The modern smartphone has long been the digital hub of our lives, where thousands of contacts, photos and important documents are stored. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the need to transfer this data to a new gadget or save it in a safe place. Synchronization allows you not only to back up, but also to access information from any other device in real time.
The process of sharing data between a phone and a computer or cloud storage may seem complicated only at first glance.In fact, the Mi Account ecosystem and standard Android protocols offer flexible tools for any task. In this article, we will detail how to properly configure data transfer so that you never lose important information.
Whether you’re using Windows or macOS, the connectivity methods will remain similar, although they have their own nuances: the key is to choose the right way: wired connection for fast transfer of large files or cloud storage for automatic backup. Understanding these mechanisms will help you manage device memory efficiently.
Using Mi Cloud for Automatic Synchronization
The most integrated way to save data is to use the company’s own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which allows you to automatically save contacts, messages, notes, voice recordings and even call schedules as soon as they are created or changed.
Unlike local copying, cloud sync is done in the background and does not require a permanent cable connection. You can access your data at any time by logging in from any browser on i.mi.com. This is especially useful if you lose or break your smartphone, since all data will be instantly restored to the new device.
However, it is worth considering that free space in the cloud is limited, usually it is 5 GB. If you plan to store heavy photos and videos there in original quality, you will have to purchase an extended plan.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure that Find Device is activated in Mi Cloud settings, otherwise you won’t be able to remotely lock your phone or erase data in the event of a theft.
What happens when the cloud overflows?
To set up automatic backup, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. Here you will see a list of applications and data types available for saving. Just turn on the right switches, and the system will start uploading information to the servers.
Connecting Xiaomi to a computer through USB-cable
Wired remains the fastest and most reliable method for transferring large amounts of data, such as 4K video or archives with games. To get started, you will need an original or quality USB Type-C cable that can transfer data, not just charge the battery. Once the cable is connected, the phone will automatically determine the connection to the PC.
By default, the device can only connect in charging mode, which will not allow you to see files on the computer. You need to lower the notification curtain and click on the notification “Charge via USB”. In the menu that opens, you should select File Transfer (MTP) or Photo Transfer (PTP) mode if the first option does not work.
☑️ Connection check
Once you select the mode, a new removable device will appear on the computer screen, and you can copy files to folders. DCIM, MIUI Or Download by drag and drop, and the speed of the copy depends on the version. USB-port on the computer and the quality of the cable.
If the computer can’t see the phone, try connecting it to another. USB-port, preferably located on the back of the system unit, it is also worth checking whether the driver is installed MTP USB Device in Windows Device Manager. Sometimes it helps to turn on debugging mode USB developer menu.
Wireless data transfer over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
When you don't have a cable, wireless technology comes to the rescue. The standard file manager, MIUI-shell Explorer, has a built-in remote management feature that allows you to access your phone's file system from your computer via a local Wi-Fi network without installing any additional software.
To activate this function, open the Explorer app, go to the Service section or click on the menu, and select Network Access or Remote Control. The phone will give you an address of the type ftp://192.168.1.5:2121, which you need to enter into the address bar of any conductor on your PC.
This method is convenient because it requires no drivers and works on any operating system, including Linux and macOS. Transfer speeds are limited only by your router’s bandwidth and Wi-Fi range (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
- 📶 Make sure your phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- 🔒 When first connected, you may need to confirm access on the smartphone screen.
- ⚡ For maximum speed, use the 5GHz band if the router supports it.
💡
For permanent employment FTP-server on your phone add the Explorer app to the boot list and remove background activity restrictions in the battery settings.
Bluetooth is also an option for small file transfers, but its speed is extremely low by modern standards, and it only makes sense to use it to transfer contacts or small documents when other methods are not available.
Synchronization with macOS and use of Android File Transfer
Owners of Apple Mac computers to work with files of Android devices will need a special utility, since Finder does not see Xiaomi phones natively in MTP. The official solution is the Android File Transfer program, which you need to download and install on your computer.
Once the app is installed and the cable is connected, the phone must be automatically identified. If this does not happen, check if access to data is allowed in the dialog window that appears on the smartphone screen. The interface of the program is simple and is a two-panel file manager.
| Parameter | Windows (Conductor) | macOS (Android File Transfer) |
|---|---|---|
| Need for PO | Not required | Installation required |
| Stability | Tall. | Medium (depending on cable) |
| Speed. | Maximum | Maximum |
| Drivers. | Automatically. | In the utility |
An alternative is OpenMTP or HandShaker, which are often more stable than Google’s official software, which has a more modern interface and is better at interfering.
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On macOS, connection stability is directly dependent on cable quality: use certified USB-C to USB-C cables for better results.
Solving Connection and Driver Problems
Often, users are faced with a situation where the computer sees the phone only as a charger. Most of the time, the problem lies in the cable, which is designed solely for charging and has no data lines, and replacing the cable with an original or quality counterpart solves the problem 90 percent of the time.
If the cable is working, but the device is not determined, it is worth checking the settings. USB-Configuration in the developer menu. To enter this menu, you need to click on the build number several times in the About Phone section. Inside the Developer section, find the Configuration item. USB by default and select File Transfer.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install drivers from unverified sources. Use only official updates through Device Manager or built-in system tools.
In rare cases, you need to manually install Google USB Driver drivers or Xiaomi specific drivers for ADB mode. This is true for advanced users engaged in debugging or flashing the device.
Alternative methods: Mi PC Suite and third-party software
The official Mi PC Suite program was once the primary tool for managing smartphones, but now its support is limited and it may not work properly with newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS. However, for older models, it can still be useful for creating full system backups.
Third-party solutions like AirDroid or MyPhoneExplorer offer advanced functionality: notification management, SMS, It's a screen that's directly from the computer monitor, and these applications work both over Wi-Fi and over the computer. USB-cable, providing a user-friendly interface for daily use.
For users who are concerned about security, it is recommended to use open tools with connection encryption, and transferring sensitive data through third-party cloud services without encryption can carry risks.