Xiaomi 360 Cameras° (The Mi Home Security Camera 360° Xiaomi Mi Sphere Camera supports recording video on external drives, but the process of connecting them often raises questions. Users face problems from incorrect USB drive definition to formatting errors. In this article, we will analyze all the steps from choosing a compatible drive. USB-drive before configuring continuous recording, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors that lead to data loss or camera crashes.
Xiaomi cameras require a specific file system format (usually FAT32) and limit the maximum amount of flash drive. For example, for the Mi Home Security Camera 360° 1080p model, the recommended volume is up to 64 GB, and for the Xiaomi Mi Sphere Camera - up to 128 GB. If you ignore these nuances, the camera will either not see the drive or the recording will be interrupted.
⚠️ Important: Not all USB-flash drives are compatible with Xiaomi cameras, like drives with an interface. USB 3.0 (blue connectors) may not be defined due to high power consumption — USB 2.0 with up to 64 GB of proven brands (SanDisk, Kingston, Transcend).
Why Xiaomi 360° camera doesn’t see the flash drive: the main reasons
If you've tried to plug in a drive before, but the camera doesn't recognize it, the problem is one of three things: hardware incompatibility, file system format incorrect, or camera hardware limitations. Let's look at each case in detail.
The most common mistake is using a flash drive with an NTFS file system or exFAT. Xiaomi cameras work only with FAT32, and with a file size limit (maximum 4 GB), which means that when you record a video, the file will automatically break up into parts. If your flash drive is formatted in NTFS, the camera will simply ignore it.
- 🔌 Incompatible USB-Port: Some camera models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Home Camera) 2K) have a weak power controller, flash drives with high power consumption (for example, USB 3.0 or storage devices with LED-indications) may not be determined.
- 📁 Wrong file system: NTFS or exFAT is not supported. FAT32 cluster size of 4096 bytes.
- 🔋 Insufficient power: If the camera is connected through a long USB-cable or weak power supply, the flash drive may not be initialized.
- 🛠️ Hardware defect: A damaged connector or controller on the camera itself, and you can check this by connecting the flash drive to another device.
⚠️ Note: If you use a flash drive larger than 64 GB, you will need to format it into a FAT32 manually - standard Windows tools do not allow this to do for drives over 32 GB. Fat32Format or rufus.
Which flash drive to choose for the camera Xiaomi 360°: technical requirements
Not every flash drive is suitable for recording from a camera, and the manufacturer recommends that you stick to the following parameters:
| Parameter | Recommended value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Interface. | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 flash drives may not be detected due to high power consumption. |
| Volume. | Up to 64GB (for most models) | The Mi Sphere Camera models support up to 128GB, but require manual formatting. |
| File system | FAT32 | NTFS and exFAT are not supported. |
| Recording speed | From 10MB/s | Recording at 1080p or 2K requires high speed. |
| Brand | SanDisk, Kingston, Transcend | No-name drives can cause errors. |
If you plan to use a 128GB flash drive, you'll have to format it into FAT32 with third-party utilities. For example, in Rufus, select the MBR partition schema and the FAT32 file system. Importantly, all data will be deleted when formatted!
Critical information: Xiaomi 360 cameras° You don't support microSD cards through an adapter. USB-Type-A flash drives.
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Before buying a flash drive, check it for authenticity with the h2testw utility. Many cheap drives have less than the stated volume, which leads to loss of records.
Step-by-step: how to insert a flash drive into the camera Xiaomi 360°
The process of connecting the drive consists of three steps: preparing the flash drive, physically connecting and setting up the recording in the Mi Home application. Follow the instructions strictly in order to avoid errors.
1. Formatting of the flash drive
- 🖥️ Connect the flash drive to the computer.
- 📂 Open This Computer (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS).
- 🔄 Right-click on the drive button → Format.
- 📋 Select the file system FAT32 and the cluster size is 4096 bytes.
⚠️ Note: If the USB drive is larger than 32 GB, standard formatting is not available in Windows. Fat32Format (Download from the official website ridgecrop.demon.co.uk).
2. Connecting the flash drive to the camera
- 🔌 Put the flash drive in. USB-Camera port. It's usually on the back or side.
- 🔄 Wait for the sound signal (squeak) or flashing indicator – this means that the drive has decided.
- 📱 Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone.
3. Set up recording in the Mi Home app
- 🏠 Go to the section with your camera.
- ⚙️ Press Settings. → Storage → Local storage.
- 🔄 Select Format (if required) and activate Continuous Recording.
Format in FAT32 with a 4096 byte cluster
Check the recording speed (minimum 10 MB/s)
Use USB 2.0 (not USB 3.0)
Connect directly, without extension cords
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How to set up a record on a flash drive: modes and parameters
After connecting the drive, you need to configure the recording settings. There are three modes available in the Mi Home application.
- Continuous recording: Video is recorded around the clock, old files are automatically deleted when memory is filled.
- Motion recording: The camera only captures video when motion is detected (saves space).
- Manual recording: Recording begins on command from the app.
To activate continuous recording:
- Open Mi Home → Choose a camera.
- Go to Settings → Storage → Local Storage.
- Turn on Continuous Recording and set the cycle length (e.g. 24 hours).
⚠️ Warning: If the flash drive fills up, the camera will automatically overwrite old files. To save important records, transfer them to your computer regularly.
What if the camera does not save video on the flash drive?
Typical errors and their solutions
Even with the right connection, users face problems. Let's look at the most common ones.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The flash drive is undetectable. | Incompatible file system or interface | Format it in FAT32, use USB 2.0 |
| Recording interrupted | Weak power supply or overheating flash drive | Use the original adapter, provide ventilation |
| Files are damaged. | Incorrect removal of the flash drive | Always turn off the drive through Safe Removal in Mi Home |
| The camera doesn't format the flash drive. | The storage device is protected from recording or damaged | Check the Lock switch on the flash drive, test it on the PC |
If the camera makes a mistake "USB-The storage device is not supported, try it:
- 🔄 Restart the camera (turn off power for 1 minute).
- 📋 Check the flash drive on another device.
- 🛠️ Update the camera firmware through Mi Home.
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If the flash drive is running on a PC but not detected by the camera, the problem is 90% power shortage. USB-cable or connect the camera to another power source.
How to view recordings from a flash drive on your phone or PC
Video files from the Xiaomi 360° camera are saved in the Xiaomi folder or record on the flash drive.
1.Through the Mi Home app
- 📱 Open the app and select the camera.
- 📼 Go to the Local Storage section.
- 🔍 Select the desired date and time of recording.
2. On the computer
- 🖥️ Connect the flash drive to the PC.
- 📂 Open the folder. Xiaomi/record.
- 🎥 The files are formatted.mp4 or.dat (the latter can be reproduced through the VLC Player).
⚠️ Note:.dat files contain metadata (date, time, viewing angle). VLC or convert into MP4 via FFmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.dat -c copy output.mp4