How to transfer photos from Samsung to Xiaomi: all the ways from cable to cloud services

Why Sharing Photos Between Brands Can Make It Difficult

Transferring photos from Samsung to Xiaomi seems like a simple task, and in practice, users face nuances that manufacturers do not mention, from incompatibility of proprietary cloud services to limitations on file sizes in wireless transmission, MIUI (Xiaomi firmware by default blocks access to some folders through MTP-Samsung DeX may not recognize Qualcomm-based devices without additional drivers.

Another trap is file formats. Modern Samsung Galaxy (starting with the series) S21) They are default to save the photo in HEIF (.heic, which Xiaomi, based on Android 10 and below, opens with artifacts. RAW-In the case of files from the Galaxy S Ultra cameras, you can not do without conversion or specialized applications. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transfer - from the classic to the traditional one. USB-cable to little-known life hacks using FTP-smartphone-server.

Before you start, check out two key points:

• 🔋 Both devices have a battery charge of at least 30 percent, and some methods, such as Wi-Fi Direct, use up energy.
• 📶 Free space on Xiaomi. Photos in the original resolution take up to 10-15 MB each, and video 4K — 100 MB per minute.

Method 1: Transmission through USB-cable (the most reliable method)

Using a USB-C-USB-C cable (or USB-A-USB-C with an adapter) remains the most stable way, especially for large amounts of data. Transfer speeds reach 40-60 MB/s (using USB 3.2), which is 5-10 times faster than wireless alternatives. However, there are pitfalls: some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) require unlocking Debugging over USB to properly mount the drive.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Samsung to Xiaomi with a cable. On the Samsung screen, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On Xiaomi, open the notification USB-Connect and activate as well MTP.
3. Run any file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
4. Go to the DCIM → Camera folder on Samsung, select the photos you need and copy them to a similar folder on Xiaomi.

Compatibility of connectors (USB-C/USB-A)

The presence of MTP mode in USB settings

No damage to the cable

Free space on Xiaomi-->

If Xiaomi doesn't see Samsung,

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 🔌 Try another cable (preferably original from Samsung or certified) USB-IF).
• 📱 On Xiaomi go to Settings → Memory. → Settings USB and reset the connection settings.

💡

If the transmission is too slow, turn off the "Transmission Optimization" feature in the developer settings on Samsung, which artificially limits the speed to save energy.

Method 2: Wireless transmission via Wi-Fi Direct or Mi Share

Wi-Fi Direct and the proprietary Mi Share (formerly Xiaomi Share) allow you to transfer files without the Internet, but with restrictions. For example, Mi Share on Xiaomi models older than 2020 supports file transfers up to 1 GB at a time, and the speed rarely exceeds 10 MB / s. This method does not require cables and works without them. SIM-map.

How to set up Mi Share:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Mi Share.
2. Activate the visibility of the device and select Send or Receive.
3. On Samsung, launch the Quick Share app (or Nearby Share for older models).
4. Select a photo, wait for Xiaomi to be detected and confirm the transfer.

Through a USB cable.

Wi-Fi (Mi Share, Quick Share)

Through the Cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

Through messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Another option-->

Critical note: if Samsung is power-saving, Wi-Fi Direct can shut down after 5 minutes of inactivity, interrupting transmission. To avoid this, add Quick Share to the battery optimization exception list:

Settings → Device maintenance → Battery → Exceptions → Quick Share

Method 3: Cloud Services – Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient for backup, but has hidden limitations, for example, Google Photos from June 2021 offers free only 15 GB per account (previously there was unlimited storage in compressed quality), and Mi Cloud gives only 5 GB, but is integrated into MIUI and automatically syncs the DCIM folder.

Comparison of services:

Instructions for Google Photos:

1. On Samsung, install the Google Photos app and log in to your account.
2. Enable backup: Photos → Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Wait for the photo to be uploaded to the cloud (you can speed up by connecting to 5 GHz Wi-Fi).
4. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download photos through the app.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud, disable the option "Storage Optimization" in the cloud settings. It automatically compresses the photo until resolution. 2048×1536, What is not acceptable for professional photography.

Method 4: Transfer via messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Messengers are suitable for transferring a small number of photos (up to 50 pieces), but have critical drawbacks:

• 📉 Quality compression: WhatsApp reduces resolution to 1600×1200, a Telegram (in regular chat rooms) - up to 1280×960.
• 🚫 Size limit: Telegram has a maximum of 2 GB per file (but only in "Saved Messages" or channels).
• ⏳ Transfer time: sending 100 photos via mobile Internet will take 15-20 minutes.

How to minimize quality loss:

1. In Telegram, use the Send as a file function (click on the photo → select “Send without compression”).
2. On WhatsApp, send a photo one at a time – group sending increases compression.
3. For RAW-Use Google Drive or WeTransfer (up to 2 GB free).

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Messengers are only suitable for the urgent transfer of 1-2 photos. For archives, use clouds or cable.

Method 5: FTP-Server on a smartphone (for advanced users)

If you need to transfer thousands of photos (for example, after a vacation), set up FTP-This method allows you to connect to a smartphone as a network disk and download files at speeds up to 30-50 MB / s (when connecting to a 5 GHz router). FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.

Step-by-step:

1. Install on Samsung Solid Explorer and open the side menu → FTP-server.
2. Click Start Server and write down the address of the view ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
3. On Xiaomi, connect to the same Wi-Fi and enter this address in any file manager.
4. Enter the login/password (by default, often anonymous without a password) and copy the files.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Speed is limited only by the router’s capabilities.
• 📁 You can transfer entire folders without archiving.
• 🔒 No file compression (unlike messengers).

⚠️ Please note: do not use public Wi-Fi networks (cafes, airports) for the purpose of FTP-Traffic in this protocol is not encrypted, and your photos can be intercepted.

Method 6: Use OTG-memory-storage

If you have OTG-A flash drive or microSD card can be used as a middleman for transmission. This method is relevant for devices without a memory card slot (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro) or in the absence of a cable: UHS-I (up to 90 MB/s vs. Class 10 (up to 10 MB/s).

How to transfer the photo through the map:

1. Insert the card into Samsung and copy the photo to a folder (e.g. Transfer).
2. Remove the card and paste it into Xiaomi (or connect via OTG-adapter).
3. Copy files into internal memory or DCIM/Camera folder.

Important for Xiaomi owners: if photos are not displayed in the gallery after copying, update the media base:

Settings → Applications → Gallery → Storage → Clean the cache

Method 7: Specialized applications (Send Anywhere, Snapdrop)

Apps like Send Anywhere or Snapdrop offer an alternative way to transfer without registering. P2P-networking between devices, which speeds up exchange compared to the clouds. For example, Send Anywhere uses a 6-digit key to pair and supports folder transfers of up to 10 GB at a time.

How to use Send Anywhere:

1. On Xiaomi, enter this key in the Get field.

Pros:

• 🌐 It works without the Internet (via a local network).
• 🔒 Data encryption (as opposed to data encryption) FTP).
• 📤 Support for large files up to 10 GB).

Cons:

• ⚠️ On some Xiaomi models, for example, POCO X3) application may be blocked MIUI Optimization.
• ⏱ Transfer of 1 GB of data takes ~3-5 minutes (depending on Wi-Fi).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Tip for owners of Samsung Galaxy S22/S23: if when connecting via USB there is an error "Device not recognized", disable the Samsung Smart Switch function in the developer settings. It conflicts with the MIUI drivers.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions