How to send photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Transferring photos between smartphones of the same brand should be simple — but in practice, Xiaomi users often face problems: Mi Share does not find the device, Bluetooth breaks the connection, the quality of compressed images through messengers is not enough. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring photos between Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden MIUI functions, circumventing restrictions and solving errors.

We tested each method on models from Redmi Note. 12 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – All instructions are running on the latest versions MIUI 14/15 HyperOS, and the methods that preserve EXIF-data (meta-information about the shooting) and original resolution, as well as options for transmission without the Internet or with limited traffic. 50 Photos from vacation or transfer the archive of pictures to a new smartphone - you will find the optimal solution below.

1. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) – a proprietary way from Xiaomi

Mi Share is a Wi-Fi Direct file sharing application built into MIUI that works without the Internet and retains the original photo quality. Transfer speeds reach 10-15 MB / s (depending on the model), and most importantly - does not require registration or installation of third-party programs.

To send a photo via Mi Share:

• 📱 Open the Gallery on the sending device, select a photo and click "Share» → «Mi Share».
• 🔍 On the receiving Xiaomi, activate the Settings → Connection and sharing → Mi Share and make the device visible».
• 📤 On the sending phone, select the target device from the list and confirm the transfer on both smartphones.
• ✅ Wait until the photo is finished and it will be saved to the MiShare folder on the receiving device.

Mi Share supports up to 1,000 files in a single session, but there are nuances:

Turn off power saving mode on both devices | Make sure there is enough space on the receiving phone | Turn off the VPN (it blocks Wi-Fi Direct) | Update MIUI to the latest version (older versions have bugs)

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⚠️ Warning: If Mi Share doesn't find the device, try restarting both smartphones or temporarily disabling Bluetooth - sometimes it conflicts with Wi-Fi Direct. POCO function may be called «POCO Share, but it works identically.

2. Quick Share (Google Files) - an alternative for new models

With the release of HyperOS and Google Play Services updates, Xiaomi has introduced Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share), a method that uses a combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) (on supported models), which speeds up transfer and increases stability.

How to send a photo via Quick Share:

1. Make sure that both devices are enabled with Bluetooth and Geolocation (required for Quick Share!).
2. In the gallery, select a photo → “Share” → “Quick Share”.
3. On the receiving phone, confirm receipt (you may need to unlock the screen).
4. The files will be saved to the Downloads/QuickShare folder.

The advantages of Quick Share over Mi Share:

Quick Share is especially handy if you have devices from different brands (like Xiaomi and Samsung), but on pure Xiaomi it can run slower due to MIUI optimizations for Mi Share.

3. Bluetooth transmission - when nothing works

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest method (speed ~1-2 MB / s) and should only be used to transfer 1-2 photos or when other methods are not available (for example, on very old Redmi 4X or Mi A1) models.

Instructions:

• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on both devices (Settings) → Bluetooth).
• 📱 On the sending phone, select a photo in the Gallery → «Share» → «Bluetooth».
• 🔍 Select the target device from the list and confirm pairing (code entry may be required).
• ⏳ Wait for completion – on large files, the process can take several minutes.

⚠️ Bluetooth automatically compresses photos to resolution 1600×1200 pixels, even if the original 4K. To maintain quality, use other methods.

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If Bluetooth is permanently disconnecting, try turning off Wi-Fi on both devices – sometimes channels overlap.

4. Cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Photos and Telegram

If you have access to the Internet, cloud services allow you to transfer photos in their original quality without limiting the number of photos.

1.Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud)

• 📁 Upload the photo to the gallery. → Mi Cloud → Download.
• 🔗 On the second device, log in to the same Mi Account and download files from Mi Cloud. → Photo Photo.
• ⚠️ Only 5GB of space is available for free (can be expanded for a fee).

2. Google Photo.

• ☁️ Enable autoload in Google Photos or upload photos manually.
• 📲 On the second device, open Google Photos and download the photos you need.
• 💡 When you select “Original Quality”, photos will be saved without compression (but this takes place in Google Drive).

3. Telegram (Saved Messages)

• 📎 Send your photo to Save Messages (no compression – hold your finger on the send button and select File»).
• 📱 Open Telegram on the second device and download the photo.
• ⚡ The maximum file size is 2 GB (enough even for the RAW-snapshot).

Cloud services are convenient for sending large amounts of photos, but require stable Internet connection. If you have a slow connection, you should use Mi Share or Quick Share.

5. Wired connection (OTG-cable)

If you need to transfer hundreds of gigabytes of photos (for example, when switching to a new smartphone), the most reliable way is to use the data. OTG-This method guarantees 100% data security and maximum speed (up to 40 MB / s when used) USB 3.0).

Method 1: OTG-cable (direct connection)

1. Buy it. OTG-Type-C to Type-C or Micro-USB adapter, depending on the model).
2. Connect the sending smartphone to the receiving one via the adapter.
3. On the receiving device, open the Explorer (Mi File Manager) and select the connected phone as an external drive.
4. Copy the photo from the DCIM/Camera folder to the right place.

Method 2: Through the computer

• 🖥️ Connect both smartphones to the PC via USB.
• 📂 On the computer, open folders. DCIM on both devices and drag the photo.
• 🔄 Use TeraCopy or the built-in copy function to speed up. Windows/macOS.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5) when connected USB You need to manually select the file transfer mode (MTP) In the notification curtain, otherwise the computer will not see the internal memory.

Local area network 6 (FTP-server SAMBA)

For advanced users who often transfer large amounts of data between devices on the same network, the creation of a new system is suitable. FTP-server SAMBA. This allows you to transfer photos at the speed of the local network (50-100 MB/s) without size restrictions.

How to set up FTP-server:

1. Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app from Google Play.
2. Launch it. FTP-server in application settings (usually in the "Network" or "Connections" section»).
3. Remember the server address (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.10:2221) and the login details.
4. On the second device, connect to this address via any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager → “FTP”).

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Speed is limited only by your router (on Wi-Fi 6 up to 900 Mbps).
• 📁 You can transfer entire folders without compression.
• 🔒 Authentication is supported (password access can be restricted).

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FTP-Server is the best choice for transfer RAW-photo-in 4K/8K, When speed and safety of metadata are important.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the most reliable ways to transfer photos to Xiaomi, there can be problems.

1 Mi Share doesn't find the device

• 🔄 Reboot both smartphones.
• 📶 Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi enabled (even if there is no network connection).
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔍 Check if the antivirus is blocking or VPN linkage.

2. Quick Share hangs on "Connection..."

• 📍 Enable Geolocation (required for Quick Share!).
• 🔄 Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again.
• 📱 Make sure that the screen is unlocked on the receiving device.

3. Photos via Bluetooth are blurred

• 📸 It's normal behavior -- Bluetooth always compresses photos. Use Mi Share or Quick Share.
• 🔍 If you want to transfer via Bluetooth, try sending the photo as a File, not as an Image (in some versions). MIUI it reduces compression).

4.Mi Cloud does not upload photos

• 🌐 Check your internet connection (Mi Cloud does not work through some of the services you use). VPN).
• 📱 Update the Mi Cloud app on Google Play.
• 🔄 Go to your Mi Account account.
• 📂 Make sure there is enough free space on the device for the download cache.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions