Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially if the device is equipped with a modest 32 or 64 GB. Transferring applications to a memory card seems logical, but in MIUI this process has nuances. Unlike “pure” Android, where the port function is available by default, Xiaomi firmware can be hidden or limited. The reasons lie in the architecture of the system: the manufacturer optimizes the work with the internal drive to improve speed and stability.
Not all applications can be ported — many system utilities and games with high performance requirements remain “tied” to internal memory. It is important to understand that after the transfer, the application can run slower, especially if you use a cheap one. SD-A map of a class of 10 or below, and then we'll go through all the tools available, from the standard tools. MIUI Up to workaround solutions for advanced users.
Modern Xiaomi smartphones (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) support memory cards up to 1 TB, but this does not guarantee the ability to port applications. It depends on the version of MIUI and the manufacturer's policy. For example, in MIUI 14, the portability function can be blocked for some regions due to localization. Before proceeding with the procedure, make sure that your memory card is formatted as an internal drive (not as a portable one) - this is a key condition for most methods.
Preparation: compatibility check and map formatting
Before transferring applications, it is necessary to properly prepare SD-Insert it into the smartphone slot (in hybrid models, for example, Redmi). 9A, You have to choose between the second. SIM-After the device recognizes, go to Settings → Memory and check if the card is defined. If it's displayed as Portable Drive, it needs to be formatted as internal memory.
For this:
- Open Settings → Memory → SD card.
- Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Memory Settings.
- Click Format as an internal drive.
- Confirm the action (all data on the map will be deleted!).
⚠️ Note: Once formatted, the card cannot be retrieved without losing data, it will become part of the system. Some applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may not work properly with external memory if it is slower than internal memory. UHS-I class A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus), which provide high read/write speed.
Critical nuance: in MIUI 13 and later, the function of formatting the card as an internal drive can be hidden, in which case the ADB workaround will help (section 4).
Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings
The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI. It's suitable for most applications, except system and some games. MIUI 12–14:
1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (e.g. Facebook or Spotify).
3.Put on the item Memory (or Warehouse in new versions).
4. Click Change and select SD Card.
If the transfer button is inactive or absent, it means:
- 🔹 The application does not support transfer (most often these are games or system utilities).
- 🔹 Memory card is not formatted as an internal storage device.
- 🔹 Version. MIUI Limits function (relevant to some regions).
⚠️ Note: After porting, the application may run slower, especially if the memory card is in the budget segment. Test performance after transfer - some programs (for example, Google Maps) may slow down when loading cards from the budget segment. SD.
The memory card is formatted as an internal drive|Free space on the map exceeds the size of the application|The application is not system and not a game with high demands|Smartphone connected to charging (recommended)-->
Method 2: Transfer over ADB (for advanced 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 where to install applications, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.
Steps to carry through ADB:
- Activate Developer Mode in Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on the MIUI version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB drivers (you can download from the Android Developers website).
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
- Enter the port command (replace package.name with the real name of the application package, for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook): adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command sets the priority of installing the device on the device. SD-map.
- To transfer an already installed application, use: adb shell pm move-package package.name
To find out the name of the application package, use the command:
adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"For example, for Instagram, type grep "instagram".
⚠️ Note: Not all applications work properly after forced porting through ADB. Some may crashes or lose data. Before the procedure, back up important data via Settings. → System system → Backup.
How to find the name of the application package without ADB?
Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications
If the built-in MIUI tools fail, third-party tools come to the rescue. One of the most popular is AppMgr III (formerly App 2 SD). The app analyzes installed programs and suggests migrating supported ones to a memory card. The advantage of AppMgr III is a simple interface and the ability to sort applications by size, which is convenient for freeing up space.
How to use AppMgr III:
- 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
- 🔍 Open the Moving tab - here you will see programs that can be transferred.
- 📲 Select the desired application and tap Move to SD-map.
- ⚡ Wait for the process to be completed (may take a few minutes).
Unfortunately, even AppMgr III won’t be able to port system or protected games (like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) and some apps may require a smartphone reboot after the transfer.
Alternative utilities:
- 🔧 Link2SD — requires root rights, but allows you to "bind" applications to SD-The card without any support from the system.
- 📦 Files by Google – does not tolerate apps, but helps to clear cache and unnecessary files.
💡
Before using third-party utilities, check reviews on Google Play – some portable apps may contain ads or work with MIUI incorrectly.
Limitations and problems in the portability of applications
Even if you managed to transfer the application to a memory card, this does not guarantee trouble-free operation. The table below summarizes the main limitations and ways to circumvent them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Application not portable | Prohibited by the developer or system | Use ADB or root access |
| Slow work after transfer | Low speed. SD-map | Buy a Class A2/UHS-I card |
| App crashes at launch | Incompatibility with external memory | Return to the internal drive |
| Notifications are not working | MIUI limitations for external memory | Transfer only the media files of the application |
Especially often problems arise with messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) and social networks. For example, WhatsApp can stop saving media files or sending notifications if its data is transferred to the SD. In such cases, it is recommended to leave the application itself in internal memory, and only transfer its cache or uploaded files (for example, photos from chats).
Another nuance is app updates: After transferring some programs (like games from Google Play) may require a temporary return to internal memory for updating, in which case the system usually offers automatic returns after the process is completed.
💡
Transfer of applications to SD-Xiaomi map is a trade-off between free space and performance. Always test the program after the transfer and be ready to return it if necessary.
Transfer only application media files
If the app itself is not portable or crashing, the other way is to transfer only its data (photo, video, cache) is for instant messengers, galleries and music players, for example, WhatsApp can manually specify a folder to save media files to the app. SD-map:
1. Open WhatsApp and go to ⋮ → Settings → Memory and data.
2. Tap Saving Media Files and select the folder on SD-map.
Similar settings are available in Telegram (Settings → Data and Memory → Telegram folder) and VK (Settings → General → Download folder) which does not free up internal memory as effectively as a full application port, but reduces the load on the main drive.
To transfer the cache of applications (for example, downloaded maps in Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator):
- Open Settings → Applications and select the desired one.
- Go to Memory. → Cash.
- Click Clear cache (the data will be saved, but the space will be freed).
- In the application settings, specify SD-map as a place of storage of downloaded data.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If none of these methods worked, consider alternative ways to release memory:
1. Cleaning of cache and unnecessary files:
Use the built-in Cleanup utility in MIUI (Settings → Memory → Cleanup).
- Remove the app cache manually through Settings → Apps → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Transfer files to the cloud:
Upload photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (available 5GB for free).
Use Dropbox or Yandex Disk to back up documents.
3. Removal of pre-installed annexes:
In MIUI, you can disable (but not remove) unnecessary system applications through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Disable.
Root rights will be required for complete removal (not recommended for beginners).
Reset to factory settings:
- Extreme measure, but effective. Before reset, back up through Settings → System → Backup.
If memory problems occur regularly, consider buying a smartphone with a large amount of internal storage (such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro with 256 GB) or using cloud storage services.