How to Transfer Apps to Your Xiaomi Memory Card

In recent years, manufacturers have released more and more smartphones with more internal memory(64, 128, 256, or more gigabytes). However, with this comes higher prices for the devices themselves, usually the flagships of the Mi line. But the budget Redmi models are the opposite. The price is significantly lower, and there is a slot for an SD card, which is why users are wondering how to transfer applications to the Xiaomi memory card and what is needed. After all, there can be many reasons, as we will talk about below.

It is possible to carry out this procedure only if the phone has a separate slot for MicroSD or a hybrid slot (memory card + SIM card).

Read to all! Important clarification before the main part of the article.

The link to the archive is working, the archive itself is also working and not broken (unpack with the 7Z packer), and the instruction is relevant. Before using, read the comments of those who did everything correctly and achieve the desired result (pay attention to the date). If you are not confident in your abilities, try the procedure on an old memory card for 1-2 gigabytes before buying a new one.

Why do you need an SD card?

1. Preservation of data on an external storage medium. If all important data (documents, videos, photos, screenshots) were on the SD card – then when you flash, update or reset it can be quickly disconnected and, if necessary, inserted into another phone or laptop (with an adapter).
2. Extra space in the internal memory. Suppose you have a budget-class phone, for example, Redmi Note 7, with an external memory card. In that case, you can increase the built-in memory and give the system extra space to perform important operations (update, download important files, and others).

Transferring apps from Xiaomi and Redmi to SD card without a computer

This is 1 of the 2 working ways on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones that allow you to transfer apps to the memory card. This is done by combining internal and external memory.

For obvious reasons, starting with MIUI 9, the developers have removed the option to transfer apps through the system settings (read below). In the Android system, this option still works, but to promote their phones with more internal memory (like all other manufacturers), they covered this way. But, the craftsmen from XDA Developers have found a small “loophole” with which everyone can transfer the necessary programs to the external drive.

Downloading Activity Launcher

We need a special application called Activity Launcher, freely available on Google Play. It is with it (after combining the memory) we will be able to select the desired programs for the transfer and set up the automatic installation of new applications from Google Play.

Finding the right memory card

In the video linked below, I described in detail why you need to use a new SD card of class 10 or higher, but I’ll repeat it. For normal speed and error-free use of applications that will run from a flash drive – you need quality and up-to-date memory.

External memory is much slower than the sealed, that is, built-in. Installing programs and various applications leads to obvious “brakes”, which causes unstable device operation and other unpleasant things. But, using the method described below and a memory card class 10+, you will eliminate such problems.

If the text instruction proves to be difficult – see a visual transfer in our video at the end of the article.

Instructions

1. So, download and install Activiti Launcher. Turn the application on.
2. On the main page, click on the item at the top, “Recent actions” there, we choose “All actions”.
3. Wait until the system loads all the applications and processes installed on your smartphone (the loading lasts less than 1 minute).
4. Now look for the item “Documents”, and in the dropdown menu, pay attention to “Downloads: com.android.documentsui.LauncherActivity”.
5. A new page opens. In the left side menu, click on the line “SD card“, now the triplet, in which select the line “Memory”.
6. Expanded storage settings are displayed. At the bottom, click “Internal Memory”. We get a warning that the memory card will now be formatted and, accordingly, all data will be deleted.
7. We agree to complete the procedure by clicking “Clear and format”. Done. Now you can install games and programs from the internal memory on the external drive.

To do the migration, go to “Settings” and then to “Applications”. Open the page of the application you want to move. Now click on “Storage” and select “External storage”.

Transferring applications to the memory card through the computer

This method (for me) is the easiest and most correct. When using it, the problems described below rarely appear. This text instruction duplicates the essence of the video that recently appeared on our channel. Judging by the numerous reviews, it successfully applied to different models of Xiaomi and Redmi.

What’s needed

• A memory card of class 10 or higher (not required, but on such a card, applications will not hang).
• Availability of a computer with drivers installed to detect the connected device.
• Script aftiss_b2, the link below.
• The Activity Launcher application is installed on your phone.

Aftiss_b2 (Google Drive).

Combining internal and external memory

The instructions are written using the Redmi 7A phone and a new 32gb class 10 SD card as an example. Now briefly, what you need to do:

1. Download the archive with the script aftiss_b2 on the PC.
2. Unpack the archive with the archiver. It is better to use 7-Zip.
3. In the menu for developers, enable USB debugging and check the box next to“Allow saving to external drives“.
4. Insert the memory card into the phone slot. If the SD card is not new – do the full formatting (preferably via the card reader on the PC).
5. Check whether the flash drive is displayed.
6. Connect the smartphone to the PC and change the“USB Mode” to“Transfer Files“.
7. Run the script aftiss. The console window will appear.
8. Choose the percentage of SD card memory you want to give the phone: 1 – 25%, 2 – 50%, 3 – 75%, and 4 – your number. I choose “2”.
9. Now starts the ADB script, defines the device, and formats the memory card.
10. In the end, it should say“Done =)“.
11. Press Enter, and the window closes.
12. Now disconnect the USB cable from the computer and the smartphone.
13. Check in the menu “Storage” the volume of the memory card. If everything is done correctly – the remaining number will be displayed.

