How to transfer files from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all the ways from fast to reliable

Transferring files between smartphones of the same brand seems like a simple task — until you face restrictions on speed, compatibility or data volume. Xiaomi owners have a unique advantage: exclusive technologies like Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop), optimized for the brand’s devices. But even they do not always work perfectly: someone faces a connection error, someone has files transferred for hours, and someone simply does not know that Wi-Fi Direct is much faster than Bluetooth.

In this article, we will analyze 7 ways to transfer files between Xiaomi smartphones - from standard (cable) USB OTG, Mi Cloud to the lesser known (e.g. use of the cloud) FTP-You will learn which method to choose to transfer 50 GB of video, how to circumvent the file size limit in Bluetooth, and why it is sometimes easier to use Google Photos than built-in tools. All instructions are current for models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra (including: POCO and Black Shark).

Spoiler: If you need to flip a few gigabytes in minutes, skip Bluetooth and immediately go to the section about Wi-Fi Direct or the Internet. USB OTG. And if privacy is important, look for a cloud-free local network.

1. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) is a proprietary way for Xiaomi

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary technology, which replaced Mi Drop in 2020, and uses a combination of Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth to create a direct connection between devices that should theoretically deliver speeds of up to 10MB/s. In practice, it all depends on the model of the smartphone, the version MIUI and even the distance between the gadgets.

To use Mi Share, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open File Manager on both smartphones.
• 🔍 Select the files you want to transfer (click and hold for multiple selections).
• 📤 Press the Send button. → Mi Share.
• 🔄 On the second device, confirm receipt (notification will pop up).
• 🔗 Wait for the transfer to be completed (do not block the screen!).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Bluetooth is 5-10 times faster (under ideal conditions).
• 🔒 There is no limit on file size (unlike Bluetooth, where the limit is 1GB).
• 🌐 It works without the internet.

⚠️ Note: If Mi Share does not find the second device, check it out:

• 🔧 Both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• 📱 The devices are at a distance of no more than 5 meters.
• 🔄 In the Mi Share settings (in Settings) → Connections and Sharing) Visible for All Mode enabled.

2. Wi-Fi Direct: Mi Share alternative for large files

Wi-Fi Direct is a technology that allows devices to connect directly to each other without a router. Unlike Mi Share, it is not tied to Xiaomi and works on any smartphone with support for the standard. The main advantage is the transfer speed of up to 20-30 MB / s (in theory), which is 2-3 times faster than Mi Share.

How to transfer files via Wi-Fi Direct:

1. On a receiving smartphone: 📶 Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct. 🔄 Enable visibility for other devices.

On the sending smartphone:

• 📁 Open File Manager, select files.
• 📤 Press Send. → Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔍 Select the second device from the list.
• Confirm the connection on both phones.

Comparison of Wi-Fi Direct and Mi Share:

⚠️ Note: If Wi-Fi Direct transmission is terminated, try it:

• 🔋 Connect both smartphones to charge (transferring large files drains the battery by 10-15% per hour).
• 📡 Move closer to the router (sometimes direct transmission conflicts with background updates).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices (resets the network settings cache).

Disable mobile internet on both devices|

Close background applications (especially messengers)|

Check the free space on the receiving smartphone|

Put the phones on charge (if transfer) >5GB)

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Bluetooth: Slowly but Reliable for Small Files

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way, transfer speeds rarely exceed 1-2 MB / s, and the maximum file size is limited to 1 GB (on some Xiaomi models – 500 MB), but the method works even on older smartphones like Redmi. 4X It does not require a Wi-Fi connection.

Instructions:

1. 🔗 Turn on Bluetooth on both devices (Settings) → Bluetooth).
2. 🔄 Pair the devices (click on the name of the second smartphone in the list and confirm the code).
3. 📁 In File Manager, select files → Send. → Bluetooth.
4. 📱 Select the conjugated device and confirm reception on the second phone.

When to use Bluetooth:

• 📄 For transfer of documents (.pdf,.docx) or small photos.
• 🔋 If both smartphones are discharged (consumes less power than Wi-Fi).
• 🚫 If other methods don’t work (for example, a broken Wi-Fi module).

Important: on smartphones with MIUI 14+ When transmitted via Bluetooth, files are automatically saved to a folder. Bluetooth/Incoming, Not in the downloads like before.

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If Bluetooth is permanently interrupted, try to reduce the size of the file packet. For example, instead of sending 50 photos, send 10 at a time.

4.Cable OTG: fastest and most reliable method

Use of the USB OTG-A cable (or adapter) is the fastest way to transfer files between Xiaomi smartphones. USB-port (up to 40-60 MB / s per port) USB In addition, this method is independent of network settings and does not drain the battery.

What you need:

• 🔌 USB OTG-cable (Type-C) → Type-C or Type-C → MicroUSB, depending on the models).
• 📱 One of the smartphones should be supported. OTG (All Xiaomi models since 2018 – support).

Step-by-step:

1. 🔗 Connect the sending smartphone to the receiving one through OTG-cable.
2. 📂 A notification will appear on the receiving device USB-The device is connected. Click on it and select File Transfer (MTP).
3. 📁 Open File Manager on the receiving smartphone – in the Devices section, the folder of the internal memory of the second phone will appear.
4. 🔄 Copy the required files manually (like on a flash drive).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Speeds 3-5 times faster than Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔒 There is no risk of interruption of transmission (unlike wireless methods).
• 📦 You can transfer files of any size (even 100).+ GB).

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone does not recognize the second device through OTG, check:

• 🔌 The cable is good (try another one).
• 🔧 In the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times pressed) included Debugging by USB.
• 📱 On the sending smartphone, File Transfer is selected (not Charging).

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Cable OTG — The only way to transfer files if one of the smartphones is broken Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

5. Cloud Services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive and Alternatives

If you don’t need instant file transfer, and the speed of the Internet allows it, cloud services will be a convenient solution. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud (5 GB for free), but it has limitations: for example, video in higher resolution. 1080p Alternatives like Google Drive or Yandex Drive don't have that disadvantage.

Comparison of cloud services for Xiaomi:

How to transfer files via Mi Cloud:

1. 📱 On the sending smartphone, open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
2. 🔄 Enable synchronization for Gallery or Files.
3. 📁 Select files to download (they will appear in the cloud in a few minutes).
4. 📲 On the receiving smartphone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and download files from Mi Cloud.

When to choose a cloud:

• ☁️ If you need to transfer files to multiple devices at the same time.
• 🔄 If you often sync data between gadgets.
• 📡 If you have slow Wi-Fi Direct but fast mobile internet.

6. FTP-File Manager Server: for Advanced Users

Few people know, but the standard File Manager app on Xiaomi has a built-in FTP-This allows you to turn your smartphone into a local server that you can connect to from another device over Wi-Fi, and it is convenient for transferring large amounts of data (for example, backups) without size restrictions.

How to set up FTP-server:

1. 📡 Connect both smartphones to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. 📱 On the sending smartphone, open the File Manager → Network → FTP-server.
3. 🔑 Open the server (the address of the view will appear) ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx).
4. 📲 On the receiving smartphone, open any FTP-client (e.g. Solid Explorer) and connect to the address.
5. 📁 Copy the necessary files.

Advantages of the method:

• 📦 There are no limits on file sizes or folders.
• ⚡ Speed depends only on the Wi-Fi network (up to 50 MB / s on Wi-Fi 5).
• 🔧 You can transfer files to your PC or other devices at the same time.

⚠️ Attention: FTP-The server in File Manager automatically shuts down after 10 minutes of inactivity:

• 🔄 Periodically “ping” the server (open the folder on the receiving device).
• 📡 Use a stable Wi-Fi network (not a mobile hotspot).

7.LAN (LAN): cloudless

If both smartphones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can use applications to transfer files over the local network, popular options: Send Anywhere, LocalSend or Feem, these programs create a direct channel between devices without downloading data to the Internet.

Example from LocalSend (open source without ads):

1. 📱 Install LocalSend on both smartphones (localsend.org).
2. 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. 📤 On the sending smartphone, select files → Send. → LocalSend.
4. 📲 At the reception, confirm the reception.

Pros of the method:

• 🔒 Data does not leave the local network (more secure than clouds).
• ⚡ Speed is limited only by Wi-Fi capabilities (up to 30-40 MB / s).
• 🌐 It works even if one of the smartphones on iOS.

Cons:

• 📡 Requires a stable Wi-Fi network (not working via mobile Internet).
• 📱 You need to install a third-party app.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file transfers to Xiaomi