Owners of brand Xiaomi and sub-brand smartphones Redmi often face a lack of built-in storage. Despite the fact that modern models offer 128 or 256 GB of memory, system files and “heavy” applications quickly take up all the available space. This problem is especially relevant for budget lines, where the internal memory capacity is limited to 32 or 64 GB. Fortunately, most devices in the Redmi Note i Redmi series are equipped with a hybrid slot that allows you to use memory cards of microSDformat. However, simply inserting a card is not enough to automatically transfer apps.
The procedure for moving data to external media requires a careful approach and understanding of the operating system architecture Android. The standard interface of the shell MIUI or new HyperOS often hides the possibility of fully using a memory card as an extension of the system partition. The user must independently activate the feature known as Adoptable Storage, or use standard transfer tools if they are available from the application manufacturer. In this article we will analyze in detail all available methods, from simple settings to advanced solutions via a computer.
Before you begin manipulation, it is important to understand the risks. Transferring applications may affect the speed of their operation, since memory cards are usually slower than built-in flash memory UFS. In addition, improper removal of the media can lead to data loss or crash of installed apps. We will look at how to minimize these risks and properly prepare the device for working with external storage.
Preparing a memory card and Redmi smartphone
The first step is to choose a quality drive. Not every card microSD is suitable for installing applications. Cheap models of a low speed class will cause severe delays in the operation of apps and can even cause the system to freeze. It is recommended to choose cards marked Class 10, UHS-I or UHS-III. The optimal solution would be cards from trusted brands, such as SanDisk or Samsung, series Extreme or Pro.
Before installing the card in the smartphone slot Redmi you must save all important data from it to your computer. The process of setting up a card as internal storage involves completely formatting it. All files, photos and documents located on the card will be permanently deleted. Make sure you have made a backup copy.
⚠️ Attention: After formatting the card in internal storage mode, it will be encrypted with the specific device key. You will not be able to read data from this card on another smartphone or computer without a full reset.
Insert the card into the smartphone tray using a special paper clip. Wait for a notification about connecting a new drive. The system Android may offer to use the card as portable storage or as internal memory. If the offer does not appear automatically, go to settings manually.
Use a memory card adapter to test the recording speed on your computer before purchasing. To install applications, the recording speed must be at least 20-30 MB/s.
Standard transfer method through Android settings
In some firmware versions MIUI developers leave the option of transferring individual applications through the standard menu. This method is the safest and does not require complex manipulations. To check the availability of the function, go to the Settingssection, then select Applications and click All applications.
Find the app you want to move in the list. Click on it to open the app information page. If the developer has allowed the transfer, you will see an active button "Move to SD card". If the button is gray or missing, it means that the application is firmly tied to the system partition and cannot be transferred using standard means.
It is worth noting that even with a successful transfer, only part of the application data is transferred to the card. The main executable and important libraries often remain in the internal memory. This is a security limitation Androidthat prevents critical system processes from running from removable media.
- 📱 Go to the settings of a specific application.
- 💾 Find the "Storage" section inside the application menu.
- 🔄 Click the change storage location button if it active.
- ✅ Wait until the data migration process is completed.
This method is suitable for transferring media players, simple games and utilities. However, it is often not enough to free up a significant amount of memory. In such cases, deeper integration of the memory card into the system is required.
Activation of Adoptable Storage mode
Function Adoptable Storage allows the system to perceive the memory card as an extension of the built-in disk. In this mode, you can install almost any application on the card, and the system itself decides where to store the data. Unfortunately, in the shell MIUI this function is often hidden by developers, but it can be activated through the engineering menu or ADB.
To activate through the settings (if the item is hidden, but the functionality is there), go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the item "MIUI Version" seven times to unlock developer mode. Then, in the advanced settings, look for the item related to formatting the drive. If there is no such item, you will need to connect to a PC.
Using the mode Adoptable Storage turns your card into an integral part of the system. Removing it without first disabling it in the settings is strictly prohibited, otherwise the phone may go into a cyclic reboot or stop seeing applications.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may differ depending on the Android version (10, 11, 12, 13) and the MIUI version. If you do not find the required items, check the relevance of the menu in the official documentation for your model.
Why is Xiaomi hiding this function?
The company believes that cheap memory cards slow down the smartphone and spoil the experience of using MIUI. Therefore, they forcibly limit the installation of applications on SD by default.
After activating the mode, the system will prompt you to format the card. Select option "Use as internal storage". The process will take a few minutes. Upon completion, the system may offer to transfer existing data to a new disk.
