Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is a compact device that turns any TV into a smart smart smart TV, but its limited internal memory (only 8 GB of which is available to the user) ~4-5 GB) makes you look for ways to transfer files. Unlike full-fledged Android consoles, there is no microSD slot, and standard methods of copying through the Internet. MTP They often don't work because of the firmware, and in this article, we'll look at all the current ways of transmitting data, from the classical to the traditional. USB-storage-storage ADB, We also explain why some files may not be opened.
The main problem with users is that they can't just plug the console into the computer like a flash drive. TV Stick uses Android TV It's a stripped-down file manager, even if you plug the device into a USB It's not going to be a removable drive on a PC, so you're going to have to use workarounds, which we'll talk about later, and it's important that some methods require you to activate the developer mode, which can lead to a warranty reset if you're not careful.
1. File transfer through USB-storage device (the easiest way)
If you need to copy movies, music or photos, the most reliable method is to use external media. USB-drive (a flash drive or hard drive). Xiaomi Mi TV Stick supports the file system FAT32 (up to 4 GB per file) and exFAT (for files larger than 4 GB), but there are nuances with the format NTFS β It works only for reading.
To transfer files:
- π Connect. USB-drive to the free port of the TV or hub (if the ports are not enough).
- π Open the Files application** (File Manager) on the console - it is preinstalled in the system.
- π In the menu, select yours. USB-drive and copy the desired files to internal memory (Download or Movies folder).
- β‘ Important: Do not remove the flash drive while copying β this can damage the file system.
β οΈ Attention: If USB-The storage device is not defined, check:
- π Is there enough power (some hard drives require additional power via the Y cable).
- π File system format (reformat to exFAT if you use files) >4GB).
- π οΈ Portability (try another one) USB-hub).
| File system | Max. File size. | Support for recording | Compatibility with Mi TV Stick |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAT32 | 4GB | Yes. | β Complete. |
| exFAT | 16 EB (theoretically) | Yes. | β Complete. |
| NTFS | 16 EB | Only reading. | β οΈ Partial |
If you need to use an external drive all the time, consider buying. USB-powered hub, which allows you to connect a flash drive, keyboard and mouse at the same time. UGREEN It is compatible with Mi. TV Stick.
2. File transfer over Wi-Fi (without wires)
If you don't. USB-So you can use a wireless transmission over a local area network, and there are several methods for doing this:
Method 1: Appendix Send Files to TVΒ» (formality)
This app from Google allows you to send files from your phone or PC directly to Mi. TV Stick over Wi-Fi to use:
- Install "Send Files to" TVΒ»** on the console (available on Google Play).
Method 2: FTP-server
More advanced method - launch FTP-servers** directly to Mi TV Stick, for that:
- π₯ Install the app Β«FX File Explorer (or similar) from Google Play.
β οΈ Attention: FTP-The connection is not encrypted. Do not use this method to transmit sensitive data on public networks.
Wi-Fi speed depends on the router standard. If you have Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Files will be copied faster than Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). To speed up the process, you can temporarily switch the router to 5 GHz mode (if the console supports it).
π‘
If the console doesn't see files after copying, check their extensions. For example,.mkv video may not be played by a regular player β install it. VLC Or Kodi from Google Play.
3. Use of cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex Disk)
If files are already uploaded to the cloud, you can open them directly to Mi. TV Stick is easy to manipulate, but not suitable for continuous use due to speed and buffering limitations.
Instructions:
- βοΈ Install an official cloud storage app (like Google Drive or Yandex Disk) via Google Play.
- π Log in to your account.
- π Find the file you want and download it to internal memory (or open it directly if the format is supported).
| Cloud. | Max. File size. | Streaming support | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | 5 TB (for personal accounts) | β Yes (via player) | Buffering with a slow Internet |
| Yandex Disk | 50GB (free) | β Yes. | Limiting traffic for free accounts |
| Mail.ru Cloud | 25GB (free) | β No (only downloading) | There is no official Android app TV |
To stream videos from the cloud, you'd better use Kodi with a plugin for your storage, for example, Google Drive has an official addon that allows you to view files without downloading, which will save space on the console.
How to speed up downloading files from the cloud?
4. File transfer through ADB (power-user)
If the standard methods donβt work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) β A debugging tool that allows you to control the console file system from a PC, and this requires activation of the developer mode and basic command line knowledge.
Step-by-step:
- Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings β About the prefix β Click on the line with the version 7 times until the message "You became a developer" appearsΒ».
Activate debugging over USB
- Go back to Settings β Device Preferences β Developer settings.
- Turn on Debugging. USB Debugging over the network (if you need Wi-Fi transmission).
- Connect through ADB: adb connect [IP-prefix]:5555 adb push C:\path/file /storage/emulated/0/Download/
β οΈ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause data loss or system failure.Do not delete or modify files in folders /system or /vendor.
For convenience, graphical shells can be used for ADB, for example:
- π₯οΈ ADB AppControl** β allows you to manage files through the interface.
- π Total Commander with a plugin ADB** β Copy files as in a regular file manager.
If the prefix is not determined by ADB, check:
- π Cable (should support data transfer, not just charging).
- π Version ADB (refresh through SDK Platform Tools).
- π‘οΈ Firewall (it can block the connection).
Activate the Developer Mode|Install drivers ADB PC-only|Download SDK Platform Tools|Connect the console to USB or wifi|Check the connection with the adb device command
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5. Alternative methods: DLNA, Plex, SMB
If you need to not just transfer files, but organize streaming (for example, for a home media library), consider the following options:
Method 1: DLNA-server
Technology DLNA allows you to broadcast media files from a PC or NAS It's not a pre-copying set-top box:
- π₯οΈ Install. DLNA-server to computer (e.g., Serviio or Plex Media Server).
- πΊ On the console, open the application βMedia Playerβ** or Kodi.
Method 2: SMB (networkfolder)
If you have a home server or NAS, You can connect it as a network disk:
- π Set up a shared folder on a PC or NAS (protocol SMB).
- π± Put it on the console Β«FX File Explorer or X-plore File ManagerΒ».
| Method | PC required | 4K support | Delayed reproduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLNA | Yes. | β Yes. | Minimum |
| SMB | Yes. NAS) | β Yes. | Depends on the network. |
| Plex | Yeah, server. | β Yes (with transcoding) | There could be buffering. |
For reproduction 4K HDR It is better to use Plex or Kodi with direct stream (Direct Play), as transcoding can lead to quality losses.
6. Problem Solving: Files are not copied or opened
Even after a successful transfer, files may not play back, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:
Problem 1: The file is not opened
- π¬ Unsupported format: Mi Staff Player TV Stick doesn't work with.mkv,.flac or.ape. Install VLC kodi.
- π No codecs: For DTS or AC3 You may need an additional player.
- π Damaged file: Check it on a PC or recopy it.
Problem 2: There is not enough space for the console
- ποΈ Clear the cache: Go to Settings β Annexes β [Select the application] β Clear the cache.
- π Transfer the data to USB: Some applications (e.g. Kodi) allow you to specify an external drive as a storage location.
- βοΈ Turn off automatic updates: Google Play β Settings β Auto-Update Apps Select βNeverΒ».
Problem 3: The console can't see USB-accumulator
- π Power problem: Connect the hub with external power.
- π Wrong File System: Reformat the Flash Drive to ExFAT.
- π οΈ System failure: Reboot the console by removing the power cable for 30 seconds.
β οΈ Warning: If after copying files the console began to brake, check the free space in Settings β Storage: If the memory is more than 90% full, the system may not work smoothly.
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To play files from an external drive, use applications that support USB OTG, for example VLC or MX Player.Staff player may not see files on the flash drive.
7. Comparison of methods: which way to choose?
The choice of method depends on your tasks:
- π¬ For one-time film copying β USB-sensing or Send Files to TV.
- π For a permanent media library β DLNA or plex.
- π§ For system files or backup β ADB.
- βοΈ Accessing files from different devices β Cloud storage.
| Method | Speed. | Difficulty | PC required | Suitable for large files |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB-accumulator | β‘ Quickly. | β Just | β No. | β Yes. |
| Send Files to TV | π’ Middle-Average | β Just | β No (you need a smartphone) | β No (limit 2GB) |
| ADB | β‘ Quickly. | βββ Hardly. | β Yes. | β Yes. |
| FTP | π’ Middle-Average | ββ Middle-Average | β Yes. | β Yes. |
| DLNA | π’ Slowly (streaming) | β Just | β Yes. | β Yes. |
If you need to update your media library regularly, the best option is to set up a media library. DLNA-server or use Plex. USB-accumulator ADB.