How to quickly transfer photos from Xiaomi to a laptop: all working ways in 2026

Transferring photos from Xiaomi’s smartphone to a laptop seems like a simple task — until you encounter errors like “Device not recognized”, slow transfer speed or no drivers. In 2026, users of the Redmi Note 12 have a problem with the new device, POCO X5 Xiaomi 13T There are at least 5 ways to solve this problem, but each of them has nuances: from choosing a connection protocol to choosing a new one (MTP vs PTP) before setting up a firewall for Wi-Fi Direct transmission.

In this article, we will not only discuss basic methods (USB-cable, cloud services, but also less obvious ones, such as how to use the cloud FTP-Xiaomi server for transferring hundreds of photos without loss of quality, or why Mi Drop (application from Xiaomi) sometimes works faster than Google Photos. DCIM, How to circumvent restrictions MIUI What to do if photos are transmitted in low resolution.

If you are looking for the fastest way - immediately go to the section about connecting to the Internet. USB customized MTP. For those who want to automate the process (for example, for a regular backup), the section on synchronization with the cloud or the Internet will be suitable. FTP-And if you have a MacBook, don’t miss the tips on setting up Android File Transfer — it will save you an hour of nerves.

Transfer by USB: setup MTP error-solving

Connection through USB-The cable is the most reliable way, but MIUI 14/15 There are features: by default, the smartphone can offer Charging mode instead of File Transfer:

1. Connect your smartphone to your laptop with the original cable (cheap cables often don’t support data transfer).
2. Swipe down the notification panel on Xiaomi and tap on the Charge notification via USB.
3. Select File Transfer (MTP). If this item is not available, go to Settings. → Connection and sharing → USB And turn on the debugging. USB (old-form MIUI).

On a Windows laptop. 10/11 The device must be defined as a portable device in the conductor (this computer:

• 🔌 Update drivers: go to Device Manager, find Xiaomi with a yellow exclamation point, click Update driver → Automatic search.
• 🖥️ Check the port. USB: Try another port (preferably) USB 3.0 – it is blue or another cable.
• 🔄 Reboot both devices: Sometimes a simple smartphone and laptop reboot helps.

Connect the original cable|Select a regime MTP notice|Check drivers in Device Manager|Try the port. USB 3.0|Reboot your smartphone and laptop-->

If the photos are in the folder DCIM not displayed or transmitted slowly (speed below 5 MB/s), the cause may be:

⚠️ Note: If you connect Xiaomi to a MacBook, the standard Explorer will not see the device.You will need to install Android File Transfer (the official software from Google) and allow access in the security settings of macOS.

2.Cloud Services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud vs Yandex Drive

Cloud-based sharing is convenient if you want to transfer photos to multiple devices or back up, but there are limitations to each service:

• 📷 Google Photos: Free to store photos in compressed quality (up to 15 GB). For original quality, you will need a subscription (Google One from 139). ₽/month).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: gives 5 GB for free, but only syncs the Camera folder (photos from messengers will have to be transferred manually).
• 💾 Yandex Drive: 10 GB free, but download speed depends on the Internet connection (at 50 Mbps 1 GB of photos will download for a few minutes). ~20 minutes).

Instructions for Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Launch the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Tap the avatar. → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization → switch on.
4. Choose quality (Original or High) and wait until the download is complete.
5. On your laptop, open photos.google.com, highlight photos and click Download (they will be packed in the box). ZIP-archive).

For Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the sync for the gallery.
3. On your laptop, open i.mi.com, log in and download photos.

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If the photos in Google Photos are downloaded in low quality, check the backup settings on your smartphone. Even if you choose "Original", some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 11) automatically compress the photo at a weak Wi-Fi signal.

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud, photos from Screenshots or Downloads folders are not automatically synced. DCIM/Camera.

3. FTP-Xiaomi server: transfer without cables and clouds

If you don’t have cable or slow internet, you can turn Xiaomi into a new one. FTP-server and transfer files over the local network. This method works on all models with MIUI 10 and newer, including POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Instructions:

1. Install an app from the Play Market FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. Open the app, swipe left and select FTP-Server (in Solid Explorer, this is the Network) → FTP-server).
3. Click Start - the address of the view will appear ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
4. On your laptop, open the explorer and enter that address into the address bar (or use FileZilla for convenience).
5. Log in (login and password from the application) and copy photos from the folder /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Transmission speed to 10-15 MB/s (depends on the router).
• 🔒 No compression of photos (unlike clouds).
• 📱 It works even on a locked screen (if you do not turn off the server).

