ Note: If the application starts to crash or fails to open after the transfer, return it to internal memory. Some programs (for example, Banking applications or Google Pay) block work from external media for security reasons.

Method 3: Using ADB for forced transfer (for experienced)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — a debugging tool that allows you to manually specify to the system which applications can be ported to SD-This requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm set-install-location 2

This command forces the system to default to install applications on SD-card (if formatted as internal). To return the default settings, use:

pm set-install-location 0

To transfer a specific application, use:

pm move-package com.example.app

(Replace com.example.app with a real app package, such as com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).

This method does not work on all versions of MIUI — in some firmware Xiaomi blocks the pm move-package command. Also note that forced porting can lead to unstable application performance.

Method 4: Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If none of the above methods worked, consider alternative options:

1.Use of the card as a portable storage for application files

Some applications (such as Google Maps or Spotify) allow you to save data (maps, music) to the Internet. SD-This is the map:

• 🎵 In Spotify: Settings → Sound quality → Download folder → choose SD-map.
• 🗺️ In Google Maps: Profile → Offline maps → Settings → Memory of the device → choose SD-map.

2.Install applications on the map via APK

Some.apk files allow you to select a save location when you install them.

1. Download the.apk file of the application (for example, with APKMirror).
2. Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) to install it.
3. When requesting the installation location, select SD-Card (if the option is available).

3. Application of third-party launchers

Some launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) allow you to hide applications installed on the memory card from the system, which does not solve the problem of memory shortage, but helps organize the desktop.

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Starting with Android 9 and MIUI 11, Google and Xiaomi severely limited the ability to work with SD-Most of the current methods are workarounds, not full-fledged solutions.

Limitations and risks in use SD-mapping

Before you transfer applications to an external drive, familiarize yourself with possible problems:

Also note that:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: working with SD-The card requires additional energy, especially if the card is slow.
• 🛡️ Security risks: some banking applications block work from external media.
• 🔄 Productivity decline: Games and heavy apps (such as Photoshop Express) can slow down.

If your goal is simply to make room for your internal memory, consider alternatives:

• 🧹 Cleaning cache and unnecessary files through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• ☁️ Transfer photos and videos to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• 🗑️ Remove unused applications (check in Settings) → Annexes → Unused).

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing applications on SD-map