How to transfer data to Xiaomi: everything from Mi Share to cloud services

Transferring data to Xiaomi devices is a challenge that every user faces, whether it is transferring photos from an old phone, downloading documents to a tablet or synchronizing music with a smart watch. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by the limitations of MIUI, the features of specific models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) or the lack of a suitable cable. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transferring data from standard (via USB and Bluetooth) to advanced (ADB, Mi Share and LAN), and give recommendations on the optimal method depending on the size of the device and file type.

We'll focus on the typical issues: why Xiaomi can't see a computer through USB, how to get around the MIUI restriction on transferring files over Bluetooth, and what to do if Mi Share permanently terminates the connection. All the instructions are tested on the latest versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS) and are relevant for devices released after 2018, and if you're looking for a way to transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi or vice versa, here's a solution.

1. Data transmission through USB-cable (MTP)

The most reliable and quick way is to connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB, but many users are faced with the fact that the device is not defined as a drive, the reason is often due to connection mode or no drivers.

To activate file transfer:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC with a cable (preferably original or certified).
2. A notification will appear on the Xiaomi screen – tap it and select File Transfer (MTP).
3. If the notification does not appear, unlock the screen and go to Settings → Connected devices → USB.
4. Open this computer - the device should appear as a removable disk.

If Xiaomi is not visible in the conductor:

• 🔌 Check the cable – cheap non-original cords often only support charging.
• 🖥️ Install Mi drivers PC Suite (official website of Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices and reconnect.
• 🛠️ On Windows, update drivers through Device Manager (Portable Devices section).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) At the first connection, you need to unlock the debugging USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers.

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If file transfers are too slow, try connecting to a USB 3.0 port (usually blue) on your computer or using a USB-C 3.1-enabled cable.

2. Mi Share: Wireless transmission between Xiaomi devices

Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) is a proprietary service from Xiaomi for file sharing between the brand’s devices over Wi-Fi Direct. Transfer speeds reach 10-20 MB / s, which is comparable to USB 2.0, but without wires. The main advantage is the lack of restrictions on file size (unlike Bluetooth).

How to use Mi Share:

1. Open the Mi Share app (if not, download it from Google Play).
2. On both devices, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
3. On the sending device, select files and click Send → Mi Share.
4. On the receiving device, confirm receipt (if necessary, enter the PIN-code).

Frequent problems and solutions:

• 📶 Does not see the device: Make sure both smartphones have Wi-Fi Direct enabled in the Wi-Fi settings.
• ⏳ Transmission cuts: Turn it off VPN Check if the firewall is blocking the connection.
• 🔒 Demands. PIN-code: On some firmware (e.g. HyperOS) PIN It is automatically generated – check the notification.
• 📁 Not all files are transferred: Mi Share does not support folder transfer – send files one at a time or archive them.

3. Bluetooth transmission: when justified

Bluetooth is convenient for transferring small files (up to 50-100 MB), but Xiaomi has a nuance: MIUI limits speed and sometimes blocks the transfer of certain types of files (for example, APK).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. On the sending device, select the file → Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select the target device from the list.
4. On the receiving device, confirm acceptance.

How to speed up transmission:

• 🔄 Use Bluetooth 5.0 (available on Xiaomi models from 2019).
• 📂 Archiving files before sending them (for example, to the ZIP).
• 🔋 Charge both devices – low charge can interrupt transmission.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware Xiaomi blocks the transmission APK-To get around this, rename the file extension (e.g., from.apk to.zip) before sending, and return the original name after transfer.

4.Cloud Services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud and Alternatives

Cloud storage is convenient for transferring data between devices of different brands or when physical access to a smartphone is limited. Xiaomi offers its own service - Mi Cloud (5 GB for free), but it is less versatile than Google Drive or Telegram.

Comparison of services:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Integrated into MIUI, Automatically synchronizes contacts and photos, but limited in scope.
• 📁 Google Drive: 15GB free, cross-platform, but slow downloading of large files.
• 📎 Telegram: Unlimited storage for files up to 2 GB, instant transfer via Saved Messages.
• 🌐 LocalSend (alternative to AirDrop): Open source software for local network transmission without cloud.

How to transfer files via Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired data types (photos, contacts, notes).
3. On another device, log in to the same Mi Account and download files.

5. Data transmission over a local area network (FTP/HTTP)

If you have access to a single Wi-Fi network, you can arrange file transfers over FTP or HTTP protocols without using the cloud, a method that is useful for transferring large amounts of data (such as backups) between a PC and Xiaomi.

Instructions for FTP-smartphone-server:

1. Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app.
2. Open the side menu. → Remote access → Launch. FTP-server.
3. Remember the address (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.10:2221) and the login details.
4. On the computer, open Explorer → enter the address in the address bar → enter the login / password.

For transmission via browser (without) FTP-client):

1. Use Send Anywhere or Portal by Pushbullet.
2. Generate. QR-code.
3. Open the link on a PC or other smartphone to download.

⚠️ Attention: When in use FTP Turn off Mobile Data on Xiaomi to avoid additional traffic waste, it is also recommended to temporarily disable the firewall on your PC if the connection is not established.

Install FTP-server-app|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Remember. IP-port|Shut down. VPN both-device|Check the access rights to the folders-->

6. Advanced Methods: ADB and Fastboot

If standard methods do not work (for example, the smartphone does not turn on or USB-Ports are damaged, data can be transmitted through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This technique requires technical skills, but is indispensable for data recovery or firmware installation.

How to transfer files via ADB:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC (download from the official Android Developers website).
2. On Xiaomi, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps → For developers).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line: adb push C:\path\to\file /sdcard/folder on phone
4. To download files from your phone: adb pull /sdcard/file C:\path/PC

When to use ADB:

• 🔧 Recovery of data from a broken screen.
• 📱 Installation APK lock-in.
• 🔄 Transfer of firmware for manual update.

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ADB allows you to bypass the MIUI restrictions on file transfer, but requires enabled debugging over USB. On devices with a locked bootloader, some commands may not work.

7. Data transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi (and vice versa)

The data transfer between iOS and Android is a separate story. Xiaomi offers the official Mi Mover app, but it doesn't work well.

Modes of migration:

• 📱 Mi Mover: Xiaomi's official app, portable contacts, photos and messages, only works when Xiaomi is first turned on.
• ☁️ Google Drive: Backup with iPhone → Recovery on Xiaomi through Settings → System system → Recovery.
• 💬 Telegram/WhatsApp: Send files via messengers (suitable for small volumes).
• 🖥️ iTunes + PC: Exporting data from iPhone to computer → Transfer to Xiaomi through USB.

How to transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to Xiaomi:

1. Back up your iCloud chats on your iPhone.
2. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and sign in to the same account.
3. Use third-party tools like Backuptrans (paid) to convert backup.

⚠️ Note: When transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi via Mi Mover, some photo metadata (date of shooting, geotags) may be lost. To avoid this, export the photo in original quality via iCloud or iTunes before transferring it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer to Xiaomi