Transferring applications via computer and ADB
If standard methods do not work, the most reliable way is to use software debugging USB and utilities ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires a computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux. You will need to download platform tools Android SDK Platform-Tools from the official website of the developer.
Connect your smartphone Redmi to the computer with a cable. A request for debugging permission will appear on your phone screen - confirm it. Open a command line or terminal in the folder with ADB and enter the command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the device is displayed in the list with a status device, you can start formatting the card. First you need to find out the disk ID. Enter the command:
adb shell sm list-disksThe system will issue a view identifier disk:179,64. Remember or copy it. Next, the format command is executed, which will turn the card into internal memory. Be extremely careful when entering the identifier.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Execute the formatting command, substituting your identifier:
adb shell sm partition disk:XXX,XX privateAfter executing the command, the card will be formatted and encrypted. The smartphone may reboot. Now in the storage settings, the card will be displayed as part of the internal memory, and the system will begin to automatically transfer new applications and data there.
Features of memory cards in MIUI and HyperOS
Shells MIUI and the new one HyperOS have specific memory management algorithms. Even if applications are successfully migrated, the system may periodically return part of the cache to internal memory to speed up operation. This is normal behavior aimed at optimizing performance.
Users often notice that after moving application icons to the home screen they work correctly, but widgets may disappear or not update. This is due to the fact that some widgets are critically dependent on data reading speed, which the memory card cannot provide. In such cases, it is better to leave such applications on the internal drive.
| Data type | Recommended location | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| System applications | Internal memory | OS stability |
| Heavy games | SD card (Class 10+) | Saving space, acceptable speed |
| Messengers | Internal memory | Quick access to the message database |
| Photo and Video | SD card | Large volume, low speed criticality |
| Navigation | Internal memory | Fast loading of maps and routes |
It is also worth considering that application updates via Google Play may temporarily require additional space in the internal storage even when installed on a card. Always leave at least 1-2 GB of free internal memory for the system to function correctly.
The ideal strategy is to store media files and undemanding applications on an SD card, and leave system software and instant messengers on a fast internal drive.
Solving problems and common errors
In progress transfer, users may encounter an error The application is not installed or a message about insufficient space, although there is space on the card. This is often related to the file system. Modern versions of Android require formatting the card in ext4 or f2fs when used in internal storage mode. If the card is formatted as exFAT or FAT32 as portable, transferring applications will not be possible.
Another common problem is applications crashing after a reboot. If the icons turn gray and an error appears when you click, try removing and reinserting the card (after disabling it in the settings as storage). If the problem persists, the memory card may be defective or have bad sectors.
⚠️ Attention: If after the transfer the phone begins to get very hot or discharges quickly, it is possible that the background process of constantly reading from a slow card is creating a load on the controller. Return applications back to the internal memory.
To diagnose the speed of the card, you can use utilities like AIDA64 or SD Card Benchmark. If the random read speed (4K Random Read) is below 5-10 MB/s, such a card is not suitable for installing applications and should only be used for storing photos and music.
Regularly back up important data from the memory card to your computer. The service life of microSD cards during active recording (as is the case with applications) is significantly reduced.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp to an SD card in Redmi?
Officially, you cannot transfer the WhatsApp application itself to the card due to security restrictions of the messenger. However, you can change the path for saving media files (photos, videos) in the settings of WhatsApp itself, if your version of firmware and applications support this function, or manually move the folder WhatsApp/Media after granting access rights.
Why is the "Move to SD card" button inactive (gray)?
This means that the developer of a particular application prohibited its installation on external media. This is common with banking apps, antiviruses, and system utilities. You can bypass this limitation only through the mode Adoptable Storage, but it does not guarantee 100% success for all apps.
Will the speed of the phone deteriorate after transferring applications?
Yes, most likely. The random reading speed of microSD cards is significantly lower than that of built-in memory UFS 2.1/2.2/3.1. Applications may take longer to launch, and games may experience microfreezes. Use only standard high-speed cards U3 or V30.
What will happen to applications if you remove the memory card?
Applications will stop launching, their icons may disappear from the desktop or become inactive. The system will report an error when attempting to open. To restore operation, you need to insert the same memory card back into the same smartphone.
How to return all applications back to the internal memory?
Go to Settings → Storage. Select the memory card and press Format as portable storage. The system will warn you about the data transfer. Confirm the action, and all possible applications will be automatically returned to the internal drive.