When you connect a Xiaomi smartphone to your computer USB-And the cable, the system automatically selects the mode of data transfer, but it's not always the optimal choice. PTP, a to work with the file system — MTP. The problem is that the manufacturer doesn’t always make this setup obvious: in different versions. MIUI The path to the menu may be different, and in some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro).+) The option is hidden behind additional gestures.
In this article, we will not only show you where the work mode is located. USB on Xiaomi depending on the firmware version, but we also explain which option to choose for specific tasks - from charging to debugging through ADB. We also discuss common errors (such as when the computer can't see the device) and how to fix them without resetting "USB-Device not "identified" or want to speed up file transfers, this guide will help you avoid hours of pointless reconnection.
Why USB Mode Is Important: The Difference Between MTP, PTP, and Other Protocols
Most users don't even realize that when you connect a smartphone to a PC or Mac, there are several data protocols, each of which is optimized for a specific task, let's see how they differ and when to use them:
- 📁 MTP (Media Transfer Protocol is the standard mode for most modern Android devices, allowing you to manage files (copy, delete, rename), but with restrictions: for example, you can not change system folders or use the device as a removable disk.
- 📷 PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol is a simplified protocol originally designed for cameras, in which the smartphone displays as a digital camera, which is convenient for fast uploading of images to Lightroom or Photos (especially on a Mac). DCIM and Pictures.
- 🔌 No Data Transfer – the device is simply charged from USB-Useful if you connect to public charging (such as at the airport) and want to avoid the risk of malware transmission.
- 🖥️ RNDIS (USB Ethernet – a rarely used mode that allows you to use a smartphone as a USB-Internet modem: manually enabled and requires additional drivers on the PC.
- 🐍 MIDI — Mode for connecting musical instruments or controllers. Relevant for musicians using Xiaomi as a mobile device MIDI-device.
It is important to understand that not all modes are available on all models. For example, on POCO F5 you can choose between MTP, PTP and Charging, and on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the option of USB Ethernet for advanced users is additionally added. In addition, some protocols (for example, UMS - USB Mass Storage) were removed from Android since version 4.0 due to the risk of data corruption.
⚠️ Note: If you connect Xiaomi to Mac, the mode MTP It may not work properly due to the lack of native support in macOS. PTP Or install additional software like Android File Transfer.
Where is the USB mode setup on Xiaomi: ways for different versions of MIUI
The biggest challenge is the heterogeneity of the interface depending on the firmware version. The manufacturer regularly reworks the settings menu, so the path to the option may differ even on devices of the same generation. Below we have collected the current routes for the most common versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and popular models.
| MIUI version / Model | The Way to Setup USB | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14 (Xiaomi 13/13 Pro, Redmi Note 12) | Settings → Connections and Sharing → USB | The option only appears after the cable is connected, and on some devices you must first tap on the notification "Charge via USB". |
| MIUI 13 (POCO X4 Pro, Redmi 10) | Settings → Additional → USB mode by default | In some builds, the option is hidden. To see it, you need to turn on Developer Mode (7 taps by build number in About Phone). |
| MIUI 12.5 (Mi 11, POCO F3) | Settings → Connected devices → USB settings | On the lock screen, a notification with a choice of mode may appear - it can be used instead of the settings menu. |
| MIUI 12 (Redmi 9, Mi 10T) | Settings → System → Advanced settings → USB mode | On some devices, the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Developers → USB configuration by default. |
| Older versions (MIUI 11 and below) | Settings → Additional → USB Mode or through the notification curtain | On Xiaomi Mi A2/A3 (with pure Android) the path is different: Settings → System → For developers → USB configuration. |
If you don’t find the option on these paths, try the following algorithm:
- Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable.
- Unlock the screen (on some devices, the notification does not appear on the locked screen).
- Swipe down the notification curtain and find the message "Charge via USB" (or "USB to transfer files").
- In the window that opens, select the desired mode (for example, File Transfer for MTP).
How to change USB mode by default (so you don’t have to choose every time)
It's not easy to choose mode every time you connect, and fortunately, you can set the default protocol in MIUI, which will be activated automatically.
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version (you’ll see the message “You’re a developer!”).
Additional → For Developers
Settings → System → For Developers
"Configuration USB default"
"Default USB mode"
MTP
PTP
RNDIS
After that, when you connect to your computer, the smartphone will automatically use the selected mode. However, note that on some devices (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), this setting may be reset after updating the firmware.
