Owners of budget and mid-budget devices of the line Xiaomi Redmi often face a critical lack of free space. The built-in memory fills up instantly after installing a couple of popular applications, games and system updates. This results in a slower interface, inability to update apps, and constant storage full notifications. Many users are looking for a solution in the form of expanding memory using a card. Unfortunately, modern versions of the shell do not provide a standard “Move to SD card” button for most applications, as was the case in older versions of Android. The company MicroSD.
Unfortunately, modern versions of the shell MIUI And HyperOS do not provide a standard "Move to SD card" button for most applications, as was the case in older versions of Android. Company Xiaomi intentionally hides this function to ensure system stability and speed of app launch. However, there are proven ways to bypass these limitations and effectively use an external drive to store data and even some apps.
In this guide, we will examine in detail all the available methods: from standard moving of media files to advanced technical techniques using ADB. You'll learn how to turn a memory card into internal storage, what risks it carries, and why some apps still can't be transferred. The instructions cover various models, from Redmi Note to flagship series, taking into account the features of their software.
Features of memory operation in the MIUI and HyperOS shell
Understanding the architecture of the file system Xiaomi is the first step to successful memory management. Unlike “pure” Android, the MIUI shell strictly distinguishes between internal storage and external storage. The system considers the SD card exclusively a place for storing “cold” data: photos, music, videos and documents. Applications by default they are installed only in the fast internal partition.
This limitation is dictated by the difference in read and write speeds. Built-in flash memory eMMC or UFS works significantly faster than even the fastest memory cards. Transferring heavy apps to a slow card can lead to freezes, long loading times, and unstable operation of the software. However, for light utilities and games with a small amount of swapping, this method is quite viable.
⚠️ Attention: Forcibly moving system applications or critical services to the memory card can lead to a cyclic reboot of the smartphone or complete inoperability of the interface. Proceed with caution.
It is also worth noting that company policy changes from version to version. In some global market firmwares, the transfer function is completely blocked, while in Chinese versions it can be accessed through hidden engineer menus. Users Redmi have to look for workarounds, since standard settings often do not offer the necessary options.
Before starting any manipulations, be sure to make a complete backup copy of important data to your computer or cloud storage. Working with memory partitions carries the risk of losing information.
The standard method of moving data and applications
Let's start with the safest and simplest method, which is provided by the developers. Even if you can't move the app body itself (the APK file), you can often move its data, cache, and media files. This frees up a significant amount of internal storage without the risk of compromising system stability.
First, insert the memory card into the slot and wait for it to be detected. Go to Settings → Storage. Here the system will offer to use the card as portable storage. After formatting, you can manually transfer files. To move data from specific applications, the algorithm is as follows:
- 📂 Open standard Explorer and select large files.
- 📤 Click "Move" and select a folder on the SD card.
- ⚙️ In In the settings of some applications (for example, instant messengers or navigators) there is a “Memory” item where you can change the saving path.
- 📸 In the “Camera” application, go to the settings and enable the “Save to SD card” option.
This method does not transfer the executable code of the app, but solves the problem of lack of space for user content. For example, offline maps of the navigator or downloaded movies in the player will take up space on the external card, leaving the internal memory free for system needs.
☑️ Preparing the memory card
Activation of the Adoptable Storage function via ADB
If the standard capabilities are not enough, you can use function Adoptable Storage (Adaptive storage). It allows the system to see the memory card as an extension of the internal memory. In MIUI, this option is hidden, but it can be activated using a computer and a utility. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
To implement this method, you will need a PC, a USB cable and USB debugging enabled on your smartphone. To activate debugging mode, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “MIUI Version” item. Then in the advanced settings, activate the switch USB debugging.
adb shell pm set-force-adoptable trueAfter entering this command, you need to restart the device, insert a memory card and format it through the phone settings as “Internal storage”. The system will prompt you to transfer the data. It is important to understand that after this the card will be encrypted and cannot be read on other devices without formatting.
⚠️ Attention: A memory card formatted as internal storage is tied to a specific device. Removing it and inserting it into another phone to read data will not work - the system will require formatting, which will delete all files.
This method is the most effective for fully transferring applications, but it places high demands on the quality of the memory card. Using a slow card will turn your fast one Xiaomi Redmi into a sluggish device, so choose drives marked A1 or A2.
What to do if the ADB command does not work?
In some new versions of HyperOS, the command may be blocked at the kernel level. In this case, try using the command `adb shell sm list-disks`, find the disk ID (for example, disk:179.64) and execute `adb shell sm partition disk:XXX private`. This will forcefully create a partition.
Moving applications without root access: Third-party utilities
There is a class of applications that try to deceive the system by creating links or using special permissions to move data. Popular utilities like App2SD or Files To SD Card can help transfer some data, but they do not give full control over the installation of apps on the card without superuser rights.
The principle of operation of such apps is based on analyzing installed applications and searching for those that support native transfer (flag android:installLocation). If the application developer has not prohibited the transfer, the utility will show the “Move” button. However, in modern realities, less than 10% of applications on Google Play officially support this function.
Nevertheless, these tools are useful for managing the cache. They can automatically find heavy files created by applications (such as Telegram or WhatsApp cache) and move them to external storage by creating symbolic links. For the system, it looks as if the files are inside, although they are physically located on the SD card.
| Utility name | Root required | Functional | Compatible with MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| App2SD: Saver, Booster | No (basic) | Analysis and migration of supported applications | High |
| Files To SD Card | No | Migration of media and cache of specific applications | Medium |
| Link2SD | Yes (required) | Full transfer of any applications and libraries | Requires unlocking the bootloader |
| FolderSync | No | Synchronizing folders with external media | High |
Using third-party software without root access is safe, but its effectiveness is limited by the security policies of Android 10 and higher. The system increasingly controls access to the file system, blocking the creation of arbitrary links between memory sections.
Advanced method: Using root access and Link2SD
For users who are willing to take risks and lose the warranty, there is the most powerful method - obtaining root access. Unlocking the bootloader and installing superuser rights (via Magisk) removes all MIUI restrictions. This allows you to use applications like Link2SD to create partitions on a memory card.
The essence of the method is to create a special partition on the memory card in the file system ext4 or ext3. Applications are installed there entirely, including libraries .so and files dalvik-cache. The system perceives this partition as part of the internal storage, but physically the data is on the card.
The process requires technical preparation: you need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website, install custom recovery (TWRP) and flash Magisk. Only then will Link2SD be able to automatically move any applications when they are installed. This is an ideal option for devices with a small amount of built-in memory, for example Redmi 9A or older models.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader officially erases all data from the phone. In addition, banking applications and services with a high level of security (Google Pay, some games) may stop working or require additional settings for hiding root access.
Despite the complexity, this method gives maximum freedom. You can even transfer system updates and heavy games to the card, which usually take up gigabytes of space. However, stability of operation directly depends on the quality of the memory card and the speed of its controller.
Using root access and Link2SD is the only way to transfer 100% of the application data, including cache and libraries, but this voids the warranty and complicates receiving security updates.
Choosing the right memory card for Xiaomi
Success of transferring applications 90% depends on the quality of the microSD card. Cheap cards from Chinese marketplaces often have inflated specifications and low random read/write speed (IOPS). To work in application mode, the card must quickly process many small files.
Pay attention to the marking A1 or A2 (Application Performance Class). These standards guarantee the minimum I/O speed required to run applications. Cards without this marking (Class 10 or U3 only) are suitable only for storing videos and photos, but not for installing apps.
Recommended brands for use in smartphones Xiaomi: SanDisk Extreme, Samsung EVO Plus, Kingston Canvas Go!. Avoid buying cards with a capacity of more than 256 GB in budget models, as the smartphone's memory controller may not work correctly with large amounts, causing write errors.
After purchasing a new memory card, test its speed using the SD Card Benchmark or A1 SD Bench application. If the random read speed is below 5-7 MB/s, transferring applications will slow down the phone.
Common problems and ways to solve them
Even if all instructions are followed, users may encounter errors. The most common problem is that the application stops launching or crashes immediately after opening. This often indicates that the memory card has moved away, is damaged, or is too slow for this type of software.
Another common situation: after rebooting the phone, application icons remain in place, but there is no data inside them. This happens if the system did not have time to mount the external partition before loading the interface. In such cases, reconfiguring the mount point in advanced managers or disabling fast boot in the BIOS helps (if we are talking about emulators, but on phones this can be solved by replacing the card).
If you use the ADB method and the card is defined as “Portable” instead of “Internal”, check whether the space on the card is occupied by other files. To create a section for applications, the card must be completely clean. Also make sure that the "Don't save activities" option or similar background activity restrictions are not enabled in the developer settings.
Remember that the software is constantly updated. What worked in MIUI 12 may be blocked in HyperOS. Always check the relevance of the methods on specialized forums, since the security policies of Google and Xiaomi are becoming stricter every year.
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp to an SD card in Xiaomi?
It is impossible to completely transfer the WhatsApp application itself using standard means. However, you can migrate the database and media files. In WhatsApp settings, select “Storage and Data” → “Storage Usage”, but it is safer to use third-party file managers to move the folder Android/media/com.whatsapp to the card by creating a symbolic link (Root or ADB required).
Why did the phone start to slow down after the transfer?
Most likely, your memory card has low random read speed (IOPS). Applications constantly access many small files. If the card is not A1/A2 class, the smartphone processor is idle waiting for data from the card, which causes interface lags and long app startup times.
Will applications disappear if you remove the memory card?
Yes, if you used the Adoptable Storage method (card as internal memory) or Link2SD. Applications are physically located on the card. Without it, the system will not find executable files, and the icons will either disappear or, when clicked, will display the error “Application not installed.” Return the card to the same slot, and everything will be restored.
How to return all applications back to the internal memory?
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Select the transferred app, tap Storage, and select Change → Internal Storage. If you used the Adoptable Storage mode, you need to go to Settings → Storage → SD card → Format as portable storage. This will require transferring the data manually again.
Does this method work on Android 13 and 14? Xiaomi?
The basic principle of ADB remains the same, but Google has tightened restrictions on access to the file system in Android 13+. The `set-force-adoptable` command may not work on some new builds of HyperOS without additional system modifications. The method with root access (Link2SD) remains the most reliable option for new versions of Android.