How to upload files to Xiaomi: everything from USB to cloud services

Why Xiaomi’s standard file copying methods sometimes don’t work

Transferring files to a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone seems trivial only at first glance. In practice, users face unexpected limitations of MIUI: the system can block access to folders via USB, slowly copy data over Wi-Fi or not at all “see” the device on the computer. The reasons lie in the features of the firmware: since MIUI 12, the company has tightened security policies, and new models (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) have a secure data transfer mode activated by default.

Another trap is the difference between MTP and PTP. Many people don't know that when you connect via USB, your smartphone offers you to choose the mode of operation, and the wrong choice leads to files either being copied at the speed of the 1990s or not being copied at all, and if you're trying to transfer files from MacOS or Linux, you can't do without additional drivers (libmtp or Android File Transfer).

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to transfer files to Xiaomi, including little-known tricks to speed up transfer and bypass the limitations of MIUI. Particular attention will be paid to the method using a local area network (FTP), which allows you to transfer files at speeds up to 50 MB / s – 10 times faster than standard MTP.

Method 1: Classic USB Connection (MTP)

The most common method that works on all Xiaomi devices, from the Redmi 9A to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra. However, even here there are pitfalls: if you connect your smartphone to your computer for the first time, the system can request permission to access data, and in some versions of MIUI this request is “hidden” in the notification curtain.

Step-by-step:

• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your computer using the original cable (cheap Chinese counterparts often don’t support data transfer).
• 📱 On the screen of the smartphone will appear notification "USB To transfer files, tap on it.
• 🔄 Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). If there is no such item, go to Settings → Connection and sharing → USB and enable manual file transfer.
• 🖥️ The computer will open a conductor window with folders of the smartphone. Copy files to the desired directory (for example, Internal Storage). → Download).

If the computer does not see the device:

Important for Windows 10/11: If the system gives an error "Device MTP not recognized", download the official drivers from the Xiaomi website or install the Media Feature Pack through "Settings → Applications → Additional Components".

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To speed up copying by MTP, turn off the “Optimize Charging” function in the battery settings on your smartphone – it limits the data transfer speed.

Method 2: Wi-Fi transmission (FTP-server)

If you don’t have a cable or want to transfer files wirelessly, the fastest way is to run on a smartphone. FTP-This method works 5-10 times faster than Bluetooth and does not require registration in the cloud. 4K, backups, game images).

Instructions for MIUI 14 and newer:

1. Install from Google Play the FX File Explorer app (or analogues: Solid Explorer, MiXplorer).
2. Open the application, go to the section Network → FTP-server.
3. Click "Run the server" - the address of the view will appear ftp://192.168.1.100:2221.
4. On your computer, open the Explorer and enter that address into the address bar (or use FileZilla, WinSCP).
5. Copy files to the desired folder of the smartphone (all directories are available, except system directories).

The transmission speed depends on the router:

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn off Wi-Fi on your smartphone during transmission, this will interrupt the connection and can damage the copied files. If you need to transfer data on the street, use the access point (set it up on your smartphone and connect your laptop to it).

Method 3: Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Telegram)

Cloud storage is convenient for transferring files between devices, but has limitations: volume limits (usually 5-15 GB for free), download speed (depending on the Internet connection), and privacy (files are stored on third-party servers).

Comparison of popular services:

• ☁️ Google Drive: 15GB free, integration with MIUI, The speed depends on the Internet tariff.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, optimized for Xiaomi, automatic backups. minus: servers in China are slower for European users.
• 📎 Telegram: unlimited for files up to 2 GB, instant transfer. Minus: you need to create a chat "Saved Messages" or a bot.
• 💾 Mega: 20GB free, data encryption. minus: suspected key leaks (2022).

How to transfer files via Mi Cloud:

1. On your smartphone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the Gallery or Files section.
3. On your computer, go to i.mi.com, log in and upload files to the cloud.
4. On your smartphone, open the Files → Mi Cloud app and download the necessary data.

