Transferring data to the flash drive Xiaomi: 5 proven ways for smartphones and PC

Shifting files to a flash drive from Xiaomi seems like a simple task, but in practice users face unexpected problems, from formatting errors to the inability to write large files.The fact is that Xiaomi flash drives (such as the Mi Flash Drive 128GB or Mi USB 3.0 Flash Drive models) often come with a factory FAT32 format, which limits the size of a single file to 4GB. And if you try to copy a movie in 4K or an archive with firmware, the system gives an error.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data, from standard copying through MIUI to using third-party file managers and working with different operating systems. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden settings of Xiaomi, which allows you to bypass the limitations of FAT32 without losing warranty, you will learn how to properly prepare the flash drive before first use and why some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) may not recognize drives larger than 256 GB.

1. Preparation of Xiaomi flash drive for data transfer

Before you copy files, the drive needs to be formatted correctly and checked for errors, which is especially important for Xiaomi flash drives, which are often sold with installation software or advertising files.

First, determine the current file system of the flash drive:

1. Connect the drive to a PC or smartphone.
2. On Windows: Open This Computer, Right-Click on the Flash Drive → Properties → See File System.
3. On Android (via MIUI): Use the Files app → click on the flash drive name → Info.

If the file system is FAT32, and you need to transfer files more than 4 GB, you will have to reformat to exFAT or NTFS. But here is a nuance: some Xiaomi smartphones do not support NTFS without root rights. The best option is exFAT, which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later.

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If the Xiaomi flash drive is not defined, try connecting it through OTG-External powered cable: Cheap adapters often lack power for 128GB or more storage devices.

2. data transfer via Xiaomi smartphone (without PC)

The fastest way to copy files is to use a built-in file manager. MIUI. He supports the work with flash drives through OTG-adapter (for models without connector) USB-C will require an adapter).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the flash drive to the smartphone via OTG (on some models, for example, POCO X5 Pro, you need to allow access in the notification).
2. Open the Files app (Folder icon).
3. Go to Device → select files to copy (hold your finger for multiple selection).
4. Click More (three dots) → Copy.
5. Return to the root directory, select your flash drive (usually displayed as USB-accumulator) → press Insert.

If the files are not copied, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at a level below 20% MIUI can block records on external media.
• 📁 Access Rights: Files application settings must enable storage access (Settings) → Annexes → Files. → Permits).
• 🔄 Fluid format: if used NTFS, Install the Total Commander app or FX File Explorer with support for this format.

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3. Copy files from PC to Xiaomi flash drive

If you have more than 10 GB of data, you're more comfortable using a computer, and you need to choose the right protocol.

• 🖥️ Windows: Supports all formats (FAT32/exFAT/NTFS), ExFAT may require driver updates.
• 🍎 MacOS: It works with exFAT by default, but for NTFS Additional utilities are needed (for example, Paragon). NTFS).
• 🐧 Linux: Requires manual installation of packages ntfs-3g or exfat-fuse.

Instructions for Windows 10/11:

1. Put the flash drive in. USB-If the system offers to format the drive, press Cancel (the data will be erased!).
2. Open Explorer (Win + E) → find the flash drive in this computer section.
3. Drag files with the mouse or use the Ctrl + C combination (copy) → Ctrl + V (insert).
4. After the copy is completed, safely remove the drive through the icon in the system tray.

Critical error: if you copy files over 4 GB on FAT32, the message appears "File too big for the end file system", the flash drive must be reformatted to exFAT via the diskpart utility (format fs=exfat quick command).

4. Xiaomi flash drive formatting for large files

If you need to transfer files larger than 4GB (like disc images or 8K video), you will have to change the file system.

To format the flash drive in exFAT on Windows:

1. Open Disk Management (Win + X → Disk Management).
2. Find your flash drive, right-click → Format.
3. Select exFAT, leave the cluster size by default (4096 bytes).
4. Press OK and wait until it is completed (on 256GB flash drives, the process can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Formatting erases all data! If there were important files on the flash drive, copy them to the PC first. Also avoid quick formatting for drives that have not been used for a long time - full formatting checks for bad sectors.

5. Transfer data from the flash drive Xiaomi to other devices

Once the files are copied to the flash drive, they can be transferred to another smartphone, TV or game console, and it is important to consider compatibility:

• 📺 Xiaomi TVs: Supported by FAT32 and exFAT, but they may not see the Cyrillic name files.
• 🎮 PlayStation/Xbox: require exFAT or FAT32 (but with limitation 4 GB per file).
• 📱 iPhone/iPad: ExFAT requires additional applications (e.g. Files App with iOS update) 13+).

If the flash drive is not detected on another device:

1. Check if the OTG option is enabled in your device settings (on Xiaomi, it’s Settings → Connected Devices → USB).
2. Connect the flash drive through the original OTG-adapter – cheap Chinese adapters often don’t provide enough power.
3. Reboot the device with the plug-in flash drive (sometimes helps with mounting errors).

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6. Solving common errors

When working with Xiaomi flash drives, users face typical problems. Here's how to fix them:

If the Xiaomi flash drive is not detected on any device, try:

1. Connect it to a Linux machine (for example, via Live-CD) – often the system sees the drive when Windows is not.
2. Check for physical damage (bent contacts, cracks on the body).
3. Use recovery tools such as TestDisk or R-Studio.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi flash drive starts to "sprinkle" errors when writing (for example, files are copied, but then they are not opened), this is a sign of wear and tear of memory cells. Do not use it for important data - replace the drive. The average life of Xiaomi flash drives (when used intensively) is 3-5 years.

7. Alternative methods of data transfer

If standard methods don’t work, try these options:

• 🌐 Cloud Storage: Upload files to Mi Cloud, Google Drive or Yandex Drive, and then download them to the target device.Suitable for files up to 50GB (free rate limit).
• 🔗 Local area network: Use Xender or Send Anywhere apps to transfer files over Wi-Fi directly between devices.
• 🖥️ FTP-Server: on the Xiaomi smartphone launch FTP-server FX File Explorer, and from the PC connect to the address ftp://[IP-phone].

For the transfer of large amounts of data (for example, the backup of a smartphone), it is optimal to use a combination of methods:

1. Archive files in ZIP or RAR (this will reduce the volume and bypass the FAT32 restriction).
2. Break the archive into 3.9GB pieces with the help of 7-Zip.
3. Copy the parts onto a FAT32 flash drive and then collect the archive on the target device.

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To transfer files over 4GB to Xiaomi’s flash drive without losing compatibility, use exFAT and archiving.This is the only way to get around FAT32 restrictions without root rights.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring data to Xiaomi flash drive