Changing your smartphone or sharing pictures with a friend often puts you in the middle of a question: how to transfer photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi as quickly as possible and without losing quality. The owners of the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem are in a good position, because the company's engineers have provided many native tools for data exchange, these methods avoid the compression that inevitably occurs when sent through standard messengers.
There are several proven ways to do this, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of files being transferred and the availability of an Internet connection: you can use the built-in Mi Drop, the Mi Cloud service, classic Bluetooth or third-party file managers, the choice of the particular method depends on whether you need to transfer one picture or an entire gallery weighing several gigabytes.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available algorithms so you can choose the most convenient for you. We will look at the nuances of setting up Wi-Fi Direct, the features of account synchronization and hidden system functions that not all users know about. The right approach to data transfer will help to preserve the original resolution and metadata of your photos.
Using the built-in Mi Drop app for fast transfer
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi without the Internet is using Mi Drop technology (in newer versions of the firmware may be called ShareMe), which works on the basis of the Wi-Fi Direct protocol, creating a direct connection between devices, which provides high transfer speeds up to tens of megabytes per second.
The process of setting up the connection is as simple as possible, and it takes a few seconds to open the application on both smartphones, make sure that the Bluetooth and GPS modules that are used to detect devices nearby are turned on, and once the phones "see" each other, just select the recipient from the list and confirm the connection on the receiving device.
Importantly, Mi Drop allows you to transfer not only individual images, but also entire albums, high-resolution video files and even heavy archives. The system automatically compresses data only when necessary, but by default retains original quality. If you plan to share files often, it makes sense to add the recipient device to the trusted list so that you do not confirm the connection every time again.
⚠️ Warning: When transferring large numbers of files, make sure the screens of both smartphones do not go out.Although the connection is stable, the power saving mode can break the Wi-Fi Direct channel if the device goes into sleep mode.
For users who want to understand the protocol settings in greater depth, advanced information is available in the hidden menu.
Technical details of the transmission protocol
Mi Drop uses the IEEE 802.11n/ac standard for data transfer. Speed is limited only by the capabilities of Wi-Fi modules of specific Xiaomi models. The protocol encrypts the transmission, ensuring the security of data on the local network, but it is not recommended to transfer confidential information in public places with open Wi-Fi unless you use a direct P2P connection. Synchronization through the Mi Cloud service For those who prefer process automation and do not want to perform manual operations every time, the Mi Cloud service will be the ideal solution. This method allows you to transfer photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi simply by logging into your account on a new device. All images instantly uploaded to the same device in the cloud are available from the same device. Sync settings require an initial connection to the Wi-Fi network, as the amount of traffic can be significant, you need to go to your account settings, select the Cloud section and activate sync for the Gallery, and the system will suggest selecting the quality of the photos you upload: Original (takes up space in the cloud) or optimized (saves space but reduces detail) Parameter Original Optimized Only thumbnails Quality 100% (Lossless High (compression) Low (preview) Place Occupation Full file size ~30-50% Minimum download speed Slower Faster Instantly Using the cloud is especially important when switching to a new smartphone, when you need to move the archive for several years. You don’t have to keep your phones close by, just wait until the boot is completed on the first device and enable sync on the second. Mi Cloud will automatically distribute files by folder and date, re-create the structure of your gallery. Bluetooth: the classic method for small volumes Despite the advent of high-speed protocols, the question of how to transfer photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi via Bluetooth remains relevant for transferring single files. This is a universal method that does not require the installation of additional applications or configuring complex network parameters. It is built into the Android system core and works on any device, even if it is not a Xiaomi product. The transfer process is simple: you choose a photo in the gallery, click on the button "Share the Bluetooth screen, you will select the wireless phone, after the phone will be re-based, the phone will be re-reassigned. Speed is the main limiting factor, so the method is only suitable for a few images, and it should be noted that when transmitted via Bluetooth metadata (date of shooting, geolocation) is stored completely, but the process itself can be energy-consuming for the battery. Also, if you send a photo in a format RAW or HEIF, Make sure the receiving device supports these formats, otherwise the file may not open. 📶 Suitable for transmission 1-10 small-scale photographs. 🔋 The battery of both devices is used during the process. 📂 It maintains the original quality and EXIF-Using Google Photos for cross-platform sharing If you're using the Google ecosystem, Google Photos is a powerful tool for how to transfer photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi. This method is particularly convenient because it is not tied tightly to the smartphone brand and allows you to access images from any device, including a computer or tablet. The algorithm is similar to Mi Cloud, but has its own features of integration with search and neural networks. To start working, you need to install or update the Google Photos app on both devices and log into the same Google account. In the settings you need to activate the function “Autoboot and sync”. After that, all new and old photos will start uploading to the Google cloud. On the second phone, you just open the application, and in a few minutes (depending on the Internet speed), all images will appear in the tape. 📊 What is the most common way to transfer files?Mi Drop (ShareMe)Google Photo / CloudBluetooth Cable USBA feature of Google Photos is the ability to “affiliate access”; you can set up automatic transfer of all photos or photos of certain people to another user’s account. This is a convenient way for parents who want to get snapshots of their children instantly, or for couples who share a shared archive, but it’s worth remembering the storage limits that Google One shares with all of Google’s services. ⚠️ Attention: Google Photos can default to compress images to save space if you run out of free storage quota. Check the download quality settings to make sure the Original option is worth it if you want maximum detail. Wired connection: use USB-When wireless methods are not suitable due to lack of network or the need to transfer terabytes of data, the good old-fashioned comes to the rescue. USB-This method allows you to transfer photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi through an intermediary in the form of a personal computer, the method guarantees maximum stability of the connection and does not depend on the state of the wireless modules of the smartphone. Connect the first phone to the computer, select the mode of operation USB «File transfer» (MTP). Copy the folder. DCIM Or Pictures on a PC hard drive. Then turn off the first phone, plug in the second one, and move the files to the appropriate internal memory directory. This process can take time, but it eliminates any data packet loss. There is also the possibility of connecting two phones directly via cable. USB-C to USB-C, If both devices support the standard OTG and the corresponding function in the shell MIUI. In this case, the connection notification USB You need to select File Transfer or Android Auto mode, and the file manager of the second phone will see the memory of the first as external storage. 💾 Ideal for backing up the full gallery volume. ⚡ Does not consume battery power (devices can be charged when connected). 🔒 Complete isolation from external networks, high data security. 💡The wired method is the only way to securely transfer more than 100 GB of data without the risk of interruption due to an unstable Wi-Fi signal. MIUI for any reason work incorrectly, you can resort to the help of third-party solutions. Applications like Send Anywhere, Files by Google, or Xender offer alternative transmission algorithms that are often faster than standard Bluetooth and may be more user-friendly. QR-The sender selects the files and receives the code that the recipient inputs, the devices connect over a local Wi-Fi network, and the transfer begins. The main advantage of such programs is cross-platform: You can easily upload your photos not only to Xiaomi, but also to another brand's iPhone or Android, and when using third-party software, it's important to pay attention to the permissions that the app requests. Some may require access to all files on your device, which poses potential privacy risks. It is recommended to use time-tested applications with a lot of positive feedback and regular security updates. FTP. Turn it on. FTP-server in the file manager (for example, in Mi Explorer), you will receive the address of the type ftp://192.168.1.5:2121. By entering this address in the conductor on the second phone (if it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network), you will have full access to the file system of the first device (FAQ) Why doesn't Mi Drop see the second phone? The problem is that one of the devices isn't on. GPS Or Bluetooth, which is necessary for the initial handshake. Also make sure that both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network or that the Wi-Fi module is just on. Are photos compressed when you send them over Mi Drop? No, Mi Drop (ShareMe) technology transfers files in their original quality without any compression or loss of data. You get a copy, bit-by-bit identical to the original, with all the metadata. Can you transfer photos if you have an old Android phone on one? Yes, most methods, especially Bluetooth and Google Photos, run on older versions of Android. Mi Drop also has broad compatibility, but on very old versions. MIUI You may need to update your app through GetApps. How do you resend a photo if one of your phones is broken? If the sensor doesn't work, wireless methods may not be available. USB-cable, if the phone is determined by the system, or use of a mouse connected via OTG-Adapter, for interface management.