Owners of brand smartphones Xiaomi often face a lack of built-in memory, especially if the device has a basic configuration of 32 or 64 GB. The system MIUI occupies a significant amount of space, and modern applications and social network caches quickly fill the remaining space. This leads to a slowdown in the interface and the inability to install new apps.
A solution to the problem could be using a microSD card, however, in the latest versions of the shell, transferring applications has become less obvious. Many users believe that this feature has been completely removed, but this is not entirely true. There are several proven methods that allow you to free up precious gigabytes of internal memory and move data to external storage.
In this guide, we will examine in detail all the available methods, from standard settings to using features for developers. You will learn which applications can actually be moved and which will remain in the system, and how to properly prepare a memory card to work as extended storage.
Preparing a memory card and checking compatibility
Before starting any manipulations, you need to make sure that your memory card meets the speed and capacity requirements. For comfortable operation of applications, it is recommended to use class cards UHS-I or UHS-II with markings Class 10. Slow drives can cause serious delays when launching apps.
Insert the card into the smartphone slot and wait for a notification about connecting a new drive. In some cases, the system will prompt you to format the card immediately. If this does not happen, you need to do this manually through the settings so that the file system is correctly recognized by the shell Android.
⚠️ Attention: Formatting the memory card will lead to the complete loss of all data on it. Be sure to back up your photos and documents on your computer before starting the procedure.
To format, go to menu Settings → About phone → Storage. Select your SD card from the list and click the "Empty" or "Format" button. The system will warn about the risks and then prepare the drive for operation.
After the process is completed, the card will be available for storing media files. However, transferring the apps themselves may require additional steps, as security policies and restrictions often block this feature by default. Use memory cards up to 256 GB for maximum compatibility. Although many smartphones support 512 GB and 1 TB, stability of work with such volumes is not always guaranteed by the manufacturer. Google and restrictions MIUI This feature is often disabled by default.
Use memory cards up to 256GB for maximum compatibility. Although many smartphones support 512 GB and 1 TB, stability of work with such volumes is not always guaranteed by the manufacturer.
Standard transfer method through storage settings
The easiest way to move data is to use the built-in application management menu. This method does not work for all apps, but it allows you to transfer part of the cache and game resources to external media without obtaining root access.
Open the smartphone settings and find the section Applications. In the list of installed apps, select the one you want to move. Please note that system utilities and some critical services will not have an active transfer button.
Click on the item Storage inside the application card. If the function is available, you will see a button Change or switch SD card. Click on it and confirm the action in the dialog box that appears.
- 📱 Only user data and part of the cache are moved, the main app code often remains in the internal memory.
- 🔄 The process can take from several seconds to several minutes depending on the size of the application.
- ⛔ The button may be inactive (grayed out) if the application developer has prohibited installation on an external drive.
If there is no button for changing the storage, it means that the developer of a particular software has hard-wired it to the internal drive. In this case, it will not be possible to solve the problem using standard system tools, and you will have to resort to more advanced methods.
Activating developer mode for advanced features
When the standard menu does not give the desired result, hidden settings come to the rescue Android. Activating developer mode allows you to force the system to install applications on an external drive, ignoring some restrictions.
To activate the mode, you need to go to the section About phone and find the item MIUI version. Click on it quickly 7-10 times in a row until a notification appears indicating that you have become a developer. After this, a new section will appear in the main settings.
Go to Advanced settings → For developers. Scroll down the list to the Applications block. Find the switch named Allow saving to external storage or Force allow apps on external and activate it.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling this option may lead to unstable operation of some applications, since they were not optimized for launching from a memory card. Use this feature with caution.
After enabling this feature, it is recommended to restart your device. Now, when installing new applications, the system may prompt you to select an installation location, and the transfer option may appear in the menu of old apps.
It is worth considering that in the latest versions Android 11 and Android 12on which the new ones are based MIUI 13/14Google is gradually abandoning support for this function for security reasons and performance.
Why does the transfer button disappear after an update?
Google is introducing strict restrictions on working with external drives in new versions of the OS. This is done to prevent attackers from replacing system libraries through vulnerable SD cards, as well as to ensure high application speeds that cheap memory cards cannot guarantee.
Using a memory adapter as internal memory
One of the most effective functions is the Adoptable Storage (Adaptive storage) mode. In this mode, the memory card is encrypted and becomes an integral part of the smartphone’s internal memory, forming a single space.
Unfortunately, in the shell MIUI this function is often hidden by the manufacturer. You can activate it only through a computer with the utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge) installed. This requires connecting the smartphone to the PC via a USB cable in debugging mode.
After connecting and setting ADB you need to enter a command to switch the card to internal storage mode. The command looks like this:
adb shell sm set-force-adoptable trueThen you need to format the card as internal memory through the storage settings menu. The system will offer to transfer data, and the card will be encrypted with the key of this device.
| Parameter | Card as portable storage | Card as internal memory |
|---|---|---|
| Access from PC | Yes (via card reader) | No (encrypted) |
| Installing applications | Partial / Optional | Automatic |
| Data security | Average | High (linked to device) |
| Working speed | Depends on the card | Optimized by the system |
It is important to understand that that after such an operation the memory card will no longer be readable on other devices without full formatting. It will be impossible to remove it without losing data and application functionality.
☑️ Preparing to use ADB
System limitations and problems during transfer
Even if all instructions are successfully completed, users may encounter a number of limitations. Not all applications support transfer, and this depends solely on the will of the developer, and not on the capabilities of your smartphone. Messengers like Xiaomi.
Messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram often store media files in the internal memory by default. For them, you need to separately configure the saving paths in the application settings themselves, selecting a folder on the SD card.
Another problem is the reading speed. If the memory card has a low indicator IOPS (input/output operations per second), the smartphone interface may begin to slow down, and applications will take longer to load than usual.
- 🐌 Widgets and live wallpapers may stop updating if they are moved to a slow card.
- 🔋 Battery consumption may increase slightly due to constant activity memory controller.
- 🚫 System updates may require temporary return of applications to the internal memory.
It is also worth remembering that when you remove the card, all applications moved to it will stop working, and their icons may disappear from the desktop until the media is reinstalled.
The best results are achieved when using fast cards UHS-II memory in adaptive storage mode, but this makes it impossible to quickly move the card to another device.
Alternative methods for optimizing space
If moving applications is impossible or causes instability, it is worth considering other ways to free up space. Clearing the cache and removing unnecessary files often gives a better performance boost than moving apps to a slow card.
Use the built-in application Security from Xiaomi. It allows you to deeply clean system garbage, find duplicate photos and delete old installation files APK.
To store heavy media files (video, music, photos), use cloud services or set up automatic synchronization with your PC. This will free up internal memory for fast-running applications that should be there.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu layout may vary depending on the version of MIUI (Global, China, Russia). If you do not find the indicated items, check for system updates or use the settings search.
Regular hygiene of your smartphone’s memory is the key to its long and fast operation. Do not try to fill the internal storage to capacity, leave at least 10-15% of free space for the system cache to work correctly.
What to do if the card is not detected after formatting?
Try formatting the card on your computer to the exFAT file system. If this doesn't help, the card may be damaged or incompatible with your smartphone's memory controller. Try a different drive.
Is it possible to transfer all applications to an SD card in Xiaomi?
No, it is impossible to transfer absolutely all applications. System apps, Google services and many modern applications with widgets are tightly tied to internal memory by developers to ensure stability.
Why does the application run slowly after transfer?
Most likely, your memory card has a low read/write speed. Applications running from the SD card are slower than those running from the internal flash memory. It is recommended to use high speed class cards (A1, A2).
Is it safe to use the ADB command for transfer?
Using ADB commands is safe for the data if you follow the instructions, but requires care. Incorrect commands can cause the system to crash, so it is recommended to have a backup copy of important data.
What will happen to applications if you remove the SD card?
Applications moved to the card will no longer run and their data will become inaccessible. The system may report an error when trying to open such an application. To restore operation, you need to insert the card back.
How to return the application back to the internal memory?
Go to Settings → Applications → Select the application → Storage. Click the Change button and select Internal Storage. The system will automatically move the files back.