USB device compatibility

Using USB Storage with Naim Products

Naim streaming products support USB storage devices for music playback, but compatibility depends on the format of the drive, the file types, and the device model. This guide outlines what works, what doesn’t, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

Supported devices and Formats

Naim products support a wide range of USB storage devices, including:

• USB flash drives
• Portable hard drives (self-powered or externally powered)

To ensure compatibility:

• Format the drive as FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS.
• Avoid using drives with multiple partitions or encrypted volumes.
• Ensure the drive is not overloaded with too many files or folders, which can slow down indexing.

Note: Some older Naim models may only support FAT32.

Supported File Types

The USB input supports playback of the following audio formats:

• WAV
• FLAC
• AIFF
• ALAC
• MP3
• AAC
• OGG

High-resolution files (up to 24-bit/384kHz) are supported on most modern Naim streamers and Uniti systems.

Accessing USB Content in the Focal & Naim App

Once a compatible USB device is connected:

1. Open the Focal & Naim app.
2. Select your device from the My Devices screen.
3. Navigate to the USB input.
4. Browse and play music directly from the drive.

The app will scan the  USB device and display its contents in a structured format. You can browse by folder, artist, album, or genre (if metadata is available).

The USB input is designed for:

• Direct music playback from USB storage devices.
• Firmware updates on legacy systems (via Mini-USB, not USB-A).

It is not intended for use with USB DACs, smartphones in data mode, or streaming from mobile apps.