How to move a photo from Xiaomi phone to a flash drive: all working ways

There are a dozen ways to move photos from Xiaomi to a flash drive, but not all of them are equally convenient. If you are facing a shortage of memory on your smartphone or just want to back up your photos, it is important to choose a method that does not take hours and does not require the purchase of additional accessories. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven options - from the classic connection through the OTG-Cable to synchronization via cloud services.

Feature of Xiaomi phones (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Mi 11, in that they often block access to the file system when you connect to a PC in Charging mode, which makes it difficult to transfer data directly, but you can get around the restriction in literally 2 clicks. We’ll also explain how to avoid common mistakes – for example, why the flash drive isn’t detected or why photos are copied in low resolution.

If you have to transfer thousands of photos at a time, the best solution is to use a computer. OTG Or cloud services like Google Photos, and if you're a big data user, you should consider buying a card reader that supports it. USB-C — This will speed up the process by 3-5 times compared to the standard OTG-adapter.

1.Preparation: Which USB flash drive is right for Xiaomi

Not every flash drive is compatible with Xiaomi phones OTG. Basic requirements:

• 🔌 Interface: USB Type-A (for OTG-adapter USB-C (You can't use an old microUSB flash drive without an adapter.
• 📏 Format: FAT32 (up to 32 GB or exFAT (64 GB). NTFS The phone won't read without a root license.
• ⚡ Speed: For quick transfer, choose flash drives with labeling USB 3.0/3.1 (In practice, the difference between USB 2.0 — before 10 speedily.

If your flash drive is not detected, check:

1. Is it connected? OTG-Adapter tight (frequent problem with Redmi) 9A and POCO M3).
2. Is it formatted in FAT32/exFAT (PC).
3. Is the File Transfer mode in the notification curtain enabled after connection?

⚠️ Note: USB flash drives larger than 128 GB may not be recognized on Xiaomi’s budget models (e.g. Redmi) 8A). Use the computer as an intermediary.

Method 1: Direct transfer through OTG-cable

The fastest method if you have one. OTG-adapter (stands) ~100–300 ₽). It can be used to transfer up to 500 photos at a time without a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to the phone, and flash drive to the adapter.
2. In the notification curtain, tap on the alert USB-Device is connected and select File Transfer (or File Manager).
3. Open the Files app (or Mi File Manager).
4. Go to the folder. DCIM → Camera (camera photos are stored here) or Pictures (downloaded images).
5. Select files (long press) → checkmark) → Copy.
6. Return to the root directory, open the flash drive folder (usually). USB Drive and insert files.

The flash drive is formatted in FAT32/exFAT|

OTG-Adapter is good (try another one)|

There is enough charge on the phone (from 30%)|

In the settings allowed access to files for the application "Files"-->

Critical detail: on some firmware MIUI (For example, the global version for the Redmi Note 9 Pro when copied through the OTG photo is saved without EXIF-data (date, geolocation) to avoid this, use the method №3 (via PC).

⚠️ Note: If the copying error appears File too large, the flash drive is formatted in FAT32, file-free >4GB: Reformat it to exFAT via computer.

Method 2: Transfer over a computer (most reliable)

This method guarantees 100% It's safe and secure, and it's good for carrying thousands of photos at a time. USB-cable (preferably original) and computer on Windows/macOS.

How to move:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. On the phone in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (or MTP) mode.
3. On your computer, open this computer (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS).
4. Go to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera.
5. Copy files to the desktop or directly to the flash drive connected to the PC.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Speed: up to 40 MB / s (versus 5-10 MB / s through OTG).
• 🔍 All metadata is retained (EXIF, geotags).
• 🛠️ You can sort the photo by date/folder before transferring.

1. Reboot both devices.

2. Use another USB-cable (not all support data transmission).

3. Enable Debugging by USB in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times).-->

Method 3: Using cloud services (without wires)

If you don't. OTG You can upload photos to the cloud and then download them to a flash drive through your computer:

• 🌥️ Google Photos: Automatically Backup Photos (Configure Settings) → Google → Backup. Free: 15 GB.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: built-in cloud from Xiaomi (5 GB for free) Available in Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.
• 💾 Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, there is an automatic photo download (Yandex Disk app).

