How to transfer photos from Xiaomi phone to laptop: all ways USB cloud-based

Transferring photos from Xiaomi to a laptop seems like a simple task - until you encounter connection errors, slow transfers or sudden crashes. Even power users sometimes take an hour to do what should take 5 minutes. The problem is that the manufacturer regularly changes the protocols of data exchange, and the old instructions stop working after updates. MIUI. In 2023, Xiaomi turned off support. MTP default on some models, which is why Windows stopped recognizing devices as drives.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transferring photos - from the classical to the most popular. USB-We will focus on common errors (for example, when a laptop "sees" the phone but does not open the folder) and optimal solutions for different scenarios: whether you need to transfer 10 images or 20 GB of archive in 5 years. Redmi Note 12 and newer are better to skip right away USB And using Mi Drop is 3 times faster.

If you use a MacBook, it is important to know: the standard application "Photo" does not always work correctly with Xiaomi due to the features of the exFAT file system. We will separately consider the workarounds for macOS, including setting up Android File Transfer and alternative programs. And Linux owners will need a section about mounting a device through gvfs - without it, the system may not see the internal memory of the smartphone.

Before you go to the instructions, check two key points:

1. The phone has enabled file transfer mode (not just charging).
2. The laptop has the latest drivers for Xiaomi (especially if you have Windows). 7/8).

Xiaomi 13/14 series

POCO F5

PTP

MTP

Transfer through USB-cable: classics with pitfalls

USB-Connection is the most reliable way, but only if you configure both devices correctly, and the main mistake users make is to use a non-original cable or connect the phone to the port. USB 2.0 (usually black) instead of USB 3.0 (blue) The speed difference can be as high as 10 times: 5GB of photos are copied in 2 minutes instead of 20.

To avoid problems, follow this algorithm:

Connect the original cable (preferably from the set)

Use the port. USB 3.0 on a laptop (usually blue)

Unlock the phone screen before connecting

Select the File Transfer mode in the Xiaomi notification-->

If the laptop does not see the phone after connecting, check:

• 🔌 Port port USB: Try another connector on your laptop (sometimes the front port runs slower than the rear port).
• 📱 Connection mode: In the notification curtain Xiaomi should be selected File transfer (MTP), Not a charger or a camera (PTP).
• 🖥️ Drivers: Download official Xiaomi drivers on Windows (Section "Tools").

In the models with MIUI 14+ (for example, Xiaomi 13T) Additional file access confirmation may be required. If you request to unlock after you connect, enter the password from your Mi Account, which is a security measure against unauthorized data copying.

⚠️ Warning: If you connect your phone to a MacBook and see a message saying “Device not supported,” install Android File Transfer, but pre-enable Settings on Xiaomi → Additionally. → Developer → Debugging by USB (If it is not, tap 7 times on the assembly number in "About the phone").

2. Mi Drop: Unlimited wireless transmission

Mi Drop is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer files between devices over a local network without connecting to the Internet. 20 MB/s (against) 1-2 Bluetooth MB/s and no file size restrictions.

How it works:

1. Install Mi Drop on your phone (usually pre-installed on the phone) MIUI).
2. Open your browser on your laptop and go to the address http://midrop.xiaomi.com.
3. Scan it. QR-laptop screen code with a phone camera.
4. Select photos in the app and confirm the transfer.

Mi Drop automatically creates a local network over Wi-Fi Direct, so you don't need Internet, which is especially convenient when traveling or in places with poor coverage.

• 📶 On Windows, you sometimes need to manually allow access to the network in the firewall.
• 🔒 If it's on the laptop VPN, Turn it off - it can block the connection.
• 📱 On the phones with MIUI 13 and older, you will need to confirm access via the first connection SMS-code.

💡

If Mi Drop can't find a laptop, check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even if the Internet is off). → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Modem mode and enable the option "Shared Wi-Fi access".

The transmission speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard:

• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): before 20 MB/s (on Xiaomi) 12/13 series).
• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): 10-15 MB/s.
• Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n): 3-8 MB/s (on old laptops).

⚠️ Note: On a MacBook with Apple chips M1/M2 The transfer via midrop.xiaomi.com may not work due to Safari restrictions. Use Google Chrome or Firefox browser.

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

If you want to move photos without cables or extra software, cloud services are the best choice, but there are limitations to each option:

• 📤 Google Photos: Free for compressed photos only (up to 15GB) Originals take up space in Google Drive.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, but sync only works with your Mi Account.
• 📦 Yandex Drive: 10GB free, but download speeds are limited (especially on mobile internet).

The most common way is Google Photos:

1. Install the app on your phone and enable autosynchronization (Settings) → Backup).
2. On your laptop, open photos.google.com and select a photo to download.
3. Press three points. → Download (photos will be packed in) ZIP-archive).

