How to connect a flash drive to a Xiaomi smartphone: all ways + problem solving

Why Xiaomi doesn’t see the flash drive and how to fix it

Connection USB-Xiaomi’s smartphone drive seems like a simple task, but in practice users are faced with a lot of nuances: from the lack of response of the phone to errors in reading files. The problem is often not the device itself, but the incorrect adapter, incompatible file system format, or disabled function. OTG In the settings, for example, flash drives from NTFS They require additional manipulation, and cheap Chinese adapters may not transmit power.

In this article, we will analyze all working ways of connecting - from the classical OTG-cable to wireless adapters, and explain why Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 They may ignore your drive, and we'll focus on the hidden settings. MIUI, If you've tried to connect and you've got an error called "Device not supported," don't be quick to blame the smartphone -- 80 percent of the time, it's solved in 2 minutes.

Method 1: Connecting through OTG-cable (classical method)

The most common and reliable way is to use OTG-Most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Redmi 9 and Mi 10) support this feature out of the box, but there are important nuances:

• 🔌 Type of connector: Make sure the adapter matches your phone's port. Xiaomi 13 Ultra needs USB-C → USB-A, For older models (e.g. Redmi 5) Micro-USB → USB-A.
• ⚡ Power: Cheap cables often don't transmit enough current to power the flash drive. If the drive flashes but doesn't detect, the adapter is the problem.
• 📁 File system: Xiaomi without additional applications reads only FAT32 and exFAT. NTFS You will need software like Total Commander.

How to connect:

1. Put it in. OTG-port-adapter.
2. Connect the flash drive to the adapter.
3. A notification will appear on the screen "USB-The drive is plugged in. Put it on to open the files.

⚠️ Note: If the notification does not appear, check the settings for developers. OTG It's disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Configuration USB by default and select File Transfer.

Suitable adapter (USB-C/Micro-USB → USB-A)

The flash drive is formatted in FAT32/exFAT

The battery of the phone is charged >30%

The OTG function is enabled in the settings-->

Method 2: Wireless connection via Wi-Fi adapter

If you have a Wi-Fi-enabled flash drive (such as SanDisk Connect or Kingston Wi-Drive), it can be wired to Xiaomi, which is convenient for transferring large files (movies, backups) or when you need to use a wireless connection. OTG-The data rate will be slower than the wire, but it'll be enough for most tasks.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the Wi-Fi adapter on the flash drive (usually there is a physical button).
2. On your smartphone, open Settings → Wi-Fi and connect to the network that the drive creates (the name usually begins with the flash drive model).
3. Launch the browser and enter the address specified in the adapter instructions (e.g. 192.168.1.1).
4. Log in (if required) and manage files via the web interface.

The advantage of the method is the absence of wires and the ability to connect the flash drive to several devices at the same time (for example, to a phone and a laptop).

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge of the smartphone due to active Wi-Fi.
• 🐢 Low transfer speed of large files (for example, video to the Internet) 4K).
• 🔒 Risk of connecting to other networks (if the adapter is not password protected).

OTG-cable|Wireless adapter|Through the computer|Never plugged in.-->

Method 3: Connecting through USB-hub (for multiple devices)

If you need to connect to Xiaomi not only a flash drive, but also a keyboard, mouse or external hard drive, use it. USB-hub OTG. This is relevant to owners. POCO F4 Xiaomi 12T, Who want to turn a smartphone into a mini PC using DeX mode (similar to Samsung DeX).

Important points:

• 🔌 The hub must have external power supply (connector for the power supply), otherwise the flash drive and other devices will not receive enough power.
• 🖥️ For working with hard drives (HDD/SSD) need a hub with support UASP (fast-track).
• 📱 On smartphones with MIUI 13+ You may need to manually enable Host Controller mode in the developer settings.

Instructions:

1. Connect the hub to the smartphone through OTG-port.
2. Put the flash drive in the free. USB-hub-port.
3. If the hub is powered, plug it into the outlet.
4. A notification of the connected device will appear on the phone screen. Open Explorer (or Xiaomi Files) and go to the section USB-accumulator.

⚠️ Note: Some of the hubs may conflict with MIUI If the flash drive is not detected, try connecting the hub to another device (like a laptop) — if it doesn't work there, it's the hub, not the phone.

💡

If the hub is not defined, try disabling the function "Optimization". MIUI" Sometimes the system locks in the battery settings. USB-power-saving devices.

Method 4: Using a card reader (for microSD)

If you have a microSD flash drive (like an old phone or camera), it can be connected to Xiaomi via a card reader with an OTG. This method is convenient for transferring photos from the camera or backups from other devices.

Step-by-step:

1. Insert the microSD into the card reader.
2. Connect the card reader to the phone through OTG-adapter.
3. A notification will appear on the screen "SD-card is connected.
4. In the Explorer, select a section SD-map and work with files.

Features of the method:

• 📸 Ideal for photographers: you can quickly copy photos from the camera to the phone.
• 🔄 Supports cards up to 2TB (if the phone and card reader support exFAT).
• ⚡ It consumes less energy than connecting through USB-hub.

Method 5: Connecting via the cloud (OTG alternative)

If you don't. OTG-No cable or flash drive is detected, and you can use cloud services like Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Disk, which is suitable for transferring files up to 50 GB (the service depends on the service).

How to transfer files from a flash drive to Xiaomi via the cloud:

1. Connect the flash drive to your computer and upload files to the cloud (e.g. Google Drive).
2. On your smartphone, open the Google Drive app (or other service) and log in.
3. Download the files to your phone.

Pros and cons of the method:

⚠️ Note: When uploading sensitive data (such as document scans) to the cloud, use encryption services such as Proton Drive or pCloud Crypto. Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud does not provide end-to-end encryption for free accounts.

Solution: Xiaomi does not see the flash drive

If you plugged in a flash drive but Xiaomi doesn’t recognize it, check out the following:

• 🔍 Formatting: The flash drive should be in FAT32 exFAT. NTFS It is not supported without additional software. To reformat: 1. Connect the flash drive to the PC. 2. Open "This computer" → PKM flash drive → "Format." 3. Select exFAT (recommended for files >4 GB). 4. Press "Start".
• 🔋 Power: If the flash drive flashes but doesn't detect, the problem is insufficient current. Try: Use an externally powered hub. Connect the charger to the phone while you're using the flash drive.
• 📱 Settings MIUI: In some firmware, the function OTG It's disabled by default. To turn it on: Settings → Connections and sharing → USB → Regime. OTG (insert)

If nothing works, check the flash drive on another device, if it doesn't work there, the drive is defective, and for diagnostics, connect it to a PC and run the command:

chkdsk E: /f /r

(Replace E: with the letter of your disk).

💡

90% of problems with connecting a flash drive to Xiaomi are solved by formatting in exFAT or replacing it OTG-power-cable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting a flash drive to Xiaomi