What memory cards supports Xiaomi Redmi 9A: official requirements and tips for choosing

Why does Redmi 9A need a memory card?

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its internal memory (32 or 64 GB depending on the modification) is quickly running out. High-resolution photos, videos, apps and cache of social networks take gigabytes, and cleaning the memory becomes routine. The solution is a microSD card, but not any one will work. The manufacturer imposes restrictions on the type, volume and class of the drive speed, and the wrong choice can lead to read errors, slow operation or even damage files.

In this article, we will discuss in detail:

  • πŸ”Ή Official Memory Card Requirements for Redmi 9A (including limitations on size and format).
  • πŸ”Ή What's the speed class (A1, A2, U1, U3) necessary for smooth operation.
  • πŸ”Ή Top.-5 Proven card brands that are guaranteed to work without failure.
  • πŸ”Ή Step-by-step instructions for installation and formatting (with nuances for MIUI).

You will also learn which memory cards are strongly discouraged from using with the Redmi 9A – even if they β€œseem” to be suitable for the specifications.

πŸ“Š How much memory is your Redmi? 9A?
32GB
64GB
128 GB (if completed)
I don't know.

Official Specifications: What Does Xiaomi Say?

In the technical documentation for Xiaomi Redmi 9A stated that the smartphone supports memory cards format microSD (not miniSD or SD!) with a maximum capacity of up to 512 GB. However, this is a theoretical limit – in practice, it all depends on the version of the firmware MIUI and hardware limitations of a particular device.

Important nuances:

  • πŸ“Œ File system format: the smartphone works only with FAT32 (for cards up to 32 GB) and exFAT (for cards up to 64 GB). NTFS, she's not gonna decide.
  • πŸ“Œ Slot for the card: at Redmi 9A Hybrid slot (2 nano-SIM) + microSD or 1 nano-SIM + So, you have to donate a second memory card to install it. SIM-card.
  • πŸ“Œ Support for Adoptable Storage: In MIUI This feature is disabled by default. The card will only be used to store files, not as an extension of internal memory.

ParameterXiaomi RequirementsExpert recommendations
Map formatmicroSD (up to 512 GB)Optimally 128–256 GB (price/volume)
Class speedMinimum Class 10A2 or U3 record 4K-video
File systemFAT32/exFATFormat in exFAT for cards >32 GB
BrandAnybody.SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston (fewer fakes)

