Owners of the popular budget smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 8 often face a critical lack of built-in storage. Standard 32 or 64 gigabytes are quickly filled with system files, messenger updates and social media cache. When the space runs out, the device starts to work slower, and installing new programs becomes impossible, which is why the question of how to transfer applications to a memory card becomes a priority for many users.
Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have made it possible to expand the functionality of the gadget, using an external MicroSD card allows you not only to store photos, but also to move some of these programs. However, this process has its own nuances in the shell of MIUI. Unlike standard Android, it implements a more stringent security policy, but we will analyze all available methods.
In this article, we will look at the algorithms that will help free up precious megabytes of internal memory, you will learn about the system’s regular tools and third-party utilities, and we will also touch on the technical limitations that the manufacturer imposes on the operation of the file system.
Preparation of a memory card and smartphone
Before you start manipulating files, you need to properly prepare the storage medium. Not every memory card is suitable for working as an extension of internal memory. It is advisable to use cards of the standard Class 10 or higher, which have high write speeds. Slow drives can cause "freezes" and interface freezes.
Insert the card into the smartphone slot.In Xiaomi Redmi 8 tray combined, so make sure you don't use the two. SIM-If you plan to expand your memory, the system must automatically identify the new drive after you physically install it. If that doesn't happen, go to the settings and check the status of the connection.
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Use a memory card with a capacity of no more than 128 GB for Redmi 8, as the controller may not work properly with volumes of 256 GB and above.
The next step is formatting. It's a mandatory procedure that will create the right file structure. Keep in mind that formatting will completely delete all the data on the flash drive. Copy important files to your computer or cloud storage in advance so you don't lose them forever.
- 📱 Insert the card in the switched off or on smartphone.
- 🔍 Wait for notification of finding a new drive in the curtain.
- ⚙️ Go to the settings menu for the primary configuration.
- 💾 Select formatting to prepare the disk for work.
Setting up SD-maps as internal storage
The most efficient way to integrate an external drive is to use Adoptable Storage, which allows the system to perceive the memory card as part of an internal drive, in which case applications and their data can be written directly to an external medium, bypassing the limitations of internal memory.
To activate this feature on Xiaomi, you often need access to hidden menus or use of the app. ADB-commands, as in the standard interface MIUI This option may be hidden, but in some versions of the firmware, the path is through the standard settings. → Memory and select your card.
⚠️ Note: Once the card is formatted as an internal storage, it will be encrypted. You will not be able to read the data from this card on another device or computer without re-formatting.
If the standard path does not offer the "Use as internal storage" option, the system blocks this capability at the firmware level, in which case you will have to resort to more complex methods or tolerate partial transfer. MIUI Often, transfers are limited to media files only.
Why is Xiaomi hiding this feature?
Encrypting and combining partitions can take a few minutes, while you don't remove the card or turn off the phone, interrupting the process can damage the file system and cause data loss, and once complete, the system will suggest a reboot, after which the new storage will be available.
Instructions for manual transfer of applications
If full memory integration is not possible or necessary, you can migrate applications selectively through the program management menu. Note that not all applications support movement. Google system services and mission-critical MIUI components will remain on the built-in drive.
Open your smartphone settings and find the Apps section. Select All Apps to see the full list of installed software. Find the program you want to move in the list and click on it. From the menu that opens, select the Storage option.
☑️ Transfer algorithm
If the Change button is active, the system will select the target drive. Click on it and specify your SD-The process of copying the data will take time depending on the size of the application. Upon completion, most of the files of the program will be on an external medium, freeing up the internal space.
| Type of application | Possibility of transfer | Impact on speed | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cache games | Partial | Average. | Move the cache |
| Social media. | Complete. | Low. | Recommended |
| System services | No. | - | Keep it in mind. |
| Messengers | Partial | High. | Careful. |
Using ADB for Forced Transfer
For advanced users who are not satisfied with the limitations of MIUI, there is a method of forced permission to transfer through debugging over USB. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and installing ADB drivers.
First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. After the activation message appears, go back to the main settings menu and find the option Additional → For developers.
Turn on the USB Debugging Toggle. Connect your phone to your PC with a cable. On your computer, open the command line in the ADB folder and type a command to change the global variable:
adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2A value of 2 tells the system to prefer external storage when installing new applications. A value of 0 returns automatic selection, and 1 compulsorily puts everything in internal memory. This method does not guarantee the transfer of already installed applications, but affects new installations.
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The command via ADB changes the global preference of the system, but does not guarantee compatibility of all applications with external media.
Transfer of media files and application cache
Even if the app itself cannot be moved, its heavy cache and media files are often stored in shared folders that are easy to move. Messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp store thousands of photos and videos that take up gigabytes.
Use the built-in conductor MIUI Or a third-party file manager. DCIM, Download, Telegram, WhatsApp. Select content and select Move. As your target directory, specify the corresponding folder on the SD-map.
For some applications, such as YouTube Go or music players, you can change the way you save in the program settings themselves: Go to the settings of a particular application, find the Storage or Downloads section, and specify a memory card, which will prevent internal memory from filling in in the future.
- 📂 Open the "Conductor" app".
- 📁 Find a folder with heavy content (such as Video).
- ✂️ Select files and select "Move".
- 💾 Show the way. SD-preserve-card.
Possible problems and solutions
In the process of operation, errors can occur, and most often users are faced with a message that the application does not support portability, this restriction is sewn into the manifest of the application itself by the developer, and bypass it without modification. APK-file-impossible.
Another common problem is that the smartphone slows down after transferring data, which indicates a slow memory card speed, in which case it is recommended to replace the drive with a more productive one or return the files to internal memory, and read errors may also occur if the card was removed without first unmounting.
⚠️ Warning: If the application stops running or crashes after transfer, try clearing the cache or reinstalling it again by selecting internal memory.
Sometimes the system can "lost" the path to the transferred data after rebooting, this is solved by re-initializing the card in the settings. Make sure that the card sits tightly in the slot and has no physical damage to the contacts. Regular backup of data from the memory card will help avoid losing important information.