Disadvantages:

• 🔌 Requires the connection of a smartphone and laptop to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔋 Battery consumption ~10-15% hourly (because of active activity) FTP-server).

4.Mi Drop: Xiaomi’s proprietary fast transfer solution

Mi Drop is built into the MIUI It's an application that transfers files between devices over Wi-Fi Direct, and it doesn't compress photos, but it's nuanced:

• 📱 Supports only devices with MIUI 9 and newer.
• 🖥️ On the laptop you need to open the web interface (http://192.168.x.x:xxxx).
• 📶 Speed. ~5-8 MB/s (slower) FTP, but easier to set up).

How to use:

1. On Xiaomi, open Mi Drop (if you don’t have one, install it from the Play Market).
2. Select Send. → tag → Next.
3. Click Connect to your computer and scan. QR-code from the laptop screen (or enter the address manually).
4. On the laptop, open the browser and go to the specified address (for example, http://192.168.1.100:1234).
5. Download photos through the web interface.

⚠️ Note: If Mi Drop can’t find a laptop, check that both devices are Wi-Fi Direct enabled and connected to the same network. Some models (Redmi 10) may need to enable Developer Mode and allow Local Data Transfer.

Po Po Po USB-cable|Through the Cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)|Wi-Fi (FTP, Mi Drop)|Another way.-->

5. Alternative methods: email, messengers and AirDroid

If you need to send a few photos, you can use:

• ✉️ Email: Send an email to yourself with attachments (limit to 25MB in Gmail).
• 💬 Telegram: Create a channel or send files to Save Messages (limit – 2 GB per file).
• 🌐 AirDroid: application for transferring files over Wi-Fi (there is a PC version).

For AirDroid:

1. Install AirDroid on your smartphone and laptop.
2. Sign up or sign in via Google/Facebook.
3. On your smartphone, select files → Send. → My computer.
4. On the laptop, confirm receipt.

Warning: WhatsApp (Viber) compresses photos to 1200×1600 pixels, so they are not suitable for original quality.

6. Features of transfer to MacBook: Android File Transfer and alternatives

MacBook owners often face the fact that Xiaomi is not defined as a drive.

1. Install Android File Transfer from the official website (link).
2. On Xiaomi, enable File Transfer (MTP) (see section 1).
3. If Android File Transfer is not working: 🔄 Restart the MacBook. 🔌 Try another cable (original from Xiaomi). 🛠️ B Settings → Security and privacy on Mac Allow access for Android File Transfer.

Alternatives for Mac:

• 🖥️ OpenMTP is a free replacement for Android File Transfer with support MTP.
• ☁️ HandShaker – application for transferring files over Wi-Fi (developed for Mac).

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It is better to use MacBook on the MacBook. FTP-server or cloud services, as Android File Transfer often runs unstable, especially on newer versions of macOS (Ventura and newer versions).

7 Automation: How to set up a regular backup of photos

If you often transfer photos, automate the process:

• 🤖 Tasker + AutoTools: Create a task that, when connected to Wi-Fi at home, will copy new photos from the Internet DCIM on FTP-server.
• ☁️ Google Photos with Auto Sync: Enable Backup and Sync and Forget Manual Transfer.
• 📁 Syncthing: Software for synchronizing folders between devices over a local network (without clouds).

Example of Syncthing settings:

1. Install Syncthing on your smartphone (Play Market) and laptop (Syncthing.net).
2. On your smartphone, add a folder. /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera.
3. On the laptop, specify the target folder (for example, D:\Xiaomi_Photos).
4. Tie the devices through ID Devices (displayed in Syncthing web interface on port 8384).

Syncthing syncs files in their original quality and has no limits on scope, but requires both devices to be enabled and connected to the same network.

8. Solving typical problems

Let’s look at the most common mistakes and their solutions:

If none of the methods work, check:

• 🔋 Battery Charge: Some Xiaomi models block data transmission when charged below 15%.
• 🔒 Permits: c Settings → Annexes → Permits verify that the Gallery or the Conductor has access to the vault.
• 📱 Developer mode: on some firmware you need to enable debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap according to the version).

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If photos on Xiaomi are stored in a folder MIUI/Camera (not DCIM), It means they're taken in "Double Photo" or "Cloning" mode. DCIM/Camera, Otherwise, cloud services will not see them.

FAQ: Frequent questions