How to upload photos to Xiaomi: all ways with detailed instructions

Transferring photos to Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces, whether it’s new camera images from another device, archival photos from a computer or images from messengers, there are many options for transferring them, and the main thing is to choose the method that is suitable for your situation: taking into account the availability of the Internet, compatibility of devices and the amount of data transmitted.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer photos to Xiaomi, from classic (via USB cable) to modern wireless solutions. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different models - from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi 13 Ultra, and also consider the typical errors that can occur in the process. If you are looking for the fastest or safest method, here you will find detailed instructions with step-by-step screenshots and expert advice.

1. Transfer of the photo through USB-cable: the classical method

The most reliable and versatile way is to connect your smartphone to a computer or other device through a device. USB-It works even without Internet access and is suitable for transferring large amounts of data (for example, photo archives in format). RAW). However, there are nuances: starting with Android 11, Xiaomi has changed the policy of access to files, which can cause difficulties for inexperienced users.

To avoid problems, follow this instruction:

• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC/laptop using the original cable USB Type-C (or Micro-USB for older models) - Using uncertified cables can result in slow data transfer or no connection.
• 📱 On the screen of the smartphone will appear a notification “charging through” USB». Slip on it and select File Transfer Mode (or MTP old-form MIUI).
• 🖥️ The computer will open a conductor window with the Internal Storage folder. DCIM → Camera – here are stored all the photos taken on the main camera.
• 📁 Copy the necessary files to any folder on your PC or, conversely, drag the photo from your computer to the Pictures folder on your smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: If the computer does not recognize the device, check if debugging is enabled USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers, also update the Mi drivers. PC Suite on the official website of Xiaomi.

Make sure the cable is good and supports data transmission.

Unlock the smartphone screen before connecting

Enable the File Transfer mode in the notification curtain

Check the free space on the target device-->

2. Wireless transmission via Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop)

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary file sharing solution for the brand’s devices (and some other vendors that support the protocol), which is ideal for transferring photos between two Xiaomi or Redmi smartphones, as it does not require internet and runs on Wi-Fi Direct.

Advantages of Mi Share:

• 🚀 Speed up to 20 MB/s (2 times faster than Bluetooth).
• 🔒 Encryption of data during transmission.
• 📱 Support for transfer between Android and iOS (with limitations).

How to use:

1. Open the Mi Share app (or find it through a menu search).
2. Click Send on the source device and Receive on the target smartphone.
3. Select a photo in the gallery (you can have several) and confirm the transfer.
4. Bring the devices close together for a stable connection.

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If Mi Share doesn’t find the second device, check whether Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on both smartphones, and make sure the distance between them is less than 5 meters.

3. Use of cloud services: Google Photos, Mi Cloud and others

Cloud storage is the best choice for backing up photos or transferring them to multiple devices at once. Xiaomi offers its own solution - Mi Cloud, but it has a volume limit (5 GB for free). Alternatives: Google Photos (15 GB), Yandex Drive (10 GB) or Mega (20 GB).

Comparison of services for Xiaomi:

Instructions for Google Photos:

1. Install the app from the Play Market (if it is not available by default).
2. Start Google Photos and log in to your Google account.
3. Click on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
4. Enable the option and select quality (Original or High).
5. The photos will automatically upload to the cloud. To download them to another smartphone, just log in to the same account.

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud in China or on smartphones with global firmware CN You may need to be linked to a Chinese phone number, in which case you should choose Google Photos or Mega.

Google Photo|Mi Cloud|Yandex Disc.|Mega|Other|Not using.-->

4. Transfer via messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber

If you need to send a few photos quickly, and you don't have a cable or Wi-Fi, messengers will come to the rescue, but there are serious limitations to this method:

• 📉 Quality compression (especially on WhatsApp and Viber).
• 🚫 File size limit (in Telegram up to 2 GB, in WhatsApp – 100 MB).
• ⏳ Slow loading with weak internet.

How to transfer photos without loss of quality:

1. In Telegram: Open a chat with you (Saved Messages). Click Paperclip → File and select a photo (they will be sent in the original resolution).
2. On WhatsApp: Select a photo in the gallery → Send → WhatsApp. Click on the HD icon (appears in the upper right corner) to turn off the compression.

5. Bluetooth Transfer: When Justified

Bluetooth is not the fastest way (speeds up to 2 MB/s), but it helps when there are no other options. For example, if you need to transfer 1-2 photos to an old smartphone or device without the Internet. Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and newer Bluetooth supports the LE Audio protocol, which slightly speeds up data exchange.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices (in the notification curtain or via Settings → Connections).
2. On the source smartphone, open the gallery, select a photo → Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select the target device from the list and confirm pairing (if necessary, enter the PIN-code, usually 0000 or 1234).
4. Take the file on the second smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro) may experience a “failed to send file” error when transferring via Bluetooth.

Use of microSD memory card: for models with support

If your Xiaomi supports memory cards (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO X5 Pro), this method is a great solution for transferring large volumes of photos.

How to transfer the photo:

1. Insert the microSD card into the source smartphone (or connect it via an adapter to the PC).
2. Copy the photo to a folder on the map (for example, DCIM → Camera).
3. Remove the card and paste it into the target Xiaomi.
4. Open the Files app, go to the section SD-Map and copy the photo to internal memory.

Important nuances:

• 🔄 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) The card is formatted as internal memory, which can result in data loss when retrieved. → Warehouse.
• 🛑 Do not remove the card while copying – it can damage the file system.
• 📸 For photo format RAW Use class cards UHS-I U3 or higher (e.g. SanDisk Extreme).

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Memory cards are the only way to transfer photos to Xiaomi without loss of quality and without using the Internet. However, not all models support memory expansion (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra works only with internal memory).

7. Alternative methods: FTP-server, ADB and third-party applications

For advanced users, there are less obvious but effective methods:

• 🌐 FTP-server on Xiaomi: Applications like FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer is now available FTP-connect to it from your PC via your browser or Total Commander and download/upload photos on the local network.
• 🤖 ADB (Android Debug Bridge: Use Adb pull to transfer photos via command line /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Photos\ (where C:\Photos\ — PC folder requires debugging on USB.
• 📲 Third-party apps: Send Anywhere, Xender or Snapdrop (works through a browser without installation) Transfer speeds up to 10 MB/s.

Example of settings FTP-servers via Solid Explorer:

1. Open the application and go to the Network section → FTP-server.
2. Click Start Server and write down the address (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.10:2221).
3. On PC, open Explorer, enter the address in the address bar and log in (login and password from the application).
4. Drag photos between devices as in a regular folder.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos to Xiaomi