How to install applications on a memory card in Xiaomi: all ways + bypassing the limitations of MIUI

Xiaomi smartphone owners with limited internal memory often face the problem of not having enough space to install new applications. Even with a microSD card, the MIUI defaults to block the ability to transfer programs there - unlike older versions of Android. Why is this happening and how to circumvent this limitation?

In this article, we will discuss all working methods of installing applications on the SD-map in Xiaomi smartphones, including official methods for supported models and workarounds for devices with MIUI 12/13/14. You will learn which applications can be ported without risking system stability, as well as how to format the memory card correctly to avoid errors. MIUI, This allows you to expand memory even on budget models like Redmi. 9A POCO M3.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the installation of applications on the SD-map?

Starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow (and the corresponding versions of MIUI 8+), Xiaomifollowing Google’s policy limited the ability to migrate applications to external drives.

• 🔒 Security: Annexes to SD-It is easier to fake or hack the card, which increases the risk of infection with viruses.
• ⚡ Performance: Class Memory Cards UHS-I or lower is slower than the internal memory eMMC/UFS, slowing down applications.
• 📱 Fragmentation MIUI: Xiaomi optimizes firmware for internal memory, and the transfer of applications can cause failures.
• 💾 Formatting: Not all maps support the Adoptable Storage required for applications to work properly.

However, these limitations are not absolute. For example, in MIUI 12.5 and later for some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco X3 Pro) the option of transferring some of the application data (cache, media files), but not the APKs themselves is returned. And in older versions (MIUI 9-11) you could use Adoptable Storage through hidden settings.

⚠️ Note: Transfer system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) to SD-This card will lead to a cyclical restart of the smartphone, and you can only restore the functionality through the Fastboot.

Official method: transfer of data applications (cache, media)

If your Xiaomi is working on MIUI 12.5+, You can transfer cache and user data of some applications to SD-This won't free up much space, but it will help with media files (photos on WhatsApp, music on Spotify).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-card to slot (cards are supported to the slot) 2 TB, but optimally 128–256 GB A2/UHS-I).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (such as Telegram or Google Maps).
4. Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.
5. Confirm the transfer. The system will only copy the cache and downloaded files, and the APK itself will remain in the internal memory.

List of applications that support this method:

⚠️ Note: Do not retrieve data after transfer SD-card without first returning files to internal memory, this can cause the application to crash (for example, WhatsApp will stop showing media).

The way for advanced: Adoptable Storage (built-in storage)

Adoptable Storage (embedded storage) allows formatting SD-It's the only way that applications are installed directly on the card, but it has serious limitations:

• ✅ It only works on Android 6-9 (MIUI 8–11).
• ✅ The card should be fast (class) A2 or UHS-I U3).
• ❌ After formatting, the card cannot be used in other devices without being completely cleaned.
• ❌ Some apps (like Google Pay) will not work.

How to turn on Adoptable Storage:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. When the notice “New” appears SD-map" press Set up.
3. Select Internal Memory (not Portable Storage).
4. Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
5. After the restart, the system will offer to transfer some of the data to the map.

If the notification does not appear, use the hidden menu:

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true

Then go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map → Menus (⋮) → Settings → Formatting as an internal.

Make a backup copy of the data with SD-map|Check the speed class (should be) A2/U3)|Charge your phone at least to 50%|Connect to charging (the process takes up) 10–20 minute)|Make sure there are no important files on the card (they will be deleted)-->

Bypassing restrictions through ADB (no root rights)

If your Xiaomi is working on MIUI 12+ and does not support Adoptable Storage, you can forcibly allow the installation of applications on the SD-map ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method doesn't require root rights, but you need to. USB-debug.

Instructions:

1. Turn it on. USB-debugging → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm your trusted device.
3. Download ADB Tools and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear serial number of your Xiaomi.
5. Run the command to allow installation on SD: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 Where 2 is the priority of external memory.

After that, when installing applications through APK-The system will ask you to choose a storage location:

• 📌 It only works for manually installed apps (not from Google Play).
• 📌 Some applications (for example, games with OBB-files) may not be started.
• 📌 After restarting, the settings may reset (you need to repeat the command).

💡

To return the priority of internal memory, use the command adb shell pm set-install-location 0. SD-The map is unstable.

Transfer applications with root rights (Magisk)

If you have root rights (installed by Magisk), you can use apps like App2SD or Link2SD to force APKs to be transferred to a card, which is the most flexible, but also the most risky.

Step-by-step instructions for Link2SD:

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. At the first start, provide root access.
3. Select file systems ext2/ext3/ext4 or FAT32 (depending on the format SD-map).
4. Reboot your smartphone.
5. In the list of applications, select the desired one and click Create a link → Move it to SD-map.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ All data from the application, including APK and OBB.
• ✅ It even works on MIUI 14.
• ✅ System applications can be selectively ported (but carefully!).

Risks:

• ❌ Improper transfer of system APK (com.android.* will cause a brick (inoperability) of the phone.
• ❌ Annexes to SD-The card can be laid due to low reading/writing speed.
• ❌ After updating MIUI links may break.

💡

Use Link2SD only for custom applications. Shifting system components (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) will cause MIUI to malfunction.

Alternative solutions: Optimizing internal memory

If none of these methods are suitable, consider alternative ways to free up space:

• 🧹 Cleaning the cache: In Settings → Memory. → You can delete up to 1-3 GB of unnecessary files.
• 🗑️ Removing duplicates: Apps like Files by Google or MIUI Cleaner finds repetitive photos and videos.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (gives 5GB for free).
• 🎮 Use Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Spotify Lite – they take up 2-3 times less space.
• 📦 Archiving rarely used apps: Google Play allows you to archive games while saving progress in the cloud.

MIUI also has a hidden memory compression function:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5 times on the MIUI version, then go back and open Additional Settings → Memory → Optimization.
3. Enable the option of memory compression (not available on all models).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on the Xiaomi model, the version of MIUI and your technical skills.

For most users, the best solution is a combination of:

1. Transfer of cache and media through the official method.
2. Use ADB to install new applications on SD.
3. Regularly clean your memory with MIUI Cleaner.

FAQ: Frequent questions