OTG Xiaomi: How to Include and Use – The Complete Guide

Function OTG (On-The-Go on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to connect external devices – from flash drives and hard drives to keyboards and gamepads – directly through the port USB-C Or Micro-USB. Despite its apparent simplicity, many users face problems: the function is not activated, the device is not defined. OTG on different models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, We also solve common mistakes.

It is important to understand that not all Xiaomi smartphones support OTG at the hardware level -- even if you have a switch in the settings. 5A or Redmi 6 They may not recognize external drives due to controller limitations. USB. We have checked the relevance of the information for firmware MIUI 14/15 hyperos (2026 year) and compile data on compatibility.

What is it? OTG Why do you need it on Xiaomi?

Technology USB OTG (USB On-The-Go turns your smartphone into a host device that can control the periphery:

• 📁 Connecting flash drives and external HDD/SSD portable.
• 🎮 Use of gamepads (e.g. Xbox or DualShock) for gaming.
• ⌨️ Working with keyboards and mice is convenient for office tasks.
• 📷 Import photos from cameras or drones directly to your phone.

Xiaomi. OTG It works through a standard connector. USB-C (Micro-USB on older models, but requires a:

1. Hardware Support - Controller USB Must be compatible with the host mode.
2. Software activation – in settings or through hidden menus.
3. High-quality cables are cheap OTG-Adapters often don’t transmit enough power.

Example: if you plug in a 2.5 hard drive without additional power, your smartphone may not recognize it because of a lack of power, and you need an externally powered hub.

How to check if your Xiaomi supports you OTG

Before you try to enable the feature, make sure your Xiaomi model supports it. There are three ways to check:

1. Official specifications: Go to Xiaomi's website, find your model and check the "Interfaces" section. USB OTG — There is support for this, such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro and POCO F5 support OTG, Redmi. 9A — no.
2. Annex USB OTG Checker: Download it from Google Play.The program will show if your device supports host mode, and tests the data rate.
3. Manual verification through settings: Go to Settings → Connections and sharing → OTG. If there is no point, there is probably no support (exception: some models require activation through Developer Mode).

If your model is not in the table, use it. USB OTG Checker or check the forums (for example, 4PDA).

Methods of inclusion OTG Xiaomi

If support is confirmed, we move to activation. MIUI or hyperos.

Method 1: Through standard settings (MIUI 12–15, HyperOS)

This is the easiest way to do most modern models:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (HyperOS)
3. Tap on point. OTG.
4. Activate the switch. The system can request confirmation.

After you turn on, connect OTG-Adapter with device, if nothing happens:

• 🔌 Check the cable – try another adapter.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🔄 Update the firmware (see the section "Problems and solutions").

Method 2: Developer Mode (for older models)

On some devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 or Mi). A2) point OTG It's hidden, to unlock it:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the version MIUI. You will receive a notification saying, “You are a developer".
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the configuration item USB by default and select File Transfer (MTP) or USB OTG.
4. Connect the device through the adapter – it should work.

If the item Configuration USB No, try another way.

Method 3: Through the Engineering Menu (Advanced)

This method is suitable for devices without a standard item OTG Be careful, because the wrong actions can disrupt your smartphone.

1. Open the Phone app and type in the combination: ##36446337## (some models run ##4636##).
2. Choose Hardware Testing → USB.
3. Tap it on. OTG Test and activate the function.

If the engineering menu doesn't open, the manufacturer has blocked access, in which case only custom firmware (like LineageOS) will help, but this is a topic for a separate article.

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If OTG not enabled through settings, try to connect the device before activating the function – sometimes the system automatically prompts you to enable OTG peripheral.

Typical problems with OTG Xiaomi and their solutions

Even if OTG It's on, it can cause errors:

1. The device is not determined

Symptom: connect a flash drive or keyboard, but the smartphone does not respond.

• 🔌 The problem with the cable: use the original OTG-Xiaomi adapter or certified accessory (e.g. from Anker) cheap cables often don't transmit data.
• 📱 Power shortage: 3.5 hard drives require external power. 2.5 drives may be enough hub with an additional power supply USB-charge-port.
• 🖥️ Incompatible file system: Xiaomi does not support NTFS Format the flash drives into the default. FAT32 exFAT.

2. Mistake "USB-device not identified"

This means that the smartphone has detected the connection, but cannot determine the type of device.

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone with a connected device.
• 📁 Check the file system: NTFS It's not supported without root rights. FAT32 for flash drives up to 32 GB or exFAT for large volumes.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI were bugs with OTG. For example, in MIUI 11 on Redmi Note 7 feature was unstable.

3. OTG shuts down on its own

If the function is deactivated after restarting or after a while:

• ⚡ Check the power saving mode: turn it off in Settings → Battery.
• 🔧 Reset the settings. USB: Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Reset application settings.
• 📱 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) if the problem is shell-related. MIUI.

How to connect specific devices through OTG

Let’s analyze the nuances of connecting different types of peripherals.

Flash drives and external drives

To work with the storage devices:

1. Format the flash drive into FAT32 (up to 32 GB) or exFAT (over 32 GB).
2. Use a file manager (e.g., built-in Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
3. For HDD/SSD connect via the powered hub if the drive is not detected.

Example: Xiaomi 12T external SSD Samsung T7 (1 TB, exFAT is determined immediately and operates at speed ~400 MB/s.

Keyboards and mice

Most of the time. USB-keyboards and mice work without additional drivers.Nuance:

• 🎹 Mechanical keyboards can consume too much power – use a powered hub.
• 🖱️ For gaming mice (such as Razer DeathAdder) you may need an app USB Host Diagnostics to set buttons.
• 📱 HyperOS supports multitasking: you can connect the keyboard and mouse at the same time.

gamepads

Modern gamepads (Xbox Series X, DualSense 5, 8BitDo) plugged in OTG, but they may require:

• 🎮 Compatibility Mode: Hold Share on DualSense + PS plug-in.
• 📱 Update the firmware of the gamepad through PC.
• 🎯 For Xbox controllers, install the Xbox Accessories app from Google Play.

Example: POCO F4 GT Xbox Elite 2 gamepad works without lags, but requires you to turn off Bluetooth connection before connecting to the Internet OTG.

OTG on custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If you are using an unofficial firmware, OTG It might work differently:

• ✅ LineageOS: Support OTG is enabled by default, but may require a kernel with a patch USB Host Mode.
• ⚠️ Pixel Experience: Sometimes manual activation is required via adb: adb shell setprop persist.sys.usb.config diag,serial_cdev,rmnet,adb,mtp,ptp,otg
• 🔧 For root users: install the Magisk module USB Host Mode Enabler.

Warning: on custom firmware OTG may conflict with MTP-(Send files to PC) if you connect OTG-Smartphone devices cease to be determined by the computer, restart.

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On custom firmware. OTG It often works more consistently than on MIUI, but requires manual adjustment of the kernel or modules of Magisk.

Safety in use OTG

Connecting external devices through OTG risk-taking:

⚠️ Note: Attackers may use OTG-Adapters with hidden chips to steal data or install malware. Never connect unfamiliar ones USB-Smartphone devices, especially in public places (e.g. free charging at airports).

How to defend yourself:

• 🔒 Use only your own. OTG-adapters and devices.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) to scan your connected drives.
• 🔄 Turn it off. OTG after use of the Settings → Connections.
• 📱 Regularly check the permissions of applications in Settings → Annexes → Permits.

Example of an attack: in 2022, researchers demonstrated a vulnerability in BadUSB, in which a user is connected through a network of OTG The device emulated the keyboard and executed commands on the smartphone. Xiaomi closed this gap in the smartphone. MIUI 13, but the risk remains for outdated firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions on OTG Xiaomi