Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem often face the need for fast data transfer between devices. Whether it’s moving to a new smartphone or just wanting to share a video with a friend, standard methods like Bluetooth may seem archaic. The modern shell of MIUI and its successor HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools that simply cannot be ignored.
With the current Wi-Fi Direct standards, the transfer rate is tens of megabytes per second, making it almost instantaneous even for gigabyte archives. However, many users are in the habit of using cloud storage or instant messengers, losing precious time and quality of media files. In this article, we will examine all current methods, from native functions to third-party applications.
We'll focus on the nuances of Wi-Fi Direct, which is the fastest way to share, and understanding how it works will help you avoid the typical connection errors and desynchronization of devices, and you'll learn to transfer not only photos and videos, but entire folders of documents without losing structure.
Native Mi Drop and its evolution in ShareMe
Historically, Xiaomi has long used Mi Drop to share files, a native Wi-Fi Direct solution that allows for high speeds without Internet traffic. However, in the newer versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, developers have relied on ShareMe (formerly known as Zapya) as a global application, which is now built into the default system.
The main difference is that the new approach is versatile: If the old Mi Drop was designed primarily for transfer between devices of the same brand, ShareMe makes it easy to send files to any Android smartphone and even to computers via a web interface. The launch process is simple: you need to open the application on both phones.
On the transmitter, select files, press the send button, and on the receiver, receive. Device search is automatically within range of the Wi-Fi module. It is important to note that for a successful connection, the screens of both smartphones must be unlocked.
It's worth mentioning that in some regions, the app may be called differently, but the functionality remains identical. The key advantage is that it doesn't compress images, which is critical for photographers and designers. You're transferring the original file, not a smaller copy.
⚠️ Note: When you first start ShareMe, be sure to provide permissions to access geolocation and storage, otherwise the search for devices will not begin.
Transfer data through Google Account and cloud services
If physical contact between devices is not possible, cloud technology comes to the rescue. Google’s ecosystem is deeply integrated into Android, making syncing through Google Photos and Google Drive one of the most reliable ways. It doesn’t require installing additional software, as services are pre-installed on any Xiaomi certified smartphone.
The method is ideal for backing up contacts, calendars and photos, and just logging in to the same account on both devices will automatically show up, but it has a significant disadvantage: the dependence on Internet connection speed and mobile operator tariffs.
To transfer large amounts of data, such as video to 4K, you should use a Wi-Fi network. Downloading over a mobile network can take hours and exhaust your traffic. In Google Photos, you can select the quality of "Original" to avoid losing detail when compressed.
- 📸 Google Photos: Ideal for Media Content and Automatic Gallery Sync.
- 📁 Google Drive: The Best Choice for Documents, Archives and Files in Different Formats.
- 🔄 Google Contacts: Instantly transfer your phone book when you log in.
There is also a proprietary cloud Xiaomi Cloud, which allows you to back up your system settings, placement of icons on the desktop and even call history. When you initially set up a new smartphone Xiaomi system will offer to restore data from the cloud, which greatly speeds up the migration process.
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Use Traffic Savings mode in Google Photos settings if you are often out of Wi-Fi to avoid unexpected expenses.
Bluetooth: When other methods are not available
Despite its slow speed, Bluetooth remains a lifeline in situations where Wi-Fi is damaged or the network is overloaded, a universal standard that is found on all smartphones, including older Redmi and Poco models. It can take a minute to transfer a photo, but for text files or contacts it is quite acceptable.
To activate the function, you need to lower the notification curtain and click on the Bluetooth icon. It is important that the device is visible to others. Unlike Wi-Fi Direct, it does not require confirmation of the connection via the Bluetooth icon. QR-code or password, just pairing is enough.
The transfer process is simple: select a file in a gallery or file manager, click Share, and select Bluetooth from the list. The receiving device will request confirmation of the file's acceptance. Once the transfer is complete, the file is usually stored in the Bluetooth folder in internal storage.
| Parameter | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 5.0+ | Wi-Fi Direct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | up to 2 Mbps | up to 3 Mbps | up to 250 Mbps |
| Radio of action | ~10 meters | ~40 meters | ~200 meters |
| Energy consumption | Low. | Very low. | High. |
| Data compression | No. | No. | No. |
It’s worth noting that current versions of Bluetooth (starting with 5.0) have improved range and speed, but even they can’t compete with Wi-Fi technology when transferring gigabyte files.
⚠️ Note: Do not leave Bluetooth on in public places in visibility mode, this can become a vulnerability for intruders.
Wired connection and computer as an intermediary
The classic method that should not be discounted is the use of USB-And if you connect both smartphones to your computer, you can use it as a clipboard, which is indispensable if you want to move terabytes of data, or if the wireless modules on your phones are unstable.
When you connect to a PC, select the USB File Transfer (MTP) mode. Windows will define the device as an external drive. You simply copy files from one phone to the hard drive and then drag them to the second smartphone, which guarantees maximum stability of the process.
There are also dedicated USB OTG (On-The-Go) adapter cables that allow two phones to be connected directly if one of them supports the host role, in which case the Xiaomi file manager will see the connected device as an external flash drive.
☑️ Preparation for wired transmission
The advantage of wired is that it doesn't drain the battery as fast as the high-speed Wi-Fi modules, and you have full control of the process and you see the progress bar of copying in real time.
Third-party applications and cross-platform solutions
If the built-in tools don't work for some reason, Google Play offers a lot of alternatives, and the leader in this niche has long been Send Anywhere, which generates a 6-digit key to connect devices, which is convenient because it doesn't require account registration.
Another popular solution is Files by Google, which is a clean file manager with a built-in sharing function that works on the principle of Nearby Share. The application is lightweight, without advertising and unnecessary debris, which distinguishes it from many analogues that are oversaturated with banners.
For Windows users, the Nearby Share protocol (now part of Quick Share) is relevant, which allows you to send files from phone to PC and back without cables. Xiaomi ecosystem also develops its own PC software - Mi PC Suite (although support for older versions is discontinued, new analogues are built into the system).
- 🚀 Send Anywhere: Cross-platform and key transfer.
- 📂 Files by Google: minimalism and no advertising in the interface.
- 🌐 Portal by Pushbullet: Browser Transfer QR-code without installing programs on PC.
When choosing a third-party application, pay attention to the permissions it requests. Many accelerators require access to contacts and a microphone, which is not necessary for simple file transfer. Be selective in installing the software.
Why can't files be transferred?
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Even with advanced technology, there can be disruptions, and the most common problem is that devices can't see each other, most often because one smartphone has GPS turned off. Wi-Fi Direct protocols require location access to operate in accordance with Android security policies.
Another reason is different Wi-Fi frequencies. If one phone is 2.4GHz and the other is set to 5GHz (or vice versa), they may not find a common network to create an access point, in which case resetting the network settings or rebooting both devices helps.
If the transmission is interrupted in the middle, check for system updates. Network module errors are often fixed by MIUI security patches. Also make sure that the receiving device has enough free memory.
⚠️ Note: If the transfer is 99% over, don't rush to interrupt the process. Often the file is already written, but the system needs time to index.
In rare cases, antivirus software or a firewall built into the phone’s security is a problem. Try temporarily disabling traffic scanning when sending large amounts of data.
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90% of transmission problems are solved by restarting the Wi-Fi module or enabling geolocation on both devices.