How to transfer data from Xiaomi to your computer: step-by-step instructions

Transferring data from Xiaomi to your computer seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected errors, slow speeds or broken cables. Even owners of new models Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F6 often have questions: why the PC does not see the phone, how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI, or what is the fastest way to transfer 100 GB photos. This article will not just list the ways, but will help you choose the best method for your tasks, whether it is a one-time transfer of documents or regular backup.

We tested all the current methods on devices with MIUI 14/15 (including Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Redmi 12) and revealed key nuances: from hidden settings in the Developer Settings to bypassing the locking of file transfer through MTP. Particular attention was paid to the problems that users often solve in service centers, for example, when a computer sees a phone as a phone. PORTABLE_DEVICE, It doesn't display files. All instructions are adapted for Windows. 10/11 MacOS, with some comments for Linux.

1. Transfer through USB-Why the PC Can't See Xiaomi and How to Fix It

USB connectivity remains the most reliable way, but MIUI has two key features that break the standard circuitry:

1. Automatic Charging: By default, the phone blocks data transmission until you confirm the action in the notification curtain.
2. MTP Limitation: On some firmware (especially Chinese) the File Transfer function may be disabled in the developer settings.

To avoid problems:

• 🔌 Use the original cable from the kit (cheap analogues often do not support data transfer).
• 📱 When you first connect, unlock your phone screen and select File Transfer mode in the notification (MTP).
• 🔧 If the PC does not see the device, check the Settings → Connection and sharing → USB Is the item File Transfer included.
• 🖥️ On Windows, install Mi drivers PC Suite (even if you don’t plan to use it – it fixes recognition problems).

If the computer still doesn’t see the files, try:

1. Reboot both devices.
2. Connect the phone to another USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 - blue).
3. Turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times press) Developer mode, then in Settings → Additional → For developers, activate Debugging over USB.

2. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop): Unlimited wireless transmission

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for wireless file sharing between devices. Unlike Bluetooth, there are no size limits (you can transfer folders weighing 10+ GB), and speeds up to 10-15 MB/s (when you connect to a single 5 GHz Wi-Fi network), the main advantage is that you do not need to connect cables or register in the cloud.

How to use:

1. Open the Mi Share app on your phone (if not, download it from Google Play).
2. Click Send, select files and confirm.
3. On your computer, open your browser and go to the address ftp://[IP-address phone] (it will appear on the phone screen) or use the official Mi software PC Suite.

Important nuances:

• 🌐 Phone and PC should be on the same Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz for maximum speed).
• 🔒 If you can’t connect, check if the Windows firewall blocks incoming connections.
• 📁 To transfer folders with Cyrillic names, first rename them to the Latin alphabet.

Make sure your phone has Wi-Fi on.|Shut down. VPN both-device|Check the free space on the PC|Close programs that use port 2121 (FTP)-->

Transfer speeds depend on the router model and network load. For example, on the Xiaomi Router AX6000 files are transferred 2-3 times faster than on budget models such as the TP-Link TL-WR840N.

3. Cloud services: when USB and Wi-Fi are not available

If a physical connection is not possible (for example, a broken USB port), cloud services become the only way out.

• 🖥️ Mi Cloud – a branded cloud with 5 GB of free space (available only for authorized Mi Account accounts).
• ☁️ Google Drive is a universal solution with 15 GB free, but requires syncing your Google account.

Comparison of services:

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired data (photos, videos, contacts).
3. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
4. Select files and download them through the web interface.

⚠️ Warning: If you delete files from your phone before they are uploaded to the cloud, they will be permanently lost. → Storage management.

4. FTP-Xiaomi server: Mi Share alternative for advanced users

If Mi Share is unstable, you can run on the phone full FTP-This will allow you to manage files through any server. FTP-client (e.g. FileZilla or Total Commander) with the ability to download and resume interrupted transmission.

How to set up:

1. Install an FTP Server application from Google Play (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer have a built-in feature).
2. Start the server, record the displays IP-address, port and login/password.
3. On PC, connect through FTP-the customer using this data.

Advantages of the method:

• 📂 Access to the entire file system of the phone (including hidden folders).
• ⚡ Speed is limited to your Wi-Fi (up to the end) 20-30 MB/s on Xiaomi 13 Pro with Wi-Fi 6).
• 🔄 Ability to resume interrupted loading.

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If FTP-The server is not running, check if it is blocked by an antivirus (for example, Avast or Kaspersky.

5. Hidden MIUI functions to speed up transmission

MIUI 14/15 has little-known settings that can significantly speed up data transfers.

• 🔄 High-performance mode USB: activated in Settings → Battery → Performance mode → High performance. Increases transmission speeds 15-20%, But it drains the battery faster.
• 📡 Priority Wi-Fi for Mi Share: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Priority Network Select High Speed.
• 🗃️ File system optimization: if the phone slows down while copying, follow Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up the Optimize team.

For models with UFS 3.1 (for example, Xiaomi 12T Pro or Black Shark 5), read/write speeds via USB 3.0 can reach 800-900 MB / s, but only when using high-quality cable (for example, Anker PowerLine +).

6. Data transfer to Mac: features and circumvention of restrictions

MacBook owners often face the fact that Xiaomi does not appear in the Finder even after connecting to the device. USB. The reason is the lack of drivers MTP MacOS solutions:

• 🍎 Install a free Android File Transfer utility (official software from Google).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone in mode PTP (for photos) through the notification curtain.
• 🌐 Use Mi Share or FTP — They run on macOS without additional drivers.

If Android File Transfer does not see files:

1. Update the app to the latest version.
2. Turn on the phone debugging over USB (see section 1).
3. Connect your phone to a different USB port (on new MacBook Pros, use the USB-C → USB-A adapter).

⚠️ Note: On macOS with Apple Silicon chip (M1/M2) Android File Transfer may not work properly, in which case use the alternative OpenMTP (requires installation via Homebrew).

7. Backup the entire phone to the PC

If you don’t want to transfer individual files, but a full copy of your phone (including settings, SMS and installed apps), use:

• 💻 Mi PC Suite – official software from Xiaomi with backup function (works only on Windows).
• 🔄 ADB Backup – console command to create backup (requires debugging enabled) USB).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – backup to the cloud with subsequent download on PC.

Instructions for ADB Backup (the most reliable way):

1. Install ADB Tools on PC (download from the Android Developers website).
2. Connect your phone via USB and enable debugging via USB.
3. In the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux), run: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab (where C:\backup.ab is the path for saving the backup).
4. On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup copy (think up a password for encryption).

To recover data from the backup:

adb restore C:\backup.ab

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ADB Backup saves all application data, including logins and settings, but does not copy music and videos. For media files, use a separate transmission via MTP or Mi Share.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)