Transfer of applications to SD-map 5A: way + fixing

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 5A They often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device is used as a main smartphone with dozens of applications. SD-map MIUI It doesn't always allow you to transfer programs to an external drive in one click. In this article, we'll discuss all working methods for migrating applications to a microSD in Redmi. 5A, including hidden settings, ADB-team and bypass manufacturer restrictions.

Important: Redmi 5A based on Android 7.1.2 (MIUI 9/10) does not support the Adoptable Storage feature out of the box - this is a key difference from the new Xiaomi models.

The memory problem is not only relevant for the Redmi 5A, but also for other Xiaomi budget smartphones with 16 GB of internal memory. However, it is in this model that the combination of a weak Snapdragon 425 processor and an outdated version of Android creates additional difficulties. We tested all methods on the firmware MIUI 9.6 and MIUI 10.2, the results are shown in the comparative table below.

1. Standard portability through Android settings

The most obvious way is to use the built-in portability feature in the app menu, but in Redmi 5A, it doesn’t work for all programs and has limitations.

To try this method:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Choose the app you want (such as Facebook or Music).
3. Click Warehouse → Change (if the option is active).
4. Choose. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ The problems you will face:

• 🚫 Change option is not available for most system and popular applications (Viber, WhatsApp, games).
• 🔄 After the transfer, some programs may not work stable or stop running altogether.
• 📱 Applications with a widget (such as Weather) will not be portable – widgets will no longer appear.

If the Change button is inactive or not, move to the next method, and note that after the transfer, the applications will be installed back into internal memory, which is a feature of MIUI.

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Before transferring the application, clear its cache in the Warehouse menu - this will reduce the amount of data moved and reduce the risk of errors.

2.Use of SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

Adoptable Storage (conversion) SD-Cards to internal memory) officially disabled in Redmi 5A. However, it can be activated through ADB — developer-driven.

⚠️ Note: This method has critical implications:

• 🔐 Once formatted, the card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🚀 System performance may fall if the card is lower in class UHS-I (U1).
• 🔄 When you remove the map, the applications will stop working.

If you are prepared for these restrictions, follow the instructions:

Connect Redmi 5A to your PC via USB (File Transfer Mode)

Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)

Download and install ADB Tools

Copy the platform-tools to the root of the C disk:

-->

Now run commands in Command Prompt (on behalf of the administrator):

cd C:\platform-tools


adb shell




sm list-disks

You'll see a card ID, like disk:179,32, and remember it and type in:

sm partition disk:179,32 private

Once rebooted, the card will become part of the internal memory, and it's important that if you delete the card, the system can freeze when you start the applications, and we recommend using SanDisk Ultra or Samsung EVO Plus cards with read speeds of 90 MB/s.

3. Transfer through third-party applications (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use utilities from Google Play.The best options for Redmi 5A:

AppMgr III is the easiest solution.

1. Open the application and give access to Special Opportunities.
2. Select the Movable tab – here you will see the applications that can be moved.
3. Click on the right one and select Move to SD card.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Google Maps) may require a return move for updates after the transfer. MIUI Sometimes resets the transfer settings after rebooting.

4. Manual moving APK files (for power users)

This method is suitable if you are ready to work with the file system manually. You will need a conductor with access to root (for example, Root Explorer) or ADB.

Instructions:

1. Connect to your device via ADB or open Root Explorer.
2. Go to the folder. /data/app — stored APK-user-application files.
3. Copy the folder of the desired application (for example, com.facebook.katana-1) on SD-file-card Android/obb.
4. Create in /data/app symbolic reference: ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/com.facebook.katana /data/app/com.facebook.katana (where XXXX-XXXX — ID of your card).

⚠️ Risks of the method:

• 🛑 When you update the application, the link will break, and the program will stop working.
• 🔐 Without root rights, symbolic links cannot be created.
• 📱 Some applications (such as WhatsApp) block startups from running SD-map.

This method is only suitable for offline applications (for example, games or book readers), Messengers and social networks are better not to be portable, they require constant access to memory.

5. Optimize memory without transferring applications

If none of these methods worked, try alternative ways to make room:

• 🧹 Cache cleaning: In Settings → Click Clear for unnecessary files. MIUI pile up 1-2 GB of garbage.
• 📁 Media Transfer: Photos, videos and music can be manually moved to the map via Explorer.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Set up an automatic photo upload in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Lite versions of apps: Install Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Spotify Lite – they occupy the Internet. 2-3 lesser.

Also check the Download folder – often unnecessary files (APK, PDF, archives) are accumulated there. Use Files by Google (available in the Play Market) to automatically clean up.

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Even after transferring applications, regularly clean the cache to Settings → Storage – MIUI actively accumulates it, eating the freed space.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring applications to SD-map 5A And the problem is that users are facing typical problems:

"Not enough space on the device despite the free SD-map

This is because MIUI reserves some of the internal memory for system needs.

• 📌 Transfer only media files (music, video) through the Gallery.
• 🔧 Remove unused apps – even 100MB can fix the problem.
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI misrepresents a free space.

"The application does not start after the transfer"

Probable causes and solutions:

• 🔐 The app requires a Google Play license – move it back.
• 📱 The map is formatted in FAT32 — Reformat to exFAT (but you will lose compatibility with some devices).
• 🔧 Clear the application data in Settings → Annexes → Warehouse.

"SD-The card is not determined after formatting in Adoptable Storage"

If the sm partition commands stop reading:

1. Remove the card and insert it into the computer.
2. Format it with SD Formatter (select Overwrite format).
3. If the card is not formatted, it is damaged (try another one).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions