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

Transferring files from your computer to your Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces. Whether it’s photos, documents, music or videos, it’s important to choose a method that is both fast, reliable and convenient. Depending on the phone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13, etc.), the version of MIUI and the tools available, the transmission options can vary in speed and functionality.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods - from the classical connection to the USB-We're going to focus on the nuances that are often overlooked: why isn't a phone defined as a drive, how to get around the limitations. MIUI You can use large files, and what applications you should use for maximum speed, and if you're looking for a solution for a particular model or firmware version, here's the answer.

1. File transfer via USB-cable: the classical method

Connecting Xiaomi phone to your computer via USB-The cable is the most versatile way. It doesn't require the Internet, it runs on any version. MIUI It is suitable for transferring files of any size, from small documents to movies to the Internet. 4K. But there are some nuances here: starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi by default blocks access to the phone’s memory through mode MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, which can cause problems on some PCs.

To avoid mistakes, follow this instruction:

1. Use the original cable or a certified USB-Type C (for modern models). Cheap cables often don't support data transfer, only charging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC. A notification will appear on the Xiaomi screen — tap it and select File Transfer (or MTP).
3. If your computer can’t see your phone, check it: 🔌 Port port USB: Try another connector on the PC (preferably) USB 3.0 for speed). 📱 Developer Settings: Enable Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers. 🖥️ Drivers: Windows may require Mi installation PC Suite (download from the official website).

USB 3.0 transfer speeds can reach 500 MB/s, but in practice depends on the phone model. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro with UFS 3.1 copies files faster than the Redmi 9A with eMMC 5.1.

Original cable connected

Selected MTP mode on the phone

USB 3.0 port on PC

Drivers installed (if necessary)

Disabled mode "Charging" in the settings USB-->

⚠️ Warning: If after connecting the phone starts charging, but does not appear as a disk – check the settings USB-- The connection is in the notification curtain. MIUI Resets the mode on only charging.

2. Wireless transmission via Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop)

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary Wi-Fi Direct file sharing technology. It works without internet, supports up to 20 MB/s and automatically compresses large files. The main advantage is that there are no file size restrictions (unlike Bluetooth).

How to use Mi Share:

1. Make sure your phone and computer are on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
2. On your phone, open the Mi Share app (or find it through MIUI search).
3. On PC: 🖥️ Download Mi. PC Suite or use the web version of share.mi.com. 📁 Select files to transfer and generate QR-code PIN-code. 📱 Scan the code from your phone or enter PIN.

Mi Share supports whole folder transfer, but can slow down when there are a lot of small files (for example, 1000 photos), in such cases it is better to archive the data before sending.

3.Using Nearby Share (Google Files)

Nearby Share is an alternative to Google’s Mi Share, built into MIUI since version 12.5.It works on the same principle (Wi-Fi Direct + Bluetooth), but is compatible with any Android 6.0+ devices, as well as ChromeOS and Windows (via browser).

The benefits of Nearby Share:

• 🔗 Cross-platform: You can send files from Xiaomi to Samsung, Pixel or even to a laptop.
• 📶 Automatic switching between Wi-Fi and mobile internet if signal is weak.
• 🔒 Encryption of data during transmission.

How to turn on and use:

1. On the phone: Settings → Connected devices → Nearby Share → turn on the function.
2. On PC: Open nearby.share in Chrome or Edge.
3. Select files on your computer, generate code and scan it from your phone.

⚠️ Note: Nearby Share may not work on enterprise PCs with limited rights or on older versions MIUI (In such cases, use Mi Share or USB.

4. Cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Telegram

Cloud storage is convenient when you need to transfer files not only to the phone, but also save their backup. Xiaomi offers its own cloud - Mi Cloud (5 GB for free), but for most users, Google Drive (15 GB) or Telegram (up to 2 GB per file) is more convenient.

Comparison of services:

• 📁 Mi Cloud: Integrated into MIUI, Automatically synchronizes contacts and notes, but limited in scope.
• 📂 Google Drive: Reliable, there is a PC version, but can block files for verification".
• 📎 Telegram: instant transfer, no restrictions on file type, but maximum size is 2 GB.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, high download speed in Russia.

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. On PC: Upload files to Google Drive via the browser or Backup and Sync app.
2. On your phone: Open the Google Drive app, find the files and download them (long tap → Save to your device).

Mi Cloud automatically compresses photos when downloading if you have enabled the option "Storage Optimization" in your Xiaomi account settings. To transfer the originals, turn it off before downloading.

5. Transfer through FTP-server (for advanced users)

If you need to regularly transfer large amounts of data (for example, video to the Internet) 4K or backup copies), setting up FTP-Xiaomi’s servers may be the best solution, requiring minimal technical knowledge but providing high speed and flexibility.

What you need:

• 📱 Phone on. MIUI root rights (optional, but expands opportunities).
• 🖥️ PC client: FileZilla, WinSCP or Total Commander.
• 🌐 Phone appendix: FTP Server (e.g., Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Solid Explorer app on your phone and open the side menu → FTP-server.
2. Start the server, write down the address (for example, ftp://192.168.1.10:2221), login and password.
3. On PC, open FileZilla, enter the connection details and press Quickconnect.
4. Drag files between your PC and phone like you would in a regular file manager.

Example of data to connect to FileZilla:


Host: ftp://192.168.1.10:2221




Username: miuser




Password: 12345678




Port: 2221 (by default)

⚠️ Attention: FTP-The connection is not encrypted by default. Use sensitive data SFTP (You need root or special applications like Termux).

6. Bluetooth: When there are no other ways

Bluetooth is the slowest way to transfer files (maximum) 2-3 But it does when there's no cable, no Wi-Fi, no mobile Internet. MIUI The function is stable but has limitations:

• 🚫 Maximum file size: usually up to 50MB (depending on version) MIUI).
• ⏳ Long-term transmission: 1 The GB of data will be copied around 10-15 minute.
• 📱 Compatibility: The PC should have Bluetooth 4.0+ (Old adapters may not support file sharing).

How to transfer files:

1. On PC: Turn on Bluetooth, make files “shareable” (right click → Send → Bluetooth device).
2. On the phone: In the notification curtain, hold the Bluetooth icon, select Accept File.
3. Confirm the transmission on both devices.

To speed up the process, you can split a large file into parts using an archiver (e.g., 7-Zip), but this is not always justified.

💡

If Bluetooth on your PC doesn’t see a Xiaomi phone, update the adapter driver via Device Manager (Windows) or use an external Bluetooth module.

7. Alternative methods: Email, QRCoder, local area network

If standard methods don’t work, consider these options:

• ✉️ Email: Send files to your own mail (e.g. Gmail or Mail.ru) Suitable for documents up to 25MB.
• 📡 Local area network: Use applications like LocalSend (similar to AirDrop for the Internet) Android/PC. It works over Wi-Fi without internet.
• 🔲 QRCoder: Generate QR-code for a file on a PC (via qrcoder.app) and scan it with your phone. Suitable for text data or links.
• 💾 External drive: copy files to a flash drive or SD-Then connect it to the phone via the adapter. USB-C/OTG.

QRCoder is convenient for transferring passwords, contacts or short texts, but useless for large files. LocalSend can be a complete replacement for Mi Share if it does not work.

8. Problem Solutions: Phone not visible, files not copied

Even with the right setup, you can get errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If none of these methods work, try:

1. Restart the phone and PC.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version (Settings → System Update).
3. Reset the network settings on your phone (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

💡

Before resetting your network settings, save your Wi-Fi passwords – they will be deleted!

FAQ: Frequent questions