Where to store applications on Xiaomi: all possible ways to install on Android

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the question: where do apps install on their devices? This topic is especially relevant when there is a lack of internal memory or after buying a new microSD card. Unlike iOS, where all applications are rigidly tied to the system partition, Android on Xiaomi offers more flexibility - but also more confusion.

In fact, there are at least four storage locations on Xiaomi: the main internal memory, partition. /data/app, virtual volume app_apex for system components and, under certain conditions — SD-And even if you install an application on a memory card, part of it still stays in the device's internal memory. Why this happens and how to manage this process, we'll see below.

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1. Main installation location: /data/app partition in internal memory

By default, all applications on Xiaomi (as well as on any other Android devices) are installed in the secure /data/app section. This directory is not available without root rights, but it can be seen through ADB or file managers with advanced rights (for example, MiXplorer).

• 📦 APK-Application files themselves (in hashed name folders)
• 🗃️ Application data in /data/data/[package_name]
• 🔄 Cash and temporary files in /data/app-lib (for older versions of Android)

The volume of this partition is strictly limited by the manufacturer. For example, on the Redmi Note 11 with 128 GB of memory, about 100 GB is allocated for /data, the rest is occupied by system files. You can find out the exact size in the settings: Settings → About phone → Memory.

⚠️ Note: If you see in the settings that internal memory is full but can’t find large files, check the folder. /data/app through ADB. Often there accumulate “junk” data from remote applications that are not cleaned automatically.

Interestingly, even after deleting the application, its folder in /data/data It can remain — this is due to the mechanism of Android Package Manager. ADB team:

adb shell pm clear [package_name]

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2. Virtual Volumes: Where System Applications Are Stored

System applications (such as Mi Browser, Security, or Gallery) are installed in protected areas rather than in /data/app.

• 🛡️ /system/priv-app — Privileged System Applications
• 🔧 /system/app — standard system applications
• 📱 /apex — modules APEX (starting with Android 10)

These partitions are mounted in read-only (ro) mode, so they can’t be changed without unlocking the bootloader and modifying the firmware. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the /apex folder takes up about 1.2 GB – it includes critical components like com.android.art (ART runtime) or com.android.tzdata (time zone data).

If you are trying to remove the system application through ADB team pm uninstall -k --user 0 [package_name], It will disappear from the menu, but its files will remain in the menu. /system. Complete removal is possible only through de-dexed firmware.

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Installation on SD-map: myths and reality

Many Xiaomi users buy microSD cards in the hope of migrating apps to free up internal memory, but there are a few nuances:

1. Not all applications support portability. The developer must explicitly specify android:installLocation="preferExternal" in the manifesto.
2. Even the ported application takes up space in the internal memory, and only a fraction of the data (usually 50-70%) moves to the map.
3. Productivity is falling. SD-maps (even UHS-I) slower-than-integrated memory UFS 2.2/3.1.

To transfer the supported application to the map:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate application.
3. Press "Storage" → "Change" → "SD-map".

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 12+ portability SD It may be blocked for certain models (for example, POCO F4 or Redmi K50). This is due to Google’s Adoptable Storage Policy.

If there is no transfer option, you can try to cheat the system through ADB:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command forces Android to install apps on SD by default, but doesn’t work on all Xiaomi devices.

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4. Hidden folders and cache: where else are the applications "hiding"

In addition to the main storage locations, Xiaomi apps leave traces in other folders:

• 🗑️ /data/dalvik-cache — optimized DEX-files to speed up application launches.
• 📁 /data/media/0/Android/obb — Additional game data (e.g., graphics packages for Genshin Impact).
• 🔄 /cache — Temporary update files and system process cache.

The obb folder is especially important for gamers. For example, Call of Duty: Mobile can take up to 2 GB in this directory. You can clean it manually or through Settings → Memory → Cleanup.

Interesting fact: on Xiaomi with MIUI 14 file appeared /data/app-asec, where encrypted containers for applications installed on SD-This is part of the App Encryption mechanism, which protects data from being read on other devices.

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5. How to change the default location

Xiaomi does not have a built-in option to change the location of the app (unlike some Samsung or Huawei devices).

Method 1: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

This method (Adoptable Storage) allows you to combine SD-memory-card:

1. Put the card in the slot.
2. When a notification appears, select "Settings" → "Internal Memory".
3. Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).

After that, the system will suggest installing apps on the map, but this method does not work on devices with MIUI 13+ due to Google's limitations.

Method 2: Using ADB

For advanced users, a team will be suitable:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

Where:

• 0 – Automatic selection (by default).
• 1 is internal memory.
• 2 - External memory (SD-map).

⚠️ Attention: POCO X3 Pro and other devices with MIUI 12.5 Enhanced this command may cause Google Play Services to crash!

💡

If you often install heavy games, consider buying a Xiaomi smartphone with UFS 3.1 (such as the Xiaomi 12T Pro). read/write speeds are 3-5 times faster than microSD UHS-I, which is critical for modern games.

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6.Memory Optimization: How to Free Up Space Without Deleting Applications

If your internal memory is full but you don’t want to delete apps, try these methods:

• 🧹 Cache cleanup: Settings → Memory. → Cleaning (releases up to 1-3 GB).
• 🔄 Transfer of media files: Photos and videos can be moved to SD-Map or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 📦 Archiving rarely used apps: Google Play has a “Archive” feature – it deletes the application but saves its data.
• 🛠️ Use Lite Versions: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Messenger with Messenger Lite, etc.

Xiaomi has a Deep Cleanup feature with MIUI 14 (Settings → Memory → Deep Cleanup) that removes not only the cache, but also temporary files of system processes that are usually not affected by standard cleaning.

💡

The most effective way to free up space is a combination of cleaning the cache, transferring media files to the SD-map and archive rarely used applications, which saves up to 10-15 GB without losing functionality.

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7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When working with memory on Xiaomi, users face typical errors:

Problem 1: “Not enough memory, but there is room.”

This is due to the fragmentation of the /data partition.

1. Reset the device.
2. Clear the cache through Settings → Memory.
3. If it doesn’t help, reset via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset (pre-return!).

Problem 2: Appendices are not installed on SD-map

Possible causes:

• The card is formatted as a portable storage (you need to select "Inner Memory").
• The app does not support portability (check out Google Play under “Developers Information”).
• The device is equipped with MIUI 13/14 with Adoptable Storage restrictions.

Problem 3: After the transfer, the application does not work

This is typical for applications that require high read/write speeds (such as games or instant messengers).

• Transfer the app back to internal memory.
• Use it. SD-class A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme A2).
• Turn off battery optimization for this application in Settings → Battery.

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions