Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone means constantly working with multimedia content. High-resolution cameras cause the device’s memory to fill up quickly, and users are faced with the question of transferring data to a more powerful medium. There are many scenarios: you need to save the family archive, move working documents for editing or just make room for new shootings.
Modern technology offers a wide range of solutions, from traditional cable connections to wireless protocols, and the choice of method depends on the amount of information being transmitted and the speed that is required at a given time, some are ideal for fast transfer of a couple of photos, others for backup of tens of gigabytes of video.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the most effective tools built into the MIUI and HyperOS shell, as well as third-party utilities. You will learn how to configure the connection so that the process goes without errors and communication breaks. Understanding the nuances of each method will allow you to spend less time on technical manipulation and more time on content.
Connection through USB-cable: the classical method
The fastest and most reliable way to transfer large amounts of data is to use USB-This method does not require network setup and provides a stable speed, limited only by the port capabilities of your computer and phone. First, you need a serviceable cable, preferably original or certified, that supports data transfer, not just charging.
After you physically connect your devices, look at your smartphone screen. Xiaomi can charge by default, but not display files. You lower the notification curtain and click on the message "Charge via USB." In the menu that opens, select File Transfer (MTP) mode, which activates a protocol that allows your computer to see the phone's internal memory as an external drive.
On your computer, open "My Computer" or "This Computer." Your smartphone will appear in the list of devices. Double click will open access to the file system, where folders with photos are usually in the DCIM/Camera directory and downloads are in Download. You can just drag and drop files with your mouse, copy and paste them like a regular flash drive.
⚠️ If your computer can’t see your phone, try another one. USB-port, preferably located on the motherboard behind the system unit, as ports on the front panel or through the USB-The hubs may not be giving enough stress.
Sometimes drivers are required to work properly. Windows 10 and 11 often install them automatically, but older versions may require you to download Mi PC Suite or universal Android drivers. Connection stability is critical when transferring thousands of small files, so avoid wobbling cable in the process.
Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi via FTP and Explorer
If you don't have a cable on hand, but both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can use the built-in shell features. In the standard Explorer app on Xiaomi, there is a remote control feature, which allows you to transfer files without installing additional software to your computer using only a browser.
To activate, open Explorer, go to the Service tab, or click on the menu (three bars) and select Remote Control or PC Access. Click Launch. The screen will show the address you want to enter in the address bar of any browser on your computer, such as ftp://192.168.1.55:2121.
Once you enter the address, you will have full access to the phone files, and the speed of transfer depends on the quality of your router and the Wi-Fi standard (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), which is convenient because it does not require authorization and complex security settings for home use.
Why can FTP work slowly?
Speed. FTP-Connections within a LAN are often limited by router bandwidth and interference. FTP It doesn't compress data, so it can take time to transfer high-resolution video files. To speed up the process, make sure that both the phone and router support the standard. 802.11ac or ax (Wi-Fi) 5/6) and operate in range 5 GHz.> Another option is to use the protocol. SMB through apps CX File Explorer or embedded tools MIUI This allows you not only to take files from your phone, but also to immediately save them to the desired folder on your computer's hard drive, bypassing the browser buffer, which is more convenient for regular work with documents. Cloud services and Mi Cloud cloud technologies become the standard for data synchronization. Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud ecosystem offers its own service, which is deeply integrated into the system. It allows you to automatically upload photos, contacts, notes and voice recordings to a server, from where they are instantly available on your computer via a web interface. To access files, you just open your browser on your PC, go to i.mi.com and log in to your account. Here you can not only download files, but also manage the device: find a phone, send SMS or make a backup. However, free space is usually limited, which ends quickly with active use of the camera. The alternative is third-party services: Dropbox, many of which have automatic video from Google, and the new ones have a photo download. Automation eliminates the need to manually control data transfer. Service Free Features Mi Cloud Speed 5 GB Deep integration in MIUI Depends on the Google Drive 15 GB Total limit with Mail and Photo High Yandex.Disk 10 GB Unlimited photo (compressed) High in Russia TegraDrivewhere 8 GB Unlimited for photo Average main disadvantage of cloud methods - dependence on the speed of the Internet connection. Downloading a heavy video file can take hours if the tariff plan or provider limits the speed of the return of data to the most popular applications for the transfer, AnyD does not rely on the most sensitive ones, when the data are sent to the third party. The principle of its operation is simple: you select files on the phone, the application generates a 6-digit code that you need to enter on the computer (via a website or program). P2P-Another powerful tool is AirDroid, which is a whole platform for controlling a smartphone from a PC, and it allows you not only to transfer files, but also to see the phone screen, respond to messages, manage contacts, and even take screenshots. To work, you need to install the application on your phone and either the client on your PC, or use the web version. 🚀 Send Anywhere – ideal for fast one-time transfer without registration and network settings. 💻 AirDroid is the best solution for full remote management and regular operation. 📱 Mi Drop (ShareMe) is a built-in Xiaomi app that works on Wi-Fi Direct, very fast, but requires a client installation on a PC for maximum comfort. 🔗 Telegram — many use Favorites chat as cloud storage, sending files there and downloading to a PC. Using third-party apps requires attention to permissions. The app needs access to files, memory, and sometimes a microphone or camera. Download software only from trusted sources, such as Google Play or the developer’s official website, to avoid malware. ⚠️ Note: Free versions of applications like AirDroid may have speed limits or maximum file sizes. Regularly working with large amounts of data may require a Premium subscription. Synchronization via Bluetooth: Bluetooth is the oldest wireless method that is still relevant for transferring small files, such as contacts, Word documents or a couple of photos. Its main advantage is versatility: it is in almost any smartphone and laptop, and it does not need the Internet to work. The pairing process is simple: turn on Bluetooth on both devices, find the computer in the list of available devices on the phone and confirm the code (pairing). After successful pairing, you can send files through the “Share” menu» -> «Bluetooth. Transmission speed is low, usually around 1-2 MB/s, which makes it unsuitable for video. In modern versions of Windows, you need to manually initiate the file reception process» -> «Devices» -> «Bluetooth and other devices» -> «Send or receive files via Bluetooth, and select Get Files, and then the computer will be visible to incoming connections, and even though the speed is slow, Bluetooth is helpful in situations where there is no Wi-Fi network and the cable is lost. It also uses minimal energy, which is important if the battery is at a critical level and the file needs to be transferred. Often users are faced with the fact that the computer sees the phone only as a charger, in this case, make sure that the screen of the phone is selected mode. MTP or PTP. If the menu doesn't show up, check the cable: some cables are only for charging and have no data lines. Another common problem is slow Wi-Fi speeds. This can be caused by congestion of the 2.4 GHz band by neighboring networks. Try to switch your router and phone to 5GHz or get closer to the access point. FTP or SMB. If neither of these methods works, try rebooting both devices.This is a banal but often effective tip that resets errors from network drivers and Android services. USB-The problem that you have with a PC controller or resetting the network settings on your phone might be solved. Why can't the computer see the folder when you connect? It's likely that the phone has gone into Charge Only mode. Put down the notification curtain, click on status. USB And you can select File Transfer. Also check if the phone screen is unlocked, because for security reasons, file access from the locked device may be prohibited. Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi to transfer files? Using public networks to transmit sensitive data is risky. FTP transmit data in an open form. If you need to work in a cafe, use it. VPN Or give preference to cloud services with encryption (HTTPS), It's not direct network access. How do you transfer files if your phone's screen is broken? If the sensor doesn't work, but you have the image, you can connect it. USB-mouse-over OTG. If the screen is completely black but the phone is turned on, try using voice control or pre-installed remote access apps if they have been configured before.