Formatting a flash drive on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a procedure that every user sooner or later encounters. Whether you want to clear the drive of unnecessary files, change the file system for compatibility with other devices or eliminate read errors, proper formatting ensures stable microSD operation. However, many owners make critical mistakes: choose an inappropriate file system, interrupt the process or ignore data backup.
In this article, we will discuss all formatting methods – from built-in MIUI tools to computer use, and also explain why FAT32 is suitable for cards up to 32 GB, and exFAT is preferable for drives over 64 GB. Particular attention will be paid to hidden MIUI settings that allow you to format a flash drive as internal memory (Adoptable Storage function), and we will explain how to avoid data loss if formatting is unsuccessful.
Why you may need to format a flash drive on Xiaomi
Formatting isn't just cleaning the drive, it's the process of creating a new file system that solves a few key problems:
- 🔄 Change of file system: For example, switching from FAT32 ExFAT to support files larger than 4 GB (relevant for video recordings) 4K).
- 🚨 Error Fixing: If the flash drive is defined as “damaged” or the smartphone issues a notification "SD-The map is damaged?".
- 📱 Preparation for use as internal memory: Adoptable Storage function MIUI requires full formatting.
- 🔒 Secure Deletion of Data: Normal File Deletion Does Not Delete It Completely – Formatting Overwrites Sectors.
Xiaomi smartphones are most likely to encounter two situations that require formatting: 1) The new flash drive is not recognized – usually due to an incompatible file system (for example, NTFS, which Android does not support out of the box). 2 The memory card began to “glue” – files disappear, video is not played, write speed drops. 80% of the time this is solved by full formatting.
⚠️ Note: If the flash drive was used on Windows PC in format NTFS, It can not just connect to Xiaomi – the system will either not see the drive or will offer to format it. NTFS Supported only on rooted devices or through special applications (e.g. Paragon) NTFS).
Which format should you choose: FAT32, exFAT or NTFS?
The file system you choose depends on the size of the flash drive and the tasks it will be used for. Below is a comparison table:
| File system | Max. The volume of the flash drive. | Max. File size. | Compatibility with Xiaomi | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAT32 | Up to 32GB. | 4GB | ✅ Complete. | For cards up to 32GB, unless you need to record large files (such as high-resolution movies). |
| exFAT | Up to 128 PB (theoretically) | 16 EB (virtually unlimited) | ✅ Complete (starting with Android 6.0) | The best choice for flash drives from 64 GB and up supports files of any size. |
| NTFS | Up to 16 EB | 16 EB | ❌ No root rights or third-party applications | Only if the flash drive will be used exclusively on a PC or with a rooted smartphone. |
For most Xiaomi users, exFAT is the best choice.It is free of FAT32 restrictions (for example, file size) and does not require additional applications, unlike NTFS. The exception is if you use a flash drive in older devices (for example, in car radios), which may not support exFAT.
Method 1: Formatting through Xiaomi settings (without PC)
The easiest method is to use built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable if the flash drive is recognized by the system, but requires cleaning or changing the file system.
- Insert the flash drive into the microSD slot (or via an adapter in USB-C if your model supports OTG).
- Open the Files app (folder icon).
- In the section Device or SD-Find your card and tap it on three points (⋮) top-right.
- Select the storage settings → Format.
- Confirm action. The system will offer FAT32 or exFAT, and you can choose the option you want.
The process will take anywhere from 10 seconds to a few minutes depending on the size of the flash drive, and once completed, the smartphone will automatically mount the drive.
Save important data from the flash drive to another media | Check battery power (minimum 30%) | Make sure the flash drive is not used as internal memory | Disable antivirus (can block access)
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⚠️ Note: If you don't have a Format option in your storage settings, you're using the flash drive as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage function). To format it, you first need to transfer all the data back to your internal memory via Settings. → Memory. → SD-map → Transfer data.
Method 2: Formatting as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage)
Adoptable Storage allows you to use the flash drive as part of your smartphone's internal memory, which is convenient if there's not enough storage for apps, but requires full formatting of the encryption drive.
Instructions:
- Put the flash drive in the smartphone.
- Go to Settings. → Memory.
- Tap your name on it. SD-map.
- Select Set Up → Internal memory.
- Confirm the formatting. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted, and the flash drive will be encrypted and tied to this device.
Once formatted, the flash drive will become part of the internal storage, and importantly, it will not be read on other devices without first “unmounting” through the Xiaomi settings.
What happens if you remove a flash drive formatted as an internal memory?
Method 3: Formatting via computer (Windows/macOS/Linux)
If the flash drive is not recognized by the smartphone or requires NTFS, the easiest way to format it is through a PC, you need a USB-C/OTG card reader or adapter.
On Windows:
- Connect the flash drive to the computer.
- Open this computer (or my computer) and find your drive.
- Right-click. → Format.
- Select the file system (FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS).
- Specify the tome label (the name of the flash drive) and press Start.
On macOS:
Use the Disk Utility (Applications → Utilities → Disk Utility). Select the flash drive, press erase, specify the format (MS-DOS (FAT) for FAT32 or ExFAT) and the GUID scheme.
On Linux:
Open the terminal and do:
sudo mkfs.exfat -n "METKA" /dev/sdX1Replace sdX1 with the current device name (you can find out by lsblk command), and METKA with the desired name.
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If Windows doesn’t offer exFAT for a USB flash drive larger than 32GB, download the official GUIFormat utility from Microsoft’s website, which allows you to format large drives in FAT32, which is sometimes required for compatibility with older devices.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes have problems with formatting, and here are the most common errors and solutions:
- 🔌 "Flash drive is not formatted": Check if the Lock switch is locked on the adapter. USB-port.
- ⏳ "Play it freeze": Don't remove the flash drive! Wait at least 10 to 15 minutes. If nothing happens, restart the device.
- 📛 "Insufficient rights": On Windows, run formatting on behalf of the administrator. On Android, check if the flash drive is used as internal memory.
- 🔍 "The flash drive is not defined": Try formatting it on another device. If it doesn't work, the drive may have failed.
If the flash drive still doesn't work after formatting, check it for errors using the chkdsk (Windows) or fsck (Linux/macOS) utility. For example, in Windows, run it on the command line:
chkdsk E: /f(Replace E: with the letter of your disk).
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If the flash drive was used on Xiaomi as internal memory, it can not just format on a PC – you first need to “mount” through the settings of the smartphone, otherwise the data will be lost irretrievably.
Data recovery after random formatting
If you formatted a flash drive by mistake, don't panic! With fast formatting (which is the default), data isn't physically erased - just overwritten the file table. The chances of recovery depend on how many new files were written after formatting.
Recovery programmes:
- 🖥️ Recuva (Windows) – a free utility with a simple interface.
- 🍎 Disk Drill (macOS/Windows) — Supports recovery from exFAT and NTFS.
- 📱 Dumpster (Android) – Recovers files directly from your smartphone (requires root rights for deep scanning).
Algorithm: 1) Stop using the flash drive immediately. 2 Connect it to a PC and scan one of the programs. 3 Save the recovered files to another medium (not the same flash drive!).
⚠️ Note: If the flash drive was formatted as internal memory on Xiaomi, standard recovery programs will not help – the data is encrypted. In this case, only a backup or specialized services (for example, R-Studio with a module for Android) will help).