Owners of budget but reliable smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 7A often face a critical shortage of built-in space. MIUI operating system and Google preinstalled services occupy a significant portion of the available 16 or 32 GB, leaving the user with a minimum of free space to install new programs and games. This leads to a slowdown of the device, the inability to update popular messengers and constant notifications of memory shortages.
The standard data transfer methods offered by Android often prove inefficient, as they only transfer a fraction of files, leaving the “heavy” cache data in internal storage. This is where Link2SD comes to the rescue, which allows you to forcibly move applications to the memory card, creating symbolic links. For Redmi 7A, this is the only working way to fully unload the system partition without losing functionality.
However, the process requires careful preparation, the presence of Root-rights and, most importantly, the correct markup. SD-Unlike simple file managers, Link2SD It works at a deep level of the file system, so a mistake at any stage can lead to data loss or the need to flash the smartphone. In this article, we will examine every step in detail, from preparing the map to the final configuration of the links.
Preparation of equipment and selection of memory card
The first and most important step is to choose the right drive. Not every microSD card is suitable for working with applications, since the speed of reading and writing cheap models can be several times lower than the speed of internal memory of a smartphone. Using a slow card will lead to the fact that the transferred programs will run longer than usual, and the system will become unstable.
For Xiaomi Redmi 7A, it is recommended to use Class 10 or higher cards labeled UHS-I or UHS-II. The optimal volume is between 16 and 64 GB, since the FAT32 file system required for the first partition has limitations, and large volumes (128 GB+) may not be correctly determined by the older memory controllers of this device.
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Use memory cards from proven brands like SanDisk, Samsung or Kingston. Cheap AliExpress cards often have real capacity significantly less than claimed, resulting in data loss when creating a second partition.
Before you start, make sure to back up all important files, photos and contacts, and the process of markup will completely destroy all the data on the card, and if you already have important information on the map, copy it to your computer or to the cloud.
- 📱 Make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 60-70% avoiding sudden shutdown.
- 💾 Prepare a card reader to connect a microSD to your computer (this is the most reliable way to markup).
- 🔌 Check the integrity of contacts on the memory card and in the smartphone slot.
Getting Root Rights and Installing Link2SD
The functionality of the Link2SD application depends on the availability of superuser rights (Root). Without them, the program will only be able to show information about the applications, but will not be able to move their system files. For the Redmi 7A based on MIUI, the easiest access to be obtained through official unlocking of the bootloader and installing Magisk or SuperSU.
The process of obtaining root rights on modern versions MIUI Requires you to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock service, which implies waiting for 168 hours (7 days) after the account is linked, a security measure of Xiaomi, which is impossible to bypass software without special paid services. After unlocking, you need to install a custom recapvere (TWRP), through which the root rights manager is stitched.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights will void the warranty on the device, and it may also cause some banking applications and features to fail. MIUI, such as "Second Space" or hiding system files.
After successful root access implementation, download and install the Link2SD utility itself. It is best to take the latest version of the application from the official developer site or a trusted repository, since versions from the Play Market can be cut down or contain advertising. When you first start, the program will request superuser rights - be sure to click "Allow" in the Superuser window that appears.
Markings SD-Maps: Creation of a second section
The key to the whole instruction is to create a second hidden partition on the memory card. The standard Android file system only sees the first partition (FAT32 or exFAT), so Link2SD needs a second partition that the system will not ignore, but will not show in the gallery.
Put the memory card into the card reader and connect to the PC. Find your drive in the list, delete all existing volumes on the card (Warning: this will delete all data!). Create the first partition of the FAT32 format (Primary) - it will be used for regular files, photos and music. Size this partition choose as you wish, for example, 70-80% of the total volume.
The remaining unmarked space should be designated as a second partition, the file system is selected depending on the Android version and preferences, but for Redmi 7A the most stable option is EXT4. Less commonly used are EXT3 or EXT2. FAT32 for the second partition can not be used, since it does not support the access rights of Linux necessary for the operation of applications.
| Parameter | Section 1 (Data) | Section 2 (Annexes) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of section | Primary (Major) | Primary (Major) |
| File system | FAT32 | EXT4 (recommended) |
| Visibility in Android | Seen as a storage device | Hidden from the system |
| Appointment | Photos, videos, documents | Files apk, lib, dalvik |
Once you create partitions, click the "Apply" button in the program on your computer and wait until the process is over. It is important that the second partition follows the first one, without intermediate unlabeled areas, otherwise Link2SD may not detect it.
Set up the application and create links
Insert the prepared memory card into the switched off Xiaomi Redmi 7A smartphone and turn on the device. Launch Link2SD. At the first start, the program will automatically scan the card and should suggest choosing the file system of the second partition. If you followed the instructions above, select EXT4. If the program does not find the second partition, check the order of the partitions or try to recreate them.
After a successful file system selection, the application will suggest creating symbolic links (links) for system libraries, and it is recommended to agree and choose to create links for /system/lib and /system/lib64 (if available), which will allow you to transfer to the map not only the applications themselves, but also their dependent libraries, freeing up maximum space.
☑️ Setting up Link2SD
In the main menu, you will see a list of all installed applications, each of which will be displayed by color or icon: "Internal" (inside), "SD" (on the map) or "Linked" (linked). To transfer a particular application, click on it, select the "Create Link" button and tick all available items: Dalvik cache, App and Library data files.
Automatic transfer and system settings
Manually port each application for a long time, so in the Link2SD settings (Menu → Settings) you should activate the function "Auto Link". In the "Auto Link" section, you can set parameters: for example, automatically link all user applications larger than 10 MB. This will eliminate the need to control each new installation file.
It is also useful to enable the option "Mount" in the settings. /system/lib on boot" so that after each smartphone reboot, the paths to the libraries are restored correctly. Without this point, after the power is turned off, the transferred applications can stop running, and the system will have to search for them again, which will increase the loading time. MIUI.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to port Android system apps and MIUI (Settings, Phone, Messages, Google Play Services, and this can result in a cyclical bootloop and a total smartphone failure.
To mass-transfer already installed programs, use the filter menu. Select "User", then select all applications through the selection menu and press "Link". The process will take time, during which it is not recommended to interrupt the phone or remove the memory card.
What if the phone went into a bootloom after transfer?
Possible problems and solutions
During operation, there may be situations when the ported applications stop working or update. A common cause is paths being desynchronized or the map file system damaged. If Link2SD writes a Link creation failed error, try first to delete the application, then clean it from the program menu and install it again, immediately creating a link.
Another problem is that the interface speed is slowed, and this happens when the memory card is low. IOPS (I/O operations per second. Your internal memory is much faster than even a good card. If you notice a strong lag, it makes sense to leave it on. SD-The card only rarely used programs, and heavy games and messengers keep in internal storage.
- 🔄 When updating the application, the link can fly – check the status after each update.
- 🗑️ Do not delete files from the card through the file manager, only through the Link2SD.
- 📉 Watch the temperature of the smartphone – active work with SD-mapping can increase heat.
Sometimes, re-initializing the map through the Link2SD: More → Advanced → Re-create missing links helps. This command checks the integrity of all the paths created and restores them if necessary.
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Stability of the smartphone with Link2SD It depends directly on quality. SD-Savings on the drive will lead to data loss and system brakes.