Changing your smartphone or sharing photos with friends is a situation that every Xiaomi owner faces, with MIUI and HyperOS offering a variety of data sharing tools that are often more effective than standard Android solutions, and understanding each method saves time and traffic.
Transfer speeds depend on the type of data you choose and the amount of information you have; local Wi-Fi Direct is orders of magnitude faster than classic Bluetooth; and owners of one brand of devices get the most performance from optimizing system protocols.
In this article, we will cover all the current methods of copying files, from built-in utilities to third-party applications, you will learn how to quickly transfer gigabytes of data without losing quality and the need for an Internet connection.
Use the built-in Mi Drop (ShareMe) app
The most effective regular tool is the Mi Drop app (renamed ShareMe in the newer versions of the shells), which uses Wi-Fi Direct technology to create a direct connection between devices without the need for a router, which provides high copy speeds of up to 40 MB/s and above.
To start work, you do not need to register or log in to your Mi Account account, although authorization expands the functionality. The process of transferring files between Xiaomi phones is as automated as possible: just select the recipient from the list of detected devices nearby.
☑️ Check before transfer via Mi Drop
The interface is divided into two main tabs: send and receive. When choosing a sender, the system scans the airwaves and offers a list of available devices. File transfer between Xiaomi is possible even if there is no Internet access, since the connection is established directly between Wi-Fi modules.
⚠️ Note: Mi Drop may request permission to access geolocation on its first run.This is a requirement of the Android operating system for the Wi-Fi scanner to work, the app does not use your coordinates to transfer data.
It is important to consider that when the smartphone is actively transmitting, the energy saving in MIUI can aggressively complete background processes, so it is better to keep the application in an active window. If the transmission is interrupted, check the battery settings for the specific application.
What if Mi Drop doesn’t see another phone?
Data transfer via Bluetooth and NFC
A classic method that remains relevant for transferring small files, such as contacts, links or small documents. Bluetooth is universal and works between any smartphone, regardless of the manufacturer.
To pair devices, you need to activate visibility in the settings. Modern Xiaomi supports fast pairing via NFC. Just attach the back panels of the phones to each other, and the system will suggest starting a file transfer or opening a link. This method is convenient for its instant reaction.
The process of transferring via Bluetooth requires confirmation on the receiving device. Unlike Mi Drop, there is no automatic acceptance of files from trusted devices without first pairing. This increases security, but adds unnecessary steps when mass sending.
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Use Bluetooth only for documents up to 50MB. For photos in the original quality and video, it is better to choose other methods, since compression in instant messengers or low Bluetooth speed will spoil the result.
The stability of the connection depends on the distance and the presence of interference. It is recommended to keep the devices in close proximity, no more than 1-2 meters. Obstacles in the form of walls or metal objects can significantly reduce speed or break the connection.
Cloud Storage: Mi Cloud and Google Drive
Cloud technology allows you to sync data without physical contact between devices.Mi Cloud is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell. It allows you to back up contacts, messages, notes and galleries that will automatically appear on a new phone once you log in.
Google Drive and Google Photos are an alternative to cross-platform sync, and by uploading files to the cloud from one phone, you can access them from any other device that has the Internet, ideal for long-term storage and access from a PC.
The main limitation of cloud methods is the speed of the Internet connection and the amount of free space. Free rates are usually limited to 5-15 GB. For the transfer of large amounts of data (video in 4K, game archives), this method can be too slow.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Drive | Local transmission (Wi-Fi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Depends on the Internet. | Depends on the Internet. | High (up to 40 MB/s) |
| Demands the Internet. | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| Free seat limit | 5GB | 15GB | Depends on the phone's memory. |
| Integration with MIUI | Native. | Through applications | Native. |
The cloud is a good way to change devices or lose your phone, and local methods are better suited for sharing content on a daily basis, and combining these approaches ensures that data is safe.
Cable and PC connection
If wireless methods are not available or you need to transfer terabytes of data, the best solution is a cable. USB-The cable allows you to use the file manager of the PC, which is the most stable way, independent of radio interference.
When connecting, select the USB mode in the notification. To transfer files, select File Transfer (MTP). Windows or macOS (with additional Android File Transfer software) recognizes the smartphone as an external drive.
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A cable connection is the only way to guarantee file transfers if the Wi-Fi module on your phone is faulty or not working properly.
You can use a USB-OTG adapter to transfer between two phones, and by connecting one phone as a host and the other as a drive, you can copy the data directly, but not all Xiaomi budget models have OTG support for the host.
The advantage of the method is the ability to work with the file system directly, including hidden folders and system logs, which is useful for advanced users who need to move the settings of specific applications or save data before flashing.
Third-party applications and messengers
When the regular funds don't fit, third-party solutions come to the rescue, with apps like Send Anywhere or Xender using a similar Wi-Fi Direct principle, but with cross-platform clients, allowing files to be transferred between Xiaomi and iPhones or devices on pure Android.
Messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp are also often used for transmission, but it is important to remember compression. To send a photo without loss of quality in Telegram, you need to choose the option "File" rather than "Photo", otherwise the compression algorithms will worsen the detail.
Third-party file managers, such as Mi File Manager (global version) or Solid Explorer, have built-in network sharing features. FTP-server SMB, What is convenient for working in the local network of the office or home.
⚠️ Warning: By downloading third-party applications to transfer files from unverified sources, you risk data security.
Some messengers have limits on file size. Telegram allows you to send files up to 2 GB (up to 4 GB with Premium), which covers the needs of most users. This makes messengers a versatile tool "just in case."
Problem Solving and Diagnostics
Despite the system's fine-tuning, there are sometimes errors. If the transmission freezes, the first thing you do is check your power saving settings. MIUI is known for its aggressive memory management, which can kill the transmission process in the background.
Device visibility problems are often solved by resetting network settings. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This will not delete personal data, but will return factory configurations to the network modules.
If the transmission speed suddenly drops, check if other applications are using the Wi-Fi channel, downloading updates or streaming videos can take up all the bandwidth of the channel, and check if the traffic saving mode is on.
Secret speed setting
If you have persistent errors when you transfer large files, try breaking the archive into pieces. File systems have limitations, and unstable connections are easier to recover on small fragments. Use archivers with record recovery.