How to set up data transfer from Xiaomi Redmi phone to your computer via USB: full guide

Why? USB-Xiaomi Redmi connection doesn’t work out of the box»?

You connected Xiaomi Redmi to your computer through USB-And you can see the charging instead of the expected access to the files, and that's the typical situation for the brand's smartphones, because the default device is Redmi devices (be it Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or whatever). POCO X5) activate the "Charge Only" mode when you first connect to a new PC, so the manufacturer protects user data from unauthorized access.

The second common scenario is that the computer doesn't recognize the phone at all, and that's because of missing MTP drivers or outdated MIUI firmware. For example, in versions of MIUI 13 and later, the connection algorithm has changed, so you need to have explicit confirmation of trust on the smartphone screen, and without that, even a properly configured cable will not give you access to the file system.

In this article, we will analyze all the stages of configuration - from choosing a cable to solving errors such as «USB-And we'll also find out why Redmi is sometimes defined as a portable device, but doesn't open a folder, and how to fix it without flashing it over.

What cables and ports are suitable for data transmission?

Not everyone. USB-The cable is capable of transferring files. Cheap charging cables often lack contacts to transmit data, and they only have power (+5V and GND). To check your cable:

• 🔍 Check the connector: inside the USB-type C should be 9 contacts (cheap cables often have 4-5 of them).
• 💻 Connect the cable to the PC and check in Device Manager (Controllers section) USB): If an unknown device appears, the cable is working.
• 📱 Try another cable: original from Xiaomi or certified USB 2.0/3.0 marked SS (SuperSpeed).

It is also important to consider the version. USB-port:

Critical: Charger cables (such as those from a wireless headphone suite) don’t support data transfer 90 percent of the time, and if you use a cable, Windows or macOS, it will simply ignore the connected Redmi as a drive.

Step-by-step setting up the data transfer mode on Xiaomi Redmi

Now, the main thing is to activate the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode on the phone, which allows the computer to "see" Redmi as a removable disk, and the instructions are universal for all models on MIUI 12-14:

1. Connect your phone to your computer with the original cable.
2. The Redmi screen will show a notification, "Charge via USB," and tap it.
3. In the window that opens, select File Transfer (MTP). If this is not the case, see the Problem Solving section below.
4. On your computer, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) – the phone should appear as a separate drive.

If the notification does not appear:

1. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB.
2. Manually select File Transfer (MTP) mode.

Download the latest MTP drivers for Windows (from Microsoft website)

Use the original Xiaomi cable

Unlock the phone screen before connecting

Turn off the developer mode (if it was turned on earlier)-->

Important: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+) may require additional confirmation of trust in the computer after selecting the MTP.

Install drivers for Windows (if your computer can’t see Xiaomi)

If an unknown device or Code 28 error is displayed in Device Manager after connecting Redmi, then there are no MTP or ADB drivers.

Method 1: Automatic installation via Windows Update

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find your Redmi in the list of Portable Devices or Other Devices (may appear as MI or Android).
3. Right-click → Update the driver → Automatic search.

Method 2: Manual installation of Xiaomi drivers

If the automatic search does not help:

1. Download Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi).
2. Install the program – it will automatically install the desired drivers.
3. Restart your computer and reconnect your phone.

For Windows. 7/8 A separate installation may be required MTP-port through the control panel → Programmes and components → Enabling Windows components (check on the box) MTP-port).

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If after installing drivers, the phone is still not determined, try connecting it to another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 on the back of the system unit).

Features of connecting to macOS and Linux

Owners of a MacBook or a Linux PC face other nuances, such as macOS, which by default does not support MTP, instead uses PTP (for photo) to gain full access to files:

For macOS:

1. Install Android File Transfer (official software from Google).
2. Connect Redmi and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Run Android File Transfer – the phone will appear as an external drive.

For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

At the terminal, do:

sudo apt install mtp-tools libmtp-common libmtp-runtime


sudo modprobe usb-storage quirks=0x2717:0x*f

Then plug in the phone and use a file manager (like Nautilus or Dolphin).

Note: Access errors may occur on Linux, and the team will help:

sudo chmod 777 /media/$USER/*

Solving common connection errors

Even after you've set up correctly, there are some failures.

1.The phone charges but does not transfer files

• ⚡ Check the cable (see section above).
• 🔄 Switch the mode. USB on the phone: Settings → Connection and sharing → USB → File transfer.
• 🖥️ Update drivers on PC (see section "Install drivers»).

2. Mistake «USB-device not identified” (Code 43)

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port USB 2.0 on the motherboard).
• 🔄 Turn off Debugging mode by USB in Developer Settings.
• 📥 Remove old drivers through Device Manager (right click) → Remove the device).

3. folders on the phone are empty or not open

• 📁 Check the permissions: some folders (for example, DCIM) may be hidden.
• 🔒 Unlock the phone screen before connecting.
• 📵 Restart your phone and computer.

⚠️ Note: If you connect Redmi to your computer at work or in a public place, always choose Charge Only after you complete file transfer. MTP Intruders can access your data through special software.

Alternative ways to transfer files (if USB is not working)

If the USB setup has not yielded results, use alternative methods:

1. Wi-Fi transmission (Mi Share or FTP)

• 🌐 Turn on Mi Share on your phone (Settings) → Connection and sharing → Mi Share).
• 💻 On PC, open your browser and enter the address displayed on the Redmi screen.
• 📁 Select files to transfer (speed up to 10 MB/s).

2. Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

• ☁️ Upload files to Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi Cloud).
• 💻 Download them to PC via i.mi.com.

3. OTG-adapter + flash-drive

• 🔗 Connect. USB-flash drive to the phone OTG-adapter.
• 📤 Copy files to a flash drive, then connect it to the PC.

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USB-Connectivity is the fastest and most reliable way, but if it doesn’t work, Wi-Fi and cloud services are a viable alternative without data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer with Xiaomi Redmi