How to increase memory on Xiaomi Mi 9T: from memory card to hidden MIUI settings

The Xiaomi Mi 9T (also known as the Redmi K20 in some regions) is still a popular smartphone due to its balance of performance and price. However, its basic configuration with 64 or 128 GB of internal memory often becomes a bottleneck for users who actively shoot 4K video, install heavy games or store large media libraries. Unlike the flagships with 512 GB on board, owners of the Mi 9T have to find ways to expand the available space.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of increasing memory, from the obvious (microSD cards) to the little-known (hidden MIUI functions, cloud services with bonus space, optimization of system files). Particular attention will be paid to the risks and limitations: for example, why you should not format a memory card as an internal one if you often reflash your smartphone, or how to clean the cache correctly so as not to break the applications. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and checked on Mi 9T with Android 10-12 firmware.

1. MicroSD Memory Card: How to Choose and Configure

The easiest way to expand memory is to install a microSD card. Xiaomi Mi 9T supports up to 512 GB, but there are nuances here:

• 🔹 Speed class: for recording video in 4K or play needs a class UHS-I (U3) or A2 — Otherwise, it'll be lags.
• 🔹 Formatting: The smartphone will offer to use the card as a portable storage (files manually) or internal memory (automatic distribution.
• 🔹 Brands: avoid no-name cards - they often "lose" volume. Best options: SanDisk Extreme, Samsung EVO Plus, Kingston Canvas Go!.

To set up the card as an internal memory:

1. Insert the card into the slot (hybrid, so you can’t use two SIM + microSDs at the same time).
2. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card.
3. Select Configure as internal storage and follow the instructions. Attention: after that, the map will not be read on other devices without formatting!

⚠️ Note: If you plan to update your firmware through Fastboot or Recovery, the internal memory card can be formatted automatically!

2.Inline memory optimization: what can be safely removed

Before buying a memory card, try to free up space on the built-in drive. MIUI has hidden tools for this:

• 🧹 Application Cash: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management, select any and click Clear cache. Use Settings for bulk cleaning → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🎬 Mini-video and duplicates: in the gallery MIUI There's a built-in tool for finding similar photos and videos. Open the album, click … → Management → Search for duplicates.
• 📁 System log files: in the folder /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log Gigabytes of debugging information can be stored, and delete it through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer).

For deep cleaning, use the developer mode:

1. Activate it by pressing the MIUI version 7 times in Settings → About phone.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable Do Not Save Actions (reduces the size of logs).

3. Transfer of applications to a memory card (with restrictions)

MIUI allows you to transfer some applications to microSD, but with important limitations:

• ⚠️ Not all apps support portability (especially system and piracy-protected games).
• ⚠️ After the transfer, the application can run slower (depending on the speed of the card).
• ⚠️ When you remove the card, the application will stop working.

Instructions for transfer:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and click Storage.
3. If the option to Change is available, select the memory card and confirm.

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Before transferring the game to the memory card, check it for speed using the A1 SD Bench application. If the recording speed is below 20 MB / s, the game will slow down.

For forced transfer (only for power users), you can use ADB:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install new applications on the memory card by default.

4. Cloud Storage: How to Get Free Place

If physical memory expansion is not possible, use cloud services. For Xiaomi Mi 9T, the following are relevant:

• ☁️ Google Drive: 15GB free. Google Photos can enable High Quality (unlimited storage of compressed photos).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, but only synced with Xiaomi account.Suitable for backups SMS contact.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk: 10GB free + Bonuses for inviting friends. There's an automatic photo upload.
• ☁️ Mega: 20GB free (but download speed is limited).

To automate uploading of photos to the cloud:

1. Install the Google Photos or Yandex Disk app.
2. In the settings, enable Autoboot and Synchronization.
3. Select which folders to sync (for example, DCIM/Camera only).

Install the cloud storage app |Enable autoload photo/video |Configure a restriction on mobile traffic |Check available space on your account-->

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud, backups are only created when connecting to Wi-Fi and charging. If you turn off these conditions in the settings, copies may not be saved!

5. Hidden MIUI features to save memory

MIUI has built-in memory optimization tools that many users don’t notice:

• 🔄 Light mode: in Settings → Special facilities → Light mode can enable a simplified interface that reduces the cache size of system applications.
• 📦 Data compression: in Settings → Connections and sharing → Use of data → Data compression is enabled by saving traffic, which indirectly reduces the amount of files downloaded.
• 🗑️ Autocleaning: in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup → Settings can be set to automatically clean the cache at a low memory level.

Another useful trick is to disable the preloading of applications:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select the app and turn off AutoRun and Secondary Start.

This will reduce background activity and reduce the size of temporary files.

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The function of Deep Cleaning in MIUI (available by long pressing the "Clean" button in the storage) removes not only the cache, but also unnecessary APK-files, remnants of remote applications and empty folders.

Alternative methods: OTG-drive-and-drive

If none of the methods are suitable, consider unconventional solutions:

• 🔌 OTG-flash drive: Xiaomi Mi 9T supportive USB OTG. You can connect a flash drive or an external one. SSD (need an adapter USB-C → USB-A). Read/write speeds will be faster than microSD.
• 🌐 Network storage (NAS): If you have a router at home USB-port (for example, Xiaomi Mi Router), connect to it hard drive and configure access over the local network.
• 🖥️ FTP-server on PC: with the help of FileZilla Server you can organize access to files on your computer directly from your smartphone (useful for large media libraries).

For connection OTG-storage:

1. Buy a USB-C → USB-A adapter (original from Xiaomi or certified).
2. Connect the flash drive to the adapter and insert into the smartphone.
3. In the notifications will appear the option Open – click it to manage the files.

To set up FTP-server:

1. Install FileZilla Server on your PC.




2. Create a user and specify a folder to access.




3 On your smartphone, install FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer and connect to ftp://[IP_ your PC].

7.Extreme measures: factory reset and firmware

If the memory is full of system debris and no method works, it leaves a complete reset or flashing, which will delete all the data, but return the smartphone to a "clean" state.

Resetting instructions:

1. Reserve data (photos, contacts, messages) through Mi Cloud or Google Account.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.

For power users, there is an option to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which often take up less space than MIUI.

• Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
• TWRP Recovery installations.
• Backup EFS-section (responsible for IMEI).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Mi 9T newer-stitched MIUI 12.5 unlocking the bootloader can lead to a binding Xiaomi account for 72 hours!

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory enhancement