How to connect NAS network storage to Xiaomi devices: from TV to router

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is becoming more popular among Xiaomi users, allowing you to centralize file storage, stream media to Mi TVs, reserve data from Redmi or POCO smartphones, and expand the functionality of Mi Routers. However, many face difficulties when connecting first: the TV does not see the folder, the smartphone gives an authentication error, the data transfer speed leaves much to be desired.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to connect NAS to Xiaomi’s ecosystem, from basic SMB configuration to advanced protocols like NFS and Mi Home integration. We’ll focus on common bugs (such as why Mi TV Stick can’t see the network drive) and performance optimization. If you’re using Synology’s NAS, QNAP, Western Digital, or a homemade Raspberry Pi solution, this is a good guide for all cases.

1.What Xiaomi devices support NAS connectivity?

Not all Xiaomi gadgets work equally well with network storage, here is a complete list of NAS-enabled devices and their limitations:

• 📺 TVs and set-top boxes: Mi TV 4/5/6, Mi TV Stick, Mi Box S – support SMB, DLNA and NFS (on new models with Google TV, restrictions are possible).
• 📱 Smartphones and tablets: All models on MIUI 12+ (including Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13, POCO F5) are connected via File Manager or third-party applications (FX File Explorer, Solid Explorer).
• 📶 Routers: Mi Router 4A/4C/5, AX3600/AX6000 — can mount NAS as a network drive for shared folders or backup.
• 🔌 Smart devices: Mi Home and Home Assistant (via integration) allow you to use NAS to store the logs of Xiaomi Camera cameras or sensors.

⚠️ Warning: Devices on Android TV 9 and below (e.g., older Mi Box 3) don’t support SMB 3.0+ — you’ll have to run the protocol version on NAS or use DLNA for media.

2. NAS Connection Preparation: Protocol and Security Settings

Before connecting the NAS to Xiaomi devices, you need to properly configure the storage itself.

1. Create a separate user for Xiaomi devices (e.g. xiaomi_user) with limited rights – this will improve security.
2. Activate the protocols you want: 🔄 SMB (recommended version is SMB 2.0 or 3.0 for new devices). 📡 NFS (only for Mi TV TVs on Android TV 10+). 🎵 DLNA (for streaming media without authentication).

Set up shared folders

⚠️ Warning: If your NAS uses self-signed SSL- certificates (e.g., for WebDAV), Xiaomi devices may block the connection. The solution is to add the certificate to trusted ones on your smartphone via Settings → Security → Trusted credential.

3. NAS connection to Xiaomi TV (Mi TV, Mi Box, Mi Stick)

Xiaomi TVs and consoles support NAS connectivity through an integrated file manager or media apps. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Through the Built-in File Manager (SMB/NFS)

This method works for all Mi TVs with Android TV 9+ and Google TV:

1. Open the File Manager (the folder icon on the home screen).
2. Select Network Storage → Add Network Storage.
3. Specify: 📌 Server type: SMB or NFS. 🖥️ Server address: IP of your NAS (e.g., 192.168.1.100). 🔑 Username and password (if required). 📁 Common folder name (e.g., Media).

Save the settings and wait for the connection.

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If the TV doesn’t see the NAS, check that the router’s settings have turned off customer isolation (AP Isolation) – it blocks data exchange between devices on the same network.

Method 2: Through media applications (DLNA, Plex, Kodi)

If you need to not only view files, but also stream video/music, use:

• 🎬 Kodi: Supports SMB, NFS, WebDAV. Install from Google Play and add source via Files → Add video → Network Storage.
• 📺 Plex or Jellyfin: Set the server on NAS and the client on the TV. You will need to pre-configure the transcoding for 4K HDR.
• 🔊 VLC: Supports SMB and UPnP/DLNA. Open the Local Area Network in the side menu.

⚠️ Warning: The Mi TV Stick (especially the first version) may lag when playing video from NAS via SMB due to a weak processor. The solution is to use DLNA or pre-copy files to USB- drive.

4. NAS connection to Xiaomi smartphone (Redmi, POCO, Mi)

Xiaomi's MIUI smartphones don't have built-in SMB support, but it's easy to get around with third-party apps.

• 📂 FX File Explorer: Free, supports SMB1/2/3, WebDAV, FTP. To connect: Open side menu → Network Storage → Add. Select SMB and enter IP NAS, username and password. Ready! folders NAS will appear in the Network section.

Solid Explorer

NFS

FX

Nextcloud

OwnCloud

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To automatically sync photos from your smartphone to the NAS, set the task in the FolderSync (Google Play) application. It supports SMB, WebDAV and SFTP, as well as background download.

⚠️ Warning: When connected via mobile internet (not Wi-Fi), MIUI can block data transmission over SMB as "suspicious activity." Solution is to add IP of your NAS to the whitelist in Settings → Memory → Special Access → Data Access.

5. NAS connection to Xiaomi router (Mi Router)

Xiaomi routers (such as Mi Router 4A Gigabit or AX6000) allow you to connect the NAS as a network drive for:

• 🔄 Backup of router settings.
• 📤 Shared file access for all devices on the network.
• 📡 Remote access via Mi Wi-Fi (OpenWRT-based firmware only).

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If the router does not see the NAS, check that the storage is enabled with the SMB1 protocol (despite its insecurity, some Mi Router firmware supports only it).

6. Solving Typical Problems When Connecting NAS to Xiaomi

Even with the right setup, you can get errors.

• 🚫 "I couldn’t connect to the server: Check that NAS Xiaomi devices are on the same subnet (e.g, 192.168.1.x). Turn it off. VPN You can use your smartphone or your TV. IP-address instead of host name (for example, \\192.168.1.100\Media instead \\NAS\Media).
• 🔒 "Incorrect username or password": Make sure NAS allows authentication by SMB (in protocol settings). Try using a guest account (if guest session is enabled). Some NAS (e.g. Synology) need to manually add a Xiaomi device to the trusted list in Control Panel → Terminal and SNMP.
• 🐢 Slow data rate: Connect NAS and Xiaomi device to router over cable (Wi-Fi 5 GHz delays). Turn off Jumbo Frames in settings NAS (may conflict with Mi Router firmware). For TVs: use NFS instead of SMB — it's faster when streaming.

7. Alternative ways to connect: cloud and FTP

If standard protocols (SMB/NFS) don’t work, consider alternatives to:

• ☁️ Cloud sync: Set it on NAS Nextcloud or OwnCloud, and on your smartphone, the official app. Pros: access from any network, automatic photo backup. Cons: requires setting up DDNS or static IP.
• 📎 FTP- Server: On NAS turn on FTP- Server (Port 21). On your smartphone, use FX File Explorer or ES Connection Explorer. ⚠️ Unsafe without FTPS or SFTP!
• 🌍 WebDAV: Supported by everyone NAS (e.g. Synology included in Control Panel → Web Services). Connection address: http://[IP_NAS]:5005. Works even over the Internet (when configuring ports on a router).

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For remote NAS access from any network, configure DDNS on Xiaomi router (Section Additional → DDNS) and toss ports 445 (SMB) or 5005 (WebDAV).

8.Security: How to Protect Data on NAS When Connecting to Xiaomi

Connecting NAS to smart devices increases the risk of data breaches.

• 🔐 Disable outdated protocols: SMB1 (vulnerable to EternalBlue attacks). FTP without encryption (passwords are transmitted in plain text).
• 🛡️ Set firewall to NAS: Allow connections from the local area network only (192.168.x.x). Close ports 139 and 445 for external access (unless remote access is required).
• 🔄 Regular backups: Set up automatic copying of important data from NAS to an external drive or to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Disk). Use the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies of data, on 2 different media, 1 of which are out of the home.

⚠️ Warning: If you connect NAS to Xiaomi smart cameras (such as Mi Home Camera 360°) to store records, disable access to the video folder from the Internet — otherwise, attackers can access your records through vulnerabilities in the camera firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting NAS to Xiaomi