Where to look for a flash drive in the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 5 proven ways

You're plugged in. USB-Is there a flash drive for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, but you can't find it in the system? Or does the phone not respond to the drive at all? This problem is familiar to many users - especially those who are trying to expand the memory of a smartphone with an external media for the first time. Unlike computers, where the flash drive is displayed as a separate drive, on Android devices everything works differently.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to search for a flash drive on the Redmi Note 9: from the standard connection through the Internet. OTG-Adapter to hidden system settings, you'll know where files from the external drive are stored, why the phone may not see USB-And if the flash drive still doesn't get identified, there's a checklist at the end of the article for diagnostics.

1. How to connect the flash drive to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Before you look for a flash drive on your phone, make sure you plug it in correctly. - Redmi Note 9 built-in USB-Type A port (like computers), so you will need to connect a standard flash drive OTG-adapter (or cable with connector) USB-C/OTG).

Here's what we need to do:

• 🔌 Buy it. OTG-adapter (costs 100-300) ₽) — He's transforming the port. USB-C standard-phone USB-A flash-drive.
• 📱 Insert the adapter into the Redmi Note 9 charging connector, and then plug in the flash drive.
• 🔄 Wait for the notice "USB-device is connected" (may not appear immediately).
• 📂 If there is no notification, check if your flash drive supports the format. FAT32/exFAT (NTFS phone won't read!).

Important: some flash drives require additional power. If the Redmi Note 9 can’t see the drive, try connecting it through an externally powered hub (for example, from a power bank).

2.Where to look for files from the flash drive in the phone

If the USB stick is connected correctly, its contents can be found in several places:

1. Notification in the curtain After connecting swipe down from the top edge of the screen - there will be a notification "USB-The drive is plugged in. Put it on to open the files.
2. Open the standard file manager (the folder icon on the desktop) and your flash drive should be displayed in the Device or External Drives section.
3. Through the Explorer from Google Install Files by Google – there external drives are displayed in the section “Copy files”.

If the flash drive does not appear in Files, but the phone recognizes it (the indicator on the drive burns), try to restart the device - sometimes this helps the system to "see" a new drive.

3.Why Redmi Note 9 doesn't see the flash drive: 7 reasons and solutions

If the phone does not respond to the connected flash drive, check these points:

Another common cause is a corrupted file system on a flash drive, to repair it:

1. Connect the flash drive to the computer.
2. Open the Command Prompt on behalf of the administrator.
3. Type the command: chkdsk X: /f (where X is the letter of your flash drive).

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If the flash drive is detected, but the files are copied very slowly, try using the flash drive. USB 3.0 OTG-Adapter (blue) speeds up data transfer by 2-3 times.

4. MIUI settings that affect the operation of the flash drive

There are hidden settings in MIUI firmware that can block access to external drives.

1. Permission to access USB Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Special access → Access to USB. Make sure the Files app has access.
2. When you connect a flash drive in the notification curtain, you can choose the mode: "File Transfer", "Photo Transfer" or "Charge Only".
3. Debugging by USB If you are using a flash drive for firmware or ADB, set the settings on → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times, then return to the Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Attention! If you have enabled USB Debugging but are not using it for technical purposes, you should turn it off, because it could become a vulnerability to viruses.

Is USB access enabled for the Files app?

Is File Transfer Mode Selected in the Notification Curtain?

Is the original used? OTG-Adapter (not a cheap fake)?

Is the flash drive formatted in FAT32/exFAT?

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5. Alternative ways to work with a flash drive on Xiaomi

If the standard connection doesn’t work, try these methods:

• 🌐 Wireless Transmission Use a Wi-Fi adapter drive (e.g. SanDisk Connect) that creates its own network. Connect to it via Settings → Wi-Fi and manage files via browser.
• ☁️ Download files from a flash drive to Google Drive or Mi Cloud from your computer, and then download them to your phone.
• 🔄 Card reader Adapter If you have a microSD card, insert it into the adapter SD → USB-C Connect to your phone as an external storage device.

For advanced users, there's another way to connect to ADB, which requires a computer and commands, but allows you to control a flash drive even if your phone doesn't see it in the interface.

1. Connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled.
2. Open Command Prompt and type: adb shell ls /storage All connected drives should be displayed here.

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Wireless flash drives (such as SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive) are the best choice for Xiaomi as they don’t require any. OTG-adapter and work via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

6 What to do if the flash drive is damaged or the phone has forgotten it

Sometimes the Redmi Note 9 will stop seeing the flash drive after updating the MIUI or resetting the settings.

• 🔄 Rebooting the phone is banal, but often works.
• 🗑️ Cache Clearing - Go to Settings → Annexes → Files. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🛠️ Resetting settings USB — In Settings → Additional settings → Resetting settings → Reset the settings USB.
• 💾 Formatting a flash drive – if it does not have important data, format it on a PC in the computer FAT32.

⚠️ If the flash drive was previously used on an Android device with encryption (such as Samsung Knox), Xiaomi will not be able to read it, in which case only full formatting (with loss of data) will help).

If nothing works, check the flash drive on another device, and it may be the drive itself that Xiaomi phones don’t support outdated USB 1.1 standards or damaged controllers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about flash drives on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9