How to Open a Xiaomi Phone Gallery via Computer: A Detailed Guide

Why Accessing Xiaomi Gallery From Computer Can Be Difficult

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a problem: connect the phone to the PC via USB, and in the conductor instead of the DCIM folder with a photo, only the Internal Storage folder with no access to media files is visible. The reason lies in the security policy of MIUI, the Xiaomi brand shell. By default, the system hides personal data, including the gallery, to protect the user from accidental deletion or leakage of files.

Another common situation is that the phone is defined as a "media device" (MTP), but folders open empty or with an error "no access."

• 🔹 Incorrect connection mode (choose Charging instead of File Transfer")
• 🔹 Outdated drivers on your computer (especially relevant for Windows) 7/10)
• 🔹 Lockdowns MIUI When you first connect to a new PC
• 🔹 Damaged files in the folder DCIM or Pictures.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to access the Xiaomi gallery from a computer - from the standard one. USB-Connections to cloud services and ADB-All methods tested on the MIUI 12–14 and relevant for 2019–2026 models.

Method 1: Connect via USB in MTP mode (standard method)

The most obvious, but often problematic, way to make it work is to set the data modes on your phone and computer correctly.

⚠️ Note: If you connect Xiaomi to your PC for the first time, unlock your phone screen and confirm access to data on the screen "Allow access to files?". Without this folder will not appear even with the right settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable (cheap cables often don’t support data transfer).
2. The phone will have a USB charger notification.
3. Select File Transfer (MTP or File Transfer).
4. On your computer, open this computer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). The phone should appear as a removable disk.
5. Go to the Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera folder (there are photos taken on the main camera).

If the DCIM folder is empty or not open:

• 🔄 Reconnect the cable by selecting another USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 blue).
• 🔧 Update the drivers MTP on PC through Device Manager (section "Portable devices").
• 📱 Reboot your phone and reconnect.

The cable supports data transfer (not just charging)

The phone has selected the mode "File Transfer" (MTP)

MTP drivers installed on PC

The phone screen is unlocked when connected

folder DCIM Checked for hidden files-->

Method 2: Using Mi PC Suite (Official Software from Xiaomi)

Mi PC Suite is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi that makes it easy to manage files, backup and update firmware. The program automatically recognizes the phone and provides access to the gallery, even if the standard MTP does not work.

Advantages of the method:

• 📁 Visual interface for viewing photos and videos (like in a conductor, but more convenient).
• 🔄 Ability to synchronize contacts, messages and applications.
• 🛡️ Security: Data is transmitted via a secure protocol.

How to use:

1. Download Mi PC Suite from the official website (version for Windows).
2. Install the program by following the instructions (administrator rights are required).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer mode.
4. Run Mi PC Suite. The phone will be automatically determined.
5. Go to the Files → Gallery section to view and copy media files.

⚠️ Attention: Mi PC Suite does not support macOS. For Mac, use Android File Transfer (official software from Google) or the method with the help of the Internet. FTP via Wi-Fi (described below).

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If Mi PC Suite can't see your phone, try to disable "Debugging by" USB" in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).

Method 3: Access through FTP Wi-Fi (without) USB-cable)

If the cable is damaged or you want to transfer files without wires, use the built-in FTP-server MIUI. This method works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note. 10/11/12 and POCO X3/F4.

How to set up FTP-server:

1. Connect your phone and computer to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On the phone, open the Explorer (or Files) application.
3. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select FTP.
4. Click Launch. Remember or copy the address of the view. ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
5. On your computer, open either Windows or Finder (Mac) and enter the copied address into the address bar.
6. Enter the login and password (by default - anonymous without a password or data from the phone).

Pros and cons of the method:

Method 4: Cloud Services (Mi Cloud, Google Photos, Yandex.Disk)

If you need to sync the gallery with your computer periodically, the easiest way to use cloud storage is to use it. Xiaomi offers its own service, Mi Cloud, but it has a 5GB limit for free (for comparison, Google Photos gives 15GB).

Comparison of cloud services for Xiaomi:

How to set up autoboot in Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
2. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or sign up).
3. Activate the gallery synchronization switch.
4. Select Download only over Wi-Fi so you don’t waste mobile traffic.
5. On your computer, open i.mi.com and download the photos.

⚠️ Warning: When you first turn on sync in Mi Cloud, the phone can freeze for 10 to 30 minutes if there are thousands of photos in the gallery!

Method 5: ADB-Teams for experienced users

If standard methods do not work (e.g., the phone is not defined as MTP-The device can be accessed via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires command line skills, but gives you full control over the file system.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 The phone has debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then for developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type: adb devices If the phone appears in the list, go further. If not, check the drivers.
3. Copy all the photos from the folder DCIM on the computer: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Photos\ (substitute C:\Xiaomi_Photos\ pathway).
4. To view the list of files without copying: adb shell ls /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/

When ADB comes in handy:

• 🔧 The phone is not defined as MTP-device.
• 📂 You need to copy system files (for example, screenshots from the system). /Pictures/Screenshots).
• 🛠️ Requires massive renaming or sorting of files.

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ADB — The only way to access files is if the phone screen is broken, but USB-debugging was included earlier.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right settings, access to the gallery can be blocked, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

Error 1: Phone is connected, but folders are empty

• 🔍 Check if files are hidden. In Windows Explorer, click View → Hidden elements.
• 📁 Make sure that the photo is saved to a standard folder. DCIM, Not on a memory card (check the camera settings).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and PC.

Mistake 2: The computer can’t see Xiaomi at all

• 🔌 Try another cable or port. USB.
• 🖥️ Update drivers through Device Manager (section "Controllers") USB").
• 📱 On the phone in the developer settings, turn off debugging by USB, Then turn it on again.

Mistake 3: FTP-server not running

• 📶 Make sure your phone and PC are on the same network (check out) IP-address).
• 🔒 Turn off the firewall or antivirus on your PC (they can block the connection).
• 📱 Reinstall the Explorer application through Settings → Annexes.

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If neither method works, check your phone for viruses with Malwarebytes or Dr.Web. Some malware blocks access to files.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions