Xiaomi Memory Card Formatting: 5 Ways + Error Solving

Xiaomi’s memory card is not just an extra storage for photos and music, but also a potential source of problems if it’s not prepared properly. MicroSD formatting can be required in a variety of situations, from simple cleaning before selling to fixing read errors or preparing for use as internal memory (Adoptable Storage). However, many users face difficulties: the system does not see the card, the process is suspended in half, and after formatting the files “disappear” (though in fact, they are simply hidden).

In this article, we will discuss all the current formatting methods for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from standard Android tools to hidden Recovery Mode functions and commands through ADB. Particular attention will be paid to the choice of file system (FAT32, exFAT, NTFS), as it depends on compatibility with other devices and maximum file size. You will also learn how to recover data after random formatting and why some cards refuse to work with MIUI functions.

1. When to format a memory card on Xiaomi

Formatting is not just a data cleanup, it's a complete rewriting of the file structure of the drive, and you shouldn't use it for good reason, especially if you have important files on the card.

• 📱 The card is not determined by the smartphone (Xiaomi writes "damaged" SD-map or "Unknown device»).
• 🔄 You want to use it as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage function in the computer). MIUI).
• 📁 Read/write errors appeared on the map (files are not copied, the video “breaks” when playing).
• 🔒 The card was encrypted on another device and is not recognized.
• 📲 You plan to sell or transfer the card to another person (safe data erasure).

It is important to understand the difference between fast and full formatting: the former simply cleans the file table (the data can be restored by programs like Recuva), and the latter rewrites all sectors, which takes much longer, but ensures that the information is deleted without the possibility of recovery.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi memory card suddenly became “raw» (RAW) or has ceased to be determined after the update MIUI, Try restarting your phone first. 30 percent of the time, it's solved without formatting.

2. Method 1: Formatting through Xiaomi settings (the easiest one)

This is a standard method that is suitable for most users, and it does not require a PC connection or special knowledge, but has limitations: for example, you can not choose a file system (Android will automatically choose FAT32 or exFAT depending on the size of the card).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Memory (or Storage in newer versions of MIUI).
2. Scroll down to Portable Storage (or SD-map).
3. Click on the name of the map, then select Settings → Format.
4. Confirm the action, wait until the completion (usually takes 1-3 minutes).

If you don't have a Format item, you're already formatted or using it as internal memory, and in the latter case, you need to unmount it in the storage settings first.

Back up important data | Make sure the card is not used as internal memory | Charge the phone at least 30% | Turn off power saving modes (they can interrupt the process)

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Method 2: Using Recovery Mode (for power users)

Recovery Mode is a service mode of Xiaomi that allows you to perform low-level operations, including formatting a memory card.

• 📵 The phone does not load in normal mode.
• 🔧 The card is not formatted through settings (provides an error).
• 🛠️ You need to reset all device settings along with cleaning. SD.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe SD Card (navigation is done with volume buttons, the choice is with the power button).

Some MIUI firmware may not have the Wipe SD Card, in which case only PC formatting will help (see next section).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi does not show formatting progress in Recovery Mode. If the process lasts longer than 5 minutes, do not turn off the phone - wait for the automatic restart.

Through phone settings | Through Recovery Mode |On your computer |Never formatted-->

Method 3: Formatting on PC (Windows, macOS, Linux)

If the memory card is not formatted on Xiaomi itself, the best way to do this is to connect it to a computer, which gives you more control: you can select the file system, check the drive for errors, and even restore the data before cleaning.

For Windows:

1. Insert the card into the card reader (or connect the phone in File Transfer mode).
2. Open this computer, find a removable disk (e.g., Disk E:).
3. Right-click. → Format.
4. Select the file system: FAT32 - for cards up to 32 GB (maximum file size 4 GB), exFAT - for cards from 64 GB (supports files > 4 GB). NTFS - not recommended for Xiaomi (may not be readable).

Start.

For macOS/Linux: Use Disk Utility or mkfs command in the terminal, for example, exFAT:

sudo mkfs.exfat -n "MI_SD" /dev/sdX1

(Replace sdX1 with your current card ID, which can be recognized by the lsblk team.)

💡

If Windows doesn’t format your card (it says “Windows couldn’t complete formatting”), use the SD Formatter utility from the SD Association, which supports low-level cleanup and works even with damaged drives.

5. Method 4: Formatting as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

Adoptable Storage allows you to use the memory card as part of Xiaomi’s internal storage, which is convenient if the phone has little memory, but has nuances:

• 📲 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🔒 Once formatted, it cannot be used as a portable storage device without being completely reset.
• ⚡ The speed depends on the class of the card (recommended). UHS-I U3 higher).

How to turn on:

1. Put the card in the phone.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map → Settings (⋮) → Configure as an internal memory.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. The phone will suggest formatting the map and transferring some of the data to it.

Once you activate Adoptable Storage, the card becomes tethered to the phone, and if you retrieve it, the apps on it will stop working until they are re-inserted.

Method 5: Formatting via ADB (for advanced)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This requires the inclusion of debugging by USB installation ADB-Drivers on PC, but gives maximum control.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).

This method is useful if MIUI does not format the card as internal memory through a graphical interface.

7. Formatting errors and their solution

Even when following instructions, Xiaomi users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If Xiaomi memory card stopped being defined after a failed formatting, try:

1. Connect it to your PC and check it in Diskmgmt.msc.
2. Use utilities like TestDisk to restore partitions.
3. If nothing helps, the card is likely to be physically damaged.

💡

If Xiaomi writes «SD-The card is slow when you try to use it as internal memory, which means that the card write speed is below 10 MB / s. UHS-I U3 or V30 (For example, SanDisk Extreme).

8. Data recovery after formatting

If you formatted a map by mistake, don't panic: with fast formatting, you can restore data, and the main thing is not to write new files to the map, so as not to overwrite old ones.

Recovery programmes:

• 🖥️ Recuva (Windows) – a simple utility with exFAT support.
• 🍎 Disk Drill (macOS/Windows) — Restore photos, videos and documents.
• 🐧 PhotoRec (Linux) – works with any fileymi system.

Instructions for Recuva:

1. Connect the card to the PC.
2. Start Recuva, select the drive.
3. Specify file types (e.g. JPG, MP4).
4. Press Analysis and wait for the results.
5. Save the recovered files to another drive (not to the card!).

Chances of success:

• 📸 Photo/video – up to 90% (unless the card is overwritten).
• 📄 Up to 70% (depending on fragmentation).
• 🎵 Music up to 50% (often regenerated with distortions).

⚠️ Note: If the card was formatted as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage), it is almost impossible to recover the data - they are encrypted with a key tied to the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory card formatting