Xiaomi Redmi 4 series mobile devices, released several years ago, are still popular due to their reliability and affordable price, but the built-in memory of 16 or 32 gigabytes is often not enough for the modern user to store photos, videos and documents. One of the most effective ways to expand storage without buying a new smartphone is to use external storage. USB-accumulator.
Many owners are wondering if you can even connect a standard flash drive to the Micro-USB connector that is installed in this model. The answer is positive: OTG (On-The-Go) technology is fully supported by the hardware of the Snapdragon 435 or MediaTek Helio X20 processor, depending on the modification of your device, which allows you to turn your smartphone into a full file server in miniature.
For a successful connection, you will need a special adapter, often called a “successful” adapter. OTG-Without this little accessory, physically insert a standard. USB-A type-A connector in a narrow charging port is not possible.It is also important to consider that the Android operating system version 6.0 or 7.0 installed on Redmi 4 requires the correct configuration to correctly display external file systems.
Equipment and training required
Before you start a physical connection, you need to make sure that all the required components are available. OTG-The adapter is a key element of the chain, and it's a short cable or adapter, on one side of which is a Micro-USB plug (to connect to the phone), and on the other side is a socket. USB Type-A (where the flash drive is inserted) The quality of this cable directly affects the stability of data transmission.
The flash drive itself also has to meet certain requirements. Although modern drives usually work without problems, older models with high power consumption may not be identified due to a lack of current issued by the smartphone port. It is recommended to use drives with a volume of up to 64 or 128 gigabytes formatted in the file system. FAT32 exFAT.
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When you buy OTG-Pay attention to the presence of additional power or an active chip if you plan to connect external hard drives, although the simplest passive adapters will also suit ordinary flash drives.
Check the charging port status of your Xiaomi Redmi 4. If dust or pile builds up in the connector, the contact may be unstable, leading to permanent drive shutdowns while running. Carefully clean the port with a wooden toothpick or compressed air before starting the procedure.
Physical connection of the drive
The process of connecting the hardware is very simple, but it requires care. OTG-You can use the adapter and you can insert the Micro-USB plug in the bottom end of the smartphone. Pay attention to the orientation of the connector: it's not symmetrical, so you should not use force to avoid damaging contacts inside the port.
After fixing the adapter in the phone connector, insert USB-A flash drive to the adapter's free slot. MIUI, The one installed on Redmi 4 should automatically react to the appearance of a new device. At the top of the screen, in the notification area, the corresponding icon will appear that resembles the appearance of a new device. USB-storage-box.
⚠️ Warning: Never remove a flash drive abruptly while writing or reading files.This can damage the file spreadsheet and lose data.Always use software shutdown.
If you use a case on your phone, make sure it doesn’t interfere with tight fitting. OTG-Thick bumpers often prevent the adapter from being inserted to the stop, which causes contact to disappear when the slightest movement is made.
☑️ Connection check
File Manager configuration and access to data
Once you're physically connected, you need to access the contents of the flash drive, and in the MIUI shell, the standard Explorer app is responsible for that, and if the automatic window doesn't appear, look for an icon on your desktop or in the Tools folder that shows the folder and launch it.
In the Explorer interface, go to the Overview or Device tab. Here, along with the internal memory and SD card, a new partition, usually marked as USB or UDisk, should be displayed, and clicking on it will give you full access to the external drive's file structure.
You can customize your display by type to make it easier to work with documents and media files, and you can sort files into categories like images, music, videos, documents, and this is especially useful if you have a lot of heterogeneous information on your flash drive, and you can manually search for a specific file for a long time.
Hidden system files
If you plan to use a flash drive often, it makes sense to set the default save path for downloaded files or photos taken. However, with standard Android tools, this is difficult to do, so more often users simply copy the desired data from internal memory to external media through the “Move” or “copy” menu.
Working with file systems and formatting
One of the common problems is file system incompatibility: Android-based smartphones natively support FAT32 and exFAT. If your flash drive is formatted in NTFS (Windows standard), the phone may see it, but it won’t be able to write data to it, or it will require formatting.
The process of formatting via the phone is simple, but it will completely destroy all data on the drive. Before starting the procedure, make sure to copy important files to your computer. For formatting, insert a flash drive, go to Settings. → Memory or open properties USB-conductor.
In the drive management menu, select the item "Clean" USB-The system will warn you of data loss. Confirm the action, and in a few seconds the flash drive will be ready to work with the file system optimal for Xiaomi Redmi 4.
| File system | Max. File size. | Compatibility with Xiaomi | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAT32 | 4GB | Complete. | Most compatible, but does not store files >4GB |
| exFAT | No restrictions. | Complete. | Optimal for large-volume flash drives |
| NTFS | No restrictions. | Reading/Recording (depending on MIUI version) | Requires formatting for stable operation |
| ext4 | No restrictions. | Only with Root rights. | Native for Linux/Android, not visible in Windows |
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For maximum compatibility with different devices (TVs, car radios, PCs), it is best to use the FAT32 file system, unless you plan to store files larger than 4 gigabytes.
Media reproduction and work with documents
The connected flash drive opens up new possibilities for multimedia. You can watch high-resolution movies directly from an external drive without wasting your phone's internal memory. The standard MIUI video player is able to decode most popular formats, but for specific codecs, it's better to install a third-party player, such as a VLC or MX Player.
When playing video from a flash drive, it is important to consider the read speed of the drive. Cheap flash drives with low write speed may not have time to transfer data stream for video in 4K or high bitrate, which will lead to delays and jerks of the image. For Redmi 4, USB 2.0 and higher drives with good read speed are optimal.
Office documents can also be easily opened directly from USB-If you try to open a file in the format of.docx,.xlsx or.pdf, the system will suggest you choose the application to view. If you have an office suite installed, the document will open instantly, which is convenient for presenting information or working with tables on the road.
⚠️ Attention: With prolonged viewing of video from a flash drive, the smartphone can heat up more than usual, since the controller is actively working. USB And the video decoder, watch the temperature of the case.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter a number of difficulties: the most common problem is that the phone does not see the flash drive. First of all, check whether the OTG function is enabled in the settings. Some versions of MIUI require manual activation of the USB OTG option in the settings menu or in the notification curtain.
Another common cause is power shortage. If the flash drive flashes, but the device is not in the system, try using the device. OTG-a cable with an additional charging socket (Y-shaped cable), connecting power from a power bank or socket, this will provide the necessary current for the storage device to operate.
Also worth checking is the power saving settings. Xiaomi's aggressive algorithms can turn off USB-port to save energy. Go to Settings → Battery and make sure that the saving mode does not block the work of external devices.In some cases, it helps to reboot the phone with the flash drive already connected.
Problem with file name encoding
If nothing works, try testing the flash drive on another device, and it may be that the drive itself is corrupted or has logical errors in the file system that require checking the chkdsk utility on your computer.
Safety and proper disconnection
Safe extraction is a critical step. You can only pull the flash drive out of the port if the phone is turned off. When it's running, it's guaranteed to lead to errors. To properly disable it, lower the notification curtain, find the icon. USB-drive and click "Secure Removal" or "Secure Removal».
Once you have a message that the drive can be removed, physically disconnect the flash drive, which ensures that all the write buffers are cleaned and the file system remains intact, and neglecting this rule is the main cause of errors on the next connection.
When storing a flash drive along with your phone, use a protective cap for USB-It is also recommended to periodically check the contents of the flash drive for malware if you connect it to public computers.