How to transfer data from your phone to your Xiaomi phone via Bluetooth: all ways and life hacks

Transferring data between Xiaomi smartphones via Bluetooth seems simple — but in practice users face speed limits, connection errors and non-obvious MIUI settings. Unlike wired methods (via USB-OTG or Xiaomi Share), wireless transfer requires proper preparation of both devices, especially if we are talking about large files or specific formats like.vcf (contacts) or.apk.

In this article, current ways to transfer data to Xiaomi MIUI 14/15 (including the Redmi Note models 12/13, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13/14), with regard to the Bluetooth protocol 5.2/5.3. We're going to look at not only basic file sharing, but also contact transfer, notes, and avoiding common errors like "Device not found" or "Transfer interrupted." FAQ-block with answers to frequent questions.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phones for data transfer

Before you start transferring, make sure that both smartphones meet the key requirements:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Both devices must be installed MIUI 12 or later (for stable operation of the protocol) OBEX, The file sharing officer. Check the settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Minimum 30% on both phones – transferring large files (such as video) can drain a device in 10-15 minutes.
• 📶 Free space: The receiving phone must have at least 1.5× from the amount of data transferred (for example, for 1 GB of files you need 1.5 GB of free space).
• 🔒 Permissions: C Settings → Annexes → Permissions Management: Verify that the Bluetooth app has access to Warehouse and Contacts (if you plan to transfer the address book).

Pay special attention to the power saving mode: if one of the phones is activated Ultra Mode or Supersaving, Bluetooth can automatically turn off after 5-10 minutes of inactivity. Turn it off in Settings → Battery and Performance.

2. How to turn Bluetooth on Xiaomi and make devices visible

The activation algorithm for Bluetooth on Xiaomi depends on the version of MIUI, but the overall scheme looks like this:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Move the slider to the on position.
3. Click on Device Search (in MIUI 15, this button may be called Add New Device).
4. On the second phone, do the same thing – it should appear in the list of available devices.

If the devices do not find each other:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth: Turn off and turn on the module on both phones.
• 📵 Turn off Wi-Fi: Sometimes Xiaomi prioritizes Wi-Fi Direct, which prevents detection over Bluetooth.
• 🔍 Check Visibility: In Bluetooth Settings, select Visibility for All (in the MIUI 14+ This parameter is hidden - you need to click on three points in the upper right corner).

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If you are transferring data between Xiaomi and iPhone, you need to additionally allow access to contacts in Bluetooth settings on your iOS device (a pop-up will appear when you first connect).

3. File transfer via Bluetooth: step-by-step instructions

To transfer files (photos, videos, documents) use the standard OBEX protocol built into MIUI:

Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both phones | Open file manager Files on the sending device |Select the files you want (holding your finger on one of them) |Click Share → Bluetooth

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Next:

1. In the list of devices, select the receiving Xiaomi phone.
2. On the receiving device will appear a notification with a request to receive the file - confirm it.
3. The files will be saved to the Bluetooth folder in the internal memory (path: /storage/emulated/0/Bluetooth).

Limitations of the method:

• ⚡ Speed: Maximum 2-3 MB/s (even on Bluetooth 5.3), which is 10 times slower than Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📁 File size: MIUI It can block file transfers of more than 50 MB, in which case you can use archiving (.zip).
• 🔄 Interrupts: If the screen goes out, the transmission will stop (turn off autolock in Settings). → Lock screen).

4. Transfer contacts and notes via Bluetooth

Contacts and notes are not transmitted as normal files, but through specialized protocols.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on three points → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to file.
3. Choose.vcf (for one contact) or.vcf for all (for the entire address book).
4. Send the exported file via Bluetooth (as described in Section 3).
5. On the receiving phone, import.vcf via the same Import/Export menu.

For notes (Notes Xiaomi):

• 📝 Export notes one at a time: open the note → three-point → Exports → Choose Bluetooth.
• 🔗 Alternative: sync notes with Mi Cloud and then log in to the same account on the second phone.

⚠️ Note: When you transfer contacts via.vcf, you lose photos and call history attached to them. To save avatars, use Mi Mover (a Xiaomi application for data migration).

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the right setup, Xiaomi users are faced with errors.

If the problem persists, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Reset network settings.
2. Confirm the reset (all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices will be removed).
3. Reboot both phones.

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On Xiaomi models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro), Bluetooth is more stable thanks to the improved FastConnect 6900 protocol stack. On budget models (such as the Redmi A2), delays due to hardware limitations are possible.

6.Alternative ways of data transfer between Xiaomi

If Bluetooth is not suitable (for example, due to low speed), consider alternatives:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: Up to 20MB/sec. Activated in Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct. Suitable for video and large archives.
• 🔗 Xiaomi Share (Mi Share): Xiaomi's built-in solution for transferring files between brand devices. Works over Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, speeds up to 10MB/s.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Cloud storage from Xiaomi (5GB for free).Sync data with one account, then log in on the second phone.
• 🔌 USB-OTG + Adapter: Directly connect phones via cable. Requires an adapter USB-C to USB-C (for new models or Micro-USB to USB-C (old).

Comparison of methods:

7 Security in data transmission over Bluetooth

Bluetooth devices are vulnerable to attacks such as BlueBorne or BLE Spoofing, so:

• 🔐 Turn off Bluetooth after transfer – even in standby mode, the device can be detected by attackers.
• 🛡️ Update. MIUI: In older versions MIUI 13 Addresses critical vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth stack.
• 📱 Use it. PIN-When you first connect, Xiaomi asks for code confirmation – don’t ignore this step.
• 🔍 Check files: After transfer, scan the received files with antivirus (for example, Mi Security).

⚠️ Note: On root-righted phones (Magisk, SuperSU), Bluetooth may not work smoothly due to modified system libraries. Before transmitting important data, temporarily disable the root via Magisk Manager.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions