As someone who's extensively used the Xiaomi Mi A1 since its 2017 launch, I can confidently say it's one of the best budget smartphones of its era. For around Rs 15,000, it delivered a stock Android experience, reliable performance, and an impressive dual-camera system for stunning photos.
However, its 64GB internal storage often falls short for heavy users installing HD games and apps. The good news? You can seamlessly expand it using the phone's adoptable storage feature—a simple process unique to stock Android on the Mi A1, unlike MIUI on other Xiaomi devices.
Key Requirement: Use a high-speed Class 10 SD card. Slower cards can reduce read/write speeds and impact performance over time due to fewer cycles compared to internal flash storage.
If reusing an existing card, back up your data first. Then, insert the SD card and format it via Settings > Storage.
Did You Know? Adoptable storage debuted with Android Marshmallow.
Go to Settings > Storage.
Tap the SD card under Portable Storage, then the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. Select Storage Settings.
Choose Format as Internal. This erases all data, encrypts the card (linking it exclusively to your Mi A1), and integrates it as internal storage. The process takes 5-7 minutes.
Also see: The first 7 things you should do with your Xiaomi Mi A1
Once complete, your storages will merge. Head to Storage Settings to move apps, files, and photos automatically.
You'll now have significantly more unified internal space.
Treat the SD card as internal storage—ejecting it abruptly can cause instability or app crashes. To remove it:
Move all data back to internal storage first. In Storage Settings, tap SD Card, open the three-dot menu, and select Format as Portable.
Also read: How to Backup WhatsApp Messages on Android Phone and Email
This proven method eliminates 'low storage' warnings. See Next: Top 11 Xiaomi Mi A1 Tips and Tricks You Can't Miss
