How to transfer files from phone to phone Xiaomi: all the ways for 2026

Introduction: Why Standard Methods Don't Always Work

Transferring files between Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face restrictions on speed, compatibility or data volume. Classic Bluetooth slows down on large files, and cloud services require stable Internet. Meanwhile, Xiaomi has its own tools that many do not know about: for example, Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) transfers gigabytes of data at times faster than Wi-Fi Direct, but does not work on all models.

In this article, we've tried out the best ways to transfer files without losing quality and with MIUI 14/15 firmware in mind. We've tested each method on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 models to show real speeds and pitfalls. If you need to download photos in original resolution, 4K video or document archives, here's the best option.

Spoiler: The fastest way is a direct USB-C → USB-C cable with OTG support, but it requires an adapter for older Xiaomi models. The most versatile is the Mi Share, which bypasses Android's restrictions on file sharing between different brands.

1. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) is Xiaomi's proprietary tool

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary technology that uses a combination of Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth to transfer files at speeds up to 10-15 MB/s (in theory up to 20 MB/s on new models), the main advantage is the lack of file size restrictions and support for transfer between Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and even some other devices of other brands (for example, Oppo or Vivo via Nearby Share).

How it works:

• 📱 Sender: Open the files → select files → Press Share. → Mi Share.
• 🔍 Search: The device automatically searches for nearby phones with Mi Share enabled (must be activated in settings).
• 📤 Transfer: Confirm receipt on the second phone – files will start to be copied without compression.

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Models older than the Redmi Note 10 may need an update MIUI before version 12+.
• ⚠️ If Mi Share does not find the device, check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled in Settings. → Connections → Additionally.

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both phones |

Update the Files app to the latest version|

Turn off power saving mode (may interrupt transmission)|

Make sure there is enough space on the receiving phone

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Test speed: On the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the transfer of a folder with 50 photos (1.2 GB) took 1 minute 45 seconds (≈11 MB / s). For comparison, the same volume via Bluetooth 5.0 was transmitted for 12 minutes.

2. Direct USB-C cable → USB-C (fastest method)

If both phones support USB OTG, you can connect them directly with a USB-C cable - USB-C (or an adapter for Micro-USB on older models), this method provides speeds of up to 40-60 MB / s (on Xiaomi 12T Pro with USB 3.2) and is independent of Wi-Fi or mobile Internet.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C Data-enabled (not all charging cables are suitable!).
• 📱 On the sender phone: enable File Transfer Mode (MTP) customized USB.
• 🛠️ On the Recipient Phone: An Application may be required FX File Explorer or Total Commander to access a connected device.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the cable to both phones.
2. On the sender phone in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP).
3. On the receiving phone, open the file manager → find the connected device in the USB section.
4. Copy files as if from a normal flash drive.

💡

If the phone doesn't recognize the connection, try flipping the cable (USB-C is symmetrical, but some adapters require correct orientation), and check if the antivirus or power saving mode is blocking access.

Warning:

⚠️ On Redmi models 9A older than MIUI 11 may not work cable transmission due to the limitations of the Android kernel. in this case, use Mi Share or Wi-Fi Direct.

Mi Share (Xiaomi)|

Bluetooth|

USB| cable

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) |

Wi-Fi Direct

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3. Wi-Fi Direct: versatile but capricious

Wi-Fi Direct is an Android standard for direct file sharing without a router. In theory, it should work between any smartphone, but in practice Xiaomi often requires additional settings.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Press Wi-Fi Direct (on some models, the item is hidden in Additional).
3. Activate device search and connect to the receiver phone.
4. Use any file manager (e.g. Files by Google) to transfer.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔄 Can't see the device? Restart Wi-Fi on both phones or turn on Flight Mode for 10 seconds.
• 🚫 Transmission is cut off? Turn off Adaptive Brightness and Power Saving Mode.
• 📶 Make sure there are no other Wi-Fi networks on the same channel nearby (use the Wi-Fi Analyzer app to check for the same link).

💡

Wi-Fi Direct consumes significantly more battery than Mi Share, due to constant network scanning.For transferring large files (>500 MB), it is better to use a cable or Mi Share.

Bluetooth 4: Slowly but Reliable for Small Files

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way. On Xiaomi with Bluetooth 5.0/5.2, speeds reach 1-2 MB/s, but in practice often drops to 500-800 KB/s due to interference.

How do I tell you?

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones.
2. On the sender phone, select files → Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select the receiver and confirm acceptance.

Limitations:

• ❌ Maximum file size: 50–100 MB (depending on model).
• ❌ When transmitting video or archives >300 MB high probability of error "Failed to send".

Tips for speeding up: Before transferring files to.zip – this will reduce their size and reduce the risk of communication breakdown.

5. Cloud services: when there is no cable at hand

If physical transfer is not possible (for example, phones in different rooms), you can use cloud services. Xiaomi offers its own solution - Mi Cloud, but it has a limitation: free available only 5 GB, and download speed depends on your Internet.

Comparison of services:

How to transfer via Mi Cloud:

1. Upload files to Mi Cloud via the Files app.
2. On the second phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account.
3. Download files from the Cloud section.

Warning:

⚠️ When transmitted via Mi Cloud, photos and videos can be compressed to resolution. 1920×1080, even if the original 4K. To avoid quality loss, upload files to the.zip archive.

Local area network 6 (FTP or HTTP-server)

For advanced users: you can deploy on one of the phones FTP-server HTTP-server and download files via a browser or file manager, a method that requires you to connect to a single Wi-Fi network, but bypasses Android's restrictions on file sharing.

Instructions for HTTP-server (via the server) FX File Explorer):

1. Install FX File Explorer from Google Play.
2. Open the app. → Network → HTTP-server.
3. Click Launch and copy the address (e.g. http://192.168.1.100:8080).
4. On the second phone, open this address in the browser and download the files.

Advantages:

• ⚡ Speed is limited only by your router (up to 50-100 MB/s on Wi-Fi 6).
• 📁 You can transfer entire folders without compression.

Disadvantages:

• 🔌 Shared Wi-Fi network (not working via mobile internet).
• 🛡️ No encryption – do not transfer sensitive data.

7. NFC: for small data only (business cards, links)

NFC on Xiaomi supports only small portions of data, such as contacts, links or text notes, which is useless for files, but can be useful for fast sending:

• 🔗 Links to cloud files (e.g. Google Drive).
• 📇 Business card (.vcf files).
• 📝 Short text messages (up to 1 KB).

How to use:

1. Enable NFC in Settings → Connections.
2. Open a file or link → Share. → Android Beam: Some models of Xiaomi are called NFC-transmission).
3. Hold the phones back to each other (the NFC antenna is usually located at the top).

Important: NFC consumes a minimum battery, but only works at a distance of 1-2 cm. On POCO and Redmi models without an NFC chip (for example, Redmi 9C), this method is not available.

Comparison of all methods: what to choose?

Conclusion:

• 🏆 For speed: Cable USB-C or Mi Share.
• 🌐 For remote transmission: Mi Cloud or Telegram.
• 📱 Wi-Fi Direct (if Mi Share does not work).

FAQ: Frequent questions