Owners of Xiaomi smartphones with a small amount of built-in storage often face a critical shortage of space. MIUI actively uses internal memory for cache, updates and background processes, which leads to the message “Memory is filled” even when there is a free memory. SD-It's in these situations that the app comes to the rescue. Link2SD, efficient redistribution of space.
The idea is to create a logical connection between internal memory and a specially marked partition on a memory card. Unlike standard application porting, which is not available for all programs, this approach allows you to move almost any program. APK-This releases precious megabytes in the system partition, speeding up the device.
However, the setup process requires careful and careful follow-up to the algorithm. Incorrect partition marking or interruption of the process can lead to loss of data on the memory card. Below we will discuss in detail how to prepare the drive, install the necessary components and configure automatic data transfer on Redmi and Poco devices.
Preparation of a memory card and creation of sections
The first and most important step is to properly mark up the drive. The standard FAT32 or exFAT file system that the computer sees is not suitable for storing application system files. You will need to create a second hidden partition with an Ext4 or Ext3 file system. For this operation, the best way to use a computer and MiniTool Partition Wizard or a similar partitioning tool is to do this.
Insert the memory card into the card reader and connect to the PC. Find your drive in the disk list and delete the existing partition (pre-save important photos and documents). Create a new primary partition of FAT32, which will occupy approximately 70-80% of the total card volume - this space will remain available for files, music and video.
The remaining space should be allocated to the second partition. Create a new primary partition outside the distributed area. Select Ext4 as the file system. This format supports the Linux access rights required for Link2SD. After applying the changes, the computer may stop seeing the second partition - this is normal behavior, since Windows can not display Ext partitions by default.
⚠️ Warning: All data on the memory card will be permanently deleted during the markup process. Be sure to back up photos and documents before starting the procedure.
Once you've finished markup, insert the card back into your Xiaomi smartphone. The system will suggest formatting the drive -- agree, but make sure that only the main partition is formatted and the partition structure is not broken. If the phone requires full formatting, create smaller partitions, leaving a small buffer.
Install Link2SD and obtain superuser rights
Root (superuser) rights are required for the application to work. On modern versions of MIUI and Android, obtaining these rights may require unlocking the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website. If your smartphone already has Magisk or SuperSU, you can immediately proceed to install the utility.
Download Link2SD from the official Google Play store or a trusted source. When you first start, the program will request root rights — provide them in the window that appears. Next, you will need to select the file system of the second partition. If you followed the instructions above, choose Ext4. If you used another system, specify the appropriate option.
- 📱 Make sure that the developer settings include debugging on USB, if you plan to use ADB-team.
- 🔒 Check the status of the bootloader blocker in the Settings menu → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times).
- 📂 Make sure that the memory card is defined as external storage, not internal memory of the device.
Once you select the file system, the application will create the necessary symbolic links and /data/app-link folder. The device can reboot. If you see a message after you turn on that you have successfully built links, then the basic setup has gone well.
☑️ Checking readiness for work
Setup of automatic application transfer
One of the main features of the program is the ability to automatically transfer installed applications, which eliminates the need to manually move each new application after it is downloaded. To activate this feature, go to the settings menu of the Link2SD itself (three dots or hamburger menu).
Find and log in to Auto Link, where you can set rules for system and user applications, and check the box for User Applications and select the option to move External Card or Second Partition, and activate the Dalvik-cache data transfer if this option is available in your version.
It is important to understand the difference between moving and creating a link. When moving files are physically copied to the card, and the internal memory is a shortcut. When you create a link, the original files remain, but the system accesses them in a new way. Link2SD uses a link mechanism, which makes the process transparent to the Android system.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| File system | Type of formatting of the second section | Ext4 |
| Auto-link | Automatic portability of new applications | Included. |
| Cash Dalvik. | Transfer of optimized launch files | Included. |
| System applications | Transfer of Xiaomi embedded programs | Turned off (dangerously) |
Once you have set up the settings, go back to the main menu, update the list of installed programs, linked status will mean that the application has been fully transferred to the memory card, and internal status indicates that the program is still in the built-in storage.
Manual management and transfer of installed programs
If the automatic mode didn’t work for some applications or you want to selectively free up space, use manual control. The main Link2SD window will display a list of all installed programs. Find a heavy application that takes up a lot of space, such as a social network or a game.
Click on the name of the app. The control window will open where the action buttons will be available. You are interested in the Create Link button. When you click, you will open a menu where you want to choose what to move: APK-File, application data (Data) or Dalvik cache. Choose all available options for maximum effect.
⚠️ Note: Do not create links for system components MIUI, These are "Security," "Conductor," or "Google Play Services," which can lead to system instability or a cyclical restart (bootloop).
It takes from a few seconds to a minute depending on the size of the application, and when it's done, the status changes to Linked, and you can see that the space in the internal memory has increased, even though the visual files are not gone, they've just moved to the physical card.
For some applications, especially system ones, the link creation button may be inactive. This is a limitation of the Android system itself, which cannot be circumvented without deep firmware modification, in which case you can try to clear the app cache through Xiaomi's standard settings.
What if the application stops working after the transfer?
Working with Dalvik cache and optimizing the system
One of the hidden but powerful features of the utility is Dalvik cache management. These are intermediate files that the Android system creates to speed up the launch of applications. Over time, they can take up a significant amount of internal memory, especially after major system updates.
In the Link2SD menu, go to the Dalvik section, and here you'll see a list of all the cached files, you can sort them by size and delete the largest ones, but the more efficient way is to move them to the second partition of the memory card, which frees up the system partition /data, which is critical for devices with 16 or 32 GB of memory.
When transferring cache, the system can run a little slower when you first start applications after rebooting, since files will be read from the memory card. However, the speed of writing and reading modern A1/A2 cards minimizes this delay. The main advantage is the stability of the system, which stops choking from lack of space.
- 🚀 Dalvik cache transfer could speed up app update installation.
- 💾 Freed up space for temporary system files and logs.
- 🔄 After cleaning the cache, applications can run a little longer on the first start.
Use Recreate Links only when absolutely necessary, such as after resetting your phone or reinstalling Link2SD. This command rechecks all file paths and restores the integrity of the link structure.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite the efficiency, Xiaomi users may face a number of specific problems: Aggressive battery optimization in MIUI can kill the process of data transfer in the background. To avoid this, find Link2SD in the list of applications, go to Battery and select No Limits mode.
Another common problem is memory card loss after rebooting. If the second partition is not automatically mounted, check the file. mount_all.sh or use the built-in autoload script. In some cases, you need to write a manual mount command through the terminal.
If the phone is unstable after transferring the apps, try removing the memory card and restarting the device, which will help determine whether the performance drop is due to a low card read speed or a software conflict. Use memory cards from proven brands (SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston) with a speed class of at least 10.
⚠️ Warning: Frequently writing and overwriting data to a memory card shortens its lifespan. Do not use cheap cards without overwriting protection to permanently store system files.
If you have a Link creation failed error, try clearing the cache of the Link2SD application itself and restarting it with root permissions. Also make sure that there is free space on the second partition - it should not be 100% filled.
Alternative methods and conclusion
If the use Link2SD It seems too complicated or risky, there are simpler, less effective methods. SD-The map is in standard Xiaomi app settings.It is secure, but only carries a fraction of the data, leaving the bulk of the app's weight in internal memory.
Another option is to use the memory extension feature, where part of the internal storage is created virtually by a card. However, on modern Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is often missing or does not work correctly with heavy applications. Link2SD remains one of the few working solutions for old and budget models.
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Use memory cards labeled A1 or A2 – they are optimized to run applications and provide higher random read speeds, which is critical for the system to run over Link2SD.
To sum up, using Link2SD correctly can give a second life to a smartphone with a small amount of memory, the main thing is a quality memory card, the right backup and attentiveness when working with system partitions. With precautions, you can install significantly more applications and enjoy stable MIUI.
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Link2SD — powerful tool for experienced users, allowing you to physically transfer application data to SD-card, but requiring the presence of Root-rights and careful preparation of the drive.