⚠️ Note: If you have purchased a Redmi 9A In 2020-2021, check the firmware version. MIUI 12 were bugs with cards over 256GB, which could be undetectable or buggy. Update to the latest version! Speed class: which one to choose for Redmi 9A? The speed class of the memory card directly affects the performance of the smartphone. - For Redmi 9A The minimum threshold is Class 10 (10 MB/s), but that's only enough to store photos and music. HD or 4K, If you play games from a card or use it as your primary storage for applications, you need a faster option: πŸ”„ Class 10 (10 MB/s): Minimum threshold for Redmi 9A. Suitable for photography and music. πŸ”„ UHS-I U1 (10MB/s: same as Class 10, but with tyre support UHS (Not critical for a budget smartphone). πŸ”„ UHS-I U3 (30 MB/s: optimal for recording video in 4K and start games from the map. πŸ”„ A1/A2: application-class. A2 (4000/2000 IOPS) better MIUI, If you're migrating software there, recommendation: For most Redmi users 9A Enough with the Class card. 10 or U1. If you are actively shooting videos or playing, take it. U3 or A2. overpay UHS-II (before 300 MB/s) does not make sense: the smartphone does not support such speeds. πŸ’‘Before buying, check the card for authenticity with the help of the utility H2testw (for Windows or F3 (for Linux/Mac). Counterfeiting under well-known brands often have an understated speed and real volume.-5 Memory cards for Xiaomi Redmi 9A: There are many counterfeits on the market, especially under the SanDisk and Samsung brands. We have selected 5 models that work with Redmi. 9A without failure (according to user reviews and tests): πŸ₯‡ SanDisk Ultra microSDXC 128GB A1 U1 β€” Best price/quality balance. read speeds up to 120MB/s, suitable for Full Video HD. πŸ₯ˆ Samsung EVO Plus 256GB U3 A2 β€” optimally 4K-Video and gaming: Record speeds up to 90MB/s. πŸ₯‰ Kingston Canvas Go! Plus 128GB A2 β€” SanDisk's budget alternative. Good for apps. 4️⃣ Lexar Professional 1066x 128GB U3 β€” for professional shooting (speed up to 160 MB / s). 5️⃣ Silicon Power Superior 64GB A1 β€” The cheapest way to store photos and music. ⚠️ Warning: Avoid cards without a brand logo, with typos in the name (such as β€œSanDisk” instead of β€œSanDisk”) or suspiciously low price. Check the packaging for holograms and protective stickers|Check the serial number on the manufacturer's website|Buy from official dealers (for example, in Xiaomi stores)|Compare the price to the average market (too cheap) = fake)--> How to Install and Format a Memory Card in Redmi 9A? The process of installing a memory card in Redmi 9A simple, but there are nuances with formatting and setting in MIUI. Follow the instructions: πŸ“± Turn off your smartphone (required!) Removing the card on the device on can damage files. πŸ”§ Find a card slot on the left side of your smartphone. Use a paper clip or tool from the kit to open the tray. πŸ“ Place the microSD card in the slot with the tags upwards (otherwise it won't stick in). If you use 2 SIM-cards, one of them has to be removed. πŸ”„ Turn on the phone. In 10-15 seconds, the notification will appear "New". SD-map discoveredΒ». πŸ› οΈ Go to Settings. β†’ Warehouse β†’ Memory card and select "Format as internal" (if you want to expand memory) or "Format as portable" (if only for files). Important! When formatting as internal memory: πŸ” The card will be encrypted and work only on this smartphone. πŸ“‰ Part of the volume (up to 10%) will be occupied by system files MIUI. 🚫 You can't just pull out a map, you'll have to mount it in the settings first. What do you do if you have Redmi? 9A Does the card not see the memory card? 1. Check if the card is inserted correctly (marks up). 2. Reboot the smartphone. 3. Try formatting the card on a PC in the computer. FAT32 or exFAT (through the program) SD 4 If the card is still undetectable, test it on another device β€” it may be damaged. 5. In extreme cases, update the firmware MIUI Up to the latest version (bugs with the SD-Frequent errors and how to avoid them Even if the memory card is compatible with Redmi 9A, Users often face problems. Here are the most common mistakes and their solutions: 🚫 Β«Map damaged" - usually occurs when improperly extracted. format the card only through your smartphone (Settings β†’ Storage, not through PC. 🚫 Slow work -- check the speed class. If a Class 4 card, it'll slow down when you're recording video. 🚫 Applications are not installed on the map - in MIUI By default, apps are put into internal memory. To transfer, go to Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Select an application β†’ Warehouse β†’ Change. 🚫 The map heats up – this is normal when recording intensively (for example, shooting). 4K-Videos, but if it's hot in the simple, it's probably fake. ⚠️ Warning: If you use the card as internal memory, do not remove it without first "mounting" in the settings! MIUI. To safely remove the card, go to Settings. β†’ Warehouse β†’ Memory map β†’ Fix it. πŸ’‘For maximum compatibility with Redmi 9A Choose a memory card up to the size 256 GB, speed class U3/A2 And the brands SanDisk, Samsung or Kingston. Format them in exFAT directly on your smartphone. FAQ: Answers to popular questions ❓ Is it possible to Redmi? 9A use the memory card 1 TB? Theoretically, the smartphone supports cards up to 512 GB, but in practice, the size of the maps 1 TB may not be detected or may not work as it is, due to the limitations of the memory controller in the budget chipsets of MediaTek Helio. G25. We recommend that you stay at 256 GB. ❓ Why did the smartphone become slower after installing a memory card? This happens if you have moved apps to a slow card (e.g. Class). 4 or 6). MIUI It's constantly accessing storage, and low read/write speeds are slowing down the system. Solution: Move critical apps back to internal memory or buy a class card. A2/U3. ❓ Can I use a memory card from an old phone? Yes, but it needs to be formatted in Redmi. 9A. If the card was previously used as an internal memory on another device, it can be encrypted and not identified. Also check its speed class - if it is an old Class card. 2, It's not gonna fit. ❓ How do I transfer applications to a memory card? MIUI This is done manually: Go to Settings β†’ Apps. Select the application you want. Click on "StorageΒ» β†’ Β«ChangeΒ» β†’ Select a memory card. Not all applications support portability (e.g. system or c) DRM-protection). ❓ What if the memory card is no longer defined? Try the following steps: Reboot the smartphone. Remove the card and check it on the PC (possibly damaged). FAT32 or exFAT through the program SD If nothing helps, replace the card (the controller may have failed).