You just copied important photos to a flash drive through your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, and now you want to take it out? Stop! Wrong shutdown. USB-Unlike computers that have a Safe Retrieval icon, Android smartphones often ignore this process — and it's a waste of time — when they have a file system that damages the file system.
Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI (or HyperOS in newer models) have their own nuances when working with external drives, for example, if you plugged a flash drive through the device. OTG-And the adapter started copying the files, and the system can cache the data in the background, and the sharp extraction at that point is equivalent to an emergency power outage for the drive.
In this article, we will use a step-by-step algorithm for safe extraction, analyze typical errors of Xiaomi users, and what to do if the flash drive is still “hung” in the phone. We will consider separately the features for models with a microSD slot (for example, Redmi). 10C) and devices where USB-The storage device is only connected through OTG.
Why can’t you just pull a flash drive out of Xiaomi?
In 80% of cases, Xiaomi users are extracted from the USB-Hot drives -- you know, they just pull them out of the connector:
- 🔴 Loss of unsaved data: if the file is still being copied in the background (even if the indicator does not flash).
- 🔴 Damage to the file system: FAT32/NTFS/exFAT They may “fall apart” and the flash drive will have to be formatted.
- 🔴 Work failure MIUI/HyperOS: In rare cases, the system can "hang" on read / write operations.
- 🔴 Physical damage to the connector: especially relevant for POCO F5 and other models with fragile USB-C.
The fact is that Android (unlike Windows or macOS) doesn't always show the background copying process, for example, if you copied a folder with 500 photos to the Gallery, the system can sync thumbnails for another 10 minutes or index files, which is why even after you have finished the visible copying, you can't retrieve the flash drive right away.
⚠️ On Xiaomi smartphones with a microSD slot (for example, Redmi). A2+) The memory card can be mounted as an internal drive, in which case its removal without first "unmounting" will lead to instant loss of all data on the card - the system simply will not see the files after re-inserting.
Method 1: Standard safe extraction via MIUI/HyperOS
This is a universal method for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (including models from 2023-2026).
- 📱 USB-flash drives connected through OTG-adapter.
- 📱 MicroSD cards inserted into the slot (unless they are used as internal memory).
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Connected Devices (or Settings → Memory in older versions of MIUI).
- Find the section "USB-drive" or "external drive" (name depends on firmware).
- Put the badge on. ⚙️ next to the name of the flash drive and select "Extract" or "Safe extraction".
- Wait for the “Device can be removed” notification (usually appearing in 2-5 seconds).
Are the files copied without errors?
No active operations at the Guide?
Did the retrieval notice come up?
Is the flash drive not used by apps (like VLC or Gallery)?
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If you don't have a "Extract" option, it means that the USB drive is being used by the system, for example, MIUI can scan it for viruses or index media files.
- Close all applications that work with the drive (Gallery, Files, Music).
- Reboot your phone (this will force you to complete all background processes).
- Repeat the extraction attempt.
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On some HyperOS firmware (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the "Extract" item is hidden. In this case, just turn off the flash drive in the Quick Settings menu (swipe down from the top edge of the screen) - there will appear a USB icon with a cross.
Method 2: MicroSD cards used as internal memory
If you set up a MicroSD as an internal drive (the option "Format as internal memory" on the first connection), it cannot be removed without first "unmounting".
- 📛 All data on the card will be encrypted and will become unavailable on other devices.
- 📛 Re-inserting MIUI may require formatting.
To extract a map like this:
- Go to Settings. → Memory.
- Slip on the internal memory (this is your microSD).
- Select "Data Transfer and Disconnect" (in the old MIUI - "Disable").
- Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).
| Action. | Effects of consequences | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Removed the map without disconnecting. | Data encrypted, not read on PC | Insert back into the phone, transfer data to internal memory, then format |
| The "Data Transfer" process has been interrupted | Some of the files are damaged. | Check the card for errors through chkdsk on PC |
| The flash drive is not detected after extraction | The connector or controller is damaged | Try another one. OTG-adapter or test the flash drive on a PC |
⚠️ On Xiaomi smartphones with a Hybrid slot (such as the Redmi Note 11), removing the MicroSD without turning off can lead to an automatic switch to the second one. SIM-This doesn't damage data, but it can interrupt calls or mobile Internet.
Just pulling it out of the connector.
I use "Safe Retrieval" in the settings
Disable through the notification panel
I don't know how to do it.
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Method 3: Forced shutdown if the flash drive is "hang"
Sometimes. USB-The drive, or microSD, is stuck in the system, not displayed in the conductor, but not extracted in the standard way:
- 🖥️ Failure to work MIUI File Explorer.
- 🖥️ Damage to the file system on the flash drive.
- 🖥️ Application conflict (e.g. Google Photos scans new files).
What to do:
- Reboot the phone. 90 percent of the time, it helps unplug the flash drive.
- If it does not help, connect your phone to your PC via USB and try to remove the drive through “This computer” (like a regular flash drive).
- For experienced users: use ADB-Command for forced unmounting: adb shell sm unmount /mnt/media_rw/<ID_flash-drive> Find out. ID You can use the adb shell sm list-volumes command.
What if the flash drive is not removed and the phone freezes?
Mistakes of Xiaomi users: what not to do
Even experienced Xiaomi owners sometimes make critical mistakes.-5 forbidden:
- 🚫 Remove the flash drive while charging the phone, which can cause a voltage surge in the phone. USB-port and damage the storage controller.
- 🚫 Use the cheap ones. OTG-They often cause short circuits, especially on Quick Charge models (e.g., short circuits, POCO X6 Pro).
- 🚫 Format the flash drive directly in the phone (via Settings) → Memory). MIUI often selects non-optimal parameters (e.g., 4K clusters for the FAT32), reduces the speed of work.
- 🚫 Connect a flash drive with viruses. Xiaomi blocks auto-run, but some malicious scripts can start when you manually open files.
- 🚫 Use the flash drive as internal memory on weak models (e.g. Redmi) 9A). This slows down the phone 2-3 times.
It's especially dangerous to combine multiple errors, like if you plug in a cheap one. OTG-adapter + Remove the flash drive during copying + The phone will charge, the risk of data or port damage rises to 70%.
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On Xiaomi’s HyperOS smartphones (2026), secure extraction is faster than on older versions of MIUI, but still requires confirmation. Never ignore the system notifications when you complete your drive operations!
How to check the flash drive after extraction?
Even if you follow all the rules, we recommend checking the drive for errors. This will take 5 minutes, but save the data:
- 🔍 On PC: Connect the flash drive to your computer. Open the Command Prompt (Win) + R → Enter chkdsk X: /f (where X is the letter of your flash drive).
On the phone.
- Install SD Maid or A1 SD Bench.
- Run a reading/write error test.
If the test shows errors:
- 🛠️ Make a backup copy of the data.
- 🛠️ Format the flash drive into FAT32 (For files up to 4GB or exFAT (for large files).
- 🛠️ If the flash drive is not formatted, it is physically damaged (replacement is needed).