Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a shortage of internal memory, especially on budget models where storage is limited. When the built-in drive is overflowing, the system starts to run slower and installing new programs becomes impossible. In such situations, users are looking for ways to move data to a memory card or other device to free up precious space.
However, since Android 6.0, Google’s security policy has changed, and the direct portability has changed. APK-The external storage of files has become impossible without special manipulations. MIUI And HyperOS also has limitations that don't allow you to just "take and move" a program in one click, as it was on older versions of Android.
In this article, we will discuss how to migrate applications to Xiaomi Redmi using the built-in Mi Mover service, developer settings for forced movement and third-party utilities. You will learn about the risks associated with moving system files, and understand why some programs are categorically not to be touched. We will also touch on the topic of data portability when buying a new phone, which is a related and relevant task for many users.
Using the Mi Mover app to change the device
The easiest and safest way to transfer applications is to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover, which is preinstalled on most Xiaomi smartphones. This tool is designed primarily to migrate data from the old phone to the new one, but it also does a great job of backing up and restoring software. MIUI.
To get started, you need to run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select Reciever and on the old phone, Sender, and the devices will connect via a temporary Wi-Fi network created by the receiving phone. APK-files, but also data within applications, if the security policy of a particular program allows.
⚠️ Note: When transferring banking applications and instant messengers with two-factor authentication (for example, Telegram, WhatsApp), repeated logins or confirmation of login via the two-factor authentication may be required. SMS, Since encryption keys are often tied to a particular hardware.
Once you select data categories, including Applications, you start copying, and the speed of the transfer depends on the volume of data and the quality of the wireless connection, and the advantage of this method is that the folder structure and shortcuts on the desktop are saved, eliminating the need to reconfigure the interface.
Forced transfer to a memory card through the developer settings
For owners of devices with a small amount of internal memory, the issue of transferring programs directly to the MicroSD card is relevant. The standard Android interface hides this feature, but it can be activated through the developer menu. This method allows the system to consider the external card as part of internal memory, which makes it possible to install applications there by default.
To activate the developer menu, you need to go to Settings → About the phone and several times (usually) 7-10 once) quickly press "Version" MIUI". After the message "You became a developer" you can go to the advanced settings. → For developers, you need to find the item "Allow saving on external drives" and activate it.
After turning on this option and restarting the device, a button "Move to" may appear in the settings of some applications. SD-However, it is important to understand that not all programs support this feature, and that system components and critical services of Google will remain gray and inaccessible to move, which is normal operating system protection.
☑️ Pre-transfer check
Using a memory card as internal storage has drawbacks; most memory cards have slower read and write speeds than embedded flash memory, which can slow down heavy applications; and when the card is removed, all programs installed on it will stop working.
Table of compatibility of transfer methods
Not all methods are suitable for all situations. The choice of method depends on your ultimate goal: just to make room, change your phone or save data of a particular application. Below is a comparative table that helps determine the optimal strategy.
| Method | Purpose | I need a Root. | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Change of phone | No. | Low. |
| Developer settings | Expansion of memory | No. | Medium. |
| ADB Commands | Forced transfer | No (PC needed) | High-pitched |
| Link2Root / App2SD | Deep optimization | Yes. | High-pitched |
As you can see from the table, standard methods are safer but have limitations, and using advanced tools requires more care and understanding of the processes that take place in the Android file system.
Transfer data through Google Account and cloud services
An alternative to direct file copying is cloud sync, Google's ecosystem allows you to save lists of installed applications, their settings and, in some cases, game progress data. When you log in to a new account on a Xiaomi device, the system will offer you to restore previously used programs.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Google → Backup. Make sure the Google Backup switch is active. It’s also worth checking the settings of a particular application, as many games and services have their own cloud-based saves tied to a developer account or social networks.
⚠️ Note: Not all apps store their data in the Google cloud. Local databases, cache, and files stored inside the app can be lost when reinstalled if the developer has not provided sync.
This method is ideal for recovering a basic set of software after a reset or purchase of a new device, which does not take up space on the memory card, but requires a stable Internet connection to download all updates and data.
What happens to the data when you transfer your account?
Using ADB for Advanced Application Management
For power users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a powerful tool called ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that allows you to manage packets at the system level by forcibly changing their location. This method does not require root rights, but necessitates having a computer and enabled debugging over USB.
First, you need to enable USB debugging in the developer menu, as described earlier. Then connect your phone to your PC with a cable. On a computer where the ADB drivers are installed, open the command line. To view a list of all the packages and their current location, use the command:
adb shell pm list packages -fTo move a particular application to a memory card (if it supports movement), the pm move-package command is used.
adb shell pm move-package <name package> internalInternal can be replaced with a memory card identifier, which can be found through the adb shell pm get-install-location command, which gives complete control, but a mistake in the packet name can lead to an application failure.
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Use ADB AppControl on Windows to manage applications easily through ADB without manually typing commands. It has a graphical interface that shows which applications are system and which are user-friendly.
Common Mistakes and Problems in Migration
Application portability is rarely perfectly smooth. Users often encounter “Not enough space,” “App not installed,” or an endless install cycle. One common reason is the memory card file system. To function properly as internal storage, the card must be formatted in a file system that supports Android access rights (usually ext4 or f2fs when formatted by the system).
Another common problem is version conflict: If you move an application from an old Android to a new one, the processor architecture or API version may not match, in which case the system blocks the installation or the application crashes immediately after launch, and it is worth considering that some memory card manufacturers use poor-quality memory, which quickly degrades with active writing, characteristic of the application operation.
Critically, transferring system applications (e.g. MIUI System, Google Play Services) to a memory card can result in bootloop (cyclic reboot) and loss of access to the device.