How to quickly transfer photos and videos from Xiaomi phone to your computer USB-cable

Transfer photos and video files from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO computer USB-cable seems like a simple task, until you have the typical problems: the phone is not detected, files are not displayed or the transfer speed is poor. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic steps, but also nuances that the manufacturer rarely mentions in official instructions.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones on the basis MIUI (including versions 12–14) protocol is often used MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, for data exchange that might conflict with Windows drivers or phone settings, and if you connect your device to macOS or Linux, the algorithm of action is different. We'll look at all scenarios, from preparing your phone to solving errors like this «USB-device not identified».

We pay special attention to hidden settings MIUI, which block file transfers by default (e.g., the Privacy Protection feature in the latest firmware versions), and we will also discuss why some files may not be copied due to file system limitations. F2FS or ext4, The new models used by Xiaomi 13/14.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for connection

Before you connect your phone to your computer, take a few critical steps on the device itself. Skipping any of these can cause your PC to simply not see your Xiaomi or display it as "Unknown Device."

First, check the regimen. USB-Default: Many models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 Lite) installs a "Charge Only" mode that blocks data transfer:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through the original USB-cable (preferably from the set).
2. Swipe down the notification bar and find the option «USB-Connection (can be called Charging through the USB» or “Connected as a media device»).
3. Tap on the notification and select File Transfer (MTP) or Transfer of photographs (PTP).

Second, unlock access to the files. MIUI 13/14 Added the “Personal Data Protection” feature, which by default restricts access to folders DCIM, Pictures and Movies via USB. To turn it off:

• 🔓 Go to Settings. → Privacy → Special permits → Access to files USB.
• 📁 Turn on the switch for the Files by Google app (or standard Files by Google) MI File Manager).
• 🔄 Reconnect the cable if the changes do not apply immediately.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) post-update MIUI 14 File Transfer option may not be in the notification curtain. In this case, go to Settings → Connections and sharing → USB and manually select the mode MTP.

2. set up the computer for the correct connection

Even if the phone is properly configured, problems can occur on the PC side, most often due to the lack of drivers or conflicts in the system. 10/11, macOS and Linux.

For Windows.

Windows usually automatically installs drivers for Xiaomi, but sometimes manual configuration is required:

• 🖥️ Open Device Manager (click Win) + X → select the appropriate item).
• 🔍 Find your Xiaomi in the list of “Portable Devices” or “Other Devices” (may appear as “Portable Devices”) MTP Device or with an exclamation mark).
• 🔄 Right-click. → «Update the driver» → «Search for drivers on this computer» → «Select from the list of available drivers».
• 📋 Manually select. MTP USB Device (producer: Microsoft or Google).

If the device is still not identified, download the official Mi drivers. PC Suite from Xiaomi (Support section for your model) utility will not only install drivers, but also offer an alternative way to transfer files over Wi-Fi.

For macOS and Linux

On macOS, you can work with MTP You will need additional software because the system does not support this protocol out of the box»:

• 🍎 Install Android File Transfer (the official app from Google) or OpenMTP (for newer versions of macOS).
• 🐧 On Linux, run in the terminal:

sudo apt install mtp-tools mtpfs # For Debian/Ubuntu


sudo pacman -S mtpfs gvfs-mtp # For Arch Linux

Once installed, reconnect the phone. In Linux, Xiaomi files are usually mounted in the /run/user/{UID}/gvfs/.

⚠️ Note: on macOS Ventura and newer Android File Transfer may not work with phones on the Internet MIUI 14 due to protocol changes MTP. In this case, use OpenMTP or transfer files over the cloud (more on this below).

Original connected USB-cable (not charging!)

In the curtain of the phone selected mode MTP/PTP

Drivers are installed on the PC (or Android File Transfer for macOS)

Lockdown disabled. USB customized MIUI-->

3. Step-by-step instructions for file transfer

When the phone and the computer are ready, you have to move files, and let's look at the process with Windows 11, but the steps are relevant for other interface-adjusted OSes.

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-You'll see a notification on your phone, select File Transfer (MTP).
2. On your computer, open this computer (My computer is in Windows 10) and your phone will appear as a removable drive (e.g. Redmi Note 12).
3. Double-click on the device. The folder structure will open: Internal storage. SD Card – memory card (if installed).

Go to the folder. DCIM → Camera (there are photos and videos taken with the main camera) or Pictures/Screenshots (screenshot).

Select the files you want and drag them to any folder on your PC (like desktop) or copy them through the context menu (Ctrl). + C → Ctrl + V).

To speed up the process, use the hot keys:

• 🔹 Ctrl + A – Select all files in the folder.
• 🔹 Alt + Enter – see the file properties (size, date of creation).
• 🔹 F2 — rename the file directly in the conductor.

If files are not copied or the process is hanging, check:

• 📶 Cable length: cables longer than 1 meter can cause transmission errors.
• 🔋 Phone Charge: at Levels Below 15% MIUI speed limiting USB.
• 🗃️ File system format: if the PC is used FAT32, file-size >4GB not copied.

