Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a popular budget smartphone with the ability to expand memory through a microSD card. But even with a 128 GB card, users face a lack of internal memory due to installed applications. Moving programs to SD seems like a logical solution, but in Android (especially in MIUI firmware), this process has limitations and pitfalls.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways to transfer applications to a memory card in Redmi 9 – from standard system functions to manual methods using the use of memory cards. ADB. You will learn which applications can be transferred, and which will remain in internal memory, how to format correctly. SD-And what to do if the system doesn't allow you to do the transfer, and we'll also look at alternative solutions to free up space without losing functionality.
Why Redmi 9 can’t move apps to the same location SD-map?
Many users of Xiaomi Redmi 9 are faced with the fact that the option of porting applications to the SD-The map is simply not in the settings, and the reasons are because of Google's policies and features. MIUI:
- 🔒 The Limitations of Android 10+: Since Android 6.0, Google has tightened the rules for working with the Internet. SD-In newer versions of the OS, transferring applications to an external drive is only possible for programs that explicitly support this function (usually games or lightweight utilities).
- 📱 Firmware MIUI: Xiaomi often blocks even the features that are technically available in pure Android in its shells.
- 💾 Type of formatting SD: The card must be formatted as an Adoptable Storage, otherwise the application transfer will not be available.
It is important to understand that the transfer of applications to SD-The Redmi 9 card does not guarantee full internal memory release, and many programs leave some data (cache, settings) in the internal storage, and some (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, system utilities) do not support transfer at all.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is a portable storage device (not internal memory), the application portability will not be available, and note that once the card is formatted as internal memory, it will not be retrieved without data loss, the system will consider it part of the smartphone.
Preparation SD-Maps: Formatting as internal memory
Before you try to migrate applications, you need to properly prepare the microSD card. In Redmi 9, this is done through the system settings.
Formatting instructions:
- Put it in. SD-card in the smartphone slot (card support up to 512 GB).
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
- Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 128GB).
- In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
- Choose Format as an internal memory.
- Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (may take a few minutes).
After formatting, the system will offer to transfer some data (photos, videos, documents) to the SD-But this is not about apps, they're going to have to be manually moved.
Backup card data | Make sure card is compatible (UHS-I, Class 10) | Charge phone at least 50% | Close all running apps-->
⚠️ If after formatting the card as internal memory, the smartphone began to slow down, perhaps, SD-The card is too slow (class below) UHS-I In this case, it is recommended to return the settings to the portable storage or replace the card with a faster one.
Standard way to transfer applications through settings
If you SD-The card is formatted as internal memory, you can try to migrate applications in the standard way, but as mentioned earlier, this option is not available for all programs.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want to migrate (like Google Maps or Spotify).
- Slip on Warehouse.
- If the option is available, you will see the Change or Move button. SD-Click on it.
- Wait until the process is complete (it can take from a few seconds to a minute).
Note that even after transferring some of the application data will remain in internal memory, and some functions of the program may work slower, as the read/write speed. SD-Cards are lower than the built-in storage.
Do not have|32GB|64GB|128GB|256GB more-->
| Type of application | Possibility of transfer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Games (such as Candy Crush) | ✅ Yes. | The main up file is transferred, but the cache and saves can remain in the internal memory. |
| Social networks (Facebook, Instagram) | ❌ No. | Most social networks block transfers due to data security |
| Messengers (Viber, Telegram) | ❌ No. | Transfer is impossible due to encryption of correspondence |
| Multimedia (VLC, MX Player) | ✅ Yes. | Passed without problems, but can brake when playing with SD |
| System applications | ❌ No. | Transfer blocked at MIUI level |
Transfer applications over ADB (for power users)
If the standard method doesn’t work, you can try migrating apps over Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and knowing the basic commands.
What you need:
- 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Instructions:
- Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
- Find out the batch name of the application (for example, for Chrome it is com.android.chrome).
- Move the app to SD-Map by command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 Then: adb shell pm move-package com.android.chrome (replace com.android.chrome in the name of your package).
If the command is successful, you will see a message Success, but many applications (especially system ones) do not support porting even over ADB.
💡
Before using ADB, back up your smartphone data. Incorrect commands can cause system failures.
Alternative ways to free up memory in Redmi 9
If the applications are transferred SD-The card is not possible or does not solve the memory problem, consider alternative methods:
- 🧹 Cache Clearing: Clean App Cache Regularly Through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache. It can free up a few gigabytes.
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos, videos and documents to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk. MIUI There is a built-in backup function in the cloud.
- 🗑️ Remove Unnecessary Files: Use the Built-in Cleanup Utility (Security) → Cleaning) for the removal of debris, duplicates and large files.
- 🔄 Transfer media files: Manually move photos, music and videos to SD-A card via any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).
You can also disable or remove pre-installed MIUI applications that you don't use.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Music or Mi Video).
- Click Disable or Delete (if available).
How to remove system applications without root rights?
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When transferring applications to SD-Redmi 9 cards are often used by users, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:
- 🚫 "Transfer button inactive": This means the app does not support the transfer.There is no solution but to free up space in other ways.
- ⚠️ "Not enough space on the device": Even after the transfer, some of the data remains in the internal memory. Try to clear the cache or delete unnecessary files.
- 🔄 "Application does not work after transfer: Some programs (especially games) may produce errors when running with the software. SD-Return the application back to internal memory.
- 📵 "SD-Card not recognized": Check if the card is inserted correctly. If the problem persists, try formatting it on another device.
If after transferring applications, the smartphone began to slow down, probably, SD-The map is not fast enough:
- Return critical applications (messengers, launchers) to internal memory.
- Replace. SD-speed-card UHS-I U3 or V30.
- Turn off automatic updates to applications that have been ported to SD.
⚠️ Attention: If you have extracted SD-A card formatted as internal memory, the smartphone may stop loading or not work correctly, in which case you will have to reset the settings to the factory or refashion the device.
Comparison of application portability methods
To choose the best way to free up memory in Redmi 9, compare all available methods:
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Transfer through Settings | ⭐ (simple) | ⚠️ Low (not all applications are supported) | Minimum |
| Formatting SD as internal memory | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ⚠️ Medium (part of the applications can be transferred) | Medium (risk of data loss on the map) |
| Transfer through ADB | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | ⚠️ High (more applications can be transferred) | High (risk of failure with incorrect commands) |
| Cleaning cache and removing unnecessary files | ⭐ (simple) | ✅ High (releases several GBs) | Minimum |
| Use of cloud storage | ⭐ (simple) | ✅ High (frees up space for media files) | Minimum (Internet required) |
As you can see from the table, the safest and most effective methods are to clean the cache and use cloud storage. SD-The card is useful only if other methods do not help.
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Transfer of applications to SD-Redmi 9 is not a panacea, but in most cases it is more effective to clear the cache, delete unnecessary files, or move media to the cloud.