Step-by-step instructions for Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app (if not installed).
2. Enable backup: Profile → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
3. Wait for the photo to be uploaded (time depends on internet speed).
4. On your computer, open photos.google.com, highlight the photo and click Download.
5. Unclose the downloaded file and transfer the photo to the flash drive.

⚠️ Note: When uploading to Google Photos in the "High Quality" (not "Original") mode, photos are compressed to 16 MP. To save full resolution, choose Original Quality (counted into the quota of 15 GB).

5. Method 4: Applications for file transfer

If the standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications.

• 📲 Send Anywhere: Wi-Fi transfer between cloud-free devices up to 10MB/s.
• 🔗 Xender: Supports portability via PC QR-No registration required.
• 💻 Feem: Creates a local area network for file transfer (useful if there is no internet connection).

Example from Send Anywhere:

1. Install the application on your phone and computer.
2. On the phone, select a photo. → Send. → Generate a 6-digit code.
3. On the computer, enter this code in the Receive field.
4. Save the downloaded photos on the flash drive.

Pros of the method:

• 🚀 Faster cloud services (no download speed limits).
• 🔒 Data is not stored on third-party servers.
• 📱 It works even on older models (Redmi 5, Mi). A1).

💡

Send Anywhere is ideal for transferring photos from your phone to a flash drive through a computer without cables, and the main thing is that both devices should be on the same Wi-Fi network.

6.Method 5: Cardreader with Support USB-C

For users who regularly work with large amounts of data (for example, photographers), the best solution will be a card reader with a connector. USB-C. It allows you to connect microSD cards or flash drives directly to your phone without any need to OTG-adapter.

How to choose a card reader:

• 🔌 Interface: USB-C (for the new Xiaomi, or USB-A + OTG (universally).
• 📥 Support for formats: SD, microSD, USB Type-A.
• ⚡ Speed: Look for models with labels UHS-II (speed).

Popular models:

How to transfer the photo:

1. Insert a flash drive or microSD into the card reader.
2. Put the card reader on the phone.
3. Open the files. → Find the photo folder.
4. Copy files into the memory card folder (usually) SD card USB Drive).

7.Typical errors and how to fix them

Even with the right actions, Xiaomi users often face problems.

Error 1: The phone can't see the flash drive through OTG.

• 🔌 Check if your model supports you. OTG (table).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone with a connected flash drive.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware (Settings) → Updating the system).

Error 2: Photos are copied in low quality.

• 📸 Make sure to set up the camera settings (Camera settings) → Photo saving) selected High quality.
• ☁️ If you use the cloud, check your compression settings (Google Photos should have Original Quality).

Error 3: There is not enough space on the flash drive, although it is empty.

• 🗑️ Format the flash drive in exFAT (via PC).
• 📁 Check if there are any hidden files (enable the display of hidden folders in Files) → Settings → Show hidden files).

💡

If the flash drive is detected but not opened, try connecting it to another device (like a TV) and if the problem persists, the flash drive is damaged and needs to be replaced.

8. How to automate the transfer of photos to a flash drive

If you regularly transfer photos (for example, after each trip), you can set up an automatic backup on the USB drive.

Instructions for setting up macros:

1. Install MacroDroid and provide all permissions.
2. Create a new macro: Trigger → Connection USB-storage.
3. Add Action: Copy Files → point out /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera.
4. Select the target folder on the flash drive (for example, /storage/USB_Drive/Photos).
5. Save the macro and turn it on.

Now, when you connect the flash drive through OTG Important: Before using the first macro, check the macro manually to avoid data loss.

⚠️ Warning: Automatic copying can slow down the phone if the flash drive has a low write speed (e.g., a slow-recorded phone, USB Use class flash drives for stable operation UHS-I higher.

FAQ: Frequent questions