💡

If you only need to transfer photos, not videos, use the mode. PTP instead MTP. It works more stable for media files, but does not display other data (for example, documents).

4. Solving common problems

Even with the right setup, Xiaomi users face common mistakes, and we will examine the most common and ways to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try alternative methods of transmission:

• 🌐 Through the cloud: upload files to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk, then download to PC.
• 📡 Wi-Fi: Use Send Anywhere or LocalSend (no internet requirement).
• 🔌 Through OTG-Adapter: connect the flash drive to the phone and copy the files to it, then insert the flash drive into the PC.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi phones with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may have an error «USB-Ports are off" at low charge. Connect your phone to charge before transferring files.

5. Optimization of transmission speed

The speed of copying files through USB It depends on a few things: protocol version, cable type, even the file system of the phone:

• 🔌 Use the cable. USB 3.1 Type-C: It supports speeds up to 10 Gbps (versus 480 Mbps) USB Original Xiaomi cables usually correspond to the USB 2.0, so for maximum speed, buy certified cables (e.g. Anker PowerLine).
• 🖥️ Connect to the port. USB 3.0/3.1 on PC: they are marked in blue (or with a symbol) SS). The ports on the front panel of the system unit often refer to USB 2.0.
• 📁 Archive files before transfer: if you need to transfer hundreds of small photos, pack them in the file. ZIP-archive directly on your phone (use it) MI File Manager or RAR for Android).
• 🔄 Turn off cloud sync: If you have automatic upload enabled in Google Photos or Mi Cloud, it can slow down transmission over the Internet. USB.

On the phones with MIUI 14 and newer is the hidden option “Optimization” USB-transmission, which is disabled by default, to activate it:

1. Enter the code ##4636## in the Phone app.
2. Go to the menu "Battery Information» → «Test menu USB».
3. Choose Enable USB Acceleration (if available).

Also, pay attention to the file format of the phone’s internal memory system:

• 📱 F2FS (Used in new Xiaomis – faster, but can conflict with MTP.
• 📱 ext4 — More stable for data transfer, but slower when recording.

💡

For maximum speed, use a combination: cable USB 3.1 + port USB 3.0 on PC + regime MTP + Disabled synchronization with the cloud.

6. Alternative methods of file transfer

If you connect through USB For some reason, it's impossible (e.g., a broken port on your phone or PC), use one of the alternative methods.

Wi-Fi transmission

The most convenient way is to use applications for wireless transmission:

• 📲 LocalSend: open-source version of AirDrop, without the Internet. Download the app to your phone and PC (localsend.org).
• 📲 Send Anywhere: generates 6-digit code for transferring files between devices.

Advantages:

• ✅ No need for cables.
• ✅ File structure is maintained.
• ✅ Speed up to 10-20 MB/s (depending on the router).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires a connection to a single Wi-Fi network.
• ❌ Large files (>1 GB) may be transmitted with delays.

Cloud services

For backup photos, it is convenient to use the cloud:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Automatically upload all photos and videos (up to 15GB free).

How to transfer files via Google Photos:

1. On your phone, open the Google Photos app and wait for all media files to load.
2. On PC, go to photos.google.com.
3. Select the necessary photos/video → Press "More» → «Download».

⚠️ Note: When uploading to Google Photos in High Quality mode, the video with the resolution above 1080p To maintain the original quality, use the option "Original Quality" (requires a paid subscription).

Through the memory card.

If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards:

1. Transfer the photo and video to the memory card through MI File Manager.
2. Remove the card and paste it into the computer card reader.
3. Copy the files to the PC.

This is the most reliable method if USB-phone port damaged.

7.Security in data transmission

Moving files from your phone to your PC is not just copying, it's also a potential risk of personal data leakage.

• 🔒 Do not connect your phone to a public PC (such as an Internet cafe or library.
• 🛡️ Turn it off. USB-Debugging if it was included earlier (in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Return to "Additional» → «For developers» → Turn off "Debugging by" USB»).
• 📂 Check files with antivirus after transfer, especially if the phone has connected to other devices.
• 🔄 Delete temporary files after copying: in the folder DCIM/.thumbnails Miniatures are stored that can be used up to 1–2 GB.

If you frequently connect your phone to different computers, consider the following:

• 🔐 Folder encryption: in MI File Manager can be created with an encrypted folder (Personal section»).
• 📵 Lockdown USB: into MIUI There is an option "Blocking" USB-Connection (in security settings) that requires a password at each connection.

Also remember that when you are passing through MTP Some files (such as screenshots from secure apps or WhatsApp data) may not be displayed:

• 🔍 Use it. MI File Manager on your phone to manually find and copy files.
• 📎 To back up WhatsApp, use the built-in “Export Chat” feature (in chat settings).

💡

Never take it out. USB-cable during file transfer – this can damage the phone’s file system (especially on devices with a file transfer) F2FS).

FAQ: Frequent questions