How to transfer photos from one Xiaomi phone to another: all ways with pros and cons

Transferring photos between Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face restrictions on speed, compatibility or data volume. 2026 In the last year, users have a minimum 7 The working ways of sharing files, but not all of them are equally effective. 2-3 It will be a nightmare when you send albums in a format. RAW or video 4K. On the other hand, proprietary Mi Share technology (formerly Mi Drop) promises speeds up to the top of the line. 20 MB/s, but requires specific network settings.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods - from standard (cable) to standard. USB-C, Cloud services to little-known (local network via a network) FTP, Google's Nearby Share, with a special focus on hidden restrictions MIUI 14/15, which block the transfer of files of more than 2 GB through some protocols, you'll learn how to get around these limitations, which formats are supported without loss of quality, and why it's sometimes easier to use third-party software like Send Anywhere or Snapdrop.

1. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) – a proprietary way from Xiaomi

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary technology, optimized for file sharing between brand devices. It works via Wi-Fi Direct, which theoretically allows speeds of up to 20 MB/s. MIUI and even firmware.

To use Mi Share, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Files app on both phones.
• 🔍 Select the photos you want to share and click Share.
• 📤 In the list of options, select Mi Share (some firmware may call Quick Transfer).
• 🔄 On the second phone, confirm receipt of files.

The advantages of this method are that you don't need to use the Internet, you transfer files in their original quality, you support folders and archives, but you also have disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Size limit: by MIUI 14/15 Some users experience an error when transferring files above 1,5 GB.
• ⚠️ Compatibility: Older models (e.g. Redmi Note 8) may require firmware updates.

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices|

Update the Files app to the latest version|

Make sure that there is enough free space on both phones.|

Turn off power saving mode (may interrupt transmission)-->

If Mi Share doesn’t work, try resetting the network settings on both phones (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Also check if the transmission is blocked by antivirus or VPN.

2. Bluetooth Transfer: When Speed Is Not Important

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way. It's the right way to transmit. 1-2 photo-format JPEG, But it will be a torment when working with HEIC, RAW Or video, the transmission speed rarely exceeds the speed. 1-2 MB/s, and on older versions of the protocol (up to Bluetooth) 4.0) may fall 0,5 MB/s.

Instructions for transmission:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones (Settings) → Connections and sharing → Bluetooth).
2. Connect the devices (click on the name of the second phone in the list of available).
3. Select photos in the gallery, click Share → Bluetooth.
4. Confirm the receipt of files on the second device.

Important nuances:

• 📸 Image compression: some versions MIUI They automatically compress photos when they're transmitted over Bluetooth. To avoid loss of quality, pre-archive files in the Bluetooth. ZIP.
• 🔋 Battery consumption: long-term transmission over Bluetooth significantly increases power consumption.Recommended to connect the phone to charging.

Mi Share (Xiaomi)|

Bluetooth|

Wi-Fi Direct|

USB| cable

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) |

Other-->

If Bluetooth is permanently breaking the connection, try:

• Turn off the power saving mode.
• Reduce the distance between devices (optimally - up to 1 meter).
• Update firmware (B) MIUI 15 Fixed File Sharing Errors via Bluetooth).

3. Wi-Fi Direct: A Fast Alternative to Mi Share

Wi-Fi Direct is a technology that allows devices to connect directly without a router. Unlike Mi Share, it works on all smartphones, including models from other brands. 10-15 MB/s, that in 5-10 faster than Bluetooth.

How to transfer photos via Wi-Fi Direct:

1. Activate Wi-Fi Direct on both phones: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Direct
2. On the first phone, select photos in the gallery, click Share → Wi-Fi Direct.
3. Confirm the connection on the second device.

Comparison of Wi-Fi Direct and Mi Share:

If Wi-Fi Direct does not find the second device:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi enabled (even if there is no network connection).
• 🛠️ Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

💡

If you need to transfer many photos, first pack them in the archive. ZIP or RAR. This will speed up the process and reduce the risk of errors in transmission.

4.Cable USB-C: The most reliable, but not always comfortable

Cable use USB-C (adapter USB-C → USB-A) — One of the most reliable ways to transmit large amounts of data, the speed depends on the version of the protocol:

• USB 2.0: Up to 40MB/s (older Redmi models)
• USB 3.0/3.1: before 100-200 MB/s (Xiaomi) 13/14, POCO F5).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phones with cable (use if necessary) OTG-adapter).
2. On the first phone, select File Transfer Mode (or MTP).
3. Open Explorer on the second phone and copy the photos.

Challenges and solutions:

• ⚠️ Phone is not defined: try another cable (not all) USB-C Support data transmission).
• ⚠️ Slow speed: Check if you are using the port USB 3.0 (usually marked in blue).
• ⚠️ No option. MTP: Update the firmware or enable debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).

💡

Cable USB-C — The only way to transfer files over 4 GB without compression and loss of quality.

If you don't. OTG-Adapters can be used as an intermediary:

1. Copy photos from the first phone to your PC.
2. Connect the second phone and transfer the files.

5 Cloud services: convenient, but not always secure

Cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex Disk) allows you to transfer photos without physically connecting devices.

• 🔒 Privacy: files are temporarily stored on third party servers.
• 📶 Traffic: download and download consume mobile Internet (relevant for tariffs with restrictions).
• ⏳ Speed limits: Free accounts often have limits (e.g. 10GB on Google Drive).

Comparison of popular services:

* When using Telegram without volume restrictions, but with a limit of 2 GB per file.

How to transfer photos via Google Drive:

1. Upload photos to My disk via the mobile app.
2. Generate a link for (click on the file) → Share. → Copy the link).
3. Send a link to the second phone (via the phone) SMS, Telegram or WhatsApp).
4. Download files on the second device.

For maximum safety:

• 🔐 Use your password before uploading to the cloud.
• 🗑️ Delete files from the cloud immediately after transfer.
• 🛡️ Enable two-factor authentication in your account.

6. Third-party applications: when standard methods do not work

If the built-in tools of Xiaomi fail (for example, due to errors in the MIUI or model incompatibility, third-party apps come to the rescue:

• 📲 Send Anywhere: transfer without registration, speeds up to 10 MB / s, file support up to 10 GB.
• 🌐 Snapdrop: works through a browser, does not require installation, is ideal for PocoPhone and Black Shark.
• 🔗 Feem: creates a local network, supports transfer between Android, iOS and PC.
• 📎 Xender: popular in Asia but contains ads.

Example of transfer via Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On the first phone, select files and click Send.
3. Create a 6-digit code or QR-code.
4. On the second phone, enter the code or scan the QR.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• ✅ There are no file size restrictions (unlike Mi Share).
• ✅ Works on any device, including iPhone and PC.
• ✅ Often support continued downloading after communication break.

💡

Before using third-party apps, check out reviews from the past month – some of them (like SHAREit) have been caught collecting user data.

If the application does not find the second device:

• 🔄 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (even if it doesn’t have internet).
• 📱 Enable Developer Mode and Turn Off Network Optimization.
• 🔒 In the application settings, allow access to storage and location.

7.Local. FTP-server: for advanced users

If you need to transfer thousands of photos (like a backup gallery), the most effective way is to deploy them. FTP-This is a server on one of the phones, and it's going to get you up to speed. 30-50 MB/s (when using Wi-Fi) 5/6).

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Install an FTP Server application (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Start the server and write it down. IP-address, port, login and password.
3. On the second phone, connect to the server through any FTP-client, ES Conductor).
4. Copy files like a regular hard drive.

Settings for maximum speed:

• 📶 Connect both phones to the router via Wi-Fi 5 GHz.
• 🔌 Turn off the power saving mode.
• 🔒 In the settings FTP-Select Passive Mode (reduces the number of breaks).

If FTP-server not running:

• 🛠️ Check if the connection is blocked by a firewall or antivirus.
• 📡 Make sure that both devices are on the same subnet (e.g, 192.168.1.x).
• 🔄 Restart your router (sometimes) DHCP does not give out correct IP-address).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions