How to quickly and safely transfer data from Xiaomi to a laptop: all the ways of 2026

Transferring data from Xiaomi’s smartphone to a laptop seems like a simple task — until you encounter connection errors, slow transfer speeds or unexpected MIUI limitations. In 2026, users have new tools (for example, the updated Mi Drop and integration with Windows 11), but the old problems are still there: the phone is not defined as a drive, files are not copied due to access rights, and the Wi-Fi connection is cut off at half the time.

This article will not just list the transfer methods, but we will look at why each method may not work on your model (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 14), how to get around the limitations of MIUI, and what laptop settings affect speed. For example, did you know that the enabled Developer Mode on Xiaomi speeds up USB transfer by 30%? or that Google Photos automatically compresses video when uploaded to the cloud? These nuances determine whether you spend 5 minutes or 2 hours on the transfer.

Transfer through USB-Cable: Why the phone is not visible as a storage device

The most reliable way is to connect via cable, but it often crashes due to MIUI settings or drivers on the PC. Xiaomi defaults on the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) protocol, which can conflict with antivirus or outdated Windows drivers.

To avoid problems:

• 🔌 Use the original cable from the kit – cheap counterparts often do not support data transfer (only charging).
• 🖥️ On a laptop, turn off Fast Start in power settings – this solves 60% of device definition problems.
• 📱 On the phone in the Settings menu → Connection and sharing → USB-Connection select File Transfer (MTP), Not "Only charging".
• 🔄 If the phone is still not visible, restart both devices and try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 blue).

MIUI 14+ Critical Error: On new firmware, Xiaomi blocks access to system folders (e.g. DCIM/Thumbnails or Android/data) via MTP. To see them, you need to see Settings → Special Features → Developer Mode to enable the “Debug by USB” option and confirm PC permission.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to run out (rather than charge) after you connect, the cable or port doesn't support enough current.For Xiaomi with fast charging (Redmi Note 13 Pro)+, Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Use the port USB-C powered.

2. Wireless transmission via Mi Drop: speed vs stability

Mi Drop is Xiaomi’s proprietary Wi-Fi solution for transferring files between devices, an advantage of which is that you don’t need a cable, but it’s 10-15 MB/s (versus 2-5 MB/s for Bluetooth).

First, Mi Drop only works between Xiaomi devices (or POCO/Redmi) and a Windows laptop (macOS is not supported). Second, when transferring large files (>1 GB), the connection can break due to MIUI limitations on background activity.

How to set up Mi Drop:

1. On your phone, open the Mi Drop app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. On your laptop, go to drop.xiaomi.com and scan. QR-phone-screen.
3. Select files on your phone and click "Send" - they will appear in the browser on the PC.

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If Mi Drop doesn’t work, try an alternative, LocalSend (available for Windows, macOS, Android) that doesn’t require registration and supports folder transfer without compression.

3. Cloud services: Google Drive vs Mi Cloud vs Yandex Drive

Cloud storage is convenient for backup, but has limitations:

• 📁 Google Drive: 15GB free, but video >1080p It is compressed when downloading from the phone.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Only 5GB free, but retains original file quality.
• 📤 Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, but download speed depends on the Internet tariff.

How to upload files to the cloud without loss:

1. For Google Photos: In the app settings, select Original Quality (not High Quality), but this will eat the Drive quota.
2. For Mi Cloud: in Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud, enable “Gallery Sync” and select folders to reserve.
3. For large files (>2 GB), use Yandex Drive with a desktop client – it supports multithreaded download.

⚠️ Note: When you upload files to Google Drive via the mobile app, files with the.apk extension (Android Installation Packages) are automatically blocked as "potentially dangerous." To save them, archive them to.zip before downloading.

Disable the restriction of mobile traffic|Check the free space in the cloud|Select "Original Quality" in the settings|Close background apps on your phone-->

4. FTP-Xiaomi server: for advanced users

If you need to transfer a large amount of data (for example, a backup copy of.tar or a.tar backup) RAW-photo), FTP-The best solution is a server on your phone, and it's 20 to 30 MB/s on the local network, and files are not compressed.

How to set up FTP on Xiaomi:

1. Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app from Google Play.
2. Turn on the developer mode on the phone and activate "Debugging by USB".
3. In the file manager, find the function "FTP-server and run it (by default port 2221).
4. On your laptop, connect through Windows Explorer at the address ftp://[IP-phone]:2221.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Speed 2-3 times faster than Mi Drop.
• 📂 Support for folders and files of any size (unlike clouds).
• 🔒 You can set a password to access.

Disadvantages: Requires stable Wi-Fi, if the connection breaks, the transfer will have to start again. Windows 11 may need to manually configure the firewall for port 2221.

5. Bluetooth and NFC transmission: when justified

Bluetooth and NFC are the slowest ways to do this, but they do work if:

• 🔋 You don't have a cable, and Wi-Fi is off.
• 📎 You need to transfer 1-2 small files (for example, a contact or a document.pdf).
• 🔒 Maximum confidentiality is required (NFC It only works from a distance <5 centimeter).

How to transfer files over Bluetooth:

1. On your phone: open the file in Explorer, click Share → Bluetooth and select a laptop.
2. On a laptop: confirm the file reception in the system tray (Bluetooth icon).

Bluetooth 5.0 (on Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12) speeds up to 2 MB/s, but rarely exceeds 500 KB/s due to interference. For NFC, the limit is even tougher: only files up to 10 MB (usually photos or business cards).

⚠️ Note: On laptops with Windows 10/11 Bluetooth drivers often conflict with MIUI. If files are not being transferred, update the adapter driver via Device Manager (download the version from the laptop manufacturer’s website, not through Windows Update).

6. Alternative methods: OTG-drives and email

If none of these methods are suitable, consider:

OTG-drive (flash drive with USB-C connector):

• 💾 Buy a flash drive with support OTG (SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive).
• 📱 Connect it to the phone, copy files through "Conductor".
• 🖥️ Insert the flash drive into the laptop and transfer the data.

The downside: not all Xiaomi models support OTG (check in specs). For example, the POCO M6 Pro works with OTG, while the Redmi A2 does not.

Email or messengers:

• ✉️ For files up to 25 MB suitable Gmail or Yandex Mail.
• 💬 Telegram can send up to 2 GB via the “Send File” function (without compression).

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For the transfer of large amounts of data (video, backups) priority methods: FTP > USB-cable > Mi Drop. Clouds and instant messengers are only suitable for small files or backups.

Comparative table of all methods

FAQ: Frequent questions and errors