How to quickly and securely transfer files from your computer to Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Transferring files from your computer to your Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces, and whether you have to take your vacation photos, install your.apk app, or transfer important documents, which are all the solutions, which one you want to choose?

In this article, we will analyze all current methods of data transfer: from classical connection to the Internet. USB-You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes (like why a smartphone isn't defined as a removable drive), what programs speed up the process, and how to transfer files even without the Internet.

Important: The instructions are suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14. If you have an older version of the firmware, some features may not be available, we will warn you about this separately.

Transfer through USB-Cable: A classic that always works

The most reliable and versatile way is to connect your smartphone to your PC via cable, which requires no internet, runs even on a discharged phone (if you have at least 5% charge left), and is suitable for transferring files of any size.

But there are some nuances: Xiaomi, by default, blocks access to memory when you connect to your computer, and this is due to the MIUI security policy, and you have to manually select the connection mode to unlock the transmission.

• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC with the original cable (cheap analogues may not transmit data).
• 📱 On the phone screen will appear a notification "Charging through" USB" — tap him.
• 🔄 Select the "File Transfer" mode (or "MTP" older MIUI).
• 🖥️ On the computer will open a window conductor with folders of the smartphone ("Internal memory" and "SD-map" if it is fixed).

If the computer can't see the phone:

⚠️ Warning: Check if Xiaomi has Charging Only on the developer settings. Turn it off on the Settings path → Additionally. → For developers → Configuration USB.

Transfer speed depends on the version USB-port:

• USB 2.0 (old models) – up to 480 Mbps (~60 MB/s).
• USB 3.0/3.1 (Xiaomi 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10 Pro+) - up to 5-10 Gbit / s (~600 MB / s).

The cable supports data transfer (not just charging)

The phone has a screen unlocked.

In the USB settings, the "File Transfer" mode is selected

On PC installed ADB drivers (for Windows)

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2. Wireless transmission via Mi Drop (built-in solution from Xiaomi)

Mi Drop is a proprietary application from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer files between devices over a local Wi-Fi network. The main advantage is that you do not need to connect to the Internet, it is enough that both devices are on the same network.

How it works:

1. On your smartphone, open the “Mi Drop” app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. Click "Send" and select the files.
3. At the bottom of the screen will appear QR-code.
4. On your computer, open your browser and go to http://drop.mi.com.
5. Scan it. QR-PC screen code with a phone camera.
6. The files will be transferred automatically.

Limitations of Mi Drop:

• 🚫 Maximum size of one file – 500 MB.
• 🚫 Speed depends on the Wi-Fi router (average 5-15 MB / s).
• 🚫 In some models (POCO F3, Redmi 9A) The application may be missing out of the box".

💡

If Mi Drop can’t find the computer, check that the PC and phone have the same Wi-Fi (not mobile data!) on. Also turn off the VPN – it can block the local connection.

3. Transfer via cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Telegram

Cloud storage is convenient when you need to transfer files over a distance or save them backup. minus - requires the Internet, and for large files (video, archives) may not be enough free space.

Compare popular services:

Telegram has no fixed limit on the volume of the cloud, but files are stored only until they are deleted by the sender.

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. On your computer, upload files to drive.google.com.
2. On your smartphone, open the Disk app and log in to the same account.
3. Find the downloaded files and download them (click on three dots → “Download”).

4.Use of FTP-servers on Xiaomi (for advanced users)

If you need to transfer files regularly and in large volumes (for example, to work with video), you can configure on your smartphone. FTP-This will allow you to access the memory of the phone as a network disk.

For this:

1. Download the FTP Server application from Google Play (e.g., "Solid Explorer" or "FX File Explorer").
2. Launch it. FTP-server in the application (usually the Start button or the Start Server button").
3. Remember the address of the species ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx and login data (login/password).
4. On your computer, open "Conductor" → "This computer" → "Add network accommodation".
5. Enter the address. FTP-server and connect.

FTP-Xiaomi server only works while the application is open and the screen is unlocked.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ High speed (up to 30–50 MB/s in the local network).
• 📁 Full access to all folders (unlike the other folders) MTP down USB).
• 🔄 You can configure access rights (read/write only).

Po Po Po USB-cable

Google Drive (Mi Cloud) and Google Drive (Mi Drive)

Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP)

Through messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Another option-->

5. Transfer via messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber

The easiest, but not always convenient, way to send files to your messaging app is for small documents, photos or music, but not for high-resolution videos or archives.

Compare the capabilities of popular messengers:

How to transfer files via Telegram:

1. Open the Save Messages chat (or any other chat with you).
2. Click on the paperclip → “File” and select the desired data.
3. On your computer, open the web version of Telegram and download files.

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp and Viber are compressing videos and photos to resolutions 1280×720 and 1920×1080 Use Telegram or cloud services to transfer originals.

6. Wireless applications: Snapdrop, Send Anywhere, AirDroid

If Xiaomi’s built-in solutions don’t suit you, you can use third-party apps, which often offer faster speeds and additional features (such as remote phone control).

Top.-3 file-transfer:

• 🌐 Snapdrop works through a browser, does not require installation. Just open snapdrop.net on a PC and phone in the same Wi-Fi network.
• 📤 Send Anywhere – supports file transfers up to 10 GB, there is a function to generate 6-digit code for connection. Plus: works even without Wi-Fi (via mobile Internet).
• 🤖 AirDroid – In addition to files, it allows you to manage notifications and SMS Cons: Free version has a traffic limit (200 MB/month).

Instructions for Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on your phone from Google Play.
2. Click "Send" → select files → "Generate the key".
3. On your computer, open send-anywhere.com and enter a 6-digit code.
4. The files will start to load automatically.

💡

The app side (like Send Anywhere) is often faster than Xiaomi’s built-in solutions, but requires installation. If you need a one-time transfer, use Snapdrop – it leaves no trace on the device.

7. Transfer through OTG-wire-drive

If you don’t have a computer on hand, you do. USB-You can use it as a middleman, you'll need a flash drive. OTG-adapter (or cable) USB-C/Micro-USB → USB-A, depending on the Xiaomi model).

How it works:

1. Connect the flash drive to the computer and copy the files to it.
2. Remove the flash drive and connect it to the smartphone through OTG-adapter.
3. A notification will open on the phone "USB-The device is connected – tap on it.
4. Select a file manager (such as “Files by Google”) and copy files from the flash drive to your phone’s memory.

Supported formats of flash drives:

• 💾 FAT32 — It works on all devices, but the file size limit is 4GB).
• 💾 exFAT - Supports files >4GB, but may not read on older Xiaomi models (until 2018).
• 🚫 NTFS — Android is not supported without root rights.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 5A, Mi A1) work-in OTG You need to enable support in settings: Settings → Additionally. → OTG-linkage.

8. Transmission via email or download to the website

If all of the above methods are not available for some reason, you can use the good old methods:

• 📧 Email - send files to your own mail (for example, Gmail or Mail.ru), Limit: up to 25-50 MB per email (depending on the service).
• 🌍 File sharing – upload files to dropmefiles.com or tmp.ninja, then download them to your phone. minus: files are stored for a limited time (1 hour to 30 days).
• 📎 Social networks – in Vkontakte or Facebook you can upload files to your messages, but they will be compressed.

These methods are inferior in convenience to specialized solutions, but help in emergency situations (for example, if broken). USB-port or no Wi-Fi access).

Comparative table of all methods

* Depends on the file system of the flash drive.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions