Switching to a flash drive on a Xiaomi TV is a challenge that users face when watching movies, listening to music or updating their firmware. Despite the intuitive interface of MIUI TV, many people do not know how to properly activate an external drive, especially if it is not automatically determined. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from choosing a compatible flash drive to manually mounting through the service menu.
The main problem lies in the variety of Xiaomi TV models (from Mi TV 4A to Xiaomi TV Q2) and firmware versions. For example, on older devices, formatting is required in FAT32, and new ones support exFAT and NTFS - but with limitations. We tested all methods on current firmware in 2026 and identified those that work stably.
1. Which flash drive to choose for Xiaomi TV: requirements for drives
Not every flash drive is suitable for Xiaomi TVs.
- 🔹 File system format: FAT32 (up to 32 GB) or exFAT (over 32 GB). NTFS Supported partially - only for reading on some models.
- 🔹 Volume: optimally 16-128 GB. flash drives of 256 GB or more may not be recognized.
- 🔹 Speed: minimum USB 2.0 (up to 480 Mbps). 4K-better USB 3.0 (blue connector).
- 🔹 Brand: avoid no-name drives. recommend SanDisk Ultra, Kingston DataTraveler, Samsung Fit Plus.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs do not support formatted TVs ext4 Flash drives (even if you used them on Android smartphones) also avoid hardware-encrypted drives – they won’t be recognized.
| Model Xiaomi TV | Supported File Systems | Max. The volume of the flash drive. | Support for USB 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4A/4C (2018–2020) | FAT32, exFAT (Read only) | 64GB | No. |
| Mi TV 4S/4X (2020–2022) | FAT32, exFAT, NTFS (reading) | 128GB | Yes (backport only) |
| Xiaomi TV A2/A Pro (2022–2026) | FAT32, exFAT, NTFS (full) | 256GB | Yeah (all ports) |
| Xiaomi TV Q2/Q Pro (2023–2026) | FAT32, exFAT, NTFS (full) | 512GB | Yes (USB-C and USB-A) |
2. Connecting a flash drive: step-by-step instructions
Before connecting, make sure the drive is formatted correctly, and if the flash drive is new, it can be formatted directly through the TV (see section 4).
Check the file system (FAT32/exFAT)
Use the USB port on the back (more stable)
Disable others USB-devices (prefixes, keyboards)
Connect the flash drive before turning on the TV (for older models)
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Follow the algorithm further:
- Put the flash drive in. USB-The port of the TV is preferable to use the connector on the back, which is less susceptible to mechanical damage.
- On the remote, click the Home button and go to the Media or Files section (name depends on the model).
- Select the source. USB-drive. If the flash drive is not displayed, update the list of devices (Update button or Scan).
- Open the folder with the content you want. For video,.mp4,.mkv,.avi; for music,.mp3,.flac.
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If the TV can’t see the flash drive, try connecting it through USB-externally powered hub, which helps with port power shortages (relevant to Mi) TV 4A).
3.Why Xiaomi TV doesn't see the flash drive: 5 reasons and solutions
If the drive is not determined, check the following points:
- 🔌 Failed Port: Try Another Port USB-connector or connect the flash drive to the PC to check.
- 🖥️ Incompatible file system: format the flash drive into FAT32 via computer (instructions in section 4).
- 🔋 Insufficient power: use a hub with an external power supply or shorten the cable (relevant to the USB-extensioner).
- 📁 Hidden files: The TV may not show folders with a dot at the beginning of the name (e.g..trash).
- 🛠️ Firmware failure: Update TV software through Settings → On TV. → Updating the system.
⚠️ Attention: On Mi models TV 4C There is a bug with firmware older than 2021 – they do not see flash drives larger than 64 GB even in the FAT32. Solution: Update your firmware or use a smaller storage.
How do I check the firmware version?
4. Flash drive formatting for Xiaomi TV: Step-by-step
If the TV doesn’t recognize the file system, open the formatting menu:
- Connect the flash drive to the TV.
- Go to Settings. → Devices → USB-accumulator.
- Select your flash drive and click Format.
- Confirm the action. It'll take 1-3 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: Formatting will delete all data from the drive! If there are important files on the flash drive, copy them to the computer first.
For formatting on PC (Windows):
1. Open "This Computer" → Right Click on the USB Drive → "Format".
2. Select the FAT32 file system (if up to 32 GB) or exFAT (if over).
3. Press "Start" and wait until it's finished.💡
Formatting in NTFS on Xiaomi TV is impossible – the TV supports this format only for reading (on models of 2022 and later).
5. How to play video from a flash drive: supported formats
Xiaomi TVs support most popular video formats, but there are limitations:
- 🎬 Video:.mp4 (H.264/H.265),.mkv (up to mkv) 4K),.avi (DivX/Xvid),.Movie (only on new models).
- 🎵 Audio:.mp3,.aac,.flac,.wav.
- 🖼️ Images:.jpg,.png,.bmp (max. resolution) 8192×8192).
For reproduction:
- Open Media Center or Files on the home screen.
- Choose. USB-accumulator → video-folder.
- To control, use the remote buttons: OK - pause / playback; ← → - rewind; ↑ ↓ - volume control.
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If the video is slowing down, try converting it to H.264 with a bitrate of no more than 20 Mbps (for 4K).
6. Switch to a flash drive to update the firmware
If you are updating your TV via USB, the algorithm is different from a regular connection:
- Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (Support → TV section).
- Unpack the archive and copy the update.zip file to the root of the flash drive (not to the folder!).
- Connect the flash drive to the front. USB-port (on new models) or rear (on old models).
- Go to Settings → About TV → System Update → Update via USB.
- Select the update.zip file and confirm the installation.
During playback, click OK → Subtitles → select the file.