How to quickly and safely transfer data from your computer to your smartphone Xiaomi

Transferring files from your computer to Xiaomi devices is a challenge that every user faces. Whether you want to upload photos, documents, music or videos, choosing the right method determines the speed, security and convenience of the process. Modern Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones support several ways to share data, but they are not all equally effective in different situations.

In this article, we will discuss 7 current ways to transfer files, from classic USB connections to advanced cloud technologies, which method to choose for large files (for example, 4K movies), how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI when connecting to a PC, and why some methods may not be available on older models, and pay special attention to the hidden MIUI settings, which speed up data transfer by 2-3 times.

Transfer of USB-Cable: classics with nuances

Connection through USB-cable remains the most reliable way, especially for transferring large amounts of data (from 1 GB), but Xiaomi users often face the problem when the smartphone is not defined as a drive or offers only charging. MIUI and default settings.

To connect Xiaomi to the PC correctly:

• 🔌 Use the original cable from the kit – cheap analogues may not support data transfer.
• 📱 When you first connect, unlock the smartphone screen and select File Transfer mode (MTP) notice.
• 🖥️ On a Windows PC, you may need to install Mi drivers PC Suite (download from the official website of Xiaomi).
• ⚙️ If the smartphone is not displayed, check the developer settings: turn on Debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

⚠️ Attention: On models POCO F5 And newer, when connecting to a MacOS, you may need to install Android File Transfer, while transfer speeds on a Mac are 30-40% lower compared to Windows.

To speed up transmission on USB 3.0+ models:

1. Use USB 3.0 port on your PC (usually blue).
2. Format the flash drive in exFAT or NTFS for >4GB files.
3. Turn off MIUI Optimization in the battery settings for the Media app.

2. Wireless transmission via Mi Drop (LocalShare)

Mi Drop (formerly Xiaomi LocalShare) is a proprietary solution for wireless file transfer between Xiaomi, POCO and Redmi devices, the advantage of which is the absence of file size restrictions and high speed (up to 20 MB / s on new models).

• 📶 Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or hotspot enabled on your smartphone).
• 🔄 On the PC you need to install official Mi software PC Suite or use the web version of drop.mi.com.
• 🔒 On the smartphone, enable Mi Drop in Settings → Connection and sharing → Mi Drop.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Mi Drop on your smartphone and select Send.
2. Select files (any formats, including.apk, are supported).
3. Click the PC in the list of recipients – the smartphone will generate QR-code.
4. Scan the code using the Mi PC Suite or the web version.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ Transferring files via Mi Drop >1GB is automatically compressed. To disable compression, go to Mi Drop Settings → Additionally. → Shut down compression.

Install Mi. PC Suite on PC|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network|Enable Mi Drop in the smartphone settings|Shut down. VPN PC-phone-->

3. Cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud and alternatives

Using cloud storage is convenient for file transfers if you don't have physical access to a smartphone or cable. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud service (5GB for free), but it has limitations:

• 📁 Maximum file size: 2 GB (for free accounts).
• ⏳ Download speeds vary by region (Russia may be slower due to servers in Singapore).
• 🔐 Files are encrypted, but Xiaomi has access to metadata.

Alternatives:

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. Download files to Google Drive from your PC.
2. On your smartphone, open the Google Drive app and log in to the same account.
3. Find the files in the My Disk section and click Download.

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If you want to transfer a folder that saves the structure, archive it to.zip before uploading to the cloud. On your smartphone, use RAR or ZArchiver to unpack.

4. Transfer through FTP-smartphone-server

For advanced users FTP-A smartphone server is a universal way to transfer files over a local network without restrictions, speeds up to 50-70 MB / s (on Wi-Fi 6), and the main advantage is access to the file system of the smartphone as a network disk.

How to set up:

1. Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app on your smartphone.
2. Turn it on. FTP-server in application settings (usually in the Network or Remote Access section).
3. Remember the server address (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.10:2221) and the login details.
4. On PC, open Explorer → This computer → Add network placement and enter the server address.

Features:

• 🔌 It only works on one Wi-Fi network (not mobile internet).
• 🔒 For security, use a password (in settings) FTP-server).
• ⚡ In the models with MIUI 13+ FTP-The server can be blocked by battery optimization – add the application to the exceptions.

5 Use of Bluetooth and Nearby Share

Bluetooth and Nearby Share (from Google) are suitable for transferring small files (up to 500 MB) without an Internet connection. The speed is low (1-3 MB / s), but the method is universal and works even without Wi-Fi.

Comparison:

How to send it via Nearby Share:

1. Turn on Nearby Share on your smartphone (Settings → Google → Devices and Sharing → Nearby Share).
2. On PC, open nearby.google.com in Chrome.
3. Select files on your PC and click Send, then select your smartphone from the list.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI 12.5 and below, Nearby Share may not appear in the settings.Install it separately from Google Play.

6. Transfer via Telegram or other messengers

Messengers like Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp allow you to send files up to 2 GB (up to 20 GB for premium users in Telegram), the method is convenient for transferring documents or photos, but has drawbacks:

• 📉 Files are compressed (except for Telegram in File mode).
• 🕒 Speed depends on the messenger servers.
• 🔐 Files are stored on the company’s servers (except secret chats in Telegram).

How to send a file via Telegram:

1. Create a Save Messages chat (or any other chat).
2. Click Paperclip → File and select the document.
3. On your smartphone, open the same chat and download the file.

For larger files (>2 GB), use:

• 📁 Telegram Premium (up to 20 GB).
• 🔗 Sending a link to a file from the cloud (e.g. Google Drive).

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Telegram is the only messenger that does not compress videos and photos when sent in File mode.

7 Specialized Apps: Send Anywhere, Snapdrop

If standard methods do not fit, use third-party applications:

• 🌐 Send Anywhere – transfer without registration on 6-digit code (speed up to 10 MB / s).
• 🖥️ Snapdrop is a web service for transmission over a local network (analogue of AirDrop for Windows/Android).
• 📲 Xender – supports transfer of applications (.apk) and backups.

Example from Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on your smartphone and PC (send-anywhere.com).
2. On PC, select files and click Send – a 6-digit code is generated.
3. Enter this code on your smartphone in the Get section.

⚠️ Note: Apps like SHAREit or Xender often contain ads and ask for extra permissions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer to Xiaomi