Transferring apps on the phone

If all was done correctly in the previous paragraphs – now you can deal directly with transferring the desired applications.

1. Download and run the application Activity Launcher.
2. Click on the item“Recent actions“, and select“All actions“.
3. Wait until all applications are loaded.
4. Look for “Settings” among all the items, and click on the noge.
5. Several sub-items appear, and you should find “All applications” in them. Please note that this item is above the line without the icon with a gear (see screenshot). Click on it.
6. Now select the desired program. In my case, it is “Mi Community”.
7. Select the item “Storage”.
8. Click on the “Change” button and choose “SD card”.
9. Agree with the warning and click“Move“.
10. Done. After that, check the desired application again. It must be on the external drive.

After this operation all new applications will be automatically installed on the external drive.

Known Problems and Solutions

• After rebooting the phone, application icons can disappear from their old place when using the first method. To solve this problem, you need to activate“Protect from changes” option in the desktop settings.
• In the settings, in the “Storage” menu, the amount of memory may show incorrect information. There is no way to solve this problem yet. It’s a visual defect, as MIUI at the system level does not support combining internal and external storage.
• The phone may not see the memory card before or after merging. In this case, you need to repeat method 1 or 2.
• Other problems that our users write about in the comments.

How to get the memory card back to normal

If you need to return the SD card(which was previously merged with the built-in memory) to its normal state – it can be done in a few simple steps.

1. We transfer all the necessary applications to the internal memory.
2. Restart your smartphone.
3. Go to “Settings” – “Storage”.
4. In the memory card menu, click on“Clear SD card“.
5. Once again, check that no important information is left on the flash drive.
6. Confirm your actions. and wait for the formatting to complete.
7. After formatting, the card will work fine.
8. To fix the action – remove it from the phone and once again reboot the device.

More formatting options:

• Use a photo or video camera.
• Use a computer with Windows XP and a card reader.
• Any other device that supports SD cards and the formatting function.
• Use another brand of smartphone.

Saving photos to an SD card

In the phone settings, under “Storage” you can choose where to save photos and videos taken with the phone camera. This option is quite convenient, as you will no longer need to manually transfer photos and videos. The instructions are valid on all MIUI versions and models with a memory card slot (Redmi). Method tested on Redmi 4X and Redmi Note 4X.

Obsolete porting methods

As described above, the MIUI shell has a significant drawback – a lack of system porting. Some older Xiaomi smartphones still support this function. To check it, do the following:

1. Look for the “Settings” icon on the home screen, go in;
2. Now “Applications”;
3. Select the application of interest.
4. Click on it. If it is possible to transfer this way – you will see a small icon “Transfer to SD”.

Link2SD

Pretty simple program, which can be easily downloaded from Google Play and installed with the usual method. Only for the correct operation must you have root rights. You will see a list of installed applications, click, for example, on the desired game, then you will have to scroll down a little bit and click “Move to SD card“.

Clean master

A very simple option, which, unfortunately, does not always work on all models. Again we use Google Play. The application has several useful functions in addition to the transfer:

• Clearing your device from unnecessary garbage and duplicate files;
• Removing tasks;
• Deleting, moving various games, utilities, etc.;
• Even backups are possible.

On the program’s main screen, select “Application Manager”, then check the boxes you want to move, and activate the blue button of the same name at the bottom. Done.

Folder Mount (ROOT)

Good and efficient application with two disadvantages – the need to do a lot of manipulation and the need for root access.

1. After installing the utility, open it, go to the main screen and see the inscription “The list of pairs is empty;
2. Moving to the left brings up a side menu: “Pair List”, “Partition Size”, “Application Analyzer”. Click on the last item;
3. Two windows, “data” and “obb” will pop up. One must be active
4. Now “Create a pair“, and confirm the notice that popped up;
5. Next, a new window called “Folder Options” appears. We see the file name, the source (where the material is at the moment), and the destination (where it will be moved to). If all this information is correct and suits you – click on the checkbox at the top of the screen.
6. When you open the upper curtain, you can see how many percent have already moved;
7. And the final action: Return to the original Folder Mount window when the move is complete, where you enable the slider between the application and the moved folder on the SD card.

AppMgr III (App 2 SD)

Immediately after launching, a full list of available applications is displayed. Move to the right to open the left side menu and click “Move” – “Ok”. That’s it.

FAQ

When I download an application from Google Play, can I set it to install it to the card immediately?

Yes, when using the new methods (1 and 2) – all applications will be installed on the memory card immediately.

After reflashing or resetting, is unified memory deleted?

Yes, if you reset or put in new firmware – all data is automatically deleted, as well as the configuration settings of internal memory. The exception is a system update MIUI through the update menu.

Can I move the cache of a heavy app to the SD card?

No, you cannot use the cache and the app itself separately. They must be on the same drive.

As you can see, it is possible to free up internal memory by transferring materials to SD, and this procedure can be done quickly, easily, and without wasting a lot of time. Follow the instructions clearly, and everything will work out.