Connecting a flash drive to a Xiaomi TV seems like a simple task — until you encounter errors like “Device not supported” or “No access to files.” TV (particularly 4A, 4S, 5 Pro and later) impose strict requirements on the file system, media format and even speed. USB-In this article, we will discuss not only the basic steps of connection, but also hidden settings. MIUI TV, which the manufacturer does not advertise – for example, how to enable exFAT support on old firmware or bypass the restriction on reproduction MKV multichannel.
You'll know:
- 🔌 What formats of flash drives are guaranteed to work on Xiaomi Mi TV (And which ones don't)
- 🎬 Why TV doesn’t see movies in the movies 4K HDR with the flash drive, although the characteristics should
- ⚙️ How to set up a hidden developer menu for advanced work with USB
- 🛠️ What to do if the flash drive is detected, but the files are not opened (the error "Unsupported format»)
The instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi TVs (2018–2026 (b) including the Mi series TV A Pro, Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV Xiaomi TV S Pro. If your model is older, check the section "Features for outdated firmware».
1. What flash drives supports the Xiaomi TV: requirements for format and speed
The first and most common mistake is to use the wrong one. USB-Xiaomi TVs officially support only two file system formats:
- 📁 FAT32 — It works on all models, but is limited to a 4GB file size (not suitable for movies in the UK). 4K)
- 📁 NTFS — Supported by most TVs (except the most budget ones), allows you to store files of any size
exFAT and EXT4 They are not supported out of the box, but they can be enabled through hidden settings (see section 4 for more:
- ⚡ For playback of Full HD (1080p) enough USB 2.0 (speed from 10 MB/s)
- ⚡ For 4K HDR Dolby Vision needs a flash drive. USB 3.0/3.1 (from 30 MB/s, otherwise the video will be "slow down»
🔍 How do you check your flash drive speed? Connect it to your computer and use CrystalDiskMark (free) if you write/read below 15MB/s. 4K It's not gonna fit.
💡
If you have a flash drive. USB-C, Use an adapter USB-C → USB-A. Xiaomi TVs do not support direct Type-C input, even if the port is physically present.
2. Step-by-step instruction: how to connect a flash drive to Xiaomi Mi TV
The algorithm is simple, but there are nuances that are not written about in the official manuals:
- Turn off the TV (without going to sleep!) This will cache off. USB-Ports and increase the chances of successful connection.
- Put the flash drive in the port. USB The front port is often limited in power and may not recognize the drives.
- Turn on the TV and wait for notifications «USB-The device is connected. If it's not there, check it out: 🔋 Is there enough food (try it) USB-externally powered hub if the flash drive requires a lot of energy) 🔄 Reboot the TV with a flash drive connected (sometimes helps)
Open the conductor: press the Home button on the remote → «Media» → «USB». If the folder is empty, a problem in the file system format (see Section 3).
The flash drive is formatted in FAT32/NTFS|
Port port USB back-screen|
The files are supported in format (see table below)|
The TV is restarted after connecting-->
3. Compatibility table: what file formats Xiaomi Mi plays TV
Even if the flash drive is determined, the TV may not open files. Here is a complete list of supported formats (data is relevant for firmware). MIUI TV 3.0 and newer):
| Type of content | Supported formats | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Video | MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, TS, WMV | ❌ MKV s DTS-HD soundless ❌ AVI codeced DivX/Xvid may slow down ✅ H.265 (HEVC) It is supported only on models 2020+ garland. |
| Audio. | MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV | FLAC bitrate > 192 kbit/s can be played with distortion |
| Photo Photo | JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF | GIF Reproduced without animation (only the first frame) |
| Subtitles | SRT, ASS, SSA | The subtitles file must have the same name as the video (e.g. film.mkv). + film.srt) |
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs are not supported ISO-To open a movie from an image, first mount it on a PC and copy it to a flash drive in a format. MP4/MKV.
4.What to do if the Xiaomi TV can not see the flash drive
If the drive is not defined at all, the reasons can be both hardware and software.
🔧 Problem 1: Incompatible file system
If the flash drive is formatted in exFAT or EXT4, The TV won't see her:
- Connect the flash drive to the computer.
- Open "Disk Management" (Win) + R → diskmgmt.msc).
- Find your drive, click right-click. → «Format».
- Choose. FAT32 (if files are up to 4 GB; or NTFS (large-file).
💡 For flash drives. >64 GB standard formatting in FAT32 It might not work. Use the utility. FAT32 Format (Google on request «fat32format guiformat»).
🔌 Problem 2: Faulty USB-port
Check the port on the TV:
- 🔄 Try another one. USB-If there are several of them).
- 🔌 Connect another device (mouse, keyboard) to the port – if it does not work, the port is damaged.
- 🛠️ Clean the port of dust with compressed air (do not use metal objects!).
⚙️ Problem 3: Disconnected USB customized
In some firmware, access to USB It's off by default:
- Go to Settings → Device → Storage.
- Choose «USB-device» → «Enable access».
- If there is no item, update the firmware (see Section 6).
How to enable exFAT support on older Xiaomi models?
5. How to play video from a flash drive without brakes
Even if the flash drive is defined and the video format is maintained, there may be stuttering, artifacts or a stoppage.
🎞️ Problem: Videos are slowing down or interrupted
The flash drive is probably too slow to resolve the video.
- 📊 File resolution: 4K demand USB 3.0, Full HD — enough USB 2.0.
- 🔄 Video codec: H.265 (HEVC) decoded by the TV processor if the model is weak (e.g. Mi). TV 4A), will be lags.
- 💾 Bitrate: Files with bitrate > 20 Mbps can slow down on budget models.
🔧 Solution: Convert video to MP4 codeced H.264 and a bitrate of 10-15 Mbps via HandBrake (free software:
Format: MP4
Video codec: H.264 (AVC)
Bitrate: 12,000 kbit/s (for 4K) / 8000 kbit/s (for Full HD)
Codex: AAC (not DTS!)🔊 Problem: There's no sound in the movie
Xiaomi TVs do not support some audio codecs:
- ❌ DTS-HD Master Audio (in) MKV)
- ❌ TrueHD (used in Blu-ray)
- ❌ AC3 5.1 (can be reproduced as 2.0)
🔧 Solution: Recode the sound into AAC or MP3 via FFmpeg (command for conversion):
ffmpeg -i input.mkv -c:v copy -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.mp4💡
If the TV does not produce sound in MKV, But the video is coming -- the problem is exactly in the audio codec. Use MKVToolNix to remove the audio track and add a new one to the audio codec. AAC.
6. Hidden settings Xiaomi Mi TV work-in USB
The manufacturer hides a few important options that can solve the problems with the flash drives.
- Open the Settings. → On TV.
- Find the line "Version" MIUI TV» And you click on it 5 times (like on Xiaomi smartphones) and you'll see a notification saying, "You're a developer».
- Return to the main settings menu and a new section for developers will appear.
In this menu, include:
- 🔄 «Debugging by USB» — Allows you to connect flash drives with non-standard partitions.
- 📂 «Mount USB as a removable drive" - eliminates the error "Read only».
- 🔧 «Compulsory compatibility with USB» — Support for some exFAT drives (not on all models).
⚠️ Warning: Turning on Developer Mode May Lead to Work Failures DRM-services (e.g. Disney)+ Netflix will stop showing content on the Internet 4K). After setting up USB Turn off unnecessary options.
7. Update firmware to improve compatibility with USB
If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2020, there is a good chance that the flash drive problems will be solved by a firmware update.
- Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
- If the version is older MIUI TV 3.0 - refresh.
🔄 How to Manually Upgrade (If Automatic Update Fails to Work):
- Download the latest firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (Support section).
- Copy the file. update.zip on the flash drive (formatted in FAT32!).
- Insert the flash drive into the TV and go to Settings → About TV → Update via USB.
- Select a file and wait until the end (don’t turn off the TV!).
📌 After updating:
- Reset the settings to factory (Settings → System → Reset).
- Reconnect the flash drive – many errors (such as “Unsupported format”) will disappear.
💡
Updating the firmware is the most reliable way to solve problems with USB, But before the procedure, turn off the Internet (pull the cable or turn off Wi-Fi), which will prevent interruption of the download due to automatic checks.
8.Alternative ways to view files from a flash drive on Xiaomi TV
If nothing helps, consider the following ways:
📱 Method 1: Transfer of files over a local network (DLNA)
If the TV doesn’t see the flash drive, but is connected to the same network as the computer:
- On PC, install Serviio or Plex Media Server (free versions).
- Add the file folder to the program library.
- On the TV, open the Media Player app» → «Local area network» → Choose your PC.
🖥️ Method 2: Connecting through OTG-hub
If the TV has a problem with food USB-Ports, use active ports USB-externally powered hub (e.g. Anker) 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub. Connect:
- Flash drive to the hub.
- Hub to the TV.
- Hub power to the socket.
🌐 Method 3: Cloud Storage
Upload files to Google Drive or Yandex Drive, then:
- Open your browser on the TV.
- Go to the cloud site and play the file online.
⚠️ Minus: 4K-Videos can be slowed down due to internet speed limits.