How to send photos from Xiaomi Redmi phone: everything from Bluetooth to cloud services

Sending photos from Xiaomi Redmi is a challenge that every smartphone owner of this line faces. Despite the apparent simplicity, users often face nuances, from the limitations on the size of files in messengers to the peculiarities of how MIUI works with cloud services. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring photos, including hidden firmware functions that will simplify the process.

Redmi features deep integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem, which opens up additional possibilities (for example, sync via Mi Cloud or fast sending to devices of the same ecosystem). However, even without linking to the Mi Account, you can transfer pictures through standard channels. The main thing is to choose the method that suits your task: whether you need to maintain the original quality, send a single file or an entire gallery, and whether the recipient has the same Xiaomi device.

It is important to consider technical limitations: for example, MIUI 14+ automatically compresses photos over 10 MB when sent via Bluetooth, and some firmware versions disable the standard file manager for external drives, which we also touch on in the guide.

1. Sending via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

The most popular way is to use instant messengers, but there are pitfalls: most platforms compress photos to a size that is not printable or professionally processed, and we'll figure out how to send images with minimal loss of quality.

Telegram has two modes of sending:

• 📎 As a document, it saves the original resolution (up to 2 GB per file). To do this, hold your finger in the photo in the chat and select Send as a file».
• 🖼️ Like an image, it compresses to 1080p (10 MB maximum Suitable for fast chatting.

In WhatsApp and Viber, compression is inevitable, but you can bypass the limitations:

• 🔄 Use the Document function (on WhatsApp, click the paper clip). → «Document» → Choose a photo).
• 📁 Send the archive: pack the photo in ZIP through any application archive (for example, RAR), Then send it as a file.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 13 and later, when selecting a photo through the messenger, an error may appear "No access to storage." Corrected to Settings → Annexes → Permit management → Warehouse (give rights to the messenger manually).

2. Transfer via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Sync with Mi Cloud is a built-in feature of all Redmis, but many users ignore it, and it is one of the most reliable ways to back up and transfer photos, especially if the recipient also has a Xiaomi device.

To send a photo through the cloud:

1. Activate synchronization: Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud → Gallery (turn on the switch).
2. Select a photo in the Gallery app, click Share → Mi Cloud.
3. Generate a download link (available 7 days) or send directly to another Mi Account.

The advantage of the Mi Cloud is that it doesn’t compress and can send entire albums. However, the free fare is limited to 5 GB, and download speed depends on Xiaomi servers (in Russia there may be delays).

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If you want to send photos in the highest quality, but Mi Cloud slows down, use the alternative: upload the pictures to the cloud, then download them to your PC via the web version of i.mi.com and send them to the recipient in any convenient way.

3. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct: fast transmission without internet

If you want to send a photo to another device without access to the network, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct will do. At Redmi, these functions work with their own nuances:

For Bluetooth transmission:

Turn on Bluetooth on both devices

Make devices visible (in Bluetooth settings)

Select a photo in the gallery → “Share” → “Bluetooth”

Confirm reception on the second device-->

Limitations:

• 📶 Transmission speed: ~1-2 MB/s (depending on the Bluetooth version).
• 📱 Nana MIUI 14+ photo 10 MB shrink to 2048×2048 px.
• 🔋 High battery consumption when transferring large numbers of files.

Wi-Fi Direct is faster (up to 10MB/s), but requires support on both devices.

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. Select the device to connect.
3. In the gallery, click “Share” → “Wi-Fi Direct” and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) have Wi-Fi Direct hidden. To enable it, go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times to activate the developer mode, then to the developer settings → Network settings → Wi-Fi Direct.

4. Sending by e-mail (Gmail, Mail.ru)

Email is suitable for transferring photos to a PC or printing in a photo lab, but there are strict restrictions on the size of the attachments:

• 📧 Gmail: Up to 25MB per email (including all attachments).
• 📧 Mail.ru: up to 30MB.
• 📧 Yandex: Up to 30MB (up to 10GB for premium accounts).

If the photos weigh more, use these techniques:

• 🗜️ Compress the photo directly when sending: in Gmail click on the clip icon → Choose a photo → Before sending, the option “Change the size” will appear».
• 📦 Break it down into a few emails or archive it (for example, through ZArchiver).
• 🔗 Upload a photo to the cloud (like Google Drive) and send a link.

When sending to print, check with the laboratory for supported formats. Some services (for example, Photomag) only accept JPEG with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. In Redmi, check the settings of the image in the gallery: click on the photo → Information → see the resolution and format.

5. Use of third-party applications (ShareIt, Xender, Snapdrop)

Specialized file transfer applications often bypass the limitations of standard methods.-3 solutions for Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Xender: 🌐 It works without the Internet (creates a local network). 📤 Speed to 40 MB/s (in) 10 faster than Bluetooth). 📱 Supports transfer between Android, iOS and PC.
2. Snapdrop (web version): 💻 No installation required – works through the browser. 🔒 Transfer encryption (data is not stored on servers). 📡 Limitation: Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

ShareIt

Lenovo

• 🎯 Optimized for Xiaomi (no conflicts with the MIUI).
• 📂 You can send whole folders.
• ⚠️ There are a lot of advertisements in the latest versions.

Alternative methods:

• 🖥️ FTP-server: use the application FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer FTP-Connect to it through Windows Explorer at the address ftp://[IP-phone].
• 📲 Mi Drop: Built-in to the MIUI Open Mi Drop on your phone, scan it. QR-code from your computer screen (pre-open drop.mi.com).

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For stable transmission by USB Turn off the "Debugging by" mode. USB" In Settings → Additionally. → For developers, in some versions. MIUI This regime is in conflict with MTP-protocol.

7 Hidden MIUI features for working with photos

MIUI firmware contains some little-known tools that make it easier to work with photos.

• 🔍 Search by content: in the Redmi gallery you can search for photos by objects (for example, "cat", "sea"). → press the magnifying glass → request.
• 📊 Storage statistics: in Settings → Warehouse → Gallery shows the volume of the photo and suggestions for cleaning (for example, removing screenshots or duplicates).
• 🔄 Quick editing: in the gallery swipe up the photo – a menu with basic tools will open (trimming, filters, correction).
• 📁 Hidden folders: To hide photos, select them → «More» → «Hide. Access to hidden files: swipe right in the gallery and enter the password.