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

Xiaomi Redmi 9

USB OTG

work-in

Redmi 9

MIUI

The Redmi 9 is not a full-size USB-Type A port, so you'll need an adapter to connect the flash drive, but even with it, you can get nuanced, MIUI 12 and later blocks access to NTFS-We tested all the methods on firmware. MIUI 12.5–14 and ready to share working solutions.

If you need to copy files from a flash drive to your phone or vice versa, this guide will help you avoid typical errors. And if the standard connection does not work, we will tell you how to get around the restrictions through the Internet. FTP-server, cloud storage, or even Termux (for advanced users).

1. Verification of support USB OTG Xiaomi Redmi 9

Before you buy adapters, make sure your Redmi 9 supports you at all. USB On-The-Go. In Xiaomi’s budget models, this feature is sometimes disabled at the software level.

How to check:

Put anyone on the phone. USB-device (mouse, keyboard, flash drive with adapter).
Open Settings → About the phone → All the characteristics.
Scroll down to the section. USB — there's got to be a line USB OTG: maintained.

If the line is not supported or it says "not supported", try to include OTG manually:

Activate Developer Mode (click 7 times on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
Find the default USB configuration option and select File Transfer (MTP).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 9 firmware (especially global) options OTG It can be blocked, and then it's only a flashing experience that helps. EU-version MIUI or use of alternative methods in Section 5.

📊 What adapter do you use to connect the flash drive?

USB-C → USB-A (standard)

Micro-USB → USB-A (flash-drive)

USB-C → Lightning (for Apple devices)

I bought it.

2.What adapter do you need for Redmi 9?

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is equipped with a port USB Type-C, so you can connect a standard flash drive (USB-A) You'll need an adapter. Here's what adapters are:

🔌 USB-C → USB-A (Female: the most versatile option, which allows you to connect any flash drives and even externally powered hard drives.
📱 USB-C → Micro-USB (female) – if you have an old flash drive with a Micro-USB connector (rarely encountered).
⚡ USB-C OTG-powered cable - you need to connect hard drives (flash drives work without it).
🔄 A two-way adapter USB-C ↔ USB-A — It is convenient if you often connect flash drives to different devices.

Important: cheap Chinese adapters may not work with Redmi 9 due to insufficient power, and we recommend choosing certified models:

🛡️ The original Xiaomi OTG-adapter MDY-11-ED) — guaranteed.
🔗 Baseus, UGREEN, Anker – proven brands with support USB 3.0.

Adapter type	Compatible with Redmi 9	Max, speed.	Price (2026)
USB-C → USB-A (passive)	✅ Yes.	480 Mbps (USB 2.0)	200–400 ₽
USB-C → USB-A (chip-driven)	✅ Yeah (needed for) HDD)	5 Gbps (USB 3.0)	600–1200 ₽
USB-C → Micro-USB	⚠️ Partially (depends on the flash drive)	480 Mbps	300–500 ₽
Wireless. USB-adapter (Wi-Fi)	✅ Yes (via the appendix)	up to 30 Mbps	1500–2500 ₽

Tip: If you plan to connect hard drives, take an externally powered adapter (for example, UGREEN USB-C Hub with port PD). Drives up to 128 GB usually work without additional power.

3. Step-by-step instruction: connect the flash drive to Redmi 9

When the adapter is ready, follow this instruction:

Format the flash drive into FAT32/exFAT (NTFS not supported by default)

Check the adapter for integrity (no damage to the connector)

Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (sometimes interfere with recognition) USB)

Charge your phone at least 30% (for stable operation)

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Insert the adapter in the port USB-C It's got to be a beep.
Connect the flash drive to the adapter. A notification will appear on the screen "USB-plug-in".
Tap on the notification and select "File Transfer" (or "File Manager").
Open Explorer (standard Files app from Xiaomi). The flash drive will appear in the section "USB-accumulator".

If the flash drive didn't show up:

🔄 Reconnect the adapter (sometimes it helps to try several times).
📱 Reboot your phone with a connected flash drive.
🛠️ Check the flash drive on another device (it may be damaged).

It's important if the flash drive is formatted in NTFS, Redmi 9 won't see it. FAT32 (up to 32 GB) or exFAT (for flash drives) >64 GB. You can reformat it via PC:

1. Connect the flash drive to the computer.


2. Open "This Computer" → PCM by flash drive → "Format".




3. Select the exFAT file system and click "Start".

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 9 firmware (especially Chinese ones) have blocked access to the flash drive due to security policies. MIUI Optimization in developer settings or installing an alternative file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer).

💡

If the phone can’t see the flash drive, 90% of the time the problem is in an incompatible file system (NTFS) Or a cheap adapter without support. OTG.

4. Alternative ways to connect the flash drive

If the standard method doesn’t work, try these options:

Method 1: Through FTP-server OTG)

Suitable for transferring files without an adapter:

Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app on your phone.
Turn it on. FTP-server in application settings.
Connect your phone and flash drive to one router over Wi-Fi.
On the PC, open the Explorer → enter FTP (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
Drag files from the flash drive to the phone.

Method 2: Cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

If the flash drive is connected to the PC:

Upload files from the flash drive to Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
On your phone, open the cloud storage app and download files.

Cons: speed limit (free – up to 10 GB in Google Drive).

Method 3: Termux + USB-The sanctuary (for advanced storage)

If you have root access or unlocked bootloader:

pkg install termux-usb


termux-usb -l # check connected devices




mount /dev/block/sda1 /sdcard/usb # mounting a flash drive

This method requires Linux knowledge and can cause crashes!

Method	Speed.	Difficulty	Should I? OTG?
Direct Connection (OTG)	⚡ Fast (up to 480 Mbps)	⭐⭐ (simple)	✅ Yes.
FTP over Wi-Fi	🐢 Slowly (up to 10 Mbps)	⭐⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road)	❌ No.
The cloud (Google Drive)	🐌 Very slow (depends on the internet)	⭐ (simple)	❌ No.
Termux (root)	⚡ Quickly.	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)	✅ Yes.

5. Solving common problems

If the flash drive is connected but not working, check these points:

Problem 1: The phone can't see the flash drive

🔌 Check the adapter – try another one (preferably with a chip) USB 3.0).
📱 Reboot your phone with a connected flash drive.
🖥️ Format the flash drive in exFAT on PC.
🛠️ Update Redmi 9 to the latest version MIUI.

Problem 2: The USB drive is connected, but the files are not opened

📂 Check the access rights: open the settings → Annexes → Files. → Rights and enable access to storage.
🔒 If your files are protected, try opening them through FX File Explorer (supports extended rights).
📄 Make sure your files are not damaged (try opening them on your PC).

Problem 3: Error "The device consumes too much power"

This means that a flash drive or hard drive requires more power than Redmi 9 can provide.

⚡ Use an active powered hub (for example, UGREEN USB-C Hub with entrance PD).
🔋 Connect your phone to charging while working with a flash drive.
💾 Replace the USB drive with a low-power model (e.g. SanDisk Ultra).

Why? MIUI block NTFS-flash-drive?

Xiaomi is limiting support for support NTFS into MIUI because of licensing issues with Microsoft. NTFS It requires royalties, so by default Android uses exFAT (free alternative).To get around this, you can: 1. Reformat the flash drive to exFAT. 2. Install the kernel with support NTFS (3. Use applications such as “Paragon” NTFS" (paid, but works without root on some firmware).

⚠️ Warning: If the flash drive starts to warm or discharge quickly, immediately turn it off! This is a sign of a short circuit in the adapter or a malfunction of the flash drive. Continued use may cause damage to the port. USB-C.

6.The best apps to work with flash drives on Redmi 9

Xiaomi’s standard Explorer doesn’t always work properly with external drives, and we recommend these alternatives:

📁 Solid Explorer - Supports FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and Extended Access Rights. There's a 14-day trial.
🔍 FX File Explorer – Free, with built-in FTP-server-side ZIP/RAR.
🖥️ MiXplorer – a powerful manager with support NTFS (requires manual installation through APK).
☁️ ES Conductor – convenient for working with cloud storage, but contains advertising.

To automate backup to the flash drive:

🔄 FolderSync – synchronizes folders of the phone with a flash drive on a schedule.
📱 AutoSync – supports Google Drive, OneDrive and local drives.

Tip: If you often work with flash drives, set up automatic mounting via Tasker:

Profile: USB Connected → Task: Open Solid Explorer

7.Security: How to protect data on a flash drive

Connecting a flash drive to your phone is a potential security risk.

🔒 Encrypt sensitive data (for example, via VeraCrypt or 7-Zip password-wise).
🦠 Check the flash drive for viruses before connecting to your phone (use Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).
🚫 Don’t plug in unknown flash drives – they may contain Android malware.
🔄 Turn it off. OTG after use to avoid unauthorized access.

If there were viruses on the flash drive, after connecting to Redmi 9:

Scan your phone using Google Play Protect (Settings) → Google → Security).
Delete suspicious files in the folder /storage/usb.
Reset the Application Rights: Settings → Annexes → Management of rights → Warehouse.

Important! On phones with the bootloader unlocked, viruses can penetrate deeper into the system. If the phone slows down or shows ads after connecting the USB drive, reset to the factory settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about flash drives and Xiaomi Redmi 9

❓ Can I connect the hard disk (HDD/SSD) redmi 9?

Yes, but with reservations: ✅ Supports up to 2TB of disk formatted in exFAT. ⚡ Requires an active powered hub (passive adapter won't pull). 🐢 Speed will be limited. USB 2.0 (up to 40 MB/s) Western Digital My Passport (port) USB 3.0) or Samsung T7 Shield (shockproof).

❓ Why does the flash drive work on other phones but not on the Redmi 9?

Probable causes: 🔌 MIUI Blocks uncertified USB-Devices (especially on Chinese firmware) Solution: turn on USB-Debugging and installing DriverDroid. 📱 Firmware is outdated – update Redmi 9 to the latest version MIUI. 🛠️ Adapter incompatible – try a model with a chip VLI VL811 (For example, Baseus).

❓ How to copy files from your phone to a flash drive?

Instructions: Connect the flash drive through OTG. Open the Conductor. → Select files. Click "Copy" → select a folder on the flash drive (USB-Tip: Use Solid Explorer for mass copying, which supports multithreaded copying (30 faster%).

❓ Can I use a flash drive as an internal memory?

Technically yes, but not recommended: ✅ Works through Settings → Warehouse → USB-accumulator → Formatting as an internal. ⚠️ Cons: The flash drive will be encrypted and not readable on other devices. System speed will drop (stick slower than internal memory). When you remove the flash drive, the applications will stop working. It is better to use the flash drive to store media files, not for applications.

❓ Why does the flash drive warm up when connecting to the phone?

Causes of overheating: 🔥 Cheap adapter without overload protection – replace it with a certified. 📱 The phone is charged and simultaneously works with the flash drive - reduce the load (turn off charging). 💾 Low quality flash drive (e.g. no-name model from China) If the flash drive gets hot, turn it off immediately and check it on your PC using CrystalDiskInfo (for Windows).