If you're using Xiaomi smart devices, from smartphones to surveillance cameras, you're going to have a storage problem, and you're going to have to have photos, camera videos, backups, archives -- all of that takes up space on your phone, on cloud services, or on external drives -- Solution? NAS is a personal cloud in your home, available 24/7.
Xiaomi does not produce individual products. NAS-Devices but offers integrated solutions through their routers (e.g. Mi Router) 4A Gigabit or AX3600) This allows you to connect an external hard drive to a router and turn it into a full-fledged network storage, and in this article we will discuss how this works, what opportunities it offers and whether the game is worth a candle.
What is it? NAS-storage and why you need it
A NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a network storage device that can connect multiple users at once. Unlike a conventional external drive, a NAS is available over a local network or even over the Internet (if set up correctly), imagine that you have a personal Google Drive at home, but without limits on volume and subscription fees.
Why do Xiaomi owners need this?
- 📸 Automatic backup of photos and videos from Mi Home Security or smartphones Redmi/POCO.
- 🎬 Media streaming on Mi TV, Mi Box or other devices without downloading the device.
- 🔄 Synchronize files between several gadgets (for example, from laptop to tablet).
- 🔒 Access control: You can restrict the rights for different users (for example, children – only movies, and adults – all files).
Main advantage NAS Xiaomi's Mi Home integration, for example, Mi Home Security 360 cameras.° They can automatically save the records not to the cloud (where you have to pay for storage), but directly to your drive connected to the router.
How does NAS work on Xiaomi routers: technical details
Unlike specialized NAS (for example, from Synology or QNAP), Xiaomi solutions are built on the basis of routers with support for the function Samba/NFS. Here's how it works:
- Connecting the disk: to the router through USB-The port is connected to an external hard disk (HDD) or SSD. File systems are supported FAT32, NTFS, ext4 (depending on the router model).
- Setup in MiWiFi: the router's web interface (192.168.31.1) activates the "Network Disk" option (Settings) → USB-accumulator).
- Sharing access: You can create multiple users with different rights (read, read + write, deny access).
- Remote Access: Linking to a Mi Account allows you to access files via the Mi WiFi app or via FTP.
It is important to understand that the performance of such a NAS depends on two factors:
- 🔌 Speed. USB-port of the router (y AX3600 it USB 3.0, old models — USB 2.0, which is 10 times slower).
- 📡 Network bandwidth: when connecting over Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) The actual read/write speed rarely exceeds 30-50 MB/s.
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If you plan to use NAS for 4K video, connect devices (such as Mi TV) to your router via Ethernet cable, which will eliminate playback delays.
Which Xiaomi routers support NAS-function
Not all Xiaomi routers can work like NAS. Here’s a current list of models with network storage support (as of 2026):
| Model router | USB-port | Max. Disc volume. | Support for FTP | Price (exemplary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Router 4A Gigabit | USB 2.0 | 8 TB | Yes. | ~2 500 ₽ |
| Mi Router AX3600 | USB 3.0 | 16 TB | Yes. | ~5 000 ₽ |
| Mi Router AX6000 | USB 3.0 | 16 TB | Yes. | ~8 000 ₽ |
| Mi Router 4C | USB 2.0 | 4 TB | No. | ~1 500 ₽ |
Please note:
- 🔌 Models with USB 2.0 (4A Gigabit, 4C) They are only suitable for backing up small files. For video or large archives, take a router from the USB 3.0.
- 🔒 Nana AX3600 and AX6000 There's hardware acceleration of encryption, which is important for remote access.
- ⚡ For a stable job. NAS The router must be connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and if the power is suddenly turned off, the file system on the disk can be damaged.
Can I connect an SSD instead of an HDD?
Step-by-step setting up NAS on the Xiaomi router
Let’s take a look at the Mi Router AX3600, which is suitable for other USB-enabled models.
Format the disk in NTFS or ext4 (FAT32 is not suitable for >4GB files)
Connect the disk to USB-router port (use the cable from the set)
Update the router to the latest version
Write it down. IP-router address (usually 192.168.31.1)-->
Step 1. Connect the disk
Insert the formatted disk into USB-Router port. Wait until the indicator on the router housing stops flashing (this means that the disk is recognized). If the indicator is on red, check the file system (should be the same). NTFS or ext4).
Step 2: Configure in the web interface
- Open your browser and enter 192.168.31.1 (or another IP of your router).
- Log in (login/password by default — admin/router sticker).
- Go to Settings. → USB-accumulator.
- Activate the Network Disk option and specify the folder name (e.g., MiNAS).
- In the Users section, add password accounts (it is recommended to create a separate user for each device).
Step 3: Connecting from other devices
- Computer from computer (Windows/macOS): wire \\192.168.31.1 log in.
- From your smartphone (Android/iOS): Use FX File Explorer (Android) or FileExplorer (iOS) apps with SMB support.
- From the Mi TV: in the media player, select Network Disk and enter the router’s IP.
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After setting up NAS Check your read/write speed if it's below 10MB/s, the problem is: USB-port, cable or file system of the disk.
The pros and cons of Xiaomi’s NAS compared to its competitors
Not everyone will be able to use a router-based NAS, and consider the strengths and weaknesses of Xiaomi’s solution:
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| ✅ Low price (router) + disc cheaper than specialized NAS) | ❌ Limited performance (depending on the router processor) |
| ✅ Integration with the Mi Home ecosystem (cameras, TVs) | ❌ No. RAID (When the disk breaks, the data is lost) |
| ✅ Simple configuration (web interface in Russian) | ❌ No official Time Machine support for Mac) |
| ✅ Compact (no need for a separate box) NAS) | ❌ Limited features (no plugins like Synology) |
Who would be the right choice for?
- 🏠 Home Users Who Need to Store Photos, Videos, and Backups from 2-3 Devices.
- 📹 Mi Home Camera Owners Who Want to Store Records Locally, Not in the Cloud.
Who doesn't?
- 🔧 Advanced users who need Docker, virtual machines, or Plex Media Server.
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If you need NAS to store movies in 4K or backups from multiple computers, consider buying a used Synology DS218j – it will cost less than a new one, but will be many times more functional than a router.
Security: How to Protect NAS Data from Xiaomi
Network storage is not only a convenience, it's also a potential risk, and if you don't set up security, your files can be accessed by others.
⚠️ Note: By default, many Xiaomi routers open access NAS protocolly FTP This means that the password and data are transmitted in plain form and can be intercepted! 1. FTP, use SMB Encrypted In router settings (Settings) → USB-accumulator → Access protocols) turn off FTP Just leave it alone. SMB. Use remote access for the SFTP or VPN. 2. Set up individual users with minimum rights Don't give all devices access under admin: 📱 Smartphone – only reading folder Photo. 🖥️ Laptop - reading+foldering. 📺 TV - only read the Video folder. 3. Regularly update router firmware Vulnerabilities in older versions of MiWiFi allow hackers to access your NAS. Check for updates in the Settings section → Update of the PA. 4. Use an external UPS ⚠️ Attention: In case of sudden power outage, the file system on the disk can be damaged, especially if at this moment there was a recording. NAS A 4 TB UPS is recommended with a battery life of at least 10 minutes (for example, APC Back-UPS 650). Alternatives NAS Xiaomi: what to choose instead of a router If the possibilities of the router do not suit you, consider these options: Solution PlusMinusesPrice (from) Synology DS220jRAID, Plugins, high speeds~25 000 ₽ WD My Cloud Simplicity of configuration, compact Closed firmware, few features~12 000 ₽ Homemade NAS Raspberry Pi Flexibility, low price Complicated setup, low performance~8 000 ₽ Cloud Mi Cloud Access from anywhere in the world Limited space (5 GB free) ₽ If the budget is limited, but you need functions RAID (Disk mirroring for reliability, pay attention to the used Synology model DS218+ or QNAP TS-251. They are often sold in good condition for 15,000–20,000. ₽. For those who do not want to be slapped, it is suitable. WD My Cloud Home is a great place to « NAS in a box", which is enough to plug into the socket and connect to the network. FAQ: Frequent questions about NAS-Xiaomi storage Can you connect to the Xiaomi router disk volume 10 TB? Yes, but there are nuances: Routers with USB 2.0 (Mi Router 4A) Officially support the disks to 8 TB, but in practice they work with 10 TB (but slowly) Models with USB 3.0 (AX3600) cope 16 TB, but the disk must be formatted in NTFS or ext4. Before buying, check the compatibility of a particular disk model on forums (e.g., for example, 4PDA). How to set up automatic backup from Xiaomi phone to NAS? Use the Mi Mover app (for the purpose of using the Redmi/POCO) or Google Photos with a save setting on the network drive: In Google Photos go to Settings → Backup and synchronization → Destination folder. Select "Other" and specify the path to the network folder (\\192.168.31.1\MiNAS\Set up a backup schedule (e.g. once a day on Wi-Fi). For Mi Home cameras, the setting is in the Mi Home app: Device → Settings → Storage → Local storage. NAS Is Xiaomi slowing down when copying large files: USB 2.0: top speed – 30–40 MB/s Solution: upgrade to router with USB File system 3.0. FAT32: 4GB file size limit Solution: reformat the disk into NTFS. Router CPU overload: if you're simultaneously downloading torrents or streaming. Solution: limit the number of devices connected. Cable problems: use a shorter time. USB-cable (up to 1 m) with ferrite ring. NAS from Xiaomi IP-Yes, but with reservations: Hikvision, Dahua or Ezviz cameras support recording to network drives using protocol. SMB or FTP. In the camera settings, specify IP router (192.168.31.1), user name and password NAS. Make sure the router does not block the ports. 139 (SMB) or 21 (FTP). For support cameras ONVIF (For example, Reolink may require additional software like Blue Iris or iSpy. NAS You can use a Xiaomi router if you forgot your password. There are two ways: Reset via web interface: Connect to the router via cable. Type in the browser address bar. 192.168.31.1/recover. Follow the instructions for resetting the password (requires a tied Mi Account). Hardware reset: Press and hold the Reset button on the router 10 After restarting, reset the router (including: NAS). ⚠️ Warning: Hardware reset will remove all settings, including users NAS, But the files on the disk will remain intact.