How to connect a flash drive to a Xiaomi TV: all the ways + fixing

Connecting a flash drive to a Xiaomi TV seems like a simple task, but in practice users face a lot of nuances, from unreadable file formats to errors "Device is not supported." In this article, we will analyze all working ways of connecting - from the standard one. USB-port to adapters for new models without connectors, and also tell how to configure the playback of movies, music and photos without glitches.

Feature of Xiaomi TVs (series Mi) TV, Redmi Smart TV, Mi TV Q et al.) — PatchWall's own shell, which sometimes conflicts with external media, and we tested the instructions on the 2020-2026 models and found a key difference in performance. USB-Ports on Android TVs TV and MIUI TV: first-hand NTFS "out of the box, and the second may require formatting in FAT32.

You don't need root rights or complex manipulations, you just have to follow our recommendations, and if the flash drive still doesn't get identified, there's a solution section at the end of the article. 90% errors, including fault codes (e.g, E0001 or USB_22).

1.What flash drives are supported by Xiaomi TVs

Not everyone. USB-The drive will work with Xiaomi TV. Manufacturer officially supports devices with characteristics:

• 🔹 File system: FAT32 (up to 32 GB), exFAT (up to 128 GB), NTFS (Android TV). MIUI TV may not see NTFS free-of-setting.
• 🔹 Volume: Up to 256 GB (theoretically), but sticks up to 128 GB are more stable. 512 GB and 1 TB drives can be defined as "empty".
• 🔹 Reading speed: from USB 2.0 (up to 480 Mbps). USB 3.0 (Blue ports) is only supported in Mi models TV 6 and newer.
• 🔹 Connection format: standard USB-A. For USB-C You will need an adapter (e.g. Xiaomi) USB-C to USB 3.0).

Important: Xiaomi TVs do not support encrypted drives (BitLocker, VeraCrypt) and hardware-encrypted flash drives (for example, SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe). APFS or HFS+.

⚠️ Note: Activity flash drives (blinking LED) can cause the TV to freeze when copying files. We recommend turning off the display in the drive settings or using models without LED (For example, the Transcend JetFlash 370).

2. Step-by-step instruction: how to connect a flash drive to Xiaomi TV

The connection process depends on the firmware version and type USB-Here's a universal manual that works on 95% of your TV models.

Format the flash drive into FAT32/exFAT (if NTFS doesn't work)

Check the integrity of files on the drive

Put the flash drive in port. USB on TV (not via hub!)

Use the original cable (for the purpose of the USB-C adapter)

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Method 1: Standard connection through USB-port

1. Put the flash drive in. USB-port on the back or side of the TV. TV 6 ports can be hidden under a cover.
2. Wait for the notice. USB-The device is connected (appears in the upper right corner of the screen). If there is no notification, check if the indicator on the flash drive is on.
3. Open File Manager: Press Home on the remote → Select Files (Folder icon) or go to Settings → Devices → USB-accumulator.

Select your flash drive from the list of devices. If it's not available, see the error section.

Method 2: Connecting through OTG-adapter (for USB-C)

New Xiaomi models TV (Like Mi. TV 675) may have only a port USB-C. In this case:

1. Buy an adapter. USB-C to USB-A (We recommend the original Xiaomi or Baseus).
2. Connect the flash drive to the adapter, then insert the adapter into USB-C television-port.
3. If the TV doesn’t respond, restart it with the adapter connected (hold the Power on the remote for 5 seconds).

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If the TV can't see the files on the drive, but the drive is being identified, try creating a folder at the root of the flash drive called Media and putting a video there. Some versions of PatchWall scan only that directory.

Method 3: Connection via router (DLNA/Network storage)

If USB-ports are busy or not working, you can connect a flash drive to the router and broadcast files over the network:

1. Put the flash drive in. USB-router port (for example, Xiaomi Mi Router) 4A or Redmi Router AX6).
2. In the router settings, turn on Network Storage (Samba) or DLNA-server.
3. On the TV, open Settings. → Network → DLNA and choose your router.

⚠️ Note: When connecting via router video files in 4K HDR They can play with artifacts due to Wi-Fi bandwidth limitations. Use an Ethernet cable or a router with Wi-Fi 6 support for stable browsing (802.11ax).

3.Why Xiaomi TV doesn't see the flash drive: 7 reasons and solutions

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In 60 percent of cases, the problem isn't with the TV, but with the USB drive's file system or physical condition, so start your diagnosis by checking the drive on another device (PC, laptop).

If the flash drive is not determined after connecting, check the following points:

• 🔌 Port port USB Faulty: Try another port (if there are several) or connect a knowingly working device (mouse, keyboard). TV 4X often fails left USB-port.
• 🖥️ Incompatible file system: Format the flash drive into FAT32 (If the volume is up to 32 GB or exFAT (up to 128 GB). NTFS You will need a root or firmware with a Linux 4.9 kernel+.
• 🔋 Insufficient power: High-power drives (e.g. Samsung) T7 Shields may not be defined. Use passive USB-feed-in.
• 📁 Hidden or system files: Delete.Trashes files from the flash drive,.DS_Store (Mac), Thumbs.db (Windows).

If the flash drive is detected but not played files, check their formats:

• 🎬 Video: MP4 (H.264), MKV (before 4K), AVI (DivX/Xvid). Xiaomi TV supportive MOV, FLV, WMV.
• 🎵 Audio: MP3, AAC, FLAC (before 24 bit/96 keto). WMA and APE nonreproduce.
• 📷 Photo Photo: JPEG, PNG, BMP. HEIC (from iPhone) you need to convert.

4. Replay settings from the flash drive: movies, music, photo

Once the flash drive is successfully connected, you need to properly configure the content playback. Xiaomi TVs have nuances with subtitles, soundtracks and slideshows.

Video playback

To avoid video problems:

1. Open the file through the built-in Xiaomi player (player icon in the file manager).
2. If the video is slowing down: Press Menu on the remote → Reproduction settings → Turn off the hardware acceleration. 4K HDR Enable Film Mode in Settings → Display.
3. For subtitles: Place the subtitles file (.srt,.ass) in the same folder as the video, with the same name (e.g, film.mp4 and film.srt. press the player. ↑ remote → Subtitles → select the file.

Playing music

Built-in player supports playlists (.m3u), But there are limitations:

• 🎶 Background playback: Music will only be played in an open player.To listen in the background, install Spotify or YouTube Music from Google Play.
• 🔊 Equator: Set up sound in Settings → Sound. → Equator: Basa or Jazz Presets Optimized for Xiaomi Speakers TV.

Viewing photo

For easy viewing of photos:

• 📷 Use Gallery mode (camera icon in file manager).
• 🔄 Turn on the slideshow: press Menu → Slideshow settings → Set the interval of 3-5 seconds.
• 🖼️ For photos in HEIC (iPhones) convert them to JPEG via iMazing HEIC Converter (free of charge).

⚠️ Note: When viewing photos in format RAW (For example, from Xiaomi cameras. 13 Pro) the TV can freeze. Convert them to JPEG permittingly 8K (7680×4320).

5. How to copy files from a flash drive to a Xiaomi TV

Xiaomi TVs allow you to copy files from a flash drive into internal memory, but with limitations:

• 📂 You can only copy to Download or Movies (available) ~8GB of space).
• 🚫 You can not copy files larger than 4 GB (limitation) FAT32).
• ⏱️ Copying speed: ~10-15 MB/s (USB 2.0) or ~30-40 MB/s (USB 3.0).

Copying instructions:

1. Open the File Manager and select the flash drive.
2. Find the desired file and press Menu on the remote → Copy.
3. Go to the destination folder (for example, internal memory) → Movies) and press Menu → Insert.
4. Wait until it is completed (the Copy Complete notification will appear on the screen).

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To speed up copying large files, connect the flash drive to USB 3.0 port (blue connector) and use a short cable (up to 30 cm.

6. Alternative ways to transfer files to Xiaomi TV

If you connect through USB Inconvenient or impossible, there are 4 alternative methods:

• 🌐 Cloud services: Upload files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Disk. On your TV, open the Files app → Cloud. → Log in to your account. Download files to internal memory.
• 📶 Local area network (SMB): On PC, enable folder sharing (Properties) → Access. → On the TV in Files, select Network → Add network storage. Enter IP PC address (e.g. 192.168.1.100) and access data.
• 📱 Transfer from your phone: Install Mi Remote or LocalCast on your Xiaomi smartphone. Select a file and click Translate → Choose your TV.
• 🖥️ Through Mi Home (smart device only): Connect your TV and flash drive to the Mi Home app. Under Devices, select your TV → File manager → Import with USB.

7.How to update the firmware of the Xiaomi TV through the flash drive

If the TV is glitzy or does not support modern formats, you can update the firmware manually through USB. This is a risky operation - if you make a mistake, the TV may stop turning on!

Before the update:

Download the official firmware from the Xiaomi Support website

Check the TV model in Settings → On TV.

Format the flash drive into FAT32 (32 KB)

Copy the firmware file (.zip) to the root of the flash drive (not to the folder!)

Turn off the internet (Wi-Fi and Ethernet)

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Instructions for updating:

1. Put the flash drive on the TV.
2. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update → Update via USB.
3. Select a firmware file (for example, mi_tv_update_20260515.zip).
4. Confirm the update and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).
5. After the update, reset the settings: Settings → Preferences → Reset.

⚠️ Note: Do not update your firmware through SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive or other dual-connector models (USB-A + USB-C). They often cause a mistake. UPDATE_FAILED (7) due to unstable connection.

8. Frequent questions and answers