Transferring applications to a memory card in Xiaomi Redmi: all methods (including hidden ones)

Smartphone owners Xiaomi Redmi sooner or later they encounter a lack of internal memory - especially if the device is from a budget line with 32 or 64 GB of storage. Even after clearing the cache and deleting unnecessary files, the system persistently reports: “Memory is full.” The solution seems obvious: move applications to microSD memory card. But here an unpleasant surprise awaits users: in MIUI (Xiaomi's proprietary shell) this function is either absent or works selectively.

Unlike “pure” Android, where transferring applications to an SD card is often available by default, Redmi (especially models after 2020) block this feature for most apps. The reasons lie in politics Google and restrictions MIUI: the manufacturer is afraid that slow memory cards will worsen performance, and also wants to encourage the purchase of devices with a large amount of built-in memory. However, it is still possible to bypass these restrictions - and we will tell you how to do this without root access and without the risk of losing data.

In this article you will find:

• 🔍 Why Xiaomi hides the transfer function and which applications can be moved “out of the box”
• 📱 Step-by-step guide through standard settings MIUI (for supported applications)
• 💻 Method using ADB for forced transfer (including games)
• ⚠️ Pitfalls: what will happen if you transfer system applications or use a slow card
• 📊 Comparison of the speed of applications from internal memory and SD card (tests on Redmi Note 10 Pro)

Why doesn't Xiaomi Redmi allow you to transfer applications to a memory card?

If you tried to find the transfer option in the settings MIUI, you most likely encountered one of two situations:

1. The function is completely missing in application menu.
2. The “Move to SD card” button is inactive (gray).

The reason lies in technical limitations of Android politics Xiaomi:

• 📉 Performance: Memory cards microSD (especially class Class 10 or lower) work 5-10 times slower than the built-in memory eMMC/UFS. This is critical for games and “heavy” applications.
• 🔒 Security: Android prohibits the transfer of applications that use OBB files (for example, games with a cache) or those working with sensitive data (banks, instant messengers).
• 💰 Marketing: Xiaomi is interested in selling devices with a large amount of memory. For example, Redmi Note 12 Pro the base version comes with 128 GB, and the model with 256 GB costs more. 20–30% more expensive.

However, there is a nuance: on some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi 9A or Redmi 8), the transfer function is available for some applications if the memory card is formatted as internal storageBut this mode has its disadvantages - we will talk about them below.

⚠️ Attention: If your device runs on MIUI 13/14 (Android 12/13+), the probability of successful transfer through standard settings tends to zero. The manufacturer is gradually removing this function from new versions of the shell.

Method 1: Transfer through MIUI settings (for supported applications)

This method will only work if:

• 📌 The application supports transfer (usually lightweight utilities, for example Flashlight or Screen recording).
• 💾 The memory card is formatted as portable drive (not as internal memory!).
• 📱 The device runs on MIUI 12 or older (the option may not be available on new versions).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Management applications.
2. Select the application you want to transfer (for example, Google Maps).
3. Tap on the item Storage.
4. If the option is available, a button will appear Change → SD card.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait for completion (may take 1-5 minutes).

If the button is inactive or missing, proceed to the next method.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Enable USB debugging in developer settings|Download platform ADB from the Google website|Connect your phone to your PC via cable (not via Wi-Fi!)|Check that the memory card is inserted and recognized-->

Method 2: Forced transfer via ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard method did not work, there is still an option using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool Android devices. This method allows you to transfer any application, including games, but requires a connection to a computer and basic knowledge of the command line.

We warn you in advance: some applications after transferring via ADB may be unstable or refuse to start at all. This is especially true for games with protection (for example Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Enable USB debugging:
   • Go to Settings → About phone.
   • Tap 7 times on the item MIUI versionto activate developer mode.
   • Go back to Settings → Advanced → For Developers.
   • Activate USB Debugging.

adb devices

adb shell pm list packages -f

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

adb shell pm move-package com.package name /sdcard

If the command completed without errors, the application will be migrated. However, please note:

• 🚫 System applications you will not be able to transfer.
• ⚠️ After updating the application, it may automatically return to the internal memory.
• 🔄 If the application has stopped working, return it back with the command:

  adb shell pm move-package com.package name 0

⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (for example, Avast or Kaspersky) can block ADB as “suspicious activity”. Add the folder with ADB to exceptions or temporarily disable protection.

