How to transfer files from Xiaomi to your computer: all the ways from USB to the cloud

Transferring files from Xiaomi to your computer seems like a simple task – until you encounter connection errors, slow transfers, or sudden restrictions. MIUI. Even experienced users sometimes have problems: the phone is not defined as a drive, files are not copied due to locking the system or disappear after transfer. USB-cable to cloud services, taking into account the features of firmware MIUI The different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others.).

We'll focus on hidden settings that interfere with data transfer and alternative methods for cases where standard ones don't work, like, did you know that MIUI 14+ has default file transfer mode (MTP) turned off? Or that Mi Drop allows you to send files without the Internet, but only between Xiaomi devices? These and other nuances are further.

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Transfer through USB-cable: step-by-step instructions with regard to MIUI

The most reliable way is to connect Xiaomi to a PC via cable, but there are pitfalls here. First, not every cable supports data transfer (especially cheap charging versions); Second, MIUI can block access to files due to security settings.

To avoid problems, follow this algorithm:

1. Use the original cable or a certified USB Type-C with USB 2.0/3.0 support. Counterfeiting often only works for charging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC. A notification will appear on Xiaomi's screen, tap it and select File Transfer (MTP), and if you don't, the computer will see the phone as a "charger."
3. On a PC, open This PC (Windows) or Finder (macOS). The phone should appear as a removable drive (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro).
4. Go to the Internal Storage or SD card folder (if you have a memory card) and copy the files as if they were from a flash drive.

If the telephone is not identified:

• 🔌 Check the port. USB On PC, try another connector (preferably) USB 3.0, it's blue).
• 📱 Update. MIUI — In older versions of the firmware there are bugs with MTP. Up-to-date firmware can be downloaded in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🖥️ Install drivers for Xiaomi (download from the official website or via Mi) PC Suite).

Check the cable for damage.

Unlock the phone screen before connecting

Select the "File Transfer (MTP)" mode in the notification

Turn off “USB debugging” in the developer settings (if enabled)

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⚠️ Note: If you connect Xiaomi to a Mac, you may need to install Android File Transfer (the official software from Google.

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2 Wireless Wi-Fi transmission: When the cable is not at hand

If USB-The cable is lost or broken, and you can move files over the local network, which is slower (speed depends on the router), but is convenient for large amounts of data (for example, video to video). 4K).

Method 1: Through built-in FTP-server MIUI

1. On the phone, open the Explorer (or Files) application.
2. Go to the FTP section (in some versions of MIUI it is hidden – swipe left in the menu).
3. Press Launch. FTP-- Remember the address of the view. ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
4. On PC, open Windows Explorer → enter the address in the address bar → click Enter.
5. Enter your login and password (by default, often anonymous without a password or data from your Mi Account).

Method 2: Solid Explorer (FX File Explorer)

Third-party file managers often have a built-in Web server or SFTP support, such as Solid Explorer:

1. Open the side menu. → Network → FTP-server.
2. Press Start and copy the address.
3. On the PC, enter the address in the browser - the web interface will open for downloading files.

FTP via MIUI| Applications like Solid Explorer|Mi Drop| Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)|I Do not use wireless transmission-->

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3. Mi Drop: Fast transfer between Xiaomi devices

Mi Drop

Xiaomi

Wi-Fi Direct

Mi PC Suite

How to use:

1. On the phone, open Mi Drop (pre-installed in MIUI).
2. Select files → press Send.
3. On PC, open the Mi PC Suite → Mi Drop section.
4. Confirm the acceptance of files on both devices.

Advantages:

• 🚀 No size restrictions (unlike email or instant messengers).
• 🔒 Secure – Files are not uploaded to the cloud.
• 📱 It works without internet (only Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot is needed).

⚠️ Note: If Mi Drop does not find a PC, check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. → Connections → Wi-Fi → Additionally).

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

The cloud is convenient for backing up or transferring files to multiple devices, but each service has its own nuances:

Google Drive:

• 📁 15GB is free, but files >5GB downloads only through the desktop version.
• 🔄 Autosynchronization of photos through Google Photos (settings) → Backup).

Mi Cloud:

• ☁️ 5GB is free, but only for Xiaomi devices.
• 📱 Automatic download of contacts, notes and photos (included in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud).

Yandex Disk / Mail.ru Cloud:

• 🇷🇺 10-20 GB free (promotions for new users).
• ⚡ Fast download with good Internet (server in Russia).

How to upload files to the cloud with Xiaomi:

1. Install a cloud service app (like Google Drive).
2. Select files in Explorer → Share → Save to Drive.
3. On PC, open the web version of the service and download files.

💡

If you need to urgently transfer a large file (for example, a video), but the Internet is slow - divide it into parts by an archiver (for example, 7-Zip) with a breakdown of 1-2 GB.

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5. Transfer via instant messengers and email: when there are few files

Telegram, WhatsApp or email are suitable for several photos or documents, but there are limitations to this method:

Telegram:

• 📎 Up to 2 GB per file (in normal chat rooms) and up to 20 GB in Save Messages.
• 🔒 No compression (unlike WhatsApp).

Email (Gmail, Mail.ru):

• 📧 Up to 25 MB in a letter (Gmail), up to 50 MB (Mail.ru).
• 🔗 For large files, use the attachment via Google Drive (Gmail will offer this automatically).

How to send:

1. Select files in the Gallery or Explorer.
2. Click Share → Choose messenger or mail.
3. On PC, download files from a dialogue or letter.

⚠️ Note: When sending photos and videos via WhatsApp, they are compressed to low resolution. To avoid loss of quality, use Document instead of Photo/Video when selecting a file.

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Alternative methods: OTG, SD-map ADB

If the standard methods don’t work, try these options:

1. Through the memory card (SD):

• 📱 Remove the microSD from your phone and insert it into your computer via a card reader.
• 🔄 If the card is used as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage), this method will not work – the files are encrypted.

2. OTG-cable + flash-drive:

• 🔌 Put it on the phone. USB-OTG adapter.
• 📁 Copy files to a flash drive, then connect it to the PC.

3. via ADB (for advanced users):

If the phone is not defined as a drive, but ADB works, you can pull files with the command:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Photos\

Where:

• /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ – the path to the files on the phone
• C:\Photos\ is a folder on the PC.

💡

ADB is the most reliable way if the phone is not visible through MTP, but requires enabled debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times tap) → For developers → USB debugging).

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7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Problem 1: The phone is connected, but the files are not displayed.

• 🔍 Check if the mode is on. MTP phone-notification.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and PC.
• 🛠️ Update drivers via Mi PC Suite.

Problem 2: Slow transfer over USB.

• 🔌 Try another cable or port. USB 3.0.
• 📵 Turn off cloud sync on your phone while copying.

Problem 3: Mi Drop doesn't find a PC.

• 📶 Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔄 Reboot Mi Drop and Mi PC Suite.
• 🛡️ Temporarily turn off the firewall on the PC.

Important: If after the MIUI update, your phone is no longer defined as a drive, reset your USB settings to Settings → Additional → Reset your settings → Reset USB settings.

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions