Are you trying to transfer photos from Xiaomi to your computer but can't find the folder with the albums? Or want to free up your smartphone memory by copying pictures to your PC but standard connection methods don't work? The problem is familiar to many MIUI users - even when connected via USB, the system often doesn't display folder structure the way other Android devices do.
In this article, we will analyze 5 working ways to access Xiaomi albums through a computer: from classic wired connection to cloud services and the use of a new model. FTP-We'll focus on the hidden folders. MIUI, Not visible in standard Windows Explorer, but contain full-resolution original photos. MIUI 14 on file transfer and why some albums may appear blank.
1. Standard USB Connection: Why Your Computer Can't See Albums
The most obvious way is to connect your smartphone to your PC via a USB-TypeC cable (or MicroUSB for older models), but there are a few pitfalls for Xiaomi users:
- 🔌 Data Transfer Mode - by Default MIUI establishes the connection as “Charging” and not “File Transfer".
- 📁 Hidden folders – albums can be stored in the DCIM/.thumbnails or Pictures/Screenshots, which are not displayed without additional settings.
- 🔒 Lockdown MIUI — Some firmware requires you to unlock access through Settings → Additionally. → Permits USB.
To enable file transfer:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and unlock the screen.
- In the notification panel, tap on the option "Charging via USB".
- Select "File Transfer" (or "MTP" on older versions).
- On your computer, open "This Computer" - your Xiaomi should appear as a removable drive.
☑️ Checking the connection USB
If the folders with the albums are not displayed after these actions, check:
- 🔍 Availability of Mi drivers PC Suite (you can download it on the official website).
- 📂 Is the Settings option enabled → Warehouse → Additionally. → Show hidden files.
- 🔄 Try another cable – cheap cables often don’t support data transmission.
💡
If Windows gives an error "Device not recognized", try to connect the smartphone to another one. USB-port (preferably on the back of the system unit) often the problem lies in the lack of power on the front ports.
2.Where exactly are the albums stored in Xiaomi memory: the structure of the MIUI folders
Photos on Xiaomi are distributed across multiple folders, and their location depends on how they were taken or uploaded. Here are the main directories where you should look for albums:
| folder | Contents | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DCIM/Camera | Photos and videos taken with a standard camera | Originals in full resolution |
| Pictures/Screenshots | Screenshots of the screen | In MIUI 14, screenshots can be duplicated in DCIM/Screenshots. |
| DCIM/.thumbnails | Gallery miniatures | They don’t contain originals, only previews. |
| Download | Photos downloaded from the Internet or messengers | It may contain duplicates from Pictures. |
| MIUI/Gallery/cloud | Photos synced with Mi Cloud | Only for users with a linked Mi Account |
If you use Google Photos or other cloud services, the originals can be stored in the Android/data/com.google.android.apps.photos folder, but access to it is only possible with root rights.
What to do if the DCIM folder is empty?
3. Access via Mi Cloud: How to download albums on PC without cable
If the wired connection is not working or you want to access photos remotely, you can use Mi Cloud, a cloud storage from Xiaomi. This method is suitable for models Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12 and others with a pre-installed Mi Account.
Instructions for downloading albums:
- On your smartphone, open Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud account.
- Make sure that the synchronization of the Gallery is enabled (if not, turn on and wait for the download to be completed).
- On your computer, go to i.mi.com and log in under the same account.
- In the "Gallery" section, select the desired albums and click "Download".
Limitations of the method:
- 📉 Free tariff provides only 5 GB (that is about 1500 photos in average resolution).
- ⏳ Download speed depends on Xiaomi servers (may be slower than on the servers). USB).
- 🔒 Photos in original resolution are available only with a paid subscription.
Attention! If you delete photos from your smartphone, they will automatically be deleted from the Mi Cloud (if the option "Delete from the device after download" is enabled). To avoid losses, first download the backup to your PC.
4.Use of FTP-Servers: Quick access to files over Wi-Fi
If you do not have a cable or USB-The port is not working, you can set up FTP-This method allows you to transfer files over the local network without wires. MIUI 10 and newer.
To set up FTP:
- Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app from Google Play.
- Open the application, go to the "Network" or "FTP" section.
- Launch it. FTP-server (usually the "Start" or "Start" button").
- Remember the address of the species ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx, login.
- On your computer, open the "Conductor" (or Total Commander) and enter this address in the address bar.
Advantages of the method:
- 🚀 The speed of transmission is comparable to USB 3.0 (before 10-15 MB/s with good Wi-Fi).
- 📱 No physical connection (comfortable for tablets or laptops).
- 🔄 You can download and download files at the same time.
💡
FTP-The best way to transfer a lot of photos (for example, after a vacation) when the cable is not at hand and the cloud is too slow.
Do not use public Wi-Fi networks to FTP-Connections - your photos can be intercepted by third parties. FTP Only in the home or office network.
5. Alternative methods: ADB, TWRP and third-party applications
If the standard methods don't work, you can use advanced tools, which take longer to set up, but guarantee access to all files, including hidden ones.
Method 1: ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
It allows you to access the Xiaomi file system via the command line, suitable for advanced users.
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera C:\Xiaomi_PhotosWhere:
- /sdcard/DCIM/Camera – the path to the folder on the smartphone
- C:\Xiaomi_Photos — folder on the computer where the files will be copied.
Method 2: TWRP Recovery
If you have a custom TWRP recap, you can connect your smartphone in MTP mode directly from it:
- Turn off your smartphone and press Power + Volume up to log into TWRP.
- Select "Mount" → mark "System" and "Data".
- Connect the cable to the PC - the device will be defined as a removable disk.
Method 3: Backup applications
Software like Swift Backup or Titanium Backup (require root) allows you to create an archive of all your photos and download them to your PC, and the downside is the complexity of setting up for beginners.
💡
If you often transfer photos from Xiaomi to your PC, consider buying a card reader for MicroSD. This will eliminate driver problems and allow you to transfer files at a memory card speed (up to 90 MB / s on UHS-II).
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after completing all the instructions, Xiaomi users may encounter errors.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Computer doesn’t see Xiaomi when connected | MTP drivers not installed | Install Mi PC Suite or ADB drivers manually |
| DCIM folder is empty, but the photo is in the gallery | Photos saved to the cloud or on SD-map | Check /storage/extSdCard/DCIM or Mi Cloud |
| Error "Device not recognized" (Code 43) | Driver conflict or faulty cable | Try another cable or USB port, update the drivers |
| Photos are copied but opened as damaged | File system error or interrupted transfer | Copy files again or use CHKDSK to check the flash drive |
If you copy photos on your PC that open with artifacts or don't open at all, check:
- 🔄 Is the transfer of files interrupted (especially important for large ones) RAW-photo).
- 📸 File format – Xiaomi can save photos in.heic (you need a codec for Windows).
- 💾 Memory card integrity (if the photos were stored on the SD).