⚠️ Note: When downloading large files (>1 GB) on the mobile Internet, monitor traffic consumption. MIUI By default, the warning about exceeding the limit is disabled - turn it on in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic warning.

Method 4: Bluetooth and Nearby Share (for small files)

Bluetooth is convenient for transferring small files (photos, documents up to 50 MB) between Android devices. Speed is low (1-3 MB / s), but you do not need an Internet connection. In the new Xiaomi models (starting with MIUI 13), Nearby Share is also available, an analogue of Google’s AirDrop, which is faster than Bluetooth and supports folder transfer.

How to transfer files via Nearby Share:

• 📲 On both devices, turn on Bluetooth and Geolocation (required!).
• 🔍 On the sender smartphone, select the file → "Share" → "Nearby Share".
• 📱 On the smartphone Xiaomi will appear a notification about the incoming file – confirm the reception.

Limitations of the method:

⚠️ Note: If Nearby Share does not find the device, check that the Xiaomi smartphone in the settings of Google → Devices and sharing → Nearby Share: All Contacts or Nearby".

Method 5: OTG-cable and external drives

If you need to transfer a lot of data (for example, movies to the Internet) 4K, backups or firmware, and USB-Wi-Fi or cable is not stable, use it. OTG-This method allows you to connect to Xiaomi flash drive, external SSD or even a hard drive (if it is powered by a separate source).

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-adapter (Type-C) → USB-A for new models or micro-USB → USB-A old).
• 💾 External storage formatted in FAT32, exFAT or NTFS (The latter is not supported by all smartphones).
• 📱 Smartphone with support OTG (Check the characteristics of the model or through the application USB OTG Checker).

Instructions:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to the smartphone, and to the adapter – external disk.
2. On the screen will appear a notification “USB-drive is connected” – tap it.
3. Select "Use as a media device" (or "Transfer files").
4. Open any file manager (like Files by Google) and copy the data from the flash drive to internal memory.

Compatibility of OTG with popular Xiaomi models:

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OTG-cable is the only way to transfer files to Xiaomi without a computer if you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or mobile internet.

Method 6: ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, a smartphone is not detected by USB or MIUI blocks access to folders), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires command line skills, but allows you to bypass the system’s limitations.

What needs to be done:

1. On your smartphone, turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the build number in Settings → About the phone).
2. In the developer settings, activate debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. On your computer, open the terminal and check the connection command: Adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
5. Copy the file from your computer to your smartphone: adb push C:\path\to\file.mp4 /sdcard/Download/

Advantages of ADB:

• ⚡ Bypassing restrictions MIUI system folder.
• 🔧 It works even if it does. MTP does not specify the device.
• 📁 You can copy files in batches (for example, the entire folder) DCIM).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use ADB To modify system files (for example, in /system/) — This can lead to a device blink (unloadability). For safe operation, limit yourself to folders. /sdcard/.

Method 7: Transfer via messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Signal)

If you need to send a few files (such as documents or photos) and you don’t have a cable, you can use instant messengers, most of which support file transfers up to 100-200 MB, and in Telegram the limit is 2 GB.

Comparison of messengers for file transfer:

• 💬 WhatsApp: up to 100MB, photo/video compression. minus: quality is lost.
• 📧 Telegram: up to 2GB, no compression, folder support. Minus: you need to create a chat with yourself.
• 🔒 Signal: up to 100MB, encryption. Minus: slower Telegram.
• 🎵 Viber: up to 200MB, no compression for documents.

How to transfer files via Telegram:

1. Open Telegram on your smartphone and find the Saved Messages chat (or create a new chat with you).
2. Press the paper clip (📎) → "File" and select the desired data.
3. On another device, open the same chat and download files.

⚠️ Note: When transferring sensitive data (passports, contracts) via messengers, use secret chats (in Telegram) or encryption (in Signal). Avoid sending such files via WhatsApp - it does not provide end-to-end encryption for backups.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file transfers to Xiaomi