How to transfer photos from Xiaomi to your computer: all the ways of 2026

Transferring photos from Xiaomi to a computer is a challenge that every user faces, whether it’s freeing up memory on a smartphone, backing up or editing big screen shots, there are many options for transferring data, but not all of them are equally convenient: somewhere you need a cable, somewhere you need a stable Internet connection, and some methods can even worsen the quality of images if you set up the wrong settings.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to transfer photos from Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Mi models) to Windows, MacOS and even Linux. From the classic USB connection to the little-known tricks with ADB and LAN, you’ll find a method that will suit you. And to avoid the typical mistakes, we’ve added unique warnings that are not in the standard instructions.

Transfer through USB-cable: the most reliable method

Connecting your phone to your computer via cable is still the most versatile method, it works even without the Internet, it doesn't compress files, and it's suitable for transferring thousands of photos at a time, but there are nuances here, from choosing the connection mode to drivers that may not install automatically.

First, check that you have an original cable (or at least a high-quality analog with data support). Cheap cords often only work for charging.

• 📱 Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB.
• 🔄 A notification will appear on the phone - select File Transfer mode (MTP) (File system on older versions MIUI).
• 🖥️ On PC, open This PC (Windows) or Finder (Mac) – the phone will appear as a removable disk.
• 📁 Go to the Internal Storage folder → DCIM → Camera (or Pictures if the photo is saved in the gallery).
• 📤 Copy the files you want to use on your computer (drag by mouse or use Ctrl)+C → Ctrl+V).

If your computer can’t see your phone, try:

• 🔌 Use the other USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 - it's blue).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 🛠️ Install Mi drivers PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi).

Use the original Xiaomi cable

Enable the "File Transfer" mode on your phone

Check that MTP drivers are installed on the PC

Turn off the blockers. USB-ports (if any)

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⚠️ Note: MacOS may need to install Android File Transfer – the official application from Google to work with the Internet MTP. Without it, the phone folders won't show up.

2. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (without cables)

If you don't have a cable on hand or you often share photos, Wi-Fi is a great alternative, it works over a local network and doesn't require Internet, and the main condition is that the phone and the computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

The most reliable methods:

• 🌐 FTP-Xiaomi server: Use the Mi File Manager app (built-in) MIUI). Get online. → FTP-server, turn it on and follow the instructions. ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
• 📲 Transmitter applications: Send Anywhere, Xender or LocalSend (open source) create a temporary access point or use a local area network.
• 🖥️ Specialized software: AirDroid or Pushbullet (require registration, but support automatic synchronization).

Example of FTP settings on Xiaomi:

1. Open the Mi File Manager → Network → FTP-server.
2. Click Start and the address to connect will appear (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.100:2121).
3. On your computer, open Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), paste the address in the address bar and press Enter.
4. Enter the login (anonymous) and password (usually empty).
5. Copy files from /storage/emulated/0/DCIM folder.

FTP-phone-side|Apps like Send Anywhere|Cloud services|I don't use wireless transmission.-->

⚠️ Attention: When transmitting by FTP If the network is overloaded (for example, torrents are downloading), photos can be copied very slowly.

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If FTP-Xiaomi server doesn't start, check if it's blocked by antivirus or firewall. MIUI Allow network access in File Manager application settings.

3. Cloud services: Google Photos, Mi Cloud and others

Cloud storage is convenient for automatic backup and access to photos from any device, but this method has disadvantages: limited space (if not pay), possible image compression, and dependence on Internet speed.

Let’s take a look at popular services:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Automatically uploads photos in High Quality (compression to 16 MP) or Original Quality (no compression, but takes up space in Google Drive). → Backup and synchronization.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Xiaomi's 5GB cloud is free. Uploads photos in original quality, but can be synced for a long time. Included in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.
• ☁️ Yandex.Disk / Mail.ru Cloud: Give 10-100 GB free of charge when registering. There is an automatic upload of photos through the mobile application.

How to transfer photos via Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app on Xiaomi.
2. Log in to your Google account.
3. Go to Settings → Backup and Sync and turn on the option.
4. Choose the quality (original or high).
5. On your computer, open photos.google.com, highlight the photo and click Download.

⚠️ Note: When uploading to Google Photos in High Quality mode, photos with a resolution above 16 MP will be reduced. if you are taking photos on Xiaomi 13 Ultra (50 MP) or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (200 MP), select Original quality, otherwise the detail will be lost.

4. Transfer via messengers and social networks (Telegram, Viber, VK)

If you need to quickly transfer a few photos, and only the phone is at hand, you can use messengers, which is not suitable for mass transmission (due to file size restrictions), but is convenient for sending 10-20 pictures.

Best options:

• 📎 Telegram: You can send a photo to your Save Messages or to your computer via Telegram Desktop. Limit - up to 2 GB per file (for a photo this will be enough with a margin).
• 💬 Viber/WhatsApp: Suitable for transmission 1–5 Photos, but compress images very strongly. Use Document instead of Photo for original quality.
• 👥 VK/OK: You can upload a photo to an album and download it to your PC, minus public access (unless you set up privacy).

Instructions for Telegram:

1. Open Save Messages Chat (or any other chat).
2. Click on the paperclip (Attach) → File or Photo.
3. Select the desired images and send them.
4. On your computer, open Telegram Desktop or the web version, find the photos sent and download them.

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Messengers are convenient for sending a small number of photos, but remember: WhatsApp and Viber compress images when sent as "Photos." To maintain quality, send them as "Document" or "File".

5 Advanced Methods: ADB, TWRP, and Linux Terminal

If the standard methods do not work (for example, broken) USB-The port or the phone won't turn on, and the tools will come to the rescue, and these techniques require technical knowledge, but sometimes they're the only way out.

Let's look at three scenarios:

• 🤖 ADB (Android Debug Bridge: Allows you to manage files via the command line, works even if the phone screen is broken, but USB-Debugging should be included in advance.
• 🔧 TWRP Recovery: If the phone does not boot, but there is a custom recovery, you can connect the phone to the PC in mode MTP straight TWRP.
• 🐧 Terminal (Linux/Mac): Adb pull or scp (if the phone is on a local network).

Example of using ADB to copy photos:

1. Install ADB on your computer (instructions are available on the Android website).
2. Turn it on. USB-Debugging on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → USB-debugging).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and enter in the terminal: adb devices (you should display your device).
4. Copy the photo with the command: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Photos\Xiaomi (replace the path with the desired one).

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They have full access to the phone's file system. Never run an adb shell rm command. -rf / — This will completely erase the data from the device.

6.Alternative solutions: OTG, card reader and cloud NAS

If none of the previous methods are suitable, consider non-standard options:

• 📱 OTG-adapter + flash drive: Connect the flash drive to the phone via OTG-adapter, copy the photo onto it, then insert the flash drive into the computer. OTG (Most of the Xiaomi models support).
• 💾 Card reader: Remove the microSD card from your phone (if you have the photos saved on it) and insert it into your computer card reader.
• 🖥️ Local. NAS or FTP-Server on PC: Configure on the computer FTP-server (for example, via FileZilla Server) and connect to it from your phone via ES The File Manager or Mi File Manager.

How to copy photos via OTG:

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (stands) ~100-300 rubles).
2. Connect the flash drive to the adapter and the adapter to the phone.
3. Open the Mi File Manager, go to the USB-accumulator.
4. Copy the photo from the DCIM folder to the flash drive.
5. Remove the flash drive and connect to the computer.

1. Does the model support OTG (the list is available on the Xiaomi website).

2. whether the power is sufficient (some flash drives require an external source).

3. File system format (FAT32 It works everywhere. exFAT/NTFS may not be supported).-->

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a comparative table on key parameters:

The choice of method depends on your tasks:

• 🚀 Maximum speed? → USB 3.0 or card reader.
• 🌍 No cable? → Wi-Fi (FTP) cloud.
• 🔄 Automatic backup? → Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🔧 Phone's off? → ADB or TWRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos from Xiaomi