How to transfer applications to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Xiaomi smartphone owners (including the Redmi series) POCO) Often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with 32 or 64 GB of storage. One obvious way to free up space is to transfer applications to a memory card, but in the case of a computer. MIUI This feature doesn't work as straight as it does on pure Android, depending on the shell version, the smartphone model and the type of Android. SD-Cards are available in different ways: from built-in tools to manual transfer through ADB.

It’s important to understand that since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has officially restricted the ability to migrate applications to external drives — this is due to security policies and performance optimization. However, workarounds exist, and in this article we’ll break down all the current ways, including hidden settings, third-party utilities and technical nuances (for example, why some applications can’t be ported even if root rights are available), and you’ll learn how to properly format a memory card for use as internal storage and what risks this carries.

Why Xiaomi is limiting the portability of applications SD-map

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones (especially versions 12 and later) block the standard function of transferring applications to the memory card available in vanilla Android.

• 🔒 Data security: Annexes to the SD-It is easier to steal or replace the card, especially if the drive is removed from the device.
• ⚡ Performance: Memory cards (even class) A2) They are slower than the built-in memory. eMMC/UFS, what might cause the lags.
• 📱 Optimization MIUI: The shell actively uses cache and background processes that are poorly compatible with external drives.
• 🛠️ Technical limitations: Some applications (e.g. system or OBB-Files) do not support transfers in principle.

However, the restrictions can be circumvented, in part or in whole, depending on the smartphone model and firmware version. MIUI 11 and older formatting option is sometimes available SD-The card is an internal storage device, but it is hidden in the developer or requires ADB. And some models. POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) application portability remains open access.

⚠️ Warning: Formatting a memory card as an internal storage card will encrypt it and bind it to a particular device, and once the card is removed, the data on it will not be available on other gadgets.

Method 1: Built-in portability (for older versions of MIUI)

If your smartphone is running MIUI 10 or earlier, there is a chance that the app port option is still available through standard settings.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to migrate (like Facebook or Spotify).
3. Click on Warehouse.
4. If there is a button, move to SD-Map – press it and wait for the process to be completed.

On newer versions (MIUI 12/13/14), this menu item is usually not available, but on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO F1) it can be returned via developer mode:

Turn on the phone in the settings|7 times press the version MIUI|Go back to the main settings menu and find more. → For developers|Activate the Debugging option USB-->

Once you activate the developer mode, try to reopen the app settings — sometimes the transfer button appears. If not, move to the next way.

Method 2: Formatting SD-maps as internal storage

This method allows you to combine the memory card with the internal drive, and then the system will perceive it as part of the main memory, advantage: you can carry most applications.

• 🔐 The card will be encrypted and tied to the device.
• ⚠️ When you remove the map, the application will stop working on it.
• 🐢 Application speed may decrease (depending on class) SD-map).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-Card to smartphone (class recommended) A2 or UHS-I).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Click on your name. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
4. In the upper right corner, tap three points (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
5. Click Format as Internal and confirm the action.
6. After formatting, select Move Data Now (optional).

If there is no internal format, then your version of MIUI is hiding it, in which case ADB will help (see next section).

⚠️ Warning: Once formatted as an internal storage card, it will not be read on a PC or other phone without completely erasing the data!

Method 3: Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Install. ADB-PC drivers (Windows/macOS/Linux).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in the developer settings (see checklist above).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
4. Open the command line (or Terminal) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, type a port command (replace package.name with the application package name, such as com.facebook.katana):

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

The command sets the priority of installation on SD-map for all new applications. To transfer an already installed application, use:

adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana

If the team returns a Failure error [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], means the application does not support transfer.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (such as Mi Home or Security) cannot be migrated even through the ADB. Trying to do this can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI.

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If previous methods didn't work, you can try specialized apps from Google Play that automate portability.

• 📲 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — It shows you what apps you can migrate, and it does it in one tap. MIUI, not all models.
• 🔄 Files by Google – has a built-in application manager with cache clearing and transfer options (limited).
• 🛠️ SD Maid is a deep cleaning utility that can help make room in alternative ways.

Example of AppMgr III:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the App Settings.
3. In the list, mark the apps you want to migrate (they will be marked in green if they support porting).
4. Click Transfer and wait until completion.

Note: Even if the utility shows that transfer is possible, some applications (for example, games with the help of a mobile device) OBB-Files may not work properly after moving.

💡

Before transferring the game, check whether it supports data storage on the SD-For example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile require internal memory to be used for the OBB-files and transferring them will lead to errors.

What to do if the application is not portable

Not all applications can be migrated to a memory card, even with ADB or root rights.

If the app is critically important but not portable, consider alternatives:

• 🗃️ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move your media files (photos, videos) to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Lite versions of apps: For example, Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite take up much less space.
• 📁 Media only portability: Some apps (like WhatsApp) can manually specify the path to the media SD-bootloader.

Risks and consequences of transferring applications to SD-map

Moving applications to an external drive can solve the memory shortage problem, but has a number of disadvantages:

1. Performance decline: Memory cards (even A2 class) are slower than internal memory, as you can see when you run heavy applications or games.
2. Risk of data loss: SD-The cards are more vulnerable to physical damage and malfunction, and when you extract the map, the applications on the map will stop working.
3. Update issues: Some apps (like Google Play Services) may refuse to update if installed on an external drive.
4. MIUI limitations: Xiaomi can block the portability of critical applications (e.g. Mi Security) and cause system failures.

If you do decide to move apps, follow these tips to minimize the risks:

Use the class memory card A2 or UHS-I|Create a backup copy of important data|Do not carry system applications|Check the card for errors periodically (via Settings) → Warehouse → Verification SD-map)-->

If applications start to fly out or slow down after transferring, return them to internal memory through the same settings.

💡

Transfer of applications to SD-For long-term use, it's best to consider buying a smartphone with a large amount of memory or cleaning the cache regularly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving apps to Xiaomi