7 Proven Ways to Transfer Data from Xiaomi Phone to Your Computer

Why Standard Methods Don't Always Work

Transferring files from Xiaomi to a PC seems like a simple task — until you run into typical problems. Users often complain that the phone is not identified through the phone. USB-cable, and wireless methods slow down or require complex adjustments. MIUI: By default, the device blocks the transmission of data through MTP-protocol, unless you activate the developer mode or confirm trust in the computer.

Another common mistake is trying to copy files directly from the DCIM or Downloads folder without considering that Xiaomi encrypts some of the system data. For example, screenshots from Pictures/Screenshots may not show up on a PC without exporting it beforehand. We tested 7 transfer methods — from classic USB to cloud services — and isolated the only way that works 100% even with a locked bootloader.

Method 1: Transmission through USB-cable (MTP)

The most reliable method, if you set up the connection correctly, is suitable for transferring large files (4K video, archives, backups) without loss of quality. Importantly, use the original Xiaomi cable or a certified USB-C/USB-A - cheap analogues may not support the MTP protocol.

Instructions:

• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC through USB. On the screen Xiaomi will appear notification “Charging through” USB» — tap him.
• 🔄 Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). If this item is not available, go to Settings. → Connection and sharing → USB.
• 🖥️ On your computer, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). The phone will appear as a removable disk.
• 📁 Go to the Internal Storage folder (Internal Memory) or SD Card (if you have a memory card).

Check the cable for damage.|Restart your phone and PC|Update the drivers MTP computer-based|Activate the developer mode and enable debugging by USB|Try another one. USB-port (preferably 3.0)-->

⚠️ Attention: On Windows 10/11 You may need to manually install the Mi Phone Manager driver, download it from Xiaomi’s official website (Support section) and start the installation with administrator permissions. If the phone is still not identified, check if the connection is blocked by an antivirus (for example, Kaspersky or Avast).

Method 2: Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (Mi Share)

The Mi Share feature (formerly Mi Drop) allows you to transfer files without cables at speeds up to 20 MB/s. Works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, as well as on PCs with the installed Xiaomi PC Suite application. The main plus is there are no restrictions on file size (unlike Bluetooth).

How to use:

1. On the phone, open the Mi Share app (the icon with two arrows).
2. Select files to transfer (you can pack) and click "Send".
3. On PC, open Xiaomi PC Suite → tab “Mi Share” → “Get files”.
4. Confirm the connection on your phone by entering a 4-digit code from your PC screen.

⚠️ Note: If Mi Share doesn't find a PC, check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even if Wi-Fi Direct is used, POCO X3) function may conflict with VPN — Turn it off before transfer.

USB-cable|Mi Share (Wi-Fi)|Bluetooth|Cloud services|Other-->

Method 3: Using the Xiaomi Cloud

Xiaomi Cloud is integrated into the firmware and provides 5GB of free space, suitable for backing up photos, contacts and notes, but inconvenient for large files (such as videos), the main advantage is that synchronization works automatically if you turn on the option in the settings.

Step-by-step:

• 🌐 On the phone go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• ☁️ Enable synchronization for the desired data types (e.g., Gallery or Files»).
• 🖥️ On PC, open your browser and log in to i.mi.com under the same account.
• 📥 Select files and click Download. For folders, use archiving (Zip).

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To save traffic, upload files to the cloud only via Wi-Fi. To do this, select “Wi-Fi Only” in the “Sync” section of the Mi Cloud settings.

⚠️ Note: If you delete files from your phone, they will automatically disappear from the cloud after 30 days (unless the Recycle Bin feature is enabled). Also note that Xiaomi Cloud does not encrypt data – do not store sensitive information there (for example, document scans).

Method 4: Transmission through FTP-server (for advanced servers)

This method is for those who need to regularly transfer large amounts of data (for example, backups or other data). RAW-photo). FTP-Xiaomi server allows you to connect to your phone as a network drive and copy files via Total Commander or FileZilla.

Setting:

1. Install an FTP Server application (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) on your phone.
2. Launch it. FTP-server in the application and write down the address (for example, ftp://192.168.1.10:2221).
3. On PC, open the Explorer and enter the address in the address bar (or use it). FTP-client).
4. The login and password are usually anonymous or specified in the server settings.

⚠️ Attention: FTP-The server on the phone consumes a lot of power and drains the battery for a long time. 1-2 Connect Xiaomi to charge during transmission, and don't use this method on public Wi-Fi networks, because data is transmitted without encryption!

Method 5: Transfer via third-party applications

If the standard methods don't work, use specialized applications. We tested the 3 most reliable ones:

• 📲 Send Anywhere: transfer files through 6-digit code. Speed up to 10 MB/s, no size restrictions.
• 🌍 Pushbullet: syncs notifications and files between devices, convenient for sending screenshots or documents quickly.
• 🔗 LocalSend: open analogue of AirDrop for Android. encrypts data and does not require the Internet (works over a local network).

Let’s take a look at Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on your phone and PC (or open the web version at send-anywhere.com).
2. On the phone, select files and click “Send” → “Generate code”.
3. On PC, enter a 6-digit code in the “Get” field.
4. Confirm the transmission on the phone.

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The application side is the best choice if you want to transfer files to a PC from another OS (Linux, macOS) or to devices without any USB-port (tablets, Chromebooks).

Method 6: Use OTG-cable

It's a non-standard, but it works if you don't have a computer on hand. OTG-cable (USB-C → USB-A) The transmission speed depends on the class of the flash drive (for example, the flash drive, USB 3.0 gives you 30MB/s).

How to transfer files:

• 🔌 Connect the flash drive to the phone through OTG-cable.
• 📁 In Xiaomi Explorer (Files) open the section «USB-accumulator».
• 📤 Copy the desired files to the flash drive (you can use "cut out» → «Insert»).
• 🖥️ Connect the flash drive to the PC and copy the data.

⚠️ Note: Not all flash drives are compatible with Xiaomi due to power restrictions. If the drive is not defined, try using an externally powered hub. Also avoid flash drives larger than 128GB – some phone models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) They don't support exFAT.

Method 7: Transfer via email or messengers

The most versatile, but inconvenient method for large files, suitable for sending 1-2 documents or photos in a compressed form.

• 📧 Email: maximum 25MB per letter (in Gmail), up to 50MB in Mail.ru.
• 💬 Telegram: up to 2GB per file, but requires video compression.
• 📱 WhatsApp: 100MB limit, strong photo compression.

How to send:

1. Open an app (such as Gmail or Telegram).
2. Create a new message and attach files (in Telegram, use the File function).
3. Send it to yourself or another account.
4. On PC download files from the mail / messenger.

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For sensitive data, use Telegram with the “Secret Chat” enabled – files are encrypted and not stored on servers.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions