Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi are equipped with powerful cameras that can shoot video in resolution 4K even 8K. But the device's internal memory is not unlimited, and sooner or later, every user faces the need to make room for new frames. USB-This allows you to copy files much faster than through cloud services or Bluetooth.
Many gadget owners make the mistake of simply connecting their smartphone to their PC and panicking when nothing happens. Android defaults to locking files for security reasons. To make your computer see your drive, you need to manually switch modes. USB-In this article, we will discuss in detail how to set up the connection correctly, which cables to use and what to do if the system does not see the device.
The data transfer process requires care, especially when choosing a cable. Cheap "charging" cords often don't have the necessary contacts inside for data transfer, working solely on supplying voltage. MIUI, Xiaomi's proprietary shell, has its own dialog features that can confuse a beginner. Follow the instructions below to avoid common mistakes.
Equipment preparation and cable inspection
The first step is to physically connect the devices. You'll need your smartphone, your computer, your laptop, and your connection cable. It's critical to understand that not all cables are the same. Xiaomi usually comes with a high-quality cord that supports fast charging and data transfer. If you're using a third-party accessory, make sure it's not a "chargeable" simplified option.
Visually, it's hard to tell a good cable from a bad cable, but you can check it indirectly, and when you connect to a computer, you have to hear the characteristic sound of connecting new hardware on the Windows operating system. If the phone is just charging and the computer screen is silent, most likely, the problem is in the wire. USB-The port on the computer should also be serviceable; it is better to use the connectors on the back of the system unit, as they are directly connected to the motherboard.
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Use the original cable from the kit or a certified analogue labeled Data Transfer. Charge Only cables will not physically transfer files.
Pay special attention to the cleanliness of the connectors. In the USB Type-C port of the smartphone, dust and pile often accumulate, which prevents the tight contact of the plug. Carefully clean the connector with a dry toothbrush or a wooden toothpick before connecting, this will eliminate situations where the cable leaves or the connection is constantly interrupted during the copying process.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
Set-up of the regime USB-plug-in MIUI
Once the cable is physically connected to both devices, a charging notification will appear on the smartphone screen. Android defaults to Charge Only mode, hiding the file system from prying eyes. You need to change this setting. Swipe from top to bottom to open the notification bar, and find the message "Charge via USB" or "Click for other USB actions."
Tap this notification. The USB Use menu will open, where you will be offered several options. To transfer files, you must select File Transfer (sometimes called MTP or Android Auto), which is the mode that emulates connecting an external drive, allowing the computer to see folders with media files.
⚠️ Note: If you select the "Submission of Photo" mode (PTP)», The computer can see the phone as a camera, in which case only the image folders will be available, and the video files may be hidden or incorrectly displayed».
In some versions of MIUI, an additional window may pop up when you first connect to request permission to debug or access data. Read the text carefully and confirm the action by clicking "Allow" or "OK." Without this confirmation, the computer's operating system will not be granted permission to read the contents of the internal memory.
Step-by-step instructions for copying video
When the mode is switched, a new device with the name of your model will appear on the computer in the conductor (My computer / This computer), for example, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13. Double click on the device icon. You will see the internal memory of the smartphone, which is structured by folders. Video files are usually stored in the DCIM folder, and inside it - in the Camera folder.
If you've shot videos through other apps, such as WhatsApp, Telegram or a screencaster, look for the corresponding folders in the root of the memory or in the Android/media directory. To copy, select the desired files, click the right mouse button and select Copy. Then go to the folder on your computer's hard drive and select "Insert." The process of copying large video files can take time.
Don't interrupt the transmission by pulling the cable. Wait until the progress bar is over. If the file weighs a few gigabytes, the copy speed will depend on your flash memory class and bandwidth. USB-Ports of blue (2.0 or 3.0 (USB 3.0) provide significantly higher speed.
| Folder in memory Xiaomi | Contents | Type of file |
|---|---|---|
| DCIM / Camera | Photo and video from the main camera | JPG, MP4, MOV |
| MIUI / screenrec | Screen recordings (screencasts) | MP4 |
| Video | Uploaded or saved rollers | MP4, MKV, AVI |
| Download | Files downloaded from the browser | Different |
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Always copy files to your computer, rather than dragging them around so that in case of a failure, the original on the phone remains intact.
Solving Connection and Driver Problems
There are times when the phone is charging, but the computer doesn't respond to the connection. USB-If you connect to the front of the system unit, the current may not be enough to properly initialize the connection. Switch to the ports at the back. It is also worth checking if the phone has Charge Only mode in the hidden developer menu.
If the system writes “Device not recognized” or “Code 43”, the problem may be in the drivers. Windows 10 and 11 usually automatically install the necessary drivers for Xiaomi, but sometimes a manual update is required. Go to Device Manager, find an unknown device or device with an exclamation mark, right click and select “Update driver” → “Automatic search”.
What to do if the driver is not located?
It's important to check the cable itself for any breaks, and even if the cable charges the phone, damage to the internal wires that transmit the data will make it impossible to download the video. Try to move the cable slightly at the phone's connector during the connection, if the connection appears, then it disappears, the cable is defective.
Use of alternative methods of transmission
If you can't have a wired connection for some reason (break the connector, no cable at hand), you can use wireless methods, even though they're inferior in speed. The Xiaomi ecosystem has a built-in "Mi Drop" feature (called "ShareMe" or simply "ShareMe" with Xiaomi"), which allows you to transfer files to your computer over Wi-Fi without installing additional programs on your PC, via a web interface.
To do this, open the Explorer app on your phone, go to the category and select Remote Control or PC Access. The phone will give you an address like ftp://192.168.1.55:2121. Enter this address in the address bar of a folder on your computer. You will get access to the file system wirelessly. The speed depends on the router, but for a couple of videos, that's enough.
⚠️ Note: When transferring over Wi-Fi, the speed can be unstable. To copy 10 GB of video, it is better to find a good cable, since the wireless method can take an hour or more.
Another option is cloud storage like Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud. Upload video to the cloud from your phone and then download to your computer. This is convenient for synchronizing small videos, but requires Internet and free space in the cloud, which is often paid.
Optimization of video file storage
Once you've successfully transferred the video to your computer, don't rush to delete it from your phone. First, check the integrity of the files on your PC -- open a few videos, make sure they play without artifacts or sound. Only then can you free up space on your smartphone. Formatting a memory card or resetting your phone without checking the backup is a fatal mistake.
On a computer, it is recommended to sort the video by folder (for example, by date or event) and back up on an external hard drive. Video files from smartphone cameras often weigh a lot, and a sudden failure of the computer hard drive can lead to the loss of archives. Regular backup is the key to the safety of your memories.
For further convenience, you can configure automatic folder synchronization or use management programs such as Mi PC Suite (although support is discontinued, older versions work) or third-party analogues like MyPhoneExplorer. They allow you to manage contacts, SMS and files from the large screen, making the process of organizing a media library more comfortable.
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Use a PC converter to compress videos without losing much quality if you plan to store them on cloud-based services with limited space.