How to transfer photos from Xiaomi to your computer: all the ways from USB to cloud services

Transferring photos from a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone to a computer seems like an easy task – until you encounter connection errors, slow speeds or limitations of the MIUI. Even experienced users sometimes lose hours to find a working solution when the standard USB- cable refuses to recognize the device and cloud services require authorization.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to transfer photos from Xiaomi phones to PCs, from classic cable connections to advanced methods like the FTP- server or ADB. Particular attention will be paid to the typical problems: why the computer can not see the phone, how to circumvent the restrictions MIUI on file transfer and what to do if photos are not copied. All instructions are tested on models with MIUI 12-14 and are relevant for Windows 10/11, macOS and Linux.

We warn you in advance: if you are using Xiaomi with global firmware, some methods (e.g. MTP- Mode) may not work as well due to the security policy of MIUI.

1. Transfer of the photo through USB-cable: step-by-step instruction

The most obvious way is to connect the phone to your computer via cable, but even here, Xiaomi users often face problems: the PC does not recognize the device, the DCIM folder does not open, or files are copied with errors, and we will figure out how to do it correctly.

The first thing to check is the quality of the cable. Cheap or damaged wires may not support data transfer (charging only), use the original cable from the kit or a certified USB-Type C with USB 2.0/3.0 support.

Use the original Xiaomi cable

Check the USB port on your PC (try another connector)

Update MTP drivers on your computer

Unlock the phone screen when you connect-->

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
2. On the screen Xiaomi will appear notification “Charge via USB” – tap it.
3. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). If this is not available, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB- Connection and turn on MTP.
4. On your computer, open "This Computer" (Windows) or "Finder" (macOS) - the phone should appear as a removable disk.
5. Go to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera (or Screenshots if you need screenshots).
6. Copy files to your computer in the standard way (by drag and drop or through the context menu).

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

• 🔄 Restart both devices and reconnect.
• 🔧 Update MTP drivers via Windows.
• 📱 Enable debugging on USB in Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI (tap 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
• 🔌 Try another USB- port (preferably USB 3.0 blue).

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) require you to unlock password/fingerprint access when you first connect to a PC, even if the screen is unlocked.

2. Wi-Fi transmission: no cables and restrictions

If the USB- cable is lost or you prefer wireless methods, Wi-Fi transmission is a great alternative.The method works on any Xiaomi model, but requires both devices to be on the same network. The transfer speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (on the 5 GHz will be faster than on the 2.4 GHz).

There are two main options: through the built-in MIUI function or through third-party applications. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Built-in FTP-server MIUI

The Wireless File Access feature is available on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12+, which allows you to access the phone’s file system via a local network.

1. Open the Files app on your phone.
2. Go to the tab "Local" and tap on three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select "Wireless File Access".
4. Click "Start" and the address of the ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx view will appear.
5. On your computer, open "Windows" or "Finder" (macOS) and enter this address in the address bar.
6. Copy the necessary photos from the DCIM folder.

FTP is usually slower than USB, but there is no cable binding, and the main disadvantage is that if Wi-Fi goes down, the connection will be interrupted.

Method 2: Applications for file transfer

If the built-in FTP- server is unstable, use third-party utilities:

• 📲 Xender is a cross-platform application with Wi-Fi Direct support.
• 🌐 Portal by Pushbullet - generates QR- code for fast connection.
• 🔗 LocalSend is an open-source analogue of AirDrop for Android/PK/macOS.

Example from LocalSend:

1. Install the app on your phone and computer (localsend.org).
2. Open LocalSend on both devices – they should find each other automatically.
3. On the phone, select photos and send them to the computer.

Po Po Po USB-cable

Over Wi-Fi (FTP/applications)

Cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

Another option-->

3. Cloud Services: Google Photos, Mi Cloud and Alternatives

If you need to not only migrate photos, but also keep them backed up, cloud services are ideal. They work on any device, but they require a stable Internet connection and free space in the cloud.

To be transmitted via Google Photos:

1. Install the app on your phone and log in to your Google account.
2. Enable "Backup and Synchronization" in the application settings.
3. Wait for the photo to be uploaded to the cloud (you can speed up by connecting to Wi-Fi).
4. On your computer, open photos.google.com and download the photos you need.

Mi Cloud is convenient for Xiaomi owners because it is integrated into the system:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the Gallery and wait for the synchronization.
3. Go to i.mi.com and download the photo.

⚠️ Warning: When using Mi Cloud on global firmware models, you may need VPN to access the service from some regions. Also note that free 5GB ends quickly when you upload photos in original quality.

4. Memory card usage: if the phone supports microSD

If your Xiaomi is equipped with a memory card slot (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ or POCO X4 Pro), photo transfer can be made easier using microSD. This method is suitable for large amounts of data and does not require a connection to a PC.

There are two options:

1. Copy to the memory card directly from the phone, and then transfer it to the computer through the card reader.
2. Configure the photo to save immediately to the map (in the camera settings).

Step-by-step instructions for the first option:

1. Insert the memory card into your phone (if you haven’t already).
2. Open the Files app and go to DCIM → Camera.
3. Select the photos you need, click “Copy” and select the memory card as your destination.
4. Remove the card and paste it into the card reader connected to the computer.
5. Copy files from the card to the PC.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 High speed (especially when using UHS-I cards).
• 🔄 There is no dependency on USB or Wi-Fi.
• 📁 You can carry large volumes (up to 1 TB on modern maps).

Disadvantages:

• 💳 Not all Xiaomi models support microSD (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 are slot-free).

💡

If you often transfer photos to a memory card, set up the camera to save immediately to microSD: Camera settings → Storage → Memory card. This will save space in the internal memory of the phone.

5. Advanced methods: ADB, Scrcpy and terminal

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of MTP failures or MIUI limitations), you can use advanced tools, which require a little more effort, but guarantee results even in difficult cases.

Method 1: Transmission via ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

ADB is an Android debugging tool that allows you to manage files via the command line.The method works on any Xiaomi, but requires you to enable Developer Mode.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download Platform Tools (part of the Android SDK).
2. Unpack the archive in any folder (for example, C:\adb).
3. Enable USB debugging on your phone (see the USB section).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Command Prompt in the ADB folder.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
6. Copy the photos with the command: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera C:\Photos\ (replace C:\Photos\ by the desired path).

For macOS/Linux, the commands are similar, but the path to ADB may be different.

Method 2: Scrcpy + Drag and Drag Files

Scrcpy is a software that manages an Android device from a PC, and it also allows you to transfer files through an interface.

1. Download Scrcpy from GitHub.
2. Connect your phone to USB and start Scrcpy.
3. In the program window, drag files from the DCIM folder to the PC desktop.

⚠️ Warning: When using ADB or Scrcpy on locked bootloader phones (Xiaomi with global firmware), you may need to unlock OEM Unlock in the developer settings. Without this, some commands will not execute.

6. Transmission through messengers and mail

If you only need to flip a few photos, the easiest way to use instant messengers or email is not suitable for large volumes (due to file size limitations), but it helps in emergency situations.

The most convenient options are:

• 📧 Email (Gmail, Yandex, Mail.ru) - send a letter to yourself with an attachment.
• 💬 Telegram — upload the photo to Save Messages and download it to PC.
• 🌍 WhatsApp Web — send the photo to yourself and save it to your computer.
• 📎 VK/ OK — upload a photo to the album and download it via the web version.

Limitations of methods:

Important: When sending via messengers, photos are often compressed, losing quality. To save the original resolution, use the sending as a "file" (in Telegram) or archive images before downloading.

7 Problem Solving: What to Do When Nothing Works

Sometimes even after you've done all the instructions, the photos don't get passed on, so let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: The computer can’t see Xiaomi on USB

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Port USB is faulty → Try another port or computer.
• 🔧 No drivers MTP → Install drivers from Google.
• 📱 Mode MTP does not turn on → Check the Developer Settings (enable Debugging on USB and Unlocking OEM).
• 🔒 Lock MIUI → Some firmwares need to manually allow access to files in Settings → Applications → Permissions → File Management.

Problem 2: Photos are not copied (error)

Frequent errors and fixes:

• 📛 Device not responding → Reboot phone and PC.
• 🚫 No folder access → Check permissions for the Files app.
• ⏳ "Copying is frozen" → Try copying in small batches (50-100 files each).
• 🗃️ "Folder DCIM is empty" → Check if files are hidden (enable the display of hidden folders in the file manager settings).

Problem 3: Slow Wi-Fi transmission

How to speed up:

• 📶 Connect to a 5GHz network (if the router supports it).
• 📡 Use a FTP- client (e.g., FileZilla) instead of a conductor.
• 📦 Archive photos before transfer (e.g., in ZIP).
• 🕒 Transfer at night when the network is less busy.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos from Xiaomi to PC