Formatting a memory card as an internal drive: pros and cons

Another way to “deceive” the system is to format microSD how internal memory. In this case, Android will treat it as part of the main storage, and some applications can be transferred automatically. However, this method has serious disadvantages:

How format the card as internal memory:

1. Insert the card into the smartphone.
2. Go to Settings → Storage.
3. Tap on the name of the SD card → Configure → Internal storage.
4. Confirm formatting (all data on the card will be deleted!).
5. After completion, reboot the device.

Which applications can be transferred and which cannot?

Even with the use ADB not all apps can be transferred I'm transferring. Here is an approximate list:

• ✅ Can be transferred (usually without problems):
  • 📱 Light utilities: flashlight, screen recording, calculator
  • 📖 Readers: FBReader, Moon+ Reader
  • 🎵 Music players: AIMP, Poweramp (without cache)
  • 📷 Simple photo editors: Snapseed, PicsArt (without filters)
• ⚠️ Can be transferred, but with reservations:
  • 💬 Messengers: Telegram, Viber (but notifications may arrive with a delay)
  • 🗺️ Maps: Google Maps, Yandex.Maps (map cache will be stored on the memory card)
  • 🎮 Some games: Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars (but lags are possible)
• ❌ Cannot be transferred (or not worth it):
  • 🏦 Banking applications: SberBank, Tinkoff (security blocking)
  • 🎮 Heavy games: Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile (require high reading speed)
  • 🤖 System applications: Settings, Phone, Messages
  • 📺 Streaming services: Netflix, YouTube (prohibited transfer due to license agreements)

If you try transfer game with OBB files (for example, Asphalt 9), please note: the APK can be moved to the card, but OBB (weighing 1-2 GB) will remain in the internal memory. To free up space, you will have to manually move OBB through the file manager, but this is fraught with errors when starting.

Performance test: SD card vs internal memory on Redmi Note 10 Pro

To understand how much impact the transfer has on the speed of operation, we tested several scenarios on Redmi Note 10 Pro (Snapdragon 732G, 128 GB UFS 2.2) with memory cards of different classes:

Conclusions:

• 📈 Maps class A2 (for example, Samsung EVO Plus or SanDisk Extreme) show acceptable speed for light applications.
• 🐢 Maps Class 10 (not A1/A2) even simple messengers slow down.
• 🎮 Games on the SD card run with noticeable lags, even if the card is fast.

Common errors and how to avoid them

When transferring applications to a memory card, users Xiaomi Redmi often encounter typical problems. Here are the most common and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 The application has been transferred, but does not start
  • Cause: Incompatibility with the SD card or damaged files.
  • Solution: Return the application back via ADB or reinstall it.
• 📛 The "Transfer" button is inactive
  • Cause: The application does not support transfer or the card is formatted as an internal drive.
  • Solution: Try ADB or format the card as a portable device.
• 🚫 The system writes “Not enough space”, although the card is empty
  • Cause: MIUI reserves space for system needs.
  • Solution: Free 1-2 GB in the internal memory or use ADB for a forced transfer.
• 🔌 After transfer, the application constantly crashes
  • Cause: Slow memory card or conflict with MIUI.
  • Solution: Buy a class card A2 or return the application back.

If you use Redmi c MIUI 14 (Android 13), be prepared for the fact that even ADBmethod may not work. In the latest versions of the shell, Xiaomi blocks the transfer of most applications at the software level. In this case, there are only two options left:

1. Regularly clear the cache and delete unnecessary files.
2. Buy a large memory card (128–256 GB) and use it to store media files, not applications.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) after transferring applications through ADB protection may work MIUI, and the system will automatically return them to the internal memory during the next update. This is not a bug, but a “feature” - this is how Xiaomi fights “unauthorized” manipulations.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions