How to connect Xiaomi phone to PC: step-by-step instructions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones have become an integral part of the digital ecosystem, but for full file management, backup or debugging applications, they often need to be connected to a personal computer. from simple transfer of photos to deep system settings through ADB-The right connection guarantees not only the speed of data transfer, but also the security of your device.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the existing ways to synchronize Mi and Redmi smartphones with Windows, macOS or Linux. USB-cable, port mode settings, and wireless connection methods that are often ignored by beginners but are extremely useful for experienced users.

Before we get to the specific instructions, it is worth noting that the success of the operation depends on several factors: the port serviceability, the version of the operating system and the correctness of the selected settings in the developer menu.

Equipment preparation and cable inspection

The first and most obvious step is to physically connect devices, but many users make the mistake of using the first wire they get. The cables fall into two main types: charging only and full-fledged cables for data transmission. If your computer makes a connection sound but doesn't see the phone, the problem is probably the wire.

The original cable that came bundled with the Xiaomi device is recommended. It is guaranteed to support fast charging and high-speed data standards. Cheap counterparts often have thinner veins, which leads to a drop in speed or a complete lack of connection when trying to transfer large files.

• 🔌 Check the integrity of the connector USB on the phone - there should be no dust or pile.
• 💻 Try connecting the device to different devices. USB-port of the computer, preferably to port 3.0 (blue).
• 📱 Make sure that the smartphone screen is unlocked during connection.

Also worth paying attention to the state of the computer ports: If you use a stationary PC, connect the cable directly to the motherboard at the back, rather than the front panel of the case, where the voltage can be unstable, this is especially important when working with external hard drives or when you are firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Using damaged or substandard cables can short-circuit the power controller on the smartphone motherboard, requiring expensive repairs.

Configuring USB mode in the Android system

Once the cable is physically connected, the phone defaults to Charge Only, a standard MIUI and HyperOS security behavior that prevents unauthorized access to data when connected to public charging stations, and you need to manually change this setting to see files.

Immediately after connecting, lower the notification curtain from the top of the screen. There you will see the system notification Charging through USB» or «USB-Connection. Click on it to open the mode selection menu. This is the key to successful synchronization.

In the list that opens, select the mode MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, or "File Transfer." It's this protocol that allows a computer to see internal memory and SD-Smartphone card as removable media. PTP, The computer will perceive the phone as a camera, which will limit access to only the folder with photos.

Sometimes the system may not offer a choice of mode at once, so try turning off the screen, then turning it back on and reconnecting the cable. If that doesn't help, maybe debugging over USB is forbidden in the developer's settings, although this is not always required for normal file transfer, but it affects the stability of the connection.

Use of Mi PC Suite and alternative software

The official Mi PC Suite program was once the main tool for controlling Xiaomi smartphones from a computer, allowing you to make backups, update firmware and manage contacts. However, for now, support for the official version has stopped, and it may not work correctly with new models on Android 11-14.

However, for older devices or specific system repair tasks, it can be useful. For modern tasks, it is better to use universal tools such as Android File Transfer for macOS or the built-in Windows 10/11 Explorer.

If you are running Windows, it is often enough to simply have built-in MTP drivers. Installing additional software may only be necessary if the computer does not respond to the connection of the new device at all, in which case you can try to install drivers manually through Device Manager.

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi and FTP

Cable connection is not the only, and often not the most convenient way to transfer data. The Wi-Fi standard allows you to organize the transfer of files at high speeds without confusion of wires. MIUI It's built-in. FTP-The server that makes this process simple.

To activate, open the standard File Manager app. On the menu on the left or top, look for Deleted or an icon. FTP. By clicking "Run," the system will create an address where the computer can access the phone's file system. ftp://192.168.1.XX:XXXX.

• 📡 Make sure your phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔐 At the first start, you can set a password to protect data from outsiders.
• 💻 Enter the displayed address in the address bar of any Windows Explorer.

The advantage of this method is that you can access all the folders at once, like a network drive, so you can copy files, delete them, and even run videos directly from your phone without taking up space on your PC hard drive. The speed is limited only by the power of your router.

⚠️ Attention: When in use FTP-Public Wi-Fi connections (cafes, airports) can only be intercepted on trusted home networks.

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For maximum Wi-Fi transfer speed, use the 5GHz standard. If the router is dual-band, make sure that both devices are connected to a 5G network, not 2.4GHz.

USB Debugging and ADB Mode for Advanced

For developers and enthusiasts who want to take full control of the device, a USB debugging mode is required.This tool, known as ADB (Android Debug Bridge), allows you to control the phone through the computer’s command line, install applications, make full backups, and modify the system.

To activate this feature, you first need to become a developer. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version), and a notification will appear “You became a developer.” After that, the “Additional” → “Development by USB” switch will appear in the “Additional” → “Development by Developer” menu.

adb devices


adb shell




adb pull /sdcard/photo.jpg C:/Photos/

When you first connect the debugging phone to a new computer, you'll see a request on your smartphone screen for debugging permission from that computer, and you'll need to tick "Always Allow" and click "OK." Without that confirmation, the computer won't be able to send any commands.

Using ADB opens up hidden functions that are not available through a normal interface, such as removing system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, or making an exact copy of partitions of the system, but beware: the wrong command can lead to unstable system operation.

Solving Common Connection Problems

Even if you follow all the instructions, you can crash, you can see the phone as a charger, or you can see the connection interrupted all the time, and often the reason is because you don't have MTP drivers on Windows.

To rectify this, open Device Manager on your PC. Find an unknown device or device with an exclamation mark (often under Other Devices or Portable Devices) on the list. Right-click, select Update Driver» → «Search for drivers on this computer» → «Select a driver from the list of available drivers. From the list, select «MTP USB Device».

• 🔄 Reboot both devices – it solves 50% of problems with the freeze of sync services.
• 🔌 Clear the connector. USB-C on the phone from dust with a wooden toothpick.
• 🛡️ Disable the antivirus for the duration of the connection if it blocks the new device.

If the problem persists, try to turn off the mode «USB-“modem” in the phone settings, as it can conflict with file transfer mode. Also on some models, Xiaomi helps to switch mode USB Default in the menu "For developers" from "Without data transfer" to "File transfer».

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If the computer sees the phone but doesn’t show files, the problem is almost always solved by changing the USB mode in the notification curtain or reinstalling the MTP driver in Windows Device Manager.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)