How to quickly and safely transfer data from the flash drive to Xiaomi Redmi 9: all working ways

Transferring files from a flash drive to a Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone only seems like a trivial task. In practice, users face problems: the phone does not see the drive, copy speed leaves much to be desired, and some file formats refuse to open. In this article, we will analyze all current methods of data transfer - from the classical to the traditional. OTG-Adapter to cloud services, and also reveal the nuances that are not written in the standard instructions.

Redmi 9 (codenamed Lancelot) supports external drives USB OTG, but there are restrictions: the maximum volume of the flash drive is 256 GB (when formatted in the formatting format) FAT32), The speed of reading depends on the version USB-Port (Redmi 9 has this one) USB 2.0 Type-C. If you use a flash drive with NTFS Or exFAT, you'll need more customization, and then you'll have detailed guides for each method, including bypassing typical errors.

1.Preparation: Which flash drives are compatible with Xiaomi Redmi 9

Not every flash drive will work correctly with Redmi 9.

• 🔌 Connection interface: only USB Type-A or Type-C (the latter is preferred as it does not require a OTG-Micro-USB flash drives connect via an adapter, but the data transfer speed decreases by 15-20%.
• 💾 File system: FAT32 (32 GB maximum per file, exFAT (for files) >4 GB) or NTFS (Requires manual mounting through the Root).
• ⚡ Speed class: for video in 4K need UHS-I Class 10 or higher: Class 4 flash drives will slow down when copying large files.

If your flash drive is formatted in NTFS, Redmi 9 won't see it without further manipulation.

1. Reformat to exFAT (Data loss!).
2. Use apps like Paragon NTFS & HFS+ (requires Root rights).
3. Connect the flash drive to your PC and transfer files via Mi Drop or Google Drive.

⚠️ Note: Hardware-encrypted flash drives (such as SanDisk SecureAccess) will not be recognized by Redmi 9 via the OTG. First, copy the data to your PC and transfer it to your phone in a different way.

2. Method 1: Direct connection through OTG-adapter

The fastest method, but requires OTG-Adapter (for Redmi 9, any adapter with a USB-C or micro-USB on USB-A). Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect. OTG-The adapter to the phone, and the flash drive to the adapter "USB-drive-in".
2. Open Explorer (Files app from Xiaomi "USB-The "storage" will display the folders of the flash drive.
3. Select the files you want, click Copy → select the folder on your phone (such as Downloads or DCIM) → Insert.

The speed of copying depends on the class of the flash drive:

Charging the phone >30%|The flash drive is formatted in FAT32/exFAT|OTG-adapter is in good condition|There is plenty of free space on the phone.-->

⚠️ Attention: If after connection OTG The phone starts to warm up, turn off the flash drive, and check the adapter for a short circuit. Cheap Chinese adapters can cause the port to overheat. USB-C.

Method 2: Transfer via computer (USB + Mi Drop)

If OTG doesn’t work or you need to transfer large files (>10 GB), use your PC as a middleman, a method that is more reliable because it allows you to check files for viruses before copying.

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect the flash drive to your PC and copy the files to a separate folder (for example, to your desktop).
2. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer via USB-In the notification curtain of the phone, select "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
3. On PC, open the phone folder (usually "This Computer → Redmi 9") and drag and drop files to the desired section (e.g., "Internal Storage → Download").

Alternatively, use the branded service Mi Drop:

• 📱 Install Mi Drop on your phone and PC.
• 🖥️ On the computer, select files from the flash drive → press "Send" → scan QR-phone-screen.
• 📲 On Redmi 9, confirm file acceptance. Wi-Fi transfer speed: up to 10MB/s.

💡

If Mi Drop doesn’t find the device, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data!).

Method 3: Cloud Services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

It's suitable for wireless file transfer, but it requires a stable Internet connection, optimal for documents, photos and small videos.

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. On PC, upload files from the flash drive to Google Drive (folder "My disk").
2. On Redmi 9, open the Disk app → find uploaded files → click Download.

Advantages and limitations of the method:

5. Method 4: Use FTP-phone-server

For advanced users: you can deploy FTP-The server is directly on Redmi 9 and connect to it from the PC that has the flash drive inserted, which is convenient for regular exchange of large amounts of data.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the WiFi FTP Server application on your phone.
2. Start the server (start button) and remember the address of the view ftp://192.168.x.x:2221.
3. On PC, open the Explorer → Enter the server address in the address bar → Enter the login/password (by default) anonymous/hollow).
4. Drag files from the flash drive to the phone folder (e.g. /sdcard/Download).

The 5GHz Wi-Fi FTP transfer speed on Redmi 9 is 20 to 25MB/s, faster than the Class 10 OTG, but the method requires:

• 📶 Stable Wi-Fi (better than 5 GHz).
• 🔋 Charging the phone >50% (FTP-server consumes battery).
• 🛡️ Firewall shutdowns on PC (may block connection).

6.Problem Solutions: Phone doesn't see flash drive

If Redmi 9 doesn't recognize USB-drive, check it out:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter: Try another adapter (cheap ones often break down).
• 💾 Formatting flash drive: Redmi 9 does not support NTFS Reformat to exFAT via PC (This computer) → PKM flash drive → Format).
• 🔄 Port port USB-C: Clean the connector from dust with a toothpick (not a metal object!).
• 📱 Phone settings: Enable "Debugging by" USB" In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers.

If the flash drive is detected but the files are not copied:

1. Check the space available on your phone (Settings → Memory).
2. Reboot your phone with a flash drive connected.
3. Try another file manager (such as Solid Explorer).

💡

90% of OTG problems with Redmi 9 are solved by replacing the adapter or reformatting the flash drive to exFAT.

7.Optimization: How to speed up file copying

The speed of data transfer depends on many factors, and here's how to maximize it:

• 🔗 Use the short one. OTG-adapter: long cables (>30 cm reduce speed by 20-40%.
• 📂 Archive files: A folder with 1000 small files will take longer to copy than a single.zip archive of the same size.
• 🔋 Connect charging: at low battery level (<20%) The phone limits productivity USB-port.
• 🚫 Close the background applications: antiviruses and messengers slow down copying.

To check the real speed, use the A1 SD Bench app (available on Google Play). Normal rates for Redmi 9:

• FAT32: reading – 15-20 MB / s, writing – 8-12 MB / s.
• exFAT: reading – 25-30 MB / s, writing – 15-20 MB / s.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer