How to connect the flash drive to Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways + fixing

Why Redmi 9 doesn’t see the flash drive: the main reasons

Xiaomi Redmi Smartphone 9 It supports external drives, but it doesn't always go smoothly. USB-The Type-A port that computers have, instead, uses Micro-USB (in models up to Redmi). 9C) or USB Type-C (in Redmi) 9T/9 This means that you will need a flash drive to connect directly. OTG-Adapter – adapter that converts the port of the smartphone into a standard USB.

The second common cause is file system incompatibility. MIUI (Even in the latest versions, it only works correctly with flash drives formatted in FAT32 Or exFAT. If your drive is using NTFS (typical for hard drives, the smartphone will either not see it at all, or refuse to copy files larger than 4 GB. It is also worth checking whether the settings are disabled mode. USB-Debugging, which sometimes blocks access to external devices.

Finally, remember to take physical damage: oxidized contacts in the port of a smartphone or a broken connector on a flash drive can make connection impossible. If after checking all the points the problem remains, try alternative ways of transmitting data, which we will discuss below.

Method 1: Connecting through OTG-Adapter (the most reliable adapter)

This is the basic method that works on all versions of Redmi 9 (including the Redmi 9). 9A, 9C, 9T). You'll need it:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (for Micro-USB or Type-C depending on the model)
• 💾 USB-flash drive (preferably no more than 128 GB for stable operation)
• 📱 Smartphone with battery charge >30% (connecting the storage devices consumes energy)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-smartphone-connector.
2. Put the flash drive in. USB-adaptor-port.
3. Wait for the notice "USB-device connected in the notification curtain.
4. Tap the notification and select "Use to transfer files" (or "File Manager").
5. Open the Files app (or any other file manager) and the flash drive will appear as a separate partition.

Is the flash drive formatted in FAT32/exFAT|

Does it work? OTG-adapter|

Is file transfer mode enabled in the settings USB|

Is there enough charge on the smartphone (minimum 20%)-->

If the smartphone does not respond to the connection:

• 🔄 Try another one. OTG-Adapter (cheap Chinese models are often unstable).
• 🔌 Connect the flash drive to the computer and check it for errors through CHKDSK (Windows).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes drivers USB "hang".

💡

If OTG-adapter warms up or the smartphone discharges quickly when connecting the flash drive, use passive USB-It's an externally powered hub that'll reduce the battery load on the phone.

Method 2: Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (without any Wi-Fi) OTG)

If you don't. OTG-You can't detect the adapter or the flash drive, you can transfer files wirelessly, any computer or even a second smartphone will do that, and the main condition is that both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Instructions for transmission from computer:

1. Connect the flash drive to the PC.
2. Install the Redmi 9 app FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer (SOLID) FTP-server).
3. In the app, activate "FTP-server" and write down the address (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
4. On the computer, open "Conductor" → enter FTP-address → log in (login and password from the application).
5. Drag files from the flash drive to the folder of the smartphone.

For transfer between smartphones:

• 📲 Use Mi Share (built-in in the MIUI annex) or Xender.
• 📎 Select files on the first phone → Send them to Redmi 9.
• 🔗 Received files will be saved in the folder "Downloads".

Through OTG-adapter|

Wi-Fi (FTP/Mi Share)|

The Cloud (Google Drive)|

I'm not plugging flash drives into my phone.-->

Advantages of the wireless method:

• ✅ No need to OTG-adapter.
• ✅ You can transfer files of any size (unlike the other sizes). FAT32).
• ✅ Transfer speed is higher than via Bluetooth.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ A stable Wi-Fi connection is required.
• ❌ Setting up FTP It may seem like a difficult beginner.

Method 3: Connecting via cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

If the flash drive is connected to a computer and the smartphone has Internet access, the easiest way is to upload files to the cloud and then download them to Redmi 9. This method is suitable for transferring documents, photos or music, but is inconvenient for large files (for example, movies in the cloud). 4K).

The following steps are provided for Google Drive:

1. On your computer, open Google Drive and log in.
2. Press "Create" → "Download files" and select the desired data from the flash drive.
3. On your smartphone, open the Disk app (or install it from the Play Market).
4. Find the downloaded files and download them to the device (long press). → "Download").

For Mi Cloud (cloud from Xiaomi):

• 📱 On your smartphone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• 🖥️ Open i.mi.com and log in to the same account.
• 📁 Upload files from the flash drive to the cloud, then download them to your phone.

Mi Cloud only provides 5GB for free, while Google Drive only provides 15GB. However, download/download speeds in Mi Cloud are higher for Xiaomi devices.

Method 4: Using a card reader (for MicroSD)

If your flash drive is actually a microSD card, not a microSD card USB-storage device, you can do without OTG. It is enough to remove the card from the adapter and insert it directly into the Redmi 9 slot (located on the left end under the tray for the game). SIM-map).

How to do this:

1. Turn off your smartphone (required!).
2. Use a paper clip or special key to open the tray.
3. Place the MicroSD in the slot (mark up).
4. Turn on the phone – the card will be determined automatically.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all Redmi 9 models support microSD over 512GB.
• 🚫 ExFAT maps may not be readable (you need to format in the format) FAT32).
• 🚫 Reading/write speed is lower than that of USB 3.0 flash drive.

💡

If your smartphone doesn’t see MicroSD, check if the settings have a “Format as internal memory” option, in which case the card is tied to the device and won’t be readable on other devices.

Method 5: Connecting through USB-hub (for multiple devices)

If you need to connect to Redmi 9 not only a flash drive, but also a keyboard, mouse or external hard drive, use the device. USB-hub OTG. This device expands the capabilities of the smartphone port, allowing you to connect several USB-device.

How to choose a hub for Redmi 9:

Instructions for connection:

1. Connect the hub to your smartphone.
2. Insert the flash drive into one of the hub ports.
3. If necessary, connect the keyboard/mouse to other ports.
4. Wait for the notification of the connection USB-device.

⚠️ Attention: Some hubs require additional power from the outlet. If the flash drive is not detected, check if the power supply is connected to the hub.

Problem Solving: The flash drive is connected but not working

If your smartphone sees a flash drive but can’t read files or the copy is interrupted, try the following steps:

Problems with the file system:

• 🔧 Format the flash drive into FAT32 (If the volume is up to 32 GB or exFAT (if larger).
• 🔍 Check the flash drive for errors through CHKDSK (in Windows: chkdsk X: /f, where X is the letter of the disk).

Connection errors:

• 🔄 Reconnect the flash drive or reboot the smartphone.
• 🔌 Try another one. OTG-Adapter (possibly the current one is defective).

Lack of nutrition:

• 🔋 Connect your smartphone to charging while working with a flash drive.
• 🖥️ Use active USB-feed-in.

Programmatic limitations:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (old versions had bugs with the OTG).
• 🛠️ Install an alternative file manager (e.g. Total Commander).

⚠️ Note: If the flash drive is detected but the files are not copied, check if space is taken on the smartphone. Redmi 9 requires at least 10% free space for stable work with external drives.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting a flash drive to Redmi 9