diff --git a/dvc/output.py b/dvc/output.py
index 422e1fa574..00acb4ca7a 100644
--- a/dvc/output.py
+++ b/dvc/output.py
@@ -752,8 +752,9 @@ def commit(self, filter_info=None, relink=True) -> None:
             granular = (
                 self.is_dir_checksum and filter_info and filter_info != self.fs_path
             )
+            hardlink = relink and next(iter(self.cache.cache_types), None) == "hardlink"
             if granular:
-                obj = self._commit_granular_dir(filter_info, hardlink=False)
+                obj = self._commit_granular_dir(filter_info, hardlink=hardlink)
             else:
                 staging, _, obj = self._build(
                     self.cache,
@@ -771,7 +772,7 @@ def commit(self, filter_info=None, relink=True) -> None:
                         self.cache,
                         {obj.hash_info},
                         shallow=False,
-                        hardlink=False,
+                        hardlink=hardlink,
                         callback=cb,
                     )
             if relink:
@@ -1399,12 +1400,14 @@ def add(  # noqa: C901
 
         assert staging
         assert obj.hash_info
+
+        hardlink = relink and next(iter(self.cache.cache_types), None) == "hardlink"
         with TqdmCallback(desc=f"Adding {self} to cache", unit="file") as cb:
             otransfer(
                 staging,
                 self.cache,
                 {obj.hash_info},
-                hardlink=False,
+                hardlink=hardlink,
                 shallow=False,
                 callback=cb,
             )