Enable the developer mode (7 taps according to version) MIUI)|Find the section "For developers" in the settings|Select "Configuration" USB default"|Save changes and restart the device-->
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with pure Android (e.g. Mi) A3 or POCO X3 NFC In Android One mode, the option can be called "USB-Configuration and be in the developer menu without additional subsections.
What to do if your computer can’t see Xiaomi in MTP/PTP mode
One of the most common problems is when the smartphone is connected but not displayed in Windows Explorer or Finder on Mac, and the reasons can range from the lack of drivers to conflicts with antivirus.
1.Check the cable and port
First, eliminate hardware problems:
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original or certified) USB-C). Cheap cables often don’t support data transfers.
- 🖥️ Connect to the other one. USB-port on the computer (preferably) USB 3.0, usually blue).
- 📱 Reboot your smartphone and computer – sometimes it solves the problem with “hung” drivers.
2. Update drivers on PC
On Windows:
- Open Device Manager (click Win + X → select the appropriate item).
- Find the Portable Devices or Other Devices section, and your Xiaomi should be displayed there (possibly with a yellow exclamation point).
- Right-click on the device → “Update driver” → “Automatic search”.
- If it doesn’t help, download the official Mi PC Suite drivers from Xiaomi’s website.
On a Mac:
- Install Android File Transfer from the official Google website.
- If the device is not recognized, try switching to PTP mode – it is better compatible with macOS.
3.Tune in your smartphone
Sometimes the problem lies in the settings of Xiaomi:
- 🔒 Unlock the screen when connected - some versions MIUI Block data transmission on the blocked device.
- 🔄 Turn on Debugging. USB (Developer menus – this can help if the problem is related to device recognition.
- 🚫 Disable Battery Optimization for Applications Related to USB (Like Mi. PC Suite).
What to do if Windows is making an error "USB-device not identified"?
Hidden USB modes: RNDIS, MIDI and other rare options
In addition to standard MTP and PTP, Xiaomi has less obvious modes that can be useful in specific scenarios.
- 🌐 RNDIS (USB Ethernet: allows you to use your smartphone as a network adapter, useful if you want to share the Internet from your phone to your PC without Wi-Fi. To activate: Enable developer mode. USB choose RNDIS. On the PC in Network connections will appear a new device – configure shared Internet access. ⚠️ Warning: Windows may require manual installation of Remote driver NDIS. Download it from Xiaomi or use Mi. PC Suite.
- 🎹 MIDI — Mode for connecting music controllers. Relevant for musicians using Xiaomi as a MIDI-device DAW (for example, FL Studio or Ableton. To enable: Connect your smartphone to your PC. USB choose MIDI. V DAW Choose Xiaomi as the way you want it MIDI-input/output.
- 🔧 ADB (Android Debug Bridge is not a separate mode USB, But it needs to be activated to debug. To enable: Activate Debugging by USB You can put your smartphone on the PC and select mode. MTP or PTP (ADB In the command line, type in adb devices to check the connection.
On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and other flagships with MIUI 14 available experimental mode USB 3.2 Gen 2, which increases the data rate to 10 Gbps. To activate it, you need to enable the developer menu option "Enable USB 3.2" (available not on all devices).
How to speed up file transfer via USB to Xiaomi
Even in MTP mode, file copying speeds on Xiaomi can be slow, and here are some ways to increase it:
- 🔌 Use high-quality cable — cheap cables limit bandwidth. Xiaomi's original cables support USB 3.1 (speed up to 5 Gbps).
- 🖥️ Connect to the port. USB 3.0/3.1 (usually blue or marked with a symbol SS). Ports USB 2.0 speedily 480 Mbit/s.
- 📂 Archive files before transfer – one large archive (.zip or.rar) is copied faster than thousands of small files.
- 🔄 Disable cloud sync (e.g. Google Photos or Mi Cloud) for transfer time – background processes can inhibit copying.
- 🛠️ Use alternative protocols: For Linux: mount your device via jmtpfs or gvfs-mtp. For Windows: try it out MTP Drive (allows you to mount Xiaomi as a disk).
If you regularly stream large amounts of data (like 4K video), consider alternative ways to do this:
- 📡 Local area network – use applications like LocalSend or Snapdrop to transmit over Wi-Fi (speeds up to 50MB/s).
- ☁️ Cloud Services – Upload files to Google Drive or Mi Cloud and then download them to your PC.
- 🔗 FTP-server - install on a smartphone FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer and Launch FTP-server.