Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi are equipped with huge amounts of internal memory, but even 512 GB or 1 TB sooner or later filled. 4K, RAW-Camera photos and heavy apps take up space faster than they seem, and at that point, the user is faced with the question: how to transfer files to a computer on Xiaomi to make room or back up important data?
There are several effective synchronization methods, from the classic wired connection to wireless cloud technologies, the choice of the specific method depends on the amount of information transmitted and the speed of your Internet connection, we will analyze all the current options, including working with the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, so you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
It is important to understand that the data transfer process may vary depending on the version of the Android operating system installed on your device. Below we will look at step-by-step algorithms that are guaranteed to help you copy photos, videos and documents to the hard drive of a PC or laptop without losing quality.
Connection through USB-cable: the classical method
The fastest and most reliable way to copy large amounts of data is to use it. USB-You'll need a quality cable, preferably original, to start with, that came with the device, because cheap analogs can only support charging, but not data transfer. USB-port of the computer and unlock the screen of the device.
After a physical connection, Android defaults to Charge Only. To get your computer to see the phone's file system, you need to change this setting. Lower the notification curtain on the top of the screen, find the USB Charge notification (or similar) and click on it. In the menu that appears, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
⚠️ Note: If your computer doesn’t respond to the connection even after changing mode, try using another one. USB-port, preferably located directly on the motherboard (back of the system unit), and not on the front panel or through USB-hub.
Once you select MTP, you'll see a new removable device on your computer screen. When you open "My Computer," you'll see your smartphone as a separate drive. The DCIM folder usually stores photos and videos from the camera, and the Download folder stores files downloaded from the Internet. Just drag and drop the items to your hard drive.
☑️ Checking the connection USB
Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi and FTP
If you don't have a cable at hand or the phone connector is shattered, a great solution is to transfer data over a local Wi-Fi network. This method allows you to access the smartphone file system directly through the Windows Explorer without installing additional software on your PC. MIUI (The “files” in HyperOS have a function FTP-server.
To start the process, make sure that both your smartphone and your computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Files app on your phone, go to the Files (or Folders) tab, and find the section «FTP» or "Network Access." Press the "Start" button and the address in the format appears on the screen. ftp://192.168.x.x:port.
- 📡 Open “Conductor” on your computer and enter the displayed address in the address bar at the top.
- 💾 The system will create a network connection, and the phone files will be available as regular folders.
- 🚀 The speed of copying depends on the power of your router and can reach the speed of the router. 10-20 Mbps.
This method is especially convenient because it requires no drivers and works on any operating system, including macOS and Linux. However, it is worth remembering that if you break the connection or turn off the smartphone screen (if you configure power saving), the connection can break.
Why is FTP slower than USB?
Using cloud services Xiaomi and Google
Cloud technology allows you to forget about wires and local networks, synchronizing data automatically. Xiaomi smartphones are deeply integrated service Xiaomi Cloud, which by default can reserve contacts, messages, notes and, most importantly, photos and videos from the gallery.
To use this method, go to your Mi Account settings and enable sync for Gallery, and then all new images will be uploaded to the server, and you can access them from your computer by going to i.mi.com and logging in under your login, and you can download files in their original quality.
The alternative is Google Photos and Google Drive. If you have a Google One subscription, you can upload photos in original quality and access them from any PC through a browser, ideal for anyone who wants to access their data from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection.
⚠️ Note: Free cloud space is limited (usually 5-15 To store large archives of video in 4K You will need to purchase an additional subscription, otherwise synchronization of new files will stop.
Mi PC Suite and Third-Party Software
The official Mi PC Suite program was once the main tool for managing the phone, but at the moment it is practically not updated and may not work properly with new models based on Android 12/13/14. However, for older devices (for example, the Mi 9 series and earlier), it can still be useful for creating full backups of the system.
For modern smartphones, it is better to use universal management tools such as Android File Transfer (for macOS) or OpenMTP. These programs provide a stable connection and a user-friendly interface for drag-and-drop operations. Also popular are applications like AirDroid, which allow you to control your phone through a browser, transfer files, read SMS and even take screenshots of the PC screen.
When using third-party software, always download it from official developer sites to avoid malware.Installing ADB (Android Debug Bridge) drivers may be required for some advanced features, but standard MTP protocols are usually sufficient for easy file transfer.
Comparison of data transmission methods
To make it easier for you to choose, we have prepared a summary table comparing the main characteristics of the methods considered, each of which has its advantages depending on the specific task: speed, convenience or autonomy.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-cable (MTP) | High (up to 400 Mb/s) | No. | Low. |
| FTP over Wi-Fi | Average (10-20 Mb/s) | No (locally) | Medium |
| The cloud (Mi Cloud/Google) | Depends on the tariff. | Yes. | Low. |
| Mi PC Suite | Tall. | No. | Tall. |
As can be seen from the table, for a one-time transfer of a heavy video or archive of photos for a week is best suited USB-If you have to quickly drop a few documents in an office or a cafe without cable, you're indispensable. FTP messenger.
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USB-cable remains the uncontested leader in speed and stability when working with gigabytes of data, while clouds benefit from the ease of access from any device.
Solving Connection Problems
Quite often, users are faced with a situation where the computer simply cannot see the phone. In 90% of cases, the problem is the cable. Many cables that come with Power Banks or are bought in the transition are "charging" and do not have internal contacts to transmit data.
The second common reason is the lack of drivers in Windows. Although modern versions of Windows 10 and 11 typically install them automatically, older versions or specific models may require manual installation. Go to Device Manager, find a device with a yellow exclamation mark (often under "Other Devices" or "Portable Devices"), right-click and select "Update Driver" → "Automatic Search".
Also check the debugging mode for USB. Although it is not required for normal file transfer, enabling it sometimes helps the system recognize the device. → The phone. → 7 times press "Version" MIUI» → Settings → Advanced settings → For developers → Debugging by USB.
- 🔌 Try connecting your phone to another USB-port, preferably USB 3.0 (blue).
- 📱 Reboot both devices: both smartphone and computer.
- 🛡️ Check for antivirus that can block external devices.
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If you frequently connect your phone to this computer, the menu will be available. USB-Select “Remember Choices” or “Always Allow” to not confirm access every time.