Transfer applications to memory card in Xiaomi Mi 9: all ways + limitations of MIUI

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship of 2019, which still remains relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and regular updates to MIUI. However, even 64/128 GB of internal memory eventually end, especially if you actively install games and applications. The solution seems obvious: transfer some of the software to a microSD card. But here Mi 9 owners are waiting for a surprise: unlike budget models Xiaomi, flagships often lack a slot for expansion of memory. And if there is a slot (in some regional versions), then MIUI imposes strict restrictions on the portability of applications.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 Is there a memory card slot in Xiaomi Mi 9 (and why it is not in most versions)
• 📱 How to Check for MicroSD Support in Your Specific Model
• 🔄 Formal and informal ways to port applications (including: ADB)
• ⚠️ Limitations MIUI, Which makes portability meaningless for many applications
• 🎮 Alternative solutions for freeing up memory (cache cleaning, media file transfer, etc.)

If you've tried to migrate apps through standard settings and you get a message saying "Transfer impossible," don't get upset -- there are workarounds in the article. But first, let's get to the hardware.

1.Does Xiaomi Mi 9 have a memory card slot?

The answer depends on the regional version of your smartphone. Officially, the Xiaomi Mi 9 was released in two versions:

• 🌍 Global version (Mi 9 Global) - no microSD slot. supports only two nano-SIM or one nano-SIM + eSIM.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese version (Mi 9) SE China – in some games there was a hybrid slot (nano-SIM) + MicroSD or two nano-SIMs).

To find out if your Mi 9 has a memory card slot:

1. Remove the tray for SIM-cards (use a paper clip or a special key from the kit).
2. Look at the marking: If you have a microSD or a card icon, the slot is supported. Unless there is a SIM1 or a SIM2 slot, there is no slot.

⚠️ Note: Even if your Mi 9 has a microSD slot, MIUI Many games and software (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, banking applications) fundamentally refuse to work with external memory.

Preparation of a memory card: formatting and class selection

If you're lucky enough to have a microSD slot in your smartphone, the first thing you need to do is to get the map right, and that's what makes the application speed and the stability of the system.

Requirements for a memory card for Xiaomi Mi 9:

Before using the card, be sure to format via smartphone:

1. Insert the microSD into the slot.
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Select “Format as internal memory” (this will allow you to port applications).
4. Confirm the action – all data on the map will be deleted!

Instructions for transfer:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
3. Press "Storage» → «Change».
4. Select the Memory Card and confirm the transfer.

If the “Change” button is inactive or not, it means:

• 📵 The app does not support transfer (e.g. Facebook, Instagram).
• 🔧 The memory card is not formatted as internal.
• 🛠️ V MIUI The port function is disabled (relevant for some firmware versions).

4. Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)

If the standard method doesn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you manually tell the system which apps to move to the map, a method that doesn’t require root rights, but requires a connection to a PC.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 💾 Memory card formatted as internal.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi Mi 9 to PC via USB-cable.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to port the application (replace com.example.app with the batch name of your application): adb shell pm move-primary-storage /mnt/expand/UUID UUID can be recognized by the command adb shell sm list-volumes.

If the team fails, try an alternative method:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This team is forced to install all new applications on SD-map, but does not carry the already installed.

⚠️ Note: Transfer system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI Don't put packet-named apps on your memory card that start with com.miui., com.android., com.google.android..

5. MIUI Limitations: Why Application Portability Is Often Useless

Even if you managed to transfer the application to a memory card, MIUI imposes a number of restrictions that negate all efforts:

Main problems:

In addition, MIUI automatically returns some applications to the internal memory after updates.

• 📱 System applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video, etc.).
• 🔒 Applications with a high level of security (banks, payments).
• 🎮 Games with cheat protection (for example, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty).

💡

Moving apps to a memory card in Xiaomi Mi 9 is a temporary solution. For stable work, it is better to use cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) or clean the cache regularly.

6. Alternative ways to free up memory in Xiaomi Mi 9

If porting apps is impossible or ineffective, try these methods:

1. Clearing cache and unnecessary files

• 🧹 Use the built-in Cleanup utility (Settings) → Memory. → Cleanup).
• 🗑️ Remove the cache of individual applications in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📂 Transfer photos, videos and music to a memory card manually (via Explorer or Gallery).

2. Use of cloud storage

• ☁️ Mi Cloud (5GB free) – automatically backs up photos and contacts.
• ☁️ Google Photos – unlimited storage for compressed photos / videos.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk or Mega – for backup of documents.

3. Optimization of existing applications

• 🎯 Turn off autoloading of unnecessary applications (Settings) → Annexes → Autoboot).
• 🔋 Limit background activity (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 📦 Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

4. Install applications on the memory card by default

If the card is formatted as an internal one, you can make it the main storage for new applications:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select “Default Storage” → “Memory Card”.

💡

If you install heavy games frequently (like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail), consider buying a game. OTG-It connects via USB-Type C and allows you to run games directly from an external drive without transferring.

7. Radical-solutions: root-rights and custom firmware

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) gives you complete control over the portability of applications, but there are a number of downsides:

Pros:

• ✅ Full Adoptable Storage support (memory card works as part of internal storage).
• ✅ Ability to port any application (including system).
• ✅ Improved productivity through optimized firmware.

Cons:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (unlocking the bootloader resets) FRP And cancels the warranty Xiaomi).
• ❌ Risk of "brick" (incorrect firmware can make the phone inoperable).
• ❌ Lack of updates MIUI (You will have to monitor the updates of custom firmware yourself).
• ❌ Problems with banking applications (many banks block work on rooted devices).

If you do decide, the instructions are:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install a custom recavery (TWRP).
3. Sweep through the alternative firmware with support for Adoptable Storage.
4. Format the memory card as internal via TWRP.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi 9 with dynamic memory (UFS 2.1) transferring applications to a microSD may result in a noticeable performance drop, as read/write speeds UFS 5-10 times higher than the fastest microSD.

FAQ: Frequent questions about porting apps to Xiaomi Mi 9