You have connected a flash drive or an external one. SSD-Xiaomi through OTG-Adapter, copy the right files, but don't know how to disconnect it? Don't just pull the drive out, it can cause data loss or file system damage. On Android devices (including Redmi, POCO and Mi) process of disconnection USB-Devices are different from Windows or macOS, and many users make critical errors.
In this article, we will discuss all official methods of safe extraction. USB-drives on Xiaomi smartphones (including models on the MIUI 12/13/14 And HyperOS, and why you can't ignore this procedure, you'll learn how to check if the flash drive is in use, what to do if the Remove button is inactive, and how to recover data if the disconnection is incorrect.
Why can't you just pull out? USB-Xiaomi drive?
Many users believe that on smartphones you can ignore secure extraction — they say, “it’s still not a computer.” This is a dangerous misconception: on Android, the file system of the drive is cached, and interruption of communication at the time of writing leads to the same consequences as on a PC.
Here's what happens when you get hot:
- 📁 File system damage: If a record (even a background) was recorded at the time of the shutdown, the file table may collapse.
- 🔄 Loss of recording buffer: MIUI It uses buffering to speed up operations, and the data from the buffer doesn't have time to log into the drive.
- 🚫 Access blocking: on some models (Redmi Note 12 Pro)+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra after improper extraction USB-port temporarily shut down.
This is especially critical for external SSDs and drives with exFAT or NTFS file system, which are more vulnerable than FAT32. For example, when copying video to 4K or working with the database of applications (for example, Kodi or Plex), the risk of data loss increases significantly.
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The system can automatically mount the drive as "internal" if it is formatted into a ext4. In this case, disabling it without unmounting will lead to failure!
Official method: extract through the notification panel
The easiest and most recommended method is to use a system notification, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI or HyperOS version.
Step-by-step:
- Connect. USB-storage OTG-Adapter, wait for the notification to appear "USB-plug-in".
- Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find a notification with the name of your flash drive (for example, “SanDisk Ultra 64GB”) and tap it.
- In the window that opens, click the “Extract” button (or “Safely Disable” on HyperOS).
- Wait for the message "The device can be safely removed" - only after that physically disconnect the drive.
Check that all files are copied (no active operations)
Close applications that use the flash drive (players, file managers)
Make sure the indicator on the drive does not flash (if any)
Click "Extract" in the notification and wait for confirmation-->
If the notification is connected USB-device fails:
- 🔍 Check if it is hidden in the "Other Notices" section (check on the "Other Notices" section "⚙️ Control in the notification panel).
- 📱 Reboot your smartphone with a connected flash drive – sometimes it helps the system correctly identify the device.
- 🔌 Try another one. OTG-adapter or port (if you use a hub).
The original OTG from Xiaomi
Cheap adapter with AliExpress
USB-feed-in
I'm not plugging flash drives into my phone.
Another option-->
Alternative method: unmounting through "Settings"
If the notification does not appear or the Remove button is inactive, use manual unmounting through system settings, which is suitable for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → USB (on HyperOS, the path can be Settings → Connected devices).
- In the list of connected devices, find your drive (for example, "JetFlash Transcend").
- Slip it and select "Disable" or "Extract".
- Confirm the action if a request appears.
Some of the scalings (for example, on POCO F5 HyperOS section with USB-The devices could be hidden to find it:
Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)
Return to Settings → Additional settings → Developer → Enable “Debugging by USB”After that, the Connected Devices section will be available in the main menu.
| Xiaomi model | The Way to USB Settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11/12 | Settings → Connections → USB | The “Extract” button may be inactive if the flash drive is used as internal memory. |
| POCO X5 Pro | Settings → Additionally. → USB-device | Developer mode must be enabled to access |
| Xiaomi 13T | Settings → Connected devices → Storage | Supports hot extraction for FAT32, but not for NTFS |
| Redmi K60 | Settings → System → USB | Automatic Extraction after 30 Seconds of Inactivity |
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Pro), when you connect the drive through the hub, the system may identify it as "network storage." In this case, you will need to reboot the phone to retrieve it!
What to do if the “Remove” button is inactive?
The situation where the safe extract button is shaded is common.
- 📱 Flash drive used by the system or application: Close all programs that can work with the drive: file managers (Mi File Explorer, Solid Explorer), media players, torrent clients. Check background processes in Settings → Annexes → Launched.
- 🔄 Background synchronization or indexing: MIUI You can have Media Storage, which scans files, wait until it's finished, or you can restart your phone.
- 🔒 The drive is encrypted or used as internal memory: If you configured the flash drive as "Internal Storage" in Settings → Memory, it can't be extracted without formatting. Transfer the data to another medium and format it through Settings. → Memory. → [The name of the flash drive] → Formatting as a portable.
- 🛠️ Failure to work OTG-Adapter: Try to turn off and reconnect the adapter. If the problem recurs, check it on another device.
How to force the drive to unmount through ADB?
If none of the methods worked, and the data on the flash drive is critical:
- Do not physically remove the storage device.
- Reboot your smartphone with a connected flash drive.
- After downloading, try re-extracting through notification or settings.
How to recover data after incorrect extraction?
If you still pulled the flash drive without safe extraction, and now it is not readable or requires formatting, act on the algorithm:
- Don't format the drive! It will destroy the data irrevocably.
- Connect the flash drive to the computer (via card reader or directly).
- Use Recovery Programs to Recover: 🛠️ TestDisk (free, restores the file system). 💾 Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery (to search for deleted files). 📁 PhotoRec (specializes in media files).
"RAW"
chkdsk
chkdsk [disc letter]: /fFor Xiaomi devices with ext4-partitions (if the flash drive was used as internal memory) recovery is possible only through ADB Or specialized services, like Redmi. K50 Pro with HyperOS will be required:
adb pull /mnt/media_rw/[ID_ drive] C:\backup⚠️ Note: If the flash drive is not detected at all after improper extraction (the indicator does not light), the problem may be in the controller, in which case data recovery is possible only in the laboratory (cost from 3 000 USD). ₽).
Settings for automatic retrieval (for experienced users)
On the firmware MIUI 14 and HyperOS can be configured to automatically unmount USB-It's convenient if you often connect flash drives to transfer files.
How to turn on:
- Activate the developer mode (see the instructions above).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the option "Automatic Shutdown" USB-"Device" and set a timer (e.g. 5 minutes).
- Save the settings and restart the phone.
In other cases, the risk of data damage remains.