How to transfer files to Xiaomi: everything from cable to cloud

Transferring files to Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphones can seem like a trivial task — until you face MIUI limitations, slow speeds or connection errors. Unlike the iPhone, where AirDrop works almost flawlessly, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several alternative solutions, each with its own nuances, for example, standard Bluetooth in MIUI is limited to a file size of 100 MB, and the Mi Share function (formerly Mi Drop) can conflict with energy-saving settings.

In this guide, we will look at all the current ways to transfer files to Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden MIUI features, circumventing restrictions and speed optimization. Particular attention will be paid to methods that work even on budget models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Poco X5) with minimal RAM, you will learn how to transfer photos from iPhone to Xiaomi without loss of quality, why Wi-Fi Direct sometimes refuses to connect, and how to use ADB to transfer files if the touch screen does not respond.

1. File transfer via USB-cable (MTP)

The most reliable and quick way is to connect your smartphone to your computer via cable, but even here, Xiaomi users often face problems: the device is not identified, there is an error "MTP-Device not identified, or files are copied at speed 1-2 MB/s. The reason usually lies in the drivers or settings MIUI.

To avoid mistakes:

• 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable (or certified) USB-C Cheap cables often do not support the protocol. MTP.
• 🖥️ On Windows, install the official Mi drivers PC Suite (even if you don’t plan to use the program).
• 📱 Settings menu → Connection and sharing → USB Select "File Transfer" (not "Charging" mode").
• 🔄 If your computer can’t see Xiaomi, restart both devices and try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 blue).

Transfer speed depends on the version USB-port-on:

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9T) When connecting to a MacBook, there may be an error “Insufficient power for the device” USB-Solution: use an externally powered hub or enable the "Debugging by Debugging" option in the developer settings USB" (though it is not necessary for MTP).

2. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop): Transmission without Internet

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary Wi-Fi Direct file sharing technology that runs faster than Bluetooth (up to 10MB/s) and doesn’t require an internet connection. However, many users complain that the feature periodically “loses” devices or gives an error “I couldn’t connect”.

How to set up Mi Share correctly:

1. Open the Files app (or Explorer in MIUI).
2. Select files, click "Send" → "Mi Share".
3. On the second device, turn on Wi-Fi and Mi Share in the notification curtain.
4. Confirm the connection on both devices.

Common problems and solutions:

• 🔄 The device won't find the other smartphone: check that both phones have Wi-Fi and Mi Share on. VPN proxy.
• 🚫 Failed to Send Error: Try to reduce the file packet size (e.g., send 50 photos at a time).
• 🔋 Transfer interrupted: Turn off the power saving mode in the battery settings for the Files app".

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If Mi Share doesn’t work on Poco F5 or Redmi K60, try resetting your network settings: Settings → Wi-Fi → More → Reset your network settings.

Bluetooth 3: When speed is not important

Bluetooth is convenient for transferring small files (up to 100 MB), but MIUI has a limitation: you can not send more than 30 files at a time. In addition, the speed rarely exceeds 1-2 MB / s, and on older models (for example, Redmi 8A), the connection can break.

How to optimize transmission:

• 📲 Before sending files, archive the files in ZIP (for example, through an appendix RAR Google Play).
• 🔗 If Bluetooth does not find the device, turn on “Visibility for All” in Bluetooth settings.
• 🔋 Turn off the "Adaptive Battery" in Settings → Battery as it can block background transmission.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (For example, on Xiaomi Mi. A3 Android One) when you transfer files via Bluetooth, you save them to a Bluetooth folder, which is difficult to find. To avoid this, open the Files app before you send them and manually select the target folder.

4. Wi-Fi transmission (FTP or HTTP-server)

If you need to transfer large files (such as videos) 4K or backups, the best option is to create on Xiaomi FTP-server HTTP-This allows you to transfer data at speeds up to 50 MB/s (depending on the router). MIUI.

Instructions for FTP-server:

1. Open the Files application → Network → FTP.
2. Click "Run" and write down the address (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
3. On your computer, open the "Windows" or "Finder" (Mac) address and enter that address.
4. For authentication, use the anonymous login (without a password).

For HTTP-server:

1. In the same section "Network" select "HTTP-server".
2. Start the server and copy the link (e.g. http://192.168.1.100:8080).
3. Open it in the browser on another device.

Comparison of FTP and HTTP:

Turn off the power saving mode|Connect both devices to the same network|Close background annexes|Check the free space on Xiaomi-->

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

Cloud storage is convenient for transferring files between different platforms (for example, from iPhone to Xiaomi).

• 🌥️ Google Drive: free 15 GB, but when you download a large number of photos can compress them (disables in the settings).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Only 5GB free, but integrated with the MIUI (Photos are automatically synchronized in the gallery → Cloud).
• 📁 Telegram: no file size limit, but maximum file size is 2 GB (200 MB in channels).
• 🔗 WeTransfer: Up to 2GB free, but files are only stored for 7 days.

How to transfer photos from iPhone to Xiaomi via Google Drive:

1. On your iPhone, upload a photo to Google Photos (enable "Backup and Sync").
2. On Xiaomi, install Google Photos from Play Market and log in to the same account.
3. Open the application, select a photo and click "Save to the device".

⚠️ Note: When transmitted via Mi Cloud on models with MIUI 14 and newer files can be automatically optimized (lossless compression). To disable this, go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization settings and turn off "Storage optimization".

6.ADB: File transfer if the smartphone doesn't respond

If the Xiaomi screen crashed or the device hung, but it turns on, you can transfer files through the device. ADB (This method requires a computer and USB-cable, but works even without unlocking the screen (if previously enabled Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands: Adb devices (should appear your device) adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\ (It'll copy the folder. DCIM photo-c).

If debugging is on USB If it's not included before, it won't work, so you just have to remove the microSD (if you have one) or go to a service center to recover data through the data. EDL-regime.

7. Alternative methods: OTG, NFC and QR-code

Less obvious methods can be used for specific tasks:

• 🔌 OTG-cable: connect the flash drive or external SSD It works on all models with support for Xiaomi and copy files directly. USB OTG (Check in the settings → Connection and sharing).
• 📶 NFC: It is suitable only for transferring small files (business cards, links). Press the smartphones with the back covers to each other and select the file in the menu. NFC.
• 🔲 QR-codes: generate QR-code for the file through the application QR & Barcode Scanner and scan it with another device.

For OTG-drives, it is important:

• 🔋 Xiaomi may not recognize flash drives larger than 128 GB (solution: format it in the form of a new device) FAT32).
• ⚡ On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9C) plug-in OTG-The phone is discharged faster.

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For maximum transfer speed, use USB 3.0 (on flagships) or Wi-Fi FTP. Bluetooth and NFC are only suitable for small files.

FAQ: Frequent questions