Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones often face a lack of built-in storage, especially if they use a budget version with 32 or 64 gigabytes of memory. MIUI system takes up a significant part of the space, and modern applications and social media cache quickly fill the remaining gigabytes. The solution may be the use of the utility Link2SD, which allows you to transfer data from programs to an external memory card, freeing up the internal drive.
However, the standard methods of Android 10, on which the shell is based MIUI 12, you can't fully migrate applications because of the security constraints of the system, so you don't just need to insert a flash card, you also need to properly prepare the file structure of the card. SD-The application system data transfer will not work in the map. In this article, we will discuss the configuration process in detail. Link2SD It is the Redmi 9 model.
The process requires careful attention, as working with partitions carries risks of data loss. We will consider the need to obtain root rights, the choice of file system and the nuances of working with ext4 or fat32. Follow the instructions Step-by-step to turn your memory card into a full extension of system memory.
Preparation of memory card and smartphone Redmi 9
Before you start any manipulations, you need to make sure that your microSD card is working and has a sufficient write speed. For comfortable operation of applications, it is recommended to use Class 10 or higher cards, preferably UHS-I. A slow card can lead to a phone freeze and a long load of programs.
Back up all the important files on the memory card, and the process involves formatting, which will result in complete deletion of the data, and insert the card into the slot of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone and wait for it to be determined by the system.
Make sure that the smartphone is debugging USB. To do this, go to the Settings menu → About the phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. After the message “You became a developer”, go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers and activate the USB debugging switch.
💡
Use the original cable to connect your smartphone to your computer when formatting partitions to avoid connection errors.
Creating a second partition on an SD card
The most critical step is to create a hidden partition. You can't do it with standard Android tools, so you'll need a computer and a MiniTool Partition Wizard or a similar utility to work with disks. Connect your smartphone to your PC in file transfer mode or use a card reader.
In the program, find your memory card (be careful not to select a computer drive), delete an existing partition on the map if it does not have important data, or simply create a new partition at the end of free space. The size of the second partition should be large enough to accommodate the portable applications.
When creating a partition, select the file system ext4 or ext3. File system fat32 This is not suitable for the second partition, as it does not support the Linux access rights required for the applications to run. fat32 Exfat for compatibility with multimedia.
☑️ Pre-transfer check
⚠️ Warning: Windows may not see the second partition of the map after formatting and may suggest formatting the disk. You can't agree, it will destroy the markup. Ignore Windows requests.
Installation and initial configuration of Link2SD
Download and install Link2SD from the official Google Play store or a trusted source. When you first start, the program will request superuser rights. If your Redmi 9 does not have root rights, the application will offer to use the mode without root rights, but the functionality will be limited.
To work properly, you need to select a file system driver. The app will automatically try to determine the type of the second partition. If you have an ext4 partition, select the appropriate driver. In some cases, Redmi 9 may need to select F2FS if the system kernel supports this file system.
Once you select a Link2SD driver, you will create symbolic links and reboot your device, a process that is critical: the system must mount the second partition of the memory card as part of the internal memory. If after you reboot the application says that the second partition is not found, check if you create partitions correctly on your computer.
What if Link2SD doesn’t see the second partition?
The process of transferring applications to Xiaomi
Once you have successfully set up, open the application list in Link2SD. You will see all the programs installed. Select the application you want to migrate, such as a heavy game or social network. Click on it to open the control menu.
Use the Create Link button, and in the window that opens, you can choose which components of the application will be transferred: APK-file, Dalvik-cache and internal data. To free up space, select all available options.
Press. OK And you wait until the process is complete, and the application is moved to the memory card, and the internal memory is only a shortcut, the link, and the system will assume that the application is inside, but the physical data will be read from the memory. SD-map.
| Type of data | Description | Impact on memory |
|---|---|---|
| APK file | The main body of the application | High (liberates the most) |
| Dalvik Cache | Optimized code to run | Medium (accelerates launch) |
| Internal data | Cash, saves, settings | High (grows with time) |
| Libraries | Additional modules (.so) | Low (technical files) |
Automation and settings of Link2SD
To avoid manually porting each application, set up automation. Go to the Link2SD menu and find Auto Link. Here you can set a rule: for example, all new applications installed larger than 50 MB are automatically transferred to the map.
Cache cleaning is also available. Run system scans periodically to find remnants of deleted programs or temporary files that have grown. This will help keep the Xiaomi Redmi 9 in optimal condition.
You can turn on system applications in your settings, and be very careful about them: migrating mission-critical system services can cause the MIUI shell to run unstable or cyclically reboot.
Possible problems and solutions
One of the common problems with Xiaomi is the link gathering after a system update or reboot. If apps stop opening, check if the second partition is mounted. Link2SD has a Remount button that tries to fix the situation without rebooting.
Some applications, especially Google’s banking and system services, may not work properly when ported. If you notice errors in Google Pay or other secure services, return those applications to internal memory using the “Remove Link” feature.
Smartphone speeds can be reduced if you use a cheap memory card, so it makes sense to transfer only media files and cache, leaving executable files (APKs) in internal memory, a compromise that keeps you fast.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your smartphone to factory settings, all the links you create will be lost and applications will stop running.
💡
Stability of work Link2SD It depends directly on quality. SD-map and file system integrity ext4.