Transferring files from Xiaomi to your computer is a challenge that every user faces. Whether you want to free up your smartphone memory, back up photos or just transfer documents to work, choosing the right method saves time and nerves. Modern Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models, POCO and Xiaomi’s flagship 13/14) series support several ways to share data, but not all of them are equally convenient.
In this article, we will analyze 7 current methods of file transfer - from the classical USB-You'll learn which method is the fastest, which is the best for big data, and which will save you if you don't have a cable at hand. USB) And we'll give you checklists for each method.
Important: instructions are valid for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS (2026) and if you have an older firmware version, some menu items may differ, we will warn you about this separately.
Transfer through USB-cable: classics with nuances
The most reliable and fastest way is to connect your phone to your PC via cable, with transfer speeds of 40-60 MB/s (for USB 2.0) and up to 400 MB/s (USB 3.0), but there are pitfalls from MIUI settings to drivers on your computer.
To transfer files:
- 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to your PC with the original cable (cheap analogues may not support data transfer).
- 📱 The phone will be notified "Charge through" USB" — tap him.
- 🔄 Select the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP) or “Transmission of photographs" (PTP) (last-hand RAW-photo).
- 🖥️ On your computer, open "This Computer" - the phone will appear as a removable disk.
If the computer can't see Xiaomi:
⚠️ Attention: On Windows 10/11 Check Device Manager – if there is an exclamation point burning next to Xiaomi, update the driver manually via Update the driver" → "Search on this computer" → "Select from the list" → "MTP-device".
Use the original cable |Enable MTP mode on your phone |Check drivers on PC |Unlock the Xiaomi screen during transfer-->
| Connection mode | Speed. | Suitable for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) | 40-400 MB/s | Photos, videos, documents | Does not work with >4GB files on FAT32 |
| PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) | 20-50 MB/s | RAW-Photo, editing in Lightroom | Media files only |
| Charging. | — | Just charging. | Files are not available |
Critical detail: on Xiaomi with HyperOS (2026), MTP mode can automatically shut down after 5 minutes of inactivity - watch for notification on your phone.
2. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP, LocalSend)
If the cable isn't on hand, wireless methods will save the situation.The speed is lower (5-15 MB / s), but the convenience outweighs: you can transfer files up to 10 meters away.
Methods of transmission over Wi-Fi:
- 📲 Mi Drop (built-in) MIUI): It works without the Internet, but requires both devices to be connected to the same network.
- 🌐 FTP-server (via the application) FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer: Allows you to transfer entire folders, but you need root rights for some features.
- 🔗 LocalSend (similar to AirDrop): cross-platform solution with encryption, speeds up to 20 MB / s.
Instructions for Mi Drop:
- Open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Mi Drop.
- Select the files and click "Send".
- On PC, open your browser and enter the address specified in the notification on your phone (e.g. http://192.168.1.100:8080).
- Download files through the web interface.
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If Mi Drop can’t find your computer, make sure your PC and phone have the same Wi-Fi range (2.4GHz or 5GHz) enabled.
3. Cloud services: Xiaomi Cloud, Google Drive, Telegram
The cloud is convenient for backing up and transferring files to multiple devices, with the downsides of Internet speed and volume limitations (usually 5-15 GB for free).
Comparison of services for Xiaomi:
| Service | Free volume | Max. File size. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Cloud | 5GB | 2GB | Automatic photo synchronization |
| Google Drive | 15GB | 5TB (but the quota is shared with Gmail) | Integration with Google Photos |
| Telegram | Unlimited* | 2GB | Files are stored in "Saved Messages" |
There is no fixed limit on Telegram, but files >1.5GB are sent as "files" rather than as documents.
How to transfer files via Xiaomi Cloud:
- Upload files to the cloud through Gallery → Select → Send → Xiaomi Cloud.
- On PC, open i.mi.com and log in.
- Download files in the "Cloud" section.
How to increase free space in Xiaomi Cloud?
Bluetooth 4: Slowly but without internet
Bluetooth is suitable for transferring small files (up to 50 MB) when there are no other options, speed is only 1-3 MB / s, but you do not need Wi-Fi or cable.
How to send a file over Bluetooth:
- 📱 On the phone: open the file → "Share" → Bluetooth → Choose a computer.
- 🖥️ On PC: Enable Bluetooth in "Settings" → Devices" and confirm the file's acceptance.
⚠️ Note: On Windows 11, Bluetooth can freeze when transferring large files. If the process stops, restart the Bluetooth service: press Win + R, enter services.msc, find Bluetooth Support Service and restart it.
5. Transfer through OTG-wire-drive
If you need to transfer files to your computer, but not at hand USB-Xiaomi cables, you can use them OTG-adapter and a simple flash drive, which is universal, but requires additional accessories.
Step-by-step:
- Connect. OTG-Adapter to the phone, and to it – flash drive (preferably exFAT or NTFS file-wise >4GB).
- In the file manager MIUI (Files), find the necessary data and copy it to the flash drive.
- Remove the flash drive and connect it to the computer.
Compatibility of OTG with Xiaomi models:
- ✅ All flagships (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Mix support OTG "box".
- ⚠️ Budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) may require inclusion OTG In Settings → Additionally. → USB-OTG.
- ❌ Outdated machines (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) supportive NTFS — use the flash drives from FAT32.
6 Specialized programs: Mi PC Suite, AirDroid
For advanced users, there are programs that extend file transfer capabilities, allowing you to control your phone from a PC, synchronize data, and even install applications remotely.
Comparison of programmes:
| Programme | Speed. | Functions | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi PC Suite | 30-50 MB/s | Backup, firmware updates | Not all models are officially supported |
| AirDroid | 10-20 MB/s | Remote access, SMS from PC | Free version is limited to 200 MB/month |
| Snapdrop | 5-15 MB/s | Transfer without registration | It only works in one browser. |
How to use Mi PC Suite:
- Download the program from the official website.
- Connect your phone via USB (in MTP mode).
- In the program, select the "Files" section and drag the necessary data to the PC.
USB-cable|Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP)|Cloud services|Bluetooth|OTG-cable|Special programmes-->
7. Transfer via email and instant messengers: when there is nothing else
In extreme cases, files can be sent to yourself by mail or messenger, which is suitable for documents and small photos, but not for videos or archives.
Restrictions of popular services:
- 📧 Gmail: maximum 25MB per email (more via Google Drive).
- 💬 WhatsApp: up to 100MB per file, but compression degrades quality.
- 📎 VK Messenger: up to 2 GB, but the speed depends on the servers VK.
How to send a file via Gmail:
- Open Gmail on your phone and create a new email.
- Press the paper clip (✉️) → "Put the file in" → select data.
- Send the letter to your mail and download the attachment on PC.
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For >50MB files, email and instant messengers are ineffective – use the cloud or USB.