Transfer photos from Xiaomi smartphone to computer via USB-cable seems like a simple task, until you run into the typical problems: the phone is not defined as a drive, Windows requires drivers, and files are displayed in an uncomfortable format. MIUI, which affect the transmission speed and connection stability.
Features of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — own firmware MIUI, which often blocks automatic connections USB We'll show you how to get around these limitations without risking data, and we'll also compare the speed of transmissions across different modes (MTP, PTP, USB-If you have previously encountered errors such as "Device not recognized" or "No access to folders", here you will find solutions explaining the reasons for the error.
At the end of the article — FAQ We've also added a section for advanced users with alternative methods of transmitting data, which can be used to answer frequent questions (for example, why the computer sees the phone but does not see the photo, or how to transfer files if the smartphone screen crashes). ADB and cloud services, in case USB-The connection does not fundamentally work.
1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for USB connection
Before you connect your phone to your computer, you need to configure MIUI settings, otherwise the system may block access to files.
- 🔌 Check the cable: use the original USB-Xiaomi cable or certified USB-type cable C/Micro-USB (Cheap analogues often do not support data transfer, only charging).
- 🔋 Charging your phone: if the battery level is below 20%, MIUI can limit the function USB energy-saving.
- 🔒 Unlock the screen: The first connection requires you to confirm access on the phone itself (does not work if the screen is locked with a password or fingerprint).
- 📱 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI (below 12.5) there may be no drivers for MTP-protocol.
The most common mistake is ignoring the unblock request USB-If you've previously enabled this mode (for example, root access), the system may require confirmation each time you connect:
- Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number to activate Developer Mode.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and disable the option to withdraw permissions USB-debugging.
⚠️ Note: If you connect your phone to a public computer (such as an internet cafe), do not confirm. USB-This gives you full access to the device's data, including personal photos and passwords.
2. Selection of regime USB-connection: MTP, PTP storage
When you connect your Xiaomi phone to your PC via USB, the system will suggest you choose the mode of operation, which depends on which files will be available and at what speed:
| Regime. | Description | Transmission speed | It's a photo fit. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) | Standard mode for transferring media files (photo, video, music). | Medium (up to 40 MB/s) | ✅ Yes. |
| PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) | Optimized for photos, but restricts access to other folders. | Low (up to 10MB/s) | ✅ Yes, only a photo) |
| USB-accumulator | The phone is displayed as a flash drive, but requires formatting a memory card. | High (up to 100 MB/s) | ❌ No, only for SD-map) |
| Charging. | Power only, data transmission is off. | — | ❌ No. |
The MTP mode is optimal for transferring photos. If it does not work:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone and reconnect.
- 🖥️ Update the drivers MTP on your computer (download from Microsoft or through Device Manager).
- 📲 Reset the settings. USB In Settings → Connections → USB (readily MIUI 13+).
The original Xiaomi cable is used
Phone unlocked (no pin code on the screen)
MTP mode is enabled in the notification curtain
MTP drivers are installed on your computer (for Windows 7/10)
The option “Charge Only” is disabled in the settings USB-->
3. Step-by-step instruction: transfer photos from Xiaomi to PC
Follow this algorithm to avoid errors:
- Connect the cable to your phone and computer. Use the USB 3.0 port for maximum speed.
- Unlock the Xiaomi screen and select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification.
- Open the Explorer on your PC: the phone will appear as a removable drive (e.g., Redmi Note 12).
- Go to the Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera folder (there are photos taken on the main camera).
- Copy files to the desired directory on your computer (e.g. This computer → Documents → Photos from Xiaomi).
Critical detail: if the folder DCIM Empty, check the camera settings in MIUI. In some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) photos are saved by default in Pictures or on the Internet. SD-map.
To speed up the process:
- 📂 Archive the photo in ZIP Directly on the phone (via Files) → Select → Compress) to transfer them in one file.
- 🔍 Use a search in Windows Explorer: type in.jpg or.png to find all the images on your phone.
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If the computer can’t see the DCIM folder, try connecting the phone in PTP mode – sometimes this helps to bypass MTP errors. After transfer, return to MTP, as PTP is 3-4 times slower.
4. Solving common problems
If your Xiaomi phone is connected but the photos are not displayed or are transmitted with errors, check the following points:
Problem 1: The computer can't see the phone
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).
- 🖥️ Reinstall drivers: Open Device Manager (Win) + Find portable devices → [Xiaomi model. Right-click. → Update the driver → Automatic search.
Reset the USB settings
Settings → Connections → USB → Reset configuration
Problem 2: DCIM or Pictures folders are empty
- 📸 Check your camera settings: photos may be saved to the Mi Cloud or on the cloud. SD-map.
- 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer (View) → Hidden elements).
- 📁 Use the file manager on your phone (like Files by Google) to find the folder with the photo manually.
Problem 3: Error "Device not recognized"
This error is caused by driver conflict or faulty cable.
- 🔄 Connect your phone to another computer to rule out port issues.
- 🛠️ Remove old drivers: 1. Open Device Manager. 2. Find an unidentified device (yellow triangle). 3. Right-click → Remove the device. 4. Reconnect the phone.
- 🔌 Use a cable from another device (such as a Samsung or Google Pixel) to check the integrity of the wire.
- 🔌 ADB (For the experienced users: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Photos\Xiaomi Required: on USB-debugging and installed ADB PC-only.
How to transfer a photo if the screen of Xiaomi crashed?
6. Process optimization: how to transfer photos faster
The speed of the photo transfer over USB depends on several factors.
- 🔌 Use it. USB 3.0: Blue ports on the computer provide speeds up to 5 Gbps (versus 480 Mbps) USB 2.0).
- 📁 Transfer in folders, not one file – this reduces processing time.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache before transfer: Settings → Warehouse → Clear cache (accelerate file reading).
- 🔄 Disable sync with the cloud for transfer time (for example, Google Photos may inhibit access to files).