How to transfer files from Xiaomi phone to laptop: all ways USB cloud-based

Transferring files from Xiaomi phone to laptop is a challenge that every user faces, whether you want to free up the memory of a smartphone, back up a photo or just transfer documents for work, there are many options, but not all of them are equally convenient: somewhere you need a cable, somewhere you need stable Wi-Fi, and some methods work only with certain models of laptops.

In this article, we will analyze 7 proven methods of data transfer – from the classical connection to the Internet. USB We will pay special attention to the nuances that arise from owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and other technologies. POCO: Why is the phone not defined as a drive, how to enable debugging USB, And you'll also learn which is the fastest and which is the most reliable method for large amounts of data.

It doesn't matter if you use it. MIUI 14 on the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the old firmware on the Redmi Note 8 Pro — instructions will work for all devices.

1. File transfer via USB-cable (the most universal method)

Connecting your phone to your laptop via cable is the basic way that works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of model and version. MIUI. However, even here there are pitfalls: for example, the phone may not be defined as a drive due to incorrectly selected connection mode or outdated drivers.

Here is a step-by-step guide that is guaranteed to work:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your laptop with the original cable (cheap Chinese counterparts often don’t support data transfer).
• 📱 On the phone screen will appear a notification Charging through USB — tap him.
• 🔄 Select File Transfer Mode (MTP) Photo (PTP). For most tasks, it is suitable MTP.
• 🖥️ On your laptop, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) – the phone will appear as a removable disk.

Check the cable for damage.|Restart your phone and laptop|Update the drivers MTP PC-only|Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0)|Enable the Developer Mode and Debugging by USB-->

If you can't see the phone after you've connected, the problem may be the developer's settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap it 7 times to activate the developer mode. → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.

⚠️ Note: Windows 11 laptops sometimes require manual driver installation MTP If you see a device with an exclamation point, right-click on it and select Update driver.

Windows 10/11|macOS|Linux|ChromeOS|other-->

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

Mi Drop is a Xiaomi-branded service that allows you to transfer files between devices over Wi-Fi without an Internet connection, but the main advantage is that you do not need to install additional programs on your laptop.

• 📶 Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or the phone gives away an access point).
• 📱 There's a firmware on the phone. MIUI 9 or newer.
• 🖥️ There is a browser on the laptop (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).

Instructions for transmission:

1. On your phone, open the Mi Drop app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. Select files and send them.
3. Push Whom. → Computer.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the phone screen via the browser on the laptop (drop.mi.com will open).
5. Confirm the transfer on the phone - the files will start to download to the browser.

Transfer speeds depend on the Wi-Fi router power, with an average of 1 GB of data being transmitted in 2-5 minutes (at 100 network speeds).+ For comparison, by USB The same volume is copied in 30-60 seconds.

⚠️ Note: If the transmission is interrupted, check if the antivirus on the laptop blocks the connection to drop.mi.com. Add the site to exceptions or temporarily disable protection.

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Before transferring large files (video) 4K, archives) connect the laptop to the router via cable - this will speed up the process 2-3 times.

3. Use of cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk)

Cloud storage is convenient because files are accessible from any device and don't need to be downloaded to a laptop right away, but there are two downsides to this method: the limit on free space and the dependence on Internet speed.

How to upload files to the cloud from your phone:

• 📁 Open a cloud service application (e.g. Google Drive).
• 🔼 Press. + → Download and select files.
• ⏳ Wait for the download to be completed (time depends on internet speed).
• 🖥️ On your laptop, open the web version of the service and download files.

You can use automatic synchronization to speed up the process. For example, in Google Photos, enable backup (Settings). → Backup and sync, and all new photos will be uploaded to the cloud immediately. On your laptop, install Google Backup and Sync so that files automatically download to the specified folder.

4. Transfer of FTP via the application (for advanced users)

If you need to transfer files regularly and in large volumes, setup FTP-It's a very simple way to use a server on your phone, and it requires minimal technical skills, but it gives you complete control over the process, and you can manage files through any device. FTP-Customer (e.g. FileZilla or Total Commander).

Here's how it works:

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), login.
3. Open up on your laptop. FTP-Customer and connect to the specified address.
4. Drag files between devices as in a normal conductor.

Advantages of FTP:

• 🚀 Transfer speed is limited only by Wi-Fi capabilities (up to 50-100 MB / s on modern routers).
• 🔄 You can transfer files both ways (from phone to laptop and back).
• 📂 Full access to all folders of the phone (unlike the phone) MTP).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use FTP in public networks (cafes, airports) – data is transmitted without encryption. For security, turn on the option in the application settings LAN Only.

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FTP — Best choice for transferring large amounts of data (e.g. backups or video) 4K), If you have a fast Wi-Fi router.

5. Transmission via Bluetooth (slowly but without internet)

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest, and it comes in handy when you don’t have cable and Wi-Fi on hand, and you need to transfer several small files (such as contacts or documents), which works steadily on Xiaomi, but rarely faster than 1-2 MB / s.

Instructions:

• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth) and on a laptop.
• 🤝 Combine the devices (on the phone tap the name of the laptop, on the laptop confirm the pairing).
• 📎 On your phone, select files. → Share. → Bluetooth and select a laptop.
• 🖥️ On the laptop, confirm the receipt of files (in Windows they will be saved to the Download folder).

Bluetooth limitations:

• ⏳ Speed 10-20 times lower than the speed of USB or wifi.
• 📱 Not all files are supported (e.g. video in the video). 4K may not be transmitted).
• 🔋 High battery consumption on the phone.

For the transfer of contacts or notes, this method is ideal, but for photos and videos, it is better to choose another method.

6. Synchronization through Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi)

Mi PC Suite is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi that allows you not only to transfer files, but also to manage your phone from your computer: install applications, make backups and update firmware. The program runs on Windows (the official version for macOS is not available).

How to use:

1. Download Mi. PC Suite from the official website pcsuite.mi.com and install on a laptop.
2. Put the phone on. USB and select Midrive mode (will appear after installing drivers).
3. In the program, go to the Files tab - all the folders of the phone will be displayed.
4. Drag files between your phone and laptop or use the Import/Export buttons.

Advantages of Mi PC Suite:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization of photos and contacts.
• 📱 Possibility to control the phone from PC (SMS, calls, notifications).
• 🔄 Backup and recovery of data.

⚠️ Note: The program may conflict with antivirus software (for example, Kaspersky or Avast). PC Suite does not see the phone, temporarily disable protection or add the program in exceptions.

7. Alternative methods: Email, Telegram, AirDroid

If none of these methods work, you can use alternative services, which are not always convenient for large amounts of data, but they do a great job of one-off tasks.

For example, to send files via Telegram:

1. Open the Saved Messages chat.
2. Click the Paperclip → File and select the desired data.
3. On your laptop, open web.telegram.org and download files from the same chat.

AirDroid is convenient because it allows you to control your phone from a PC: view notifications, respond to the phone. SMS transfer files without connecting to USB. However, the free version is limited in speed, and for full functionality will require a premium subscription.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key parameters of each method in one table:

Our advice:

• 🚀 For speed: USB or FTP (if you want a wireless method).
• 🌐 For convenience: Mi Drop or cloud services (unless files are very large).
• 🔄 For automation: Mi PC Suite or Automatic Sync with Google Photos.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions