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

Transferring files from your smartphone to your computer is a task that users of Xiaomi, Redmi and other companies regularly face. POCO. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by the features of the firmware MIUI, Lack of drivers or limitations Windows/macOS. In this article, we will analyze all current methods of transmission - from the classical USB-cables to cloud services and wireless protocols, and also reveal the nuances that are not written in the standard instructions.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to connect the phone to the PC and the files will be immediately available. In practice, there are often problems: the computer does not see the device, MIUI requests permissions, and the transfer speed is poor. We tested each method on devices with MIUI 14/15 and found the optimal scenarios for different types of data (photos, videos, documents, archives), and we will focus on hidden settings that speed up the process by 2-3 times.

If you’re looking for a way to transfer more than 50GB of data at a time without losing quality, or your computer stubbornly doesn’t recognize Xiaomi as a drive, this article will help solve the problem. We’ll also compare the transfer speed of each method and indicate which one is most reliable for sensitive files.

Transfer through USB-cable: step-by-step instructions with nuances

The most common way to connect your phone to your PC via cable is actually fraught with pitfalls, and even if you use the original Xiaomi cable, the system may not recognize the device due to a lack of drivers or a mischosen connection mode.

The first thing you need to do is check the type of cable. Cheap, non-original wires often only support charging, but not data transfer. Xiaomi's original cables are labeled as USB 2.0 Type-C (black connector) or USB 3.1 (blue connector), the latter providing speeds of up to 5 Gbps, which is critical for transferring video to 4K.

Follow the algorithm further:

• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC with a cable. On the Xiaomi screen, a Charge through notification will appear. USB — tap him.
• 🔄 Select File Transfer Mode (or MTP old-form MIUI). If this item is not - update the firmware.
• 🖥️ On your computer, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). The phone should appear as a removable disk.
• 📁 Go to the Internal Storage folder (or SD-card if you use a memory card).

⚠️ Note: If your computer can’t see your phone, check your settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Configuration USB. There's a point to pick. MTP. If you do not have an option, turn on the Developer Mode (7 times tap the version). MIUI phone).

To speed up the transfer of large files (for example, video) we recommend:

• 🚀 Use the cable USB 3.1 and port USB 3.0 on PC (usually blue).
• 🔌 Connect your phone directly to the system unit, not through USB-hub.
• 📥 Disable the antivirus for transfer time – it can scan each file, slowing down the process.

Use the original Xiaomi cable

Enable MTP mode on the phone

Connect to USB 3.0 port on PC

Disable the screen lock on the phone

Close background applications on PC-->

2 Wireless Wi-Fi transmission: When the cable is not at hand

If you don’t have a cable or need to transfer files to your laptop without USB-Xiaomi supports several Wi-Fi transmission methods, but not all of them are equally efficient.

The most reliable method is to use a built-in MIUI feature called Wi-Fi File Transfer, which works even without the Internet, creating a local network between the phone and the computer, and the transfer speed is 10-15 MB / s (about 1 GB in 2-3 minutes), which is comparable to USB 2.0.

Instructions:

1. On your phone, open Settings → Connection and Sharing → File Transfer over Wi-Fi.
2. Click Start – the phone will create an access point.
3. On your computer, connect to the network with the name of your device (password will appear on the phone screen).
4. Open your browser and enter the address of the type 192.168.49.1:8080 (indicated on the phone screen).
5. Select files to download or download through the web interface.

An alternative way is to use third-party applications:

• 🌐 Portal (from Pushbullet) - transfer via browser QR-Speed up to 5MB/s.
• 📲 Send Anywhere - 6-digit file sharing code generation. Supports folders up to 10 GB.
• 🔗 LocalSend is an open-source, encryption version of AirDrop.

⚠️ Note: When transmitting over Wi-Fi, avoid public networks (cafes, airports); Attackers can intercept traffic if encryption is not used. In applications like LocalSend, turn on Only Trusted Devices.

Wi-Fi via MIUI

Apps like Send Anywhere

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

I don't use wireless transmission.-->

3. Cloud services: pros and cons for Xiaomi

Cloud storage is convenient for backing up and transferring files between devices, but has limitations. for example, Mi Cloud (Xiaomi’s built-in cloud) offers only 5GB for free, and download speed depends on your Internet connection.

Compare the popular services for Xiaomi users:

To transfer files through the cloud:

1. Upload files to the cloud from your phone (for example, through the Gallery → Mi Cloud app).
2. On your computer, open the web version of the service (for example, i.mi.com for Mi Cloud).
3. Download files to your PC or share a link (you can create a temporary link in Google Drive).

The main drawback of cloud services is the limitation on the volume, so if you want to transfer 20 GB of video, you either have to pay to expand the storage or split the files into archives, and it can take hours to download large numbers of files with slow Internet.

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To speed up loading in Mi Cloud, connect to a 5GHz network. In the router settings, enable the Traffic Prioritization (QoS) option for your phone.

4.Use of FTP-Xiaomi servers: for advanced users

If you need maximum speed and flexibility, you can deploy it. FTP-This method requires a basic knowledge, but allows you to transfer files at speeds up to 20-30 MB / s (depending on the Wi-Fi router).

To set up FTP you will need:

• 📱 Install the application FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer (there is a built-in version) FTP-server).
• 🌐 Connect your phone and computer to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔑 Launch. FTP-server in the application and record the address (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).

On the computer:

• 🖥️ In Windows, open the Explorer → This computer → Connect the network disk.
• 🔗 Enter. FTP-address, login and password (indicated in the application on the phone).
• 📁 Now the phone appears as a network drive – copy files as if from a regular folder.

Advantages of FTP:

• 🚀 Speed is limited to your Wi-Fi (up to 30 MB/s per day). 802.11ac).
• 🔒 You can set up access by password.
• 📂 Large files are supported (without restrictions).

⚠️ Attention: FTP-The server on the phone consumes a lot of power. Connect Xiaomi to charge during the transfer, otherwise the battery will run out in 30-40 minutes. FTP-The port may be vulnerable to attacks.

5. Bluetooth Transfer: When Speed Is Not Important

Bluetooth is the slowest but most versatile way to transfer small files (up to 50 MB) when you don’t have cable or Wi-Fi on hand. Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, the process is simplified thanks to the built-in Quick Transfer feature.

How to transfer files:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and computer.
2. On the phone, select files in the Gallery or Explorer, click Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select your computer from the list of devices.
4. On PC, confirm the file acceptance (on Windows, open Devices and Printers → Receiving a file).

Bluetooth limitations:

• 🐢 Speed – 1-2 MB / s (1 GB will be transmitted) ~15 minutes).
• 📎 Maximum file size: 50–100 MB (depending on Bluetooth version).
• 🔋 High battery consumption (15-20% higher than normal use).

For Bluetooth 5.0+ devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), the speed can be increased to 3MB/s if:

• Use Bluetooth 5.0 adapter on PC.
• Place the devices at a distance of no more than 1 meter.
• Disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, keyboards).

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Bluetooth is convenient for transmitting contacts, small documents or photos in low resolution. For videos, music or large archives, use other methods.

Specialized programs: Mi PC Suite and alternatives

Xiaomi’s official software, the Mi PC Suite, offers not only file transfers but also backups, firmware updates and contact management, but it has a number of drawbacks: it only runs on Windows, often slows down and does not support new POCO models.

How to use Mi PC Suite:

1. Download the program from the official website (pcsuite.mi.com).
2. Connect your phone via USB (MTP mode).
3. In the program, select the Files section - access to the phone's memory will open.
4. Drag files between your phone and PC as in a regular conductor.

Alternative programmes:

• 🖥️ AirDroid - Wi-Fi transmission, SMS PC, remote control. Free version is limited to 200 MB/month.
• 📱 Snapdrop – web service for transfer without registration (works as AirDrop for Android).
• 🔄 Syncthing – open source software for synchronizing folders between devices.

Advantages of specialized programs:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization (for example, photo from the DCIM PC-folder).
• 📊 Transmission history and possibility of resumption after a break.
• 🔒 Traffic encryption (in Syncthing and AirDroid).

⚠️ Note: When first connecting via Mi PC Suite may offer to update the firmware. If you didn't plan to update, open Settings → Update MIUI on your phone and turn off the Auto Update option to avoid accidental flashing.

7. Memory card transfer: forgotten but reliable way

If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards, you can use them as a middleman for file transfers, which is relevant for devices with small internal memory (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO M3).

How to transfer files:

1. Put the memory card in the phone.
2. In Explorer, select files, click Move → Memory Map.
3. Remove the card and paste it into the computer through the card reader.
4. Copy files from the card to the PC.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 No need to connect your phone to the PC.
• 📁 Large volumes can be transferred (up to 1 TB per microSDXC).
• 🛡️ Secure for sensitive data (no transmission over the network).

Disadvantages:

• 🐢 The speed depends on the class of the card (for example, UHS-I It can be up to 90MB/s and Class 10 can only be up to 10MB/s).
• 💾 Risk of damage to the card with frequent retrieval.

For maximum speed, use UHS-II cards (such as SanDisk Extreme Pro) and a USB 3.0 card reader. In this case, the transfer of 10 GB will take about 5-7 minutes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring files from Xiaomi to PC