How to connect USB-flash drive to the smartphone Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

Why Xiaomi smartphone does not see the flash drive and how to fix it

Connection USB-Flash drives for the Xiaomi smartphone seem to be a simple task, but in practice users are faced with a lot of nuances: from the lack of reaction to the drive to errors in reading files. The problem is often not the device itself, but the wrong adapter, incompatible file system format or outdated firmware. NTFS They require additional drivers, and cheap ones. OTG-adapters may not provide enough power to power the drive.

In this article, we will analyze all working methods of connection - from the standard OTG-cable to wireless adapters, and explain why Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 They may not recognize the flash drive even when connected correctly. MIUI, They block access to external media by default, if you've tried to connect the drive before and you've got an error «USB-The device is not recognized, here you will find the solution.

Before you go into the instructions, check out three key points:

• 🔌 Your smartphone supports you. OTG (List of compatible models - in the table below).
• 💾 The flash drive is formatted in FAT32, exFAT or NTFS (But the latter requires manual adjustment).
• 🔋 The adapter or hub provides sufficient power (some flash drives consume more than 100 mA).

Method 1: Connecting through OTG-adapter (standard method)

The most common method is the use of OTG-It's a small cable or adapter with a connector. USB-C (Micro-USB for older models at one end and standard USB-A Most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Redmi 5 and Mi 8) support OTG «out of the box, but there are nuances.

To plug in the flash drive:

1. Put it in. OTG-adapter to the charging port of the smartphone.
2. Connect the flash drive to the adapter.
3. Wait for the notice «USB-Device is connected" (if not, see "What to do if Xiaomi can't see the flash drive»).
4. Open any file manager (such as Xiaomi’s Files) and go to the section «USB-accumulator».

If the flash drive is not detected, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect it 2-3 times (sometimes resetting the connection helps).
• 🔋 Use it. OTG-externally powered hub (for large-volume flash drives).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone with a connected flash drive.

Format the flash drive in FAT32/exFAT

Check integrity OTG-cable

Update MIUI to the latest version

Turn off the power saving modes

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⚠️ Attention: Some are cheap OTG-Adapters do not support USB 3.0 and higher if your flash drive is blue (indicator) USB 3.0) but does not work, try the adapter marked «USB 3.0 OTG».

Method 2: Wireless connection via Wi-Fi adapter

If you don't. OTG-The cable or port of the smartphone is damaged, you can use wireless USB-This is an adapter. This device plugs into a flash drive and creates a local Wi-Fi network that connects to the smartphone. TL-WN725N, Edimax EW-7811Un Specialized solutions such as SanDisk Connect.

Instructions:

1. Insert the flash drive into the Wi-Fi adapter and connect it to the power source (if required).
2. On your smartphone, turn on Wi-Fi and connect to the adapter network (the name usually begins with the first one «USB_WiFi_» or «FlashDrive_»).
3. Open the browser and enter the address 192.168.1.1 (or another one specified in the adapter instructions).
4. Log in (by default login / password often) admin/admin) And you'll have access to the files.

Advantages of the method:

• 📶 No need to OTG-Cable – works even on smartphones without support OTG.
• 🔄 You can connect multiple devices at the same time (for example, a flash drive and a hard drive).
• 📱 Compatible with all Xiaomi models, including Redmi 9A and POCO M3.

Disadvantages:

• 🐢 Data transfer speed is lower than cable (maximum) ~10-15 MB/s).
• 🔋 Adapter requires power (from network or power bank).

💡

If the adapter doesn’t create a network, try resetting it with the Reset button (usually hidden in a small hole).

Method 3: Connecting through USB-Hub (for hard disks and multiple devices)

If you need to connect not only a flash drive, but also an external hard drive, keyboard or mouse, use a USB hub with support for OTG. For example, the Baseus 4-in-1 model or UGREEN USB 3.0 Hub. The hub allows you to expand the capabilities of the USB-C port and connect several devices at the same time.

How it works:

1. Connect the hub to your smartphone via USB-C (or Micro-USB).
2. Insert the flash drive (or externally powered HDD) into the hub port.
3. If necessary, connect additional devices (for example, USB-keyboard).
4. Wait for notification of the connection of the drive.

⚠️ Attention: Hard disks 2.5" (e.g, WD My Passports often require additional power. If the hub doesn't produce enough current, use a Y cable with a power bank connection.

Method 4: Connecting via the cloud (for large files)

If the flash drive is not physically connected, you can upload files to a cloud storage (such as Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Disk) and download them to a smartphone, a method that is suitable for transferring large amounts of data (such as movies or backups), but requires a stable Internet connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the flash drive to your computer and upload files to the cloud (e.g., via Google Drive).
2. On the Xiaomi smartphone, open the cloud service application.
3. Find the downloaded files and download them to internal memory or to the SD-map.

Pros of the method:

• ☁️ No, he doesn't. OTG adapter.
• 📁 You can share files with other devices.
• 🔒 Data protected from loss when the flash drive is damaged.

Cons:

• 🕒 Takes time (download/download).
• 📶 Requires traffic (not suitable for offline mode).
• 🔐 Some files can be blocked by the cloud (e.g. executables).

Method 5: Connecting via cable to a computer (reverse OTG)

Few people know, but Xiaomi smartphone can be used as a USB-Not only is it a flash drive host, but it's also a data-mode host that connects to a computer. OTG» And it allows you to, for example, copy files from your PC to a flash drive connected to your phone.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with USB-A port.
• 📱 Smartphone with support OTG (check in the table above).
• 🔌 OTG-cable USB-C → USB-A (or micro-USB → USB-A).

Instructions:

1. Connect. OTG-smartphone-mount.
2. Put the flash drive in. OTG-adapter.
3. Connect the adapter to your computer via USB-A.
4. On the smartphone will appear a notification “USB-drive is connected”.
5. Open the file manager and copy files from the PC to the flash drive (or vice versa).

💡

Reverse OTG doesn’t work on all Xiaomi models. If the smartphone doesn’t respond, check the feature’s support in specs.

What to do if Xiaomi does not see the flash drive: 7 ways to solve it

If you plugged in a flash drive, but your smartphone doesn’t recognize it, try the following:

1. Check the file system: Xiaomi supports FAT32 and exFAT by default. If the flash drive is formatted in NTFS, install the Paragon NTFS & HFS+ app from Google Play.
2. Update. MIUI: Older versions of firmware may not have drivers for some USB-Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
3. Enable USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then to Settings → Additional → For Developers, turn on USB debugging.
4. Check the power: Some flash drives require more energy than can give OTG-Adapter. Use an externally powered hub.
5. Format the flash drive: Connect it to your computer and format it in exFAT (optimum for >4GB files).
6. Reset the settings. USB: In some cases, resetting your connection settings helps. Go to Settings for this. → Connections and sharing → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth (USB-discharge is activated automatically).
7. Check the flash drive on another device: If it doesn’t work on a PC, the problem is with the drive itself.

If none of these methods worked, it’s possible that your Xiaomi model doesn’t support OTG at the software level.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (such as custom LineageOS or Pixel Experience) OTG It might not work because there are no drivers, and it requires a manual firmware with support. USB-host.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting a flash drive to Xiaomi