How to transfer applications to SD-mapping through Xiaomi Link2SD: guide

Xiaomi smartphones with limited internal memory often face the problem of not having enough space to install new applications. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system can give a notification “Memory is full.” SD-utility-card Link2SD. However, this process requires not only the installation of the program, but also the correct configuration of the partition on the memory card, as well as root rights.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how it works. Link2SD, What are the pitfalls that Xiaomi users expect (including models on the market) MIUI 12/13/14), Why is the Android standard feature “Move to” SD» It's often useless. You'll learn how to create. ext2/ext4-map section, set up Link2SD Automatically transfer data and avoid common errors such as “Mount script cannot be created».

Why Xiaomi’s standard SD port doesn’t work

Many Xiaomi users are trying to migrate applications to the SD-map through standard Android settings (Settings) → Annexes → [Select an application] → Warehouse → Change. → SD-However, this method has critical limitations:

• 🔹 It only works with partial transfer – only a part of the data (usually cache and media files) is moved to the card, and the main.apk and.odex files remain in internal memory.
• 🔹 Not supported by most modern applications (especially system and games).
• 🔹 After the transfer, the application often stops updating through Google Play.
• 🔹 Nana MIUI This function can be completely disabled by the manufacturer.

Link2SD This is done by creating symbolic links (symlink) to SD-A map for all the application files, including.apk, data and cache:

1. Root rights (without them, Link2SD is useless)
2. SD-map with second section in format ext2/ext3/ext4 or FAT32/exFAT (work-mode).
3. Support for the Xiaomi kernel function init.d (on some firmware it must be activated separately).

Requirements for Link2SD on Xiaomi

Before you start setting up, make sure your smartphone meets the following conditions:

Important: Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 4xx/6xx processors (e.g. Redmi 9A, Poco M3) may not work creating ext partitions due to kernel limitations, in which case you will have to use Link2SD's Link to FAT32 mode, but it is less reliable.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI Global Stable, after obtaining root rights, Google services (for example, Google Pay) can stop working. This is due to the SafetyNet trigger.

Step-by-step instruction: preparation SD-map

The first step is marking. SD-maps for two sections: the first (FAT32/exFAT) For normal files, the second (ext2/ext3/ext4) for Link2SD. You can do this on a PC or directly in a smartphone.

Method 1: MiniTool Partition Wizard (recommended)

Download MiniTool Partition Wizard Free for Windows:

1. Connect. SD-card to PC via card reader.
2. In the program, select your card. → Delete All Partitions (all data will be deleted!).
3. Create the first section: 📁 Format: FAT32 (or exFAT for cards >32 GB). 📏 Size: 70-80% from the total volume (e.g, 20 GB 32 GB). 🔧 Mark: SDCARD (necessarily!).

• 📁 Format: ext4 (preferably ext2.
• 🔧 Mark: link2sd (important for automatic installation!).
• Press Apply and wait until it is completed.

Make a backup copy of data from the card|Check the card for errors (via chkdsk)|Use a card reader, not a card reader. OTG-cable|Format the map before marking up-->

Installation and configuration of Link2SD

After preparation SD-set up the cards Link2SD From Google Play (or download it) APK s XDA Developers, if the application is not available in your region. Upon first running, the program will prompt you to select the type of mounting:

• 🔗 Ext2/3/4 — The best option (requires a second section).
• 🔗 FAT32/FAT — It is less reliable but works without ext partition.
• 🔗 Internal2SD — for experienced users (risk of data loss!).
• Confirm the action.

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If the app stopped working after the transfer, try Link2SD to click "Fix mounting" or restart your smartphone. Often, re-creating symbolic links helps.

Common mistakes and their solutions

When working with Link2SD on Xiaomi, users face typical problems.

1.The error is "Mount script cannot be created."

Reasons:

• 🔸 There's no file. /system/etc/init.d (firmware MIUI It's not default).
• 🔸 Incorrect rights to the script (must be 755).
• 🔸 SD-card is not recognized as mmcblk1p2 (You need to check the path through the ls. /dev/block).

Decision:

1. Create /system/etc/init.d folder manually (if not).
2. Check the path to the section with the command: adb shell su ls /dev/block/platform/*/by-name | grep mmc
3. Edit the 11link2sd script by specifying the correct path (e.g. /dev/block/mmcblk0p2).

2.Apps dyed after transfer

Possible causes:

• 🔸 Slow. SD-map (class below) 10/UHS-I).
• 🔸 Damaged symbolic references.
• 🔸 Conflict with MIUI Optimizations (on some firmware).

Decision:

• 🔧 Move the problem app back to internal memory.
• 🔧 V Link2SD Select “Clear Dalvik cache” (requires a reboot).
• 🔧 Turn off optimizations MIUI through ADB: adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

⚠️ Attention: Don't put it on SD-Map system applications (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.home) This can result in bootloop (a looped reboot) or loss of functionality MIUI.

Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi

If Link2SD is not suitable (e.g., no root rights or a memory card is too slow), consider alternative methods:

1.Use of SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

Adoptable Storage (built into Android 6.0)+) allows formatting SD-It's a card as part of the internal memory, but it's often disabled on Xiaomi:

1. Connect. SD-map.
2. Enter the terminal: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true
3. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → [Yours. SD-map] → Menus (⋮) → Settings → Formatting as an internal.

Cons of the method:

• 🔸 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🔸 When you remove the map, the applications will stop working.
• 🔸 Not all Xiaomi models support this feature (especially in the case of the MIUI for the Chinese region).

2. Transfer of cache and media files

Some apps (such as WhatsApp, Telegram) allow you to manually specify a path to save media:

• 📸 On WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → The Road to Media → choose SD-map.
• 🎵 In Spotify: Settings → Sound quality → Retention on SD-map.

3. Cleaning the system with ADB

With ADB, you can remove unnecessary system applications (bloatware) that take up space:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2 #Weather




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer # Videoplayer




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.scanner # Scanner

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt the work MIUI. Before executing commands, create a backup copy through TWRP Or Orange Backup.

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Link2SD — The most effective solution for transferring applications to SD-The card is in Xiaomi, but requires root rights and the right ext partition configuration.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Link2SD on Xiaomi