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Xiaomi

Xiaomi: Format an SD Card in MIUI

A newly inserted SD card sometimes won't work correctly in a Xiaomi phone, or you want to wipe an old card before reusing it. Formatting clears the card and lets MIUI set up the folder structure it needs to store photos, videos and app data properly. Once you confirm the format, every file on the card is gone for good.

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Android 11 · MIUI
Format an SD Card – MIUI: step 1 – Tap on Settings
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Xiaomi

Format an SD Card auf Xiaomi

A new SD card often carries a file system that MIUI does not fully support, or leftover data from another device. Formatting resets the card and lets MIUI build the folder structure it needs for photos, videos, downloads and app storage.

On Xiaomi phones running MIUI, the option sits inside the storage settings, not in a separate SD card app. Go to Tap on Settings ➔ Tap on About phone ➔ Tap on Storage ➔ Tap on Format SD card ➔ Tap on Format SD card to confirm.

Formatting deletes every file on the card immediately and permanently. There is no recycle bin and no built-in recovery afterward.

Back up anything you need - photos, downloaded files, app data stored on the card - before you start. If the phone already shows the card as damaged or unreadable, formatting from this menu is also the standard fix, since it rebuilds the file system from scratch.

Skip this step if you only want to move files off the card; use a file manager to copy data instead. Format only when you are setting up a new card, wiping one for reuse, or fixing a card MIUI can no longer read properly.

Frequently asked questions

No. Once you confirm Format SD card, MIUI removes the file system and the data is not recoverable through the phone. Recovery software on a computer sometimes retrieves fragments, but there is no guarantee, so back up first.

Compatible devices

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Android 11 · MIUI

Xiaomi A1Xiaomi Black Shark 2 ProXiaomi Mi 10 5GXiaomi Mi 10 LiteXiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5GXiaomi Mi 5Xiaomi Mi 8Xiaomi Mi 8 ProXiaomi Mi 9Xiaomi Mi 9 LiteXiaomi Mi 9 ProXiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5GXiaomi Mi 9 SEXiaomi Mi 9TXiaomi Mi 9T ProXiaomi Mi Max 2Xiaomi Mi MIX 3Xiaomi Mi Note 10Xiaomi Mi Note 10 LiteXiaomi Mi Note 10 ProXiaomi Mi Note 2Xiaomi Mi Pad 3Xiaomi Mi PlayXiaomi Mi5s PlusXiaomi Poco F2 ProXiaomi Redmi 1SXiaomi Redmi 3SXiaomi Redmi 4 PrimeXiaomi Redmi 4 ProXiaomi Redmi 4aXiaomi Redmi 4XXiaomi Redmi 5AXiaomi Redmi 6AXiaomi Redmi 8Xiaomi Redmi 8AXiaomi Redmi 9Xiaomi Redmi 9AXiaomi Redmi K20 Pro PremiumXiaomi Redmi K30Xiaomi Redmi K30 ProXiaomi Redmi K30 Pro ZoomXiaomi Redmi Note 8Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 ProXiaomi Redmi Note 8TXiaomi Redmi Note 9Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 ProXiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro MaxXiaomi Redmi Note 9SXiaomi Redmi Y3

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