How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi via Bluetooth

Owning the Xiaomi ecosystem means having multiple gadgets at once, whether it’s a bundle of a smartphone with headphones or a switch to a newer phone model. In situations where you need to quickly throw a couple of photos, a contact or a light document, users often turn to basic wireless functions. Bluetooth remains a universal standard built into every device and does not require an Internet connection to work.

But the process of synchronizing two devices of the same brand through this protocol has its own technical nuances that distinguish it from transferring files between different brands. Despite the advent of high-speed analogues like Mi Share, the classic method of transfer is still relevant for older models or in conditions of limited battery power.

It is important to note that large amounts of data such as videos are transmitted to 4K It takes a lot of time to get through this channel, or archives with games, and the bandwidth of the standard is limited by the physical characteristics of the radio module, but it's very important to send a business card or a small business card or a small business card. PDF-This method remains one of the most reliable and affordable tools in the arsenal of the owner of an Android smartphone.

Technical limitations and transmission speed

Before active use, you need to understand the fundamental limitations of the technology. Bluetooth was originally designed as a protocol to replace peripheral cable connections, not for mass migration of data. Transfer speeds depending on the version of the module (4.0, 5.0, 5.2) can vary, but in practice rarely exceed 2-3 Mbps under ideal conditions.

This means that transferring a single file, weighing 1 GB, can take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour. By comparison, current Wi-Fi Direct methods can handle this in minutes. So using a blue tooth is only justified for a small number of files, and trying to move the entire photo album in this way will drain the batteries of both devices long before the process is complete.

⚠️ Warning: When transferring large files, make sure the screens of both smartphones don't go out.Some shell versions MIUI can interrupt transmission when going to sleep mode to save energy.

In addition, the distance between devices is critical: for stable connection gadgets must be in close proximity, preferably no more than 1-2 meters from each other; the presence of physical obstacles or a working microwave nearby can significantly reduce speed or cause a connection break. Channel stability depends on the absence of strong radio interference in the 2.4 GHz range.

Preparation of devices for pairing

Successful data transfer is impossible without the correct pre-configuration of both devices. The first step is to activate the wireless module on both smartphones. Unlike some other operations, it does not require a Wi-Fi connection or a SIM card, but the battery should be sufficient.

To activate the function, perform the following actions:

• 📱 Unlock both Xiaomi smartphones and go to the desktop.
• ⚙️ Lower the notification curtain from top to bottom and find the Bluetooth icon.
• 🔘 Click on the icon to become active (usually painted blue or green).
• 👁️ Make sure the device is visible to others: the module settings should have a “Visible to everyone” switch».

It is important to check that geolocation services are enabled on both devices. In modern versions of Android and MIUI, this is a mandatory requirement for scanning nearby devices. Without GPS enabled, the phone may simply not see the interlocutor in the list of available devices, which often confuses users.

💡

If the device is not visible, try turning off and re-enable Bluetooth on both phones – this resets the module’s cache and often solves the visibility problem.

Also, make sure that neither device is in Invisible or Hidden mode. By default, the phone is only searched for a certain time after the feature is turned on. If you searched for a file for transmission for a long time, visibility may have disappeared, and the procedure for enabling visibility will have to be repeated.

Process of pairing and transfer of files

Once the modules are successfully activated, you need to pair, and this creates a trusted connection between the two gadgets, allowing them to exchange data without constantly asking for confirmation for each action, and the pairing process is safe if you're in a controlled space.

Algorithm for creating a pair:

• 🔍 On one of the smartphones, click “Search for devices” or wait for the list to appear in the settings.
• 📲 Find the model name of Xiaomi’s second phone (e.g. Redmi Note 10) in the list).
• 🤝 Click on the device name and confirm the pair on both screens.
• 🔢 If a confirmation code appears, make sure the numbers on both displays match and click Confirm».

Now that the devices are connected, you can move to sending data. Open the Gallery, Explorer, or any other file source. Select the desired objects, click the Share button (three-dot icon or arrow icon) and select Bluetooth from the list of available methods. The system automatically suggests a previously paired device.

The receiving party will receive a system notification requesting the file to be accepted, click "Accepted", then the transfer process will begin, the progress of which will be displayed in the status bar, the files are saved by default to the Bluetooth folder in the internal storage or on the memory card, if it is selected as the main location of the save.

Comparison of data transmission methods

While the classic blue tooth method is basic, Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers other, more modern solutions, and understanding differences will help you choose the best tool for a particular task.

As you can see from the table, Xiaomi’s specialized applications like ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop) will be much more efficient for heavy file transfers, using Wi-Fi Direct channels to provide speeds comparable to wired connections, but if you want to quickly make contact with a friend’s phone with any operating system, Bluetooth benefits from its omnivorousness.

Addressing common problems

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often have difficulty trying to establish a connection. One of the common problems is when the phone sees the device but cannot pair, in which case it is recommended to remove the old pair from the list of saved devices on both devices and try to create a connection again.

Another common mistake is to say “File not received” or to freeze indefinitely during the “Waiting” stage, often due to a buffer overflow or lack of space on the receiving device. Always check for free memory in Xiaomi storage before accepting large files.

⚠️ If the transmission is constantly interrupted by 99%, try to turn off the transmission. VPN-services or antiviruses that can block incoming connections over a protocol OBEX.

Some older versions of Android may not display file names with Cyrillic or special characters correctly. If the transfer does not begin, try renaming the file with only Latin letters and numbers in the title, which will eliminate encoding errors when shaking hands.

💡

Rebooting both smartphones solves 90% of the problems with the invisibility of devices and pairing errors, as restarts the services of the system module.

Data security in transmission

The use of wireless communication links always carries potential security risks. Bluetooth has built-in encryption mechanisms, but they do not make the transmission completely invulnerable. The main risk is the possibility of interception ("Bluejacking" or "Bluesnarfing") by attackers in range.

To minimize the risks, never leave your smartphone in “Visible to All” mode in public places when you are not planning to transfer. Once you have completed sharing files with a friend or colleague, it is better to remove the device from the paired list or put the module into hidden mode, this will prevent unauthorized connection attempts.

When you receive a pairing request from an unknown device, always check the sender's name. If you haven't initiated a search, it's best to ignore the request or explicitly click "Discard." File transfer via Bluetooth is only possible when devices are physically in the vicinity (usually up to 10 meters), which limits the ability of remote hackers, but does not exclude attacks in crowded places.

To transmit sensitive information, such as document scans or personal photos, it is recommended to use more secure channels of communication with end-to-end encryption, for example, messengers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)