Transfer photos from Xiaomi Redmi to your computer via USB: 5 ways + error solving

Transfer photos from Xiaomi Redmi to your computer via USB-cable seems like a simple task – until you encounter errors like “Device not recognized” or no folder DCIM This is a particularly important issue for Redmi Note owners. 10/11/12 redmi 9/10/13C, where MIUI This article will not only limit access to files by default, but will not only discuss the standard way to connect via MTP-mode, but also alternative methods (including debugging of the USB and cloud services, and solve typical errors related to drivers and settings MIUI.

It's important to understand that the transfer process depends on the version of MIUI (since MIUI 12, the algorithm has changed) and the operating system of the computer. For example, in Windows 11, additional drivers may be required, and in macOS, special software like Android File Transfer. We tested all methods on current firmware in 2026 and collected checklists for each step.

1.Phone Preparation: Enables File Transfer over USB

Before you connect Xiaomi Redmi to your computer, you need to activate file transfer mode (MTP) in the settings. By default, the smartphone can use USB only for charging. Here's how to fix this:

1. Connect your phone to your PC using the original USB Type-C cable (or Micro-USB for older models).
2. The phone will display a notification, "Charge via USB," and tap it.
3. In the window that opens, select File Transfer (or File Transfer in English firmware).

If no notice appears:

• 🔍 Check the cable – non-original accessories can only support charging.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone and reconnect.
• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → USB and manually select the mode MTP.

Unlock the phone screen|Use the original USB-cable|Select the "File Transfer" mode in the notification|Check the connection to the front. USB-PC port (rear ports may not supply enough power)

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Redmi models with MIUI 14+ may require additional permission to access files via USB, which the system requests when you first connect. If the window with the resolution does not appear, go to Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Special Access → USB Access and enable the option for the Files application.

2. Standard transmission through Windows Explorer

Once MTP mode is activated, the phone should be defined as a removable disk. In Windows 10/11, the algorithm is as follows:

1. Open the conductor (Win + E).
2. In the “This Computer” section, look for a Redmi device (usually displayed as “Xiaomi” or a phone model).
3. Go to Internal storage → DCIM → Camera – here are the photos taken on the main camera.
4. Copy the files you want to use on your computer (drag by mouse or use Ctrl + C/Ctrl + V).

If the DCIM folder is empty:

• 📁 Check out other folders: Pictures (for screenshots), Downloads (uploaded photos), MIUI (system-screenshot).
• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in Explorer (View) → Hidden elements).
• 📱 On the phone, open the gallery, highlight the photo and click Export – this will create copies in the folder. DCIM/Exported.

Through USB-cable|Bluetooth.|Through the Cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)|By e-mail|Another way.-->

⚠️ Note: If your computer gives an error "Device not recognized", the problem may be in the drivers. For Windows, download the official Mi package PC Suite from Xiaomi or install drivers manually through Device Manager (Portable Devices section»).

3. Alternative methods of transmission without USB

If the cable connection is not working, use one of these methods:

Tips for Mac owners: If the phone is not identified in Finder, install the Android File Transfer utility (official site: android.com/filetransfer).The app supports MIUI, but may not work with beta versions of firmware.

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If you want to transfer a lot of photos (for example, 500+ photos), archive them in ZIP on your phone (Files → Compress app) to speed up copying and reduce the risk of errors.

4. Solving errors when connecting via USB

Let’s look at the most common problems and their solutions:

Mistake 1: The computer can't see the phone

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (front ports on PCs are often weaker than rear ports).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 🛠️ Update drivers through Device Manager (section "Controllers") USB»).
• 📱 Turn off the phone. OTG (if it was activated).

Error 2: DCIM folder is empty or inaccessible

• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer.
• 📁 Check the access rights: Settings → Annexes → Permit management → Warehouse → Give permission to the Files app».
• 🔄 Connect the phone in mode PTP (for cameras instead MTP.

Error 3: Driver error (code 28 or 43)

Download and install manually:

• 🖥️ MediaTek Driver (for Helio G processors): mediatek.com
• 🖥️ Qualcomm Driver (for Snapdragon): qualcomm.com
• 🖥️ Universal driver ADB: developer.android.com

5. Transfer of photos via ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires you to turn on the developer mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on the MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Download ADB Tools (like Google’s Platform Tools) and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.
5. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute: cd C:\adb adb devices If the device is displayed, continue:
6. Copy the photo on your PC: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/C:\Photos\ (replace the C:\Photos\ path with the desired folder).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Do not follow commands unless you understand their purpose, which can cause malfunctions in the phone. -rf /sdcard/DCIM Delete all photos without recovery.

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ADB is the most reliable way to transfer files if MTP doesn't work, but it does require technical skills and developer mode.

Process Optimization: How to Speed Up Transmission

Transferring hundreds of photos over USB can take hours.

• 🚀 Use it. USB 3.0 (ports are usually blue and the original cable is the speed of the 5-10 once.
• 📂 Archive the photo in ZIP on your phone before copying (saving time on transferring small files).
• 🔌 Put the phone in the back. USB-The system port – they have better power supply.
• 🛑 Close all programs on your PC that may be using the drive (such as antiviruses or cloud syncs).

For Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and later models with USB-C 2.0 support, the maximum transfer speed is ~40 MB/s. To check the current speed:

1. Connect your phone and start copying.
2. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) → Productivity tab → Drive.
3. Rate the speed in the section "Disk Activity".

Professional advice: If you regularly transfer large volumes of photos, set up automatic sync via Google Photos or Mi Cloud. For example, in Google Photos you can create a shared folder and configure the download of originals only over Wi-Fi so as not to waste mobile traffic.

7 Security: How to protect photos when transferring

Transferring personal photos requires attention to security.

• 🔒 Use encrypted archives (for example, through the 7-Zip password-wise) when transmitted over open networks.
• 🚫 Do not connect your phone to public computers (internet cafes, libraries) – the risk of infection with viruses.
• 🛡️ Before connecting to someone else's PC, turn off in the Debugging settings USB.
• 📱 Set the password on the folder. DCIM via applications like File Lock or AppLock.

Xiaomi phones with MIUI 14+ have enabled the “Personal Data Protection” feature, which blocks access to photos via USB without unlocking the screen. To turn it off, go to Settings → Privacy → Privacy → Privacy Protection and deactivate the option.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos from Xiaomi Redmi