The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, released in 2019, is still a popular device due to its balance between price and performance. However, one of the main problems that owners of this model face after a while is the lack of internal storage. Basic versions of the device often come with 32 or 64 GB of internal memory, of which a significant part is occupied by system files and preinstalled applications, leaving the user with very little free space for personal needs.
When the space is running out, the operating system is slowing down and new applications are no longer available, and that's when you start buying an external drive, and a properly designed microSD card can not only solve the space shortage, but also extend the life of your gadget by allowing you to store thousands of photos and hours of video without having to constantly clean the cache.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical nuances of choosing a media for this particular model, discuss the difference between speed classes and explain why cheap cards from Chinese stores can cost you lost data.
Technical limitations and compatibility of Redmi Note 8
Before you go to an electronics store or order online, you need to clearly understand the hardware capabilities of your smartphone. Redmi Note 8 is equipped with a hybrid slot, which means the ability to install either two or more devices. SIM-card SIM-Support for memory cards is claimed by the manufacturer up to 256 GB, but in practice the device often works correctly with more capacious drives, for example, 512 GB or even 1 TB, if they are formatted into the correct file system.
The key is the connectivity interface. The smartphone supports both microSDHC and microSDXC. This means you can use both old-format cards (up to 32 GB) and new cards (up to 64 GB and up). However, using cards larger than 32 GB requires formatting to the exFAT file system that Android supports out of the box on this model, but sometimes manual intervention may be required if read errors occur.
⚠️ Note: Using memory cards larger than 256 GB from unknown manufacturers can lead to unstable operation of the system, as the smartphone memory controller may incorrectly address large amounts of data on cheap chips.
It is also important to consider the physical size and type of contacts. Xiaomi needs microSD cards, standard ones. SD-If you buy a card, you'll notice if you have an adapter. SD, It can be useful for reading data on a computer, but it is not necessary for working on a phone.
Selection criteria: speed classes and UHS standards
The most common mistake buyers make is focusing only on volume and price, ignoring speed performance. For a modern smartphone that constantly writes and reads data in the background, write and read speed is critical. You can find many markings on the memory card, and each of them carries specific information about the performance of the drive.
First of all, look at the speed class, denoted by the number inside the letter "C". For Redmi Note 8, the minimum acceptable is Class 10, which guarantees a recording speed of at least 10 MB / s. However, for comfortable work with applications and recording video in high resolution, this is not enough. The most important parameter is the speed class. UHS (Ultra High Speed, which is indicated by a number inside the letter "U".
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Look for cards labeled U3 (the number 3 inside the letter U) – this guarantees a minimum recording speed of 30 MB / s, which is necessary for shooting video in 4K, although the smartphone itself writes video in 1080p, the speed reserve will ensure the stability of the system.
There's also a "V" label for the video speed class, and the best choice for your device is the standard. V30. Cards with a lower index (V10) can cause delays when saving photos in a series shoot or slowing the interface when moving heavy files.
Memory: The middle ground for your budget
If the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is used as a main media player for watching movies on the road or as a storage for navigation maps, the minimum reasonable volume today is 64 GB. Cards with a capacity of 16 or 32 GB are already obsolete and at a price per gigabyte often lose to more capacious counterparts.
The best choice for most users will be a 128GB card, which allows you to store tens of thousands of photos, hundreds of hours of music and several dozen high-quality movies, while remaining within the price range available to the mass buyer.
If you plan to use your smartphone for video or storage of a large archive of documents, it is worth considering the option of 256 GB. Buying cards with a capacity of 512 GB and above for this model makes sense only if you know for sure that the internal controller of the phone will cope with such volume without losing performance, which is not always guaranteed for devices of 2019 release.
Proven manufacturers and models of memory cards
The memory card market is oversupplied, but trust only established brands that use original memory chips and provide real, not claimed capacity. Buying cards of unknown Chinese brands from marketplaces often leads to the purchase of fakes, where the real volume is 10-20% of what is claimed, and the rest of the space either does not work or cyclically overwrites old files.
Market leaders whose products work consistently with Xiaomi devices are SanDisk, Samsung and Kingston. For example, the SanDisk Ultra series or Samsung EVO Plus have proven to be reliable solutions for mid-range smartphones, these cards have good protection against overheating, which is important for a slot in a smartphone where the cooling is passive.
Below is a comparison table of popular models suitable for the Redmi Note 8:
| Model map | Class speed | Max, reading speed. | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Ultra | Class 10 / U1 | up to 100 Mb/s | 10 years. |
| Samsung EVO Plus | Class 10 / U3 | up to 130 Mb/s | 10 years. |
| Kingston Canvas Select | Class 10 / U1 | up to 100 Mb/s | Lifelong. |
| SanDisk Extreme | Class 10 / U3 / V30 | up to 160 Mb/s | Lifelong. |
When choosing a particular model, pay attention to the packaging. Original maps often have holograms, QR-- authentication codes on the manufacturer's website and high-quality printing.
Instructions for installation and initial configuration
Once you buy a memory card, you need to install it correctly and configure it. In Redmi Note 8, the SIM card and memory tray is located on the bottom end of the case. Use a special paper clip that comes with the kit or a thin needle to remove the tray. Be careful when removing it so as not to damage the mechanism.
Insert the memory card into the appropriate tray compartment, observing the position of the contacts (they should look down or up depending on the design of the tray, usually the diagram is drawn on the tray itself). Once the tray is installed back in the smartphone, the Android system automatically detects a new drive.
☑️ Checking the installation of the map
The first thing you do when you find a card is to format it with your smartphone, and that will create the right folder structure for Android to work. Go to Settings → Phone → Storage. If the system suggests formatting the drive, you'll agree. Remember, formatting will remove all the data from the card, so if it's written on it, back it up on your PC.
⚠️ Warning: Never remove a memory card while writing data or applications are running, which can cause file system damage and loss of information.
Using the card as internal memory
One of the most useful features of Android on Xiaomi devices is the ability to use the memory card as an extension of internal memory.This allows you to install applications directly to an external drive, freeing up precious space in the main storage system.
To activate this function, go to the storage settings, select your memory card and click the menu button (three dots), then select "Storage settings" and "Format as internal storage." The system will warn that the card will be encrypted and can not be used on other devices without re-formatting.
Pros and cons of using as internal memory
This method is especially relevant for the Redmi Note 8 versions with 32 GB of internal memory. However, it is worth considering that memory cards have a limited resource of overwriting cycles. When used as a system partition, the card can fail faster than with conventional photo and video storage.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Even if installed correctly, users can encounter errors, and a common problem is the message "Memory card damaged" or "Formatting required." If you're sure the card is working, try cleaning the brass contacts on the card with a soft wipe or an alcohol wipe, since contact oxidation is a common cause of failures.
Another problem is the slow read/write speed, which may be due to the file system, and if the card is formatted in FAT32, it may not work properly with files larger than 4 GB. This requires exFAT formatting, and the speed may drop if the card is more than 90% full.
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Regular backup of data from a memory card to a computer or to the cloud is the only way to ensure the safety of information in the event of a sudden failure of the drive.
If the phone stops seeing the card after the system update, try formatting it again through the smartphone settings. SIM-cards whose contacts may have oxidized or straightened.