For Mi Cloud, the instructions are different:

1. Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Gallery and turn on synchronization.
2. On your laptop, open i.mi.com, log in and go to the Gallery section.
3. Select a photo and click Download (maximum 500 files at a time).

Google Photo

Mi Cloud

Yandex Disc.

iCloud (for iPhone)

Another option-->

If you need to move more than 100GB of photos, cloud services will not work because of space and speed limitations. USB 3.0 or a local area network (see next section).

Local area network 4: FTP-phone-side

Few people know that Xiaomi can work as a full-fledged FTP-A server that can be connected from a laptop via a conductor or FileZilla, ideal for transferring large amounts of data (e.g., a photo archive over several years) without depending on clouds or cables.

How to set up FTP on Xiaomi:

1. Install the WiFi app FTP Server (or similar).
2. Start the server and write down the address of the view ftp://192.168.x.x:2221.
3. On the laptop, open the Explorer (Win) + E) and enter the address in the address bar.
4. Log in (login / password is specified in the application) and copy files as from a regular disk.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Speeds up to 30MB/s (on Wi-Fi 6).
• 📂 You can transfer folders without archiving.
• 🔒 There are no limits on file sizes (unlike clouds).

⚠️ Warning: If you have Windows 10/11, and the conductor is not connected to FTP, Check the firewall settings. Add an exception for the port. 2221 Or use FileZilla (free of charge) FTP-client).

For macOS and Linux, the connection is made via the terminal:

ftp 192.168.x.x 2221

Enter the login/password from the application



get /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/photo.jpg

5. Bluetooth and other wireless methods

Bluetooth is only suitable for transmission 1-2 Photos due to low speed (1-2 MB/s) and file size limits (usually up to 50 However, in some cases this is the only option available (e.g. if broken). USB-port).

How to transfer photos over Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone (Settings → Bluetooth) and laptop.
2. Connect devices (Xiaomi may require code confirmation).
3. In the gallery, select a photo. → Share. → Bluetooth and select a laptop.
4. On the laptop, confirm the file reception (in Windows files are saved to the C:\Users\User Name/Downloads).

Alternative wireless methods:

• 📡 Xender: application for transferring files over Wi-Fi Direct (speed up to 10 MB / s).
• 🔗 Snapdrop: a web service for sharing files between devices on the same network (snapdrop.net).
• 📎 Pushbullet: synchronizes notifications and allows you to send files to your laptop via a browser.

On a MacBook, you may need to adjust the following additional settings to transmit over Bluetooth:

# At the terminal, do:


defaults write com.apple.BluetoothFileExchange AcceptAllFiles -bool true

This command allows you to receive all types of files (by default, macOS blocks some formats).

6. Specialized programs: from AirDroid to Syncthing

If standard methods don't work, third-party programs will come to the rescue, offering additional features: automatic synchronization, encryption, or transmission without loss of quality.

Top.-3 Programs for transferring photos from Xiaomi to a laptop:

For automatic synchronization (for example, so that photos from the phone are immediately copied to a laptop), the best choice is Syncthing:

1. Install the application on your phone and laptop.
2. Add devices to the list of trusted (via the QR-code ID).
3. Select a folder. DCIM/Camera on the phone and specify the target folder on the laptop.
4. Enable the Autosynchronization option.

AirDroid is convenient for remote control:

• 📲 You can view photos on your laptop in real time.
• 🔄 Automatic backup on schedule.
• 📎 Transfer of files via the web interface (web.airdroid.com).

⚠️ Note: When using AirDroid on Xiaomi with MIUI 14 may need to manually allow the application to auto-run in battery settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).

7. Backup through PC Suite and Mi PC Suite

Official software from Xiaomi - Mi PC Suite allows you not only to transfer files, but also to back up messages, contacts and applications:

• ✅ Supports all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.
• ❌ It only works on Windows (no version for Windows). macOS/Linux).
• ⚠️ Can conflict with antivirus software (for example, Kaspersky blocks access to the file system).

How to use Mi PC Suite:

1. Download the program from the official website.
2. Connect your phone over USB and select File Transfer mode.
3. In the program, go to the Files section. → gallery.
4. Select the desired photos and click Export.

For full backup (including system settings):

1. In Mi PC Suite select Backup.
2. Check the Gallery and other data.
3. Specify the path to save on the laptop.
4. Click Start (the process can take up to 30 minutes for 50GB of data).

If the Mi PC Suite can't see the phone:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 🛠️ Install drivers manually through Device Manager (Section "Portable Devices").

💡

Mi PC Suite is the only official way to transfer not only photos, but also photos. SMS, Call recordings and application settings, however, it is better to use simple image transfers. USB or Mi Drop because of lower overhead costs.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions