Transfer photos from Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to your computer via USB: a complete guide with error solutions

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 It is still one of the brand's most popular smartphones due to its reliability and functionality, but even with a proven device, owners face problems when trying to transfer photos to a computer through the Internet. USB-Windows can't see the phone, it can't see the phone. MIUI If you ask for unlock, you don't copy the files. This article is a step-by-step illustration guide, a solution for the future. MIUI 14/13/12 and responses to frequent errors (e.g, "USB-device not identified").

We will not only discuss the standard method through MTP-The system, but also alternative methods - debugging USB, utilization ADB You can use it to force the drive to mount, and you can also workarounds if the cable or port is damaged, and you can focus on the developer settings and drivers that often cause failures. If you've tried to connect Redmi Note 4 to your PC and you've got an error, here's the solution.

Why Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 does not transfer photos via USB: the main reasons

Problems with USB transfers to Redmi Note 4 are usually due to one of five reasons, and are easy to diagnose if you know what to look for:

• 🔌 Faulty cable or port. Even if the cable charges the phone, it doesn't mean it supports data transfer. Xiaomi's original cables often fail after 1-2 years of use.
• 🖥️ Lack of drivers MTP. Windows 10/11 Usually installs them automatically, but on older versions of the OS or after a system reset, drivers may not be available.
• ⚙️ Incorrect Connection Mode. By default, Redmi Note 4 can turn on Charge Only mode, not Charge only. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol).
• 🔒 Lockdown MIUI. In some firmware, Xiaomi requires you to confirm your trust in your computer through a notification on the lock screen.
• 🛠️ A damaged file system, if the photos are stored on a damaged file. SD-Windows may not display them or give a read error.

The most common mistake — "USB-Device Manager 43 is a device that is not recognized, and it is caused by driver conflict or hardware problems, and less often, users are faced with the phone connecting, but the folder is not. DCIM empty, which means that MIUI Hiding media files due to privacy settings.

⚠️ Warning: If you're connecting Redmi Note 4 to your computer for the first time, be sure to unlock your phone's screen and confirm your PC's trust in the notification that appears. Without this, Windows won't get access to files, even if the cable is working.

Preparation for the transfer of photos: what to check before connecting

Before you connect your phone to your computer, follow a few simple steps that will save you time and help you avoid common mistakes:

1. Check it out. USB-Use the original Xiaomi cable or certified data-enabled counterpart (usually marked as "Sync & Charge"). Powerbank charging cables are often not suitable.
2. Update MIUI. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update System and install the latest patches. Older versions of the firmware (below MIUI 10) may have MTP bugs.
3. Activate Developer Mode (if you plan to use ADB). To do this, tap 7 times on the MIUI Version in Settings → About Phone.
4. Turn it off. VPN Some security programs (such as Avast or Kaspersky) block the connection. USB-device.

Also make sure that the computer has the latest drivers. Redmi Note 4 will fit universal drivers Google USB Driver or official Xiaomi (download en.miui.com). If you use a Mac, install Android File Transfer — without this program macOS will not see files on the phone.

Step-by-step: how to transfer photos from Redmi Note 4 to PC via USB

Follow this algorithm to transfer photos without errors. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12/13/14 and Windows 10/11:

1. Connect your phone to your computer with the original cable. Use the USB 2.0 port (black) — it works more stable with MTP than USB 3.0 (blue).
2. Unlock the Redmi Note 4 screen and wait for the notification "USB for file transfer." If it's not, lower the notification curtain down.
3. Slip the notification and select File Transfer (MTP) mode. If there is no such option, proceed to the next step.
4. Open "This Computer" on your PC. The "Devices and Disks" section should include the Redmi Note 4 as a media device.
5. Go to Internal storage → DCIM → Camera. This is where all the photos taken on the main camera are stored. For screenshots, check the Pictures → Screenshots folder.
6. Copy the files to your computer (drag and drop or use Ctrl+C → Ctrl+V).

If the DCIM folder is empty but you are sure that there are photos, check the settings for displaying hidden files in Windows. To do this, click View → Hidden Items in the Explorer. Also, photos can be stored in the MIUI or Download folders if you downloaded them from instant messengers.

Checked. USB-cable|Phone screen unlocked|The regime is chosen MTP notice|Disabled. VPN and antivirus|Updated firmware MIUI-->

Problem Solving: Phone is connected, but photos are not transmitted

If Redmi Note 4 is defined by a computer, but the photos are not copied or the folders are empty, try these methods:

If none of these methods worked, try alternative methods of transmission:

• 🌐 Cloud services. Upload photos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk, then download them to your PC.
• 📡 FTP-Install an app on the phone. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer and activate it FTP-Connect to it through Windows Explorer at the address ftp://IP-telephone.
• 🔌 OTG-adapter + Copy the photos into a flash drive. USB-drive through the adapter, then connect the flash drive to the computer.

⚠️ Note: If you are connected through USB The phone starts to run out (instead of charging), a sign of a faulty cable or port. USB-port on the computer (preferably on the back panel of the system unit).

Configure the developer mode for forced USB mounting

If standard MTP-It's not working, you can force mounting through developer mode, and this method will help if Windows sees the phone but doesn't display files:

1. Activate the Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the default USB configuration and select File Transfer (MTP).
4. Activate Debugging via USB (if you plan to use ADB).
5. Connect your phone to your computer. In the notification, select File Transfer.

If that doesn’t work, try resetting your USB settings:

1. In the developer mode, find the Reset USB configuration.
2. Confirm the reset and reconnect the cable.
3. Select the MTP mode in the notification.

For power users, there's another way to do this, manually mounting through ADB.

1. Install Platform Tools from Google’s website.
2. Open the command line in the ADB folder and execute: adb devices If the phone appears in the list, type: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true
3. Reconnect. USB-cable.

Alternative ways to transfer photos without USB

If you can’t connect via cable (for example, a broken port or cable), use one of these methods:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: Google Photos: automatically uploads all photos in original quality (up to 15 GB free). Mi Cloud: built-in cloud from Xiaomi (5 GB free), synchronized with the gallery. Yandex.Disk or Mail.ru Cloud: convenient for Russian users (up to 10-20 GB free).
• 📶 Local area network (Wi-Fi): Install on the phone FX File Explorer or File Explorer ES Conductor, turn on. FTP-server and connect via Windows Explorer at the address ftp://IP-Phone:port. Use the Portal by Pushbullet app to transfer files over Wi-Fi without settings.
• 📱 Messengers and mail: Send photos to your Telegram (no size restrictions) or mail (Gmail, Mail.ru). Use WhatsApp Web or Viber to transfer small packets of photos.

The fastest way to get a lot of photos is FTP over Wi-Fi, it will be slower than USB, but you don’t need cables, for example, you can transfer files at ~5-10 MB / s via FX File Explorer (depending on the router).

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If you have a lot of photos (over 1000), archive them in ZIP directly on your phone before transferring them over Wi-Fi, which will speed up the process and avoid copying errors.

Frequent errors and their solutions: analysis of specific cases

This section provides solutions for specific errors that occur when you connect a Redmi Note 4 to your computer. If your problem is not described here, check the comments below the article — someone may have already encountered a similar situation.

Mistake: "USB-device not identified” (code 43)

This error occurs when Windows cannot identify a driver for the phone.

1. Open Device Manager (click Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find Redmi Note 4 with a yellow exclamation point.
3. Right-click → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer.
4. Select Install from the list of available drivers and manually specify MTP-device.

Problem: The phone is connected, but the folders are empty

If there are no photos in the DCIM folder, even though there are photos on the phone:

• Check if files are hidden. In Windows Explorer, click View → Hidden Items.
• Make sure that the photos are stored in internal memory, not in the SD-card (if any).
• Try opening the MIUI → Camera folder – sometimes MIUI saves the photo there.

Error: "No access to the device"

This means Windows has blocked access because of security policies.

1. Open the Control Panel → System and Security → Network Management Center.
2. Go to Additional Shared Access Settings.
3. Enable Network Discovery and Shared File and Printer Access.
4. Turn off Real-time Protection in Windows Defender while you copy.

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If neither of these methods worked, try connecting the Redmi Note 4 to another computer, and if the problem recurs, the phone's cable or port is faulty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions