Integrating Xiaomi and the tablet into a single ecosystem offers users a wide range of opportunities for multi-tasking and content management. Many device owners mistakenly believe that these gadgets exist in isolation from each other, but modern technology allows you to create a seamless bridge between them.
There are several proven connection methods, each with its own advantages depending on your current tasks. You can use cloud services for background synchronization, cable connection for fast transfer of gigabytes of data or special applications for mirroring the screen in real time. MIUI HyperOS, and also from having a stable Internet connection.
In this guide, we will go into detail all current methods, avoiding complex technical terms where possible. We will look at both standard system tools and third-party solutions, which often prove to be more functional.
Using the Mi Cloud cloud service for synchronization
The most elegant and subtle way to integrate is to use the manufacturer's proprietary cloud. Mi Cloud allows you to synchronize contacts, notes, voice recordings and, most importantly, a photo gallery. To start, you need to log into the same Mi Account on both devices through the settings menu.
Once authorized, the system will suggest selecting data types to sync, which is usually activated by default contacts and calendar, but to fully work with multimedia, you should manually activate the sync of the Gallery, which will allow you to automatically download new images from your smartphone to your tablet as soon as both devices are on the Wi-Fi network.
⚠️ Warning: Free cloud space is limited to 5GB. If you plan to sync photos and videos in high resolution, this volume may not be enough even for a week of active shooting, so watch for filling the storage.
An important advantage of this method is the ability to work with a clipboard. New versions of the HyperOS shell have a feature that allows you to copy text or an image on a smartphone and instantly paste them on a tablet. This works at the system level and requires no additional actions, except for the presence of an active Internet connection on both gadgets.
- 📲 Automatic update of contacts in the phone book of the tablet when changing them on the smartphone.
- ☁️ Access to the latest screenshots and documents without using cables.
- 🔄 Background synchronization that does not require user intervention after initial setup.
Wired connection through USB-cable
When you want to transfer a bulky file, like a movie to 4K or an archive with working projects, wireless methods can be too slow. In such cases, the classic wired connection comes to the rescue. To implement this method, you will need a quality USB Type-C cable that supports data transfer, not just charging.
Connect your smartphone to your tablet with a cable. The USB mode system notification will appear on your smartphone screen. By default, the device can go to Charge Only. You need to click on this notification and select the option "File Transfer" or MTP (Media Transfer Protocol), and then the phone file system will appear in the tablet file manager under "USB" or "External Drives".
☑️ Checking before connecting to USB
Not all tablets support the USB Host mode required for reading external devices. If the tablet is not responsive to the connection, it may be that its port is set up only to receive energy, in this case using the OTG adapter if the tablet architecture allows, although more often the smartphone acts as a periphery for the tablet.
The data transfer rate for such a connection is limited by the standard. USB-On old devices with a port. USB 2.0 speed rarely exceeds 20-30 MB/s, while modern ports USB 3.0 and 3.1 allow for speeding in 300-400 MB/s, which is comparable to fast memory cards.
| Parameter | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 / 3.1 | Wi-Fi Direct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max, speed. | up to 480 Mbps | up to 5 Gbps | up to 866 Mbps |
| Stability | Tall. | Very high. | Depends on the interference. |
| Charging devices | Yeah (slow) | Yeah (quick) | No. |
Wireless file transfer (Mi Share and Nearby Share)
Wireless technology is the most convenient way to transfer documents, photos or links in everyday use. The Xiaomi ecosystem is dominated by the Mi Share feature, which is analogous to AirDrop. It allows you to transfer files between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices at high speeds without consuming Internet traffic.
To activate the function, lower the notification curtain on both devices and make sure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled. Select a file in the gallery or file manager, click "Send" and select the tablet you find from the list. The receiver must confirm the request for data. Transfer speeds can reach tens of megabytes per second, which is significantly faster than Bluetooth.
What if devices can’t see each other?
If you're using a tablet from another brand, like Samsung or Lenovo, Google's standard Nearby Share protocol comes to the rescue, and it's built into most Android devices and works on a similar principle, with the main advantage of cross-platform, allowing you to connect devices from different manufacturers without installing additional software.
- 🚀 High speed transfer of large files without compression of quality.
- 🔒 Encrypting a connection when transmitting confidential data.
- 📱 The ability to transfer files to multiple devices at the same time.
Screen broadcasting and remote control
Sometimes the user needs to see the screen of the smartphone on the tablet in real time, not just transfer the file, but to show presentations, games or control the phone when it is physically located elsewhere. The built-in Translation feature in the MIUI shell allows you to display the image on compatible devices, but for cross-platform control it is better to use specialized applications.
One of the most powerful solutions is a bundle of Scrcpy (for advanced users) or applications like TeamViewer and AnyDesk. To work with the latter, you need to install a client application on a tablet and a host application on a smartphone. Once you enter your ID and password, you will have full control over the interface of your smartphone, including the ability to type text with the tablet keyboard.
⚠️ Note: When using remote access applications over the Internet, make sure the connection is secure. VPN to manage banking applications or enter passwords.
For gamers and those who value minimal latency, there are Wi-Fi Direct solutions that create a direct connection between devices, bypassing the router, which reduces latency to a minimum, making it possible to even run mobile games on a tablet using its large screen.
Synchronization of applications and notifications
Comfortable use of a bundle of devices is impossible without synchronizing the state of applications. When you read an article in a browser on a smartphone, you should be able to continue reading from the same place on the tablet. Chrome, Edge and Firefox browsers offer built-in tab synchronization, provided you log in to one account.
Telegram, Viber and WhatsApp allow for multiplatformity, and Telegram just enter a phone number and the history of correspondence will be downloaded in full. WhatsApp will require scanning. QR-code from the tablet screen through the application on the smartphone, which provides secure pairing.
Notifications can also be synchronized, although standard Android tools do not implement this well. Third-party launchers or special utilities for creating a “second screen” can broadcast notifications from smartphone to tablet, allowing you to quickly respond to calls and messages without being distracted from working on a large device.
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Use the Digital Well-Being feature on both devices to synchronize screen time limits and block distracting apps, creating a single digital environment.
Solving Connection Problems
Despite the fact that processes are fine, users may encounter difficulties. Often the problem lies in outdated versions of system components. Make sure that both devices have the latest security updates and Android versions. Data protocol version conflicts are a common cause of failures.
If the tablet can't see the smartphone over USB, try replacing the cable. Cheap cables are often just for charging and don't have data lines. It's also worth checking if USB debugging is included in the developer menu, although this is not usually required for normal file transfer, sometimes it helps the system recognize the device.
If you have a problem with Mi Share, try temporarily disabling VPN or antivirus, which can block local network interaction, and resetting network settings on both devices helps, which returns Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings to factory values.
A critical factor is the version of the Bluetooth protocol: for stable operation of Mi Share and quick search of devices, it is desirable to have Bluetooth 5.0 and higher on both gadgets.
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Most connectivity problems are solved by restarting communication modules (turn on / off air mode) or updating the system application Xiaomi Services.