How to transfer a photo from one Xiaomi phone to another – all the ways 2026

Why do standard methods not always work?

Transferring photos between Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter typical problems: some users complain about the slow speed of Bluetooth, others lose quality when downloading to instant messengers, and still others can not find the right settings, the reason often lies in different versions of MIUI and the limitations of Xiaomi branded services, which are not always compatible even between devices of the same brand.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways, from built-in Mi Share and Quick Share (for new models) to universal solutions like cloud services and direct cable, and focus on the nuances of why sometimes files are not visible on a second phone, how to circumvent the data transfer limit, and what to do if smartphones “cannot find each other.”

Spoiler: The fastest method depends on the amount of data. Bluetooth is good for 10-20 photos, direct cable or Mi Share is good for hundreds of pictures, and Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos is better for backup.

1. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) is a proprietary way for Xiaomi

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary technology for wireless file transfer between the brand’s devices (and some others that support the standard), which works via Wi-Fi Direct, which provides speeds up to 10-15 MB/s — many times faster than Bluetooth. The main advantage is that there are no file size restrictions and no Internet is required.

To use Mi Share, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Files app on both phones (or swipe down the screen and find the Mi Share tile in the notification bar).
• 📤 On the sender phone, select photos, click Share → Mi Share.
• 🔍 On the second phone, turn on File Receiving in the same Mi Share menu.
• 🔗 Wait for the devices to “see” each other and confirm the connection.

⚠️ If smartphones do not find each other, check:

1. Both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled (yes, even Mi Share requires Bluetooth for the initial handshake). 2. MIUI versions are at least 12.5 (old firmware may require an update). 3. Do not disturb or save charge is not activated on the receiving phone.

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both phones

Update MIUI to the latest version (if available)

Turn off the power saving mode

Make sure there is enough space on the receiver phone-->

For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with Mi Share you can throw 1 GB of photos in 1-2 minutes, while on budget models like Redmi Note 10 this process will take up to 5-7 minutes.

2. Quick Share (for new models with MIUI 14+)

In 2023, Xiaomi began implementing Quick Share, an analogue of Google’s Nearby Share, but with support for Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and other brands in the Cross-Device Collaboration alliance, which works faster than Mi Share and supports file transfer even to other devices (provided compatibility).

Instructions:

1. Open the notification bar and find the Quick Share tile (or go to Settings → Connections & Sharing → Quick Share).
2. On the sender phone, select a photo in the gallery, click Share → Quick Share.
3. On the second phone, confirm the receipt of files in the notification that appears.

⚠️ Note: Quick Share may not work if you:

• 🔋 One of the phones has Flight Mode or Extreme Energy Saving enabled.
• 📱 The devices are further than 5 meters from each other.
• 🔒 Receiving phone disabled access to the Warehouse for the Quick Share application.

3. Transmission via OTG or Type-C cable is the most reliable method

If wireless is failing or you need to upload thousands of photos without losing quality, the best option is a direct cable connection.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (If one of the phones has a microUSB or Type-C connector without Host-mode support).
• 🔗 Type-C Cable (for modern models with support) USB 3.1).
• 📱 Both phones should be maintained. USB-Host (most Xiaomi since Redmi Note 5 can do this).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phones with a cable. One of them will have a notification on the screen. USB-Connection – Select File Transfer.
2. Open the Files app on the phone that is defined as the host (usually the one that the cable is connected to).
3. Go to section. USB-storage - there will be displayed the memory of the second phone.
4. Copy the photo to the desired folder (for example, DCIM/Camera).

⚠️ Note: If the phone does not recognize the connected device:

1. Check if your model supports OTG (You can find a list of compatible devices on GSMArena. 2 Try another cable, cheap cable. OTG-Adapters often don't work with Xiaomi. 3. Enable Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers.

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If the cable connection starts to drain too quickly, use an externally powered hub (USB-hub with charging connection).

4. Cloud services: Xiaomi Cloud vs Google Photos

Cloud storage is convenient if you need not only to transfer photos, but also save their backup. Xiaomi offers two main options: branded Xiaomi Cloud and universal Google Photos.

Instructions for Xiaomi Cloud:

1. On the sender phone, open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Turn on the synchronization of the Gallery and wait for the photo to be uploaded.
3. On the second phone, log in to the same Mi Account and download files through Gallery → Albums → Xiaomi Cloud.

⚠️ Note: If the photos are not synchronized:

• 📶 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Update the Xiaomi Cloud app to Google Play.
• 📁 Make sure that the cloud settings include the option to Sync over the mobile network (if you are transferring without Wi-Fi).

5. Bluetooth - when there is nothing else

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way, and transfer speeds rarely exceed 1-2 MB/s, and even then, provided the devices are in close proximity, but the method works even on older Xiaomi models (for example, the Redmi 4A or Mi A1).

How to transmit the photo:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones.
2. On the sender phone, select a photo in the gallery → Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select the second phone from the list of available devices.
4. Confirm the file on the second phone.

⚠️ Note: When transmitting via Bluetooth:

1. Photos can be compressed (especially if they are larger than the size of the photo). 5 MB). 2. File names are sometimes replaced with random numbers (e.g, IMG_20230515_123456.jpg → BLU_001.jpg). 3. On Xiaomi MIUI 13+ Prior to transfer, access to the Warehouse may be required.

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Bluetooth is only suitable for 5-10 photos. For larger volumes, use Mi Share, Quick Share or cable.

6.Messaging and social media are a fast but unsafe way

Send photos via Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber is easy, but this method has critical drawbacks:

• 📉 Quality compression (in WhatsApp photos are compressed to the 1280px big-sided).
• 🕒 Limit on the number (on Telegram you can send up to 100 photos at a time, but they will be archived).
• 🔒 Privacy (photos pass through messenger servers).

If you still decide to use the messenger, follow these tips:

• 📎 In Telegram, send photos as Files (without compression).
• 🔗 On WhatsApp, use Document instead of Gallery.
• 📥 After transferring, delete the photos from the chat on both phones (especially if they contain personal information).

7. Local area network (FTP or SAMBA) – for advanced users

If both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can arrange transmission through the Internet. FTP-server SAMBA. This method requires additional applications, but provides high speed and no restrictions on file size.

Instructions for FTP-server (application) FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer):

1. Set it on both phones. FTP-client/server (e.g. WiFi) FTP Server).
2. Run the sender phone. FTP-server and write down the address (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
3. On the second phone, connect to this address through FTP-client and download files.

⚠️ Attention: When in use FTP:

1. Do not transfer sensitive data without encryption (use SFTP or FTPS if the application supports). 2. Disconnect the server after transfer to avoid unauthorized access. 3. Speed depends on the quality of the router - on cheap models can "cut" speeds up to 2-3 MB / s.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the transfer of photos between Xiaomi