Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners are constantly faced with the need to share data, whether it’s heavy video, photo archives or application installation packages. Standard methods like Bluetooth are often too slow, and cloud storage can require paid subscriptions for large volumes. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools that allow you to transfer gigabytes of information in seconds without using Internet traffic.
There are several proven ways, each with its own advantages depending on the situation: you can use the native application “Mi Drop” (the “Mi Share”), cloud services, good old cables or even third-party messengers, the choice of the specific method depends on how much data is and what devices are near you at the moment.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the current options, including hidden file manager features that not all users know about, explaining how to organize transfers between Android and iOS, as well as how to avoid common errors that can interrupt the copying process.
Using Mi Share for fast data transfer
The fastest and most efficient way Xiaomi offers is Mi Share (formerly known as Mi Drop), a tool that creates direct Wi-Fi connections between devices that deliver transfer speeds of up to 40MB/s and up, ten times faster than standard Bluetooth.
To get started, make sure that both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. You don't have to connect to the same network, the devices will find each other directly. Open the gallery or file manager on the sender device, select the files you want and click the "Send" button. In the list that appears, select "Mi Share" or a radar-like icon.
⚠️ Note: If you don't see the receiving device on the list, check if the "Visible to All" feature is enabled in the Mi Share settings. Sometimes the system hides the phone from third-party devices by default for security reasons.
The synchronization process is automatic, the receiving device will have a notification about the incoming file, which must be confirmed. MIUI/mi_drop inner-memory.
- 🚀 High speed transmission of large videos and games.
- 🔒 Encrypting a connection does not require an Internet connection.
- 📱 Compatible not only with Xiaomi, but also with devices OPPO, Vivo and Realme.
- ⚡ Automatic activation of the necessary communication modules at start-up.
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If the transmission is interrupted by 99%, try turning off the lock screen on the receiving device or increase the brightness so that the phone does not go into power saving mode.
Transfer files via Google Photos and cloud services
When physical contact between devices is impossible or you want to back up before selling your phone, cloud technology comes to the rescue. Google Photos is the standard for the Android ecosystem and allows you to share albums or individual snapshots instantly.
The idea is to upload media files to the cloud from one account and give them to another user, which is not a direct real-time air transfer, but a very convenient way to share photos in high quality without compression, which is often used in instant messengers.
To implement this method, open the Google Photos app, select the images you want, and click the Share button. You can create an album link or send an invitation to a specific contact from your phone book. The recipient, logging into their Google account on the new Xiaomi phone, will see these files in the Shared Albums section.
The main advantage here is distance independence, you can transfer files from your phone to your Xiaomi phone, even if they are in different cities, but keep in mind the limits of free space in the cloud, which is 15 GB for a single Google account.
- ☁️ Access files from any device that has the Internet.
- 🖼️ Preserving the original quality of photos.
- 🔄 Automatic synchronization between devices of one user.
- 📉 Mobile traffic consumption during downloading and downloading.
Classic Bluetooth and its limitations
Despite the advent of high-speed protocols, Bluetooth technology remains the universal standard that is found in every smartphone, this method is ideal for transferring small files: contacts, Word documents, PDF-files or multiple photos when speed is not a critical factor.
To send a file, you need to pair devices. Go to Bluetooth settings on both phones, turn on visibility, and find the partner device in the list of available ones. Once the access code is confirmed, the devices will be linked, and you can send files through the standard Share menu.
⚠️ Note: When transferring large numbers of files via Bluetooth, the process can take a very long time.
Importantly, newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS can have Bluetooth hidden in the depths of the menu, and it can be turned on quickly through the notification curtain, and it should be noted that the distance between devices should not exceed 10 meters, and there should be no serious physical obstacles between them.
If you're transferring contacts, the system may suggest saving them directly to your phone book or Google account, and be careful when choosing a source of saving so you don't create duplicate records.
- 📶 It works without the Internet and additional applications.
- 🔋 Minimal power consumption compared to Wi-Fi.
- 🐢 Low data transfer speed.
- 📵 Limited signal range.
Why does Bluetooth sometimes not see files?
Use of the USB-cable and computer as an intermediary
If you have to move terabytes of data when you switch to a new phone, nothing beats a wired connection, and using a computer as an intermediary allows you to control the copying process and structure files on a new device.
Connect your old phone to your computer through USB-In the notification on the smartphone screen, select the mode of operation (MTP). A conductor window will open on your computer where you can copy folders. DCIM (Photos and videos), Download and others on hard drive.
Then connect the new Xiaomi phone to the same computer. Copy the stored data into the internal memory of the new device. This method is especially good in that it allows you to simultaneously clean the old phone of excess garbage, leaving only the right one.
☑️ Checklist for wired transmission
There are also USB-C to USB-C adapter cables that allow two phones to be connected directly without a computer, in which case a special data copy menu will appear on the screen, which automatically transfers contacts, messages and media files.
Comparison of data transmission methods
To make it easier for you to choose the best way, we have prepared a scorecard that will help you quickly navigate depending on the type of files and the conditions you are in.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Best for you. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Share | Very high. | No. | Big videos, games, folders. |
| Google Photo | Depends on the network. | Yes. | Photographs, documents |
| Bluetooth | Low. | No. | Contacts, small files |
| USB Cable | Maximum | No. | Full backup |
As you can see from the table, Mi Share is the leader for everyday use between Xiaomi devices thanks to its combination of speed and autonomy.It consumes no mobile traffic and works even in the woods or basement, where there is no network coverage.
However, for one-off operations with a small amount of data, simpler methods should not be neglected, but the main thing is to understand the limitations of each of them and use the right tool for a specific task.
Solving problems in transfer
Sometimes the data exchange process may go wrong, devices may not see each other, or transmission may break down in the middle of a word, most often due to power saving settings or software version conflict.
If the transmission speed has dropped dramatically, try turning off the screens of both devices or, conversely, turn them on.Some versions of MIUI may limit the background activity of the Wi-Fi module to save battery power. Also make sure that both phones have an up-to-date version of the Mi Drop app or the Mi Share system component installed.
⚠️ Note: When transferring installation files APK In Mi Share, the installation can be blocked by the security system. You will have to manually allow installation from unknown sources in the settings.
In case of persistent errors, try resetting the network settings on both devices.This won't delete your personal data, but will return the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings to factory values, which often eliminates software glitches.
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The stability of data transfer directly depends on the firmware version and the absence of background downloads on both devices.