How to migrate applications to Xiaomi: the complete guide to MIUI 14/15

Mobile apps on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular operations among users facing a shortage of internal memory, POCO and Mi are equipped with drives for 128-512 GB, many owners of budget devices (for example, Redmi Note 12 64 GB or POCO M5) And they continue to have a shortage of space, and the problem is compounded by the fact that they have a very small space. MIUI Limits the ability to transfer applications to a memory card – unlike “pure” Android.

In this guide, we will look at all the current ways to migrate applications to Xiaomi in 2026, from standard MIUI features to hidden Android 13/14 features and third-party tools. We will focus on the nuances of working with microSD, cloud services and optimizing memory without data loss. If you want to make room for new photos, games or system updates, this guide will help you do this as efficiently as possible.

Why can’t Xiaomi just transfer the app to a memory card?

Users who are switching from other brands (such as Samsung or Huawei) are often surprised why Xiaomi does not have a “Move to SD” button in the app settings, the reason being MIUI policy and Android restrictions:

• 🔒 Security of data: MIUI Blocks the transfer of system and mission-critical applications (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) to prevent failures when retrieving a memory card.
• 📱 Performance: MicroSD cards (even class) A2) They are slower than the built-in memory. UFS 2.2/3.1, What can slow down applications.
• 🛠️ Android architecture: Starting with Android 9, Google has tightened the rules for working with external drives, banning full portability APK-root-free.

There are workarounds, however, such as some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) that allow you to manually specify a path for storing media files. OBB-Files (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) can be transferred to the map via the Files menu".

⚠️ Note: Transferring applications to a memory card can cause them to work unstable if the card is slow (class below). A1) Before surgery, check the read/write speed through the app. A1 SD Bench.

Method 1: Transfer applications to a memory card via MIUI (official method)

Despite the limitations, MIUI 14/15 still has the option of partially migrating some applications to microSD, which works without root rights, but is not supported by all programs.

1. Insert the memory card into the slot (FAT32, exFAT or NTFS formats are supported for OTG devices).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the app you want (like Facebook or Spotify).
4. Press Warehouse. → Move it to SD-Card (option is only active for supported applications).

If the "Transfer" button is inactive or not, the app does not support this function, in which case, try alternative methods in the following sections.

Format the card in FAT32 (if the volume is ≤32 GB) or exFAT

Check the speed class (A2/UHS-I recommended)

Disable Adaptive Brightness in Settings (Saves Charge During Operation)

Backup your data on the map (transfer will delete it!)

-->

Important: After the transfer, the application can run slower, especially if the memory card is in Class 10 without the A1/A2 marking. For games and heavy applications (for example, Lightroom or PUBG Mobile), it is better to use internal memory.

Method 2: Use a memory card as an internal storage device (Adoptable Storage)

Adoptable Storage allows you to bypass the limitations of MIUI, but has serious drawbacks. Once activated, the card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices, this method is only suitable for Xiaomi on Android 9-12 (in MIUI 14/15, the function is hidden).

Instructions for MIUI 12 and below:

1. Insert the memory card and open the Settings notification SD-map.
2. Choose Use as an internal storage.
3. Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
4. Once completed, restart the device.

For MIUI 13/14/15, this method only works through ADB.

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true


adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

⚠️ Note: Once Adoptable Storage is activated, the card will be tied to the device, and if it is removed or damaged, the applications transferred to it will cease to work. MIUI.

Method 3: Manual transfer of cache and application data

If the application itself cannot be moved, you can free up space by moving its cache and user data (for example, downloaded maps in Google Maps or media files in VK).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and click Storage.
3. Click Clear cache (this is secure, data will not be deleted).
4. To transfer media files (for example, in Telegram), open the application settings and specify the path to the memory card manually.

Some apps (such as Netflix or Spotify) allow you to save offline content to a memory card.

• 🎵 In Spotify: Settings → Sound quality → Download folder → choose SD-map.
• 🎬 On Netflix: App settings → Downloads. → Memory of the device → select a map.

💡

To find the heavy cache files, use Files by Google, which shows the space by category and allows you to quickly clear out unnecessary data.

Method 4: Porting applications with ADB (for power users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method allows you to force supported applications to a memory card, even if MIUI does not have such an option, you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will force the system to install new applications on your PC. SD-default-card.
4. To transfer an already installed application (e.g. com.whatsapp), use: adb shell pm move-package com.whatsapp

A list of packages of installed applications can be obtained by the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability ADB. System programs (com.android) and some games (such as Genshin Impact) may give you a Failure error. [NOT_MOVED: Package couldn't be moved].

Method 5: Move applications to the cloud or to another phone

If physical porting to a memory card isn’t enough, consider syncing apps with cloud services or transferring them to another device, which is important for backing up before resetting your phone or when you upgrade to a new Xiaomi model.

Portability options:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Automatically saves a list of installed applications (but not the apps themselves) APK-After recovery on the new device, the applications will download from the Play Market.
• 📱 Xiaomi Migration: Built-in Wi-Fi Direct Data Application (includes a list of applications, but not their files).
• 🔄 Third-party services: Titanium Backup (requires root) or APK Extractor for extraction APK-files and subsequent installation.

To back up application data (such as saving games or settings) use:

• 🎮 Helium (no root, but requires a PC for some features).
• 📂 Swift Backup (requires root, supports cloud synchronization).

Official transfer via MIUI

Adoptable Storage (Map as internal memory)

Manual transfer of cache and media files

ADB-team

Cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive)

I can't stand it, I have enough internal memory.

-->

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When migrating apps to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

• 🚫 "Not enough room on the device" when transferring: Clear the cache through Settings → Storage or delete unnecessary files with Files by Google.
• 🔄 The annex is not portable to SD: Check if it supports this feature (many games and system programs don’t).
• 🛑 Mistake "SD-The card is damaged: format the card in FAT32 or exFAT via PC (use) SD Formatter).
• ⚠️ App dyes after transfer: Return it to the internal memory or check the card for errors with the adb shell fsck command /dev/block/mmcblk1.

If the app stopped updating through the Play Market after the transfer, try:

1. Put it back in the memory.
2. Clear the data of the Google Play Store (Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear data).
3. Reset the device.

💡

Before transferring applications to a memory card, always check for errors and speed. Slow cards (class below A1) can cause data freezes and loss.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions