How to transfer files from your computer to your Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways 2026

Transferring files between your computer and your Xiaomi smartphone seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected mistakes: the phone is not defined as a drive, the transfer speed over USB 2.0 is disappointing, and the Wi-Fi connection is constantly broken. This article will help you avoid typical problems and choose the best method depending on your tasks: whether you need to transfer 100 GB of movies or just send a couple of documents.

We tested all the current methods on the models Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra running MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS. Particular attention was paid to the nuances that the manufacturer is silent: why MTP-mode may not work on Windows 11, how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI on the transfer of system files and what settings allow access to the memory of the phone without unnecessary confirmation.

Spoiler: The fastest way to do large volumes is to use USB-C cable with support for the UAC protocol (USB Attached SCSI), which provides speeds of up to 10 Gbps on Xiaomi flagships from 2023-2026.

Transfer through USB-cable: step-by-step instruction

The classic method that works on all Xiaomi models, including the budget Redmi A2+ and POCO M6 Pro. The main advantage is the maximum speed (up to 480 Mbps on USB 3.0) and no dependence on Internet connection. However, there are pitfalls: Windows may not recognize the phone due to outdated MTP drivers, and MIUI by default blocks access to some folders.

To make the connection go smoothly:

• 🔌 Use the original cable from the kit – cheap analogues often do not support data transfer.
• 🖥️ On a Windows PC 10/11 Pre-install the Mi drivers PC Suite (even if you don’t use the program).
• 📱 On the phone at the time of connection, select the File Transfer mode (MTP), Not just charging.
• 🔒 Unlock the smartphone screen — MIUI Requires access confirmation with each new connection.

If the computer can't see the phone,

1. Open Device Manager on PC (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find your Xiaomi’s Portable Devices or Other Devices (may appear as MTP or with an exclamation point) in the list.
3. Right-click → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer → Select from the list → MTP-device.

⚠️ Note: HyperOS phones (such as Xiaomi 14) will be asked to unlock when you first connect to a PC USB-Debugging – confirm it, otherwise access to memory will be limited.

Use the original USB-C/USB-A cable

Install Mi PC Suite on PC

Select MTP mode on your phone

Unlock the Xiaomi screen

Update MTP drivers in Device Manager-->

2. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP, LocalSend)

If the cable is not available or you need to transfer files from a distance (for example, from a laptop in another room), wireless methods will save the situation. Xiaomi offers its own solution - Mi Drop, but it only works between devices of the same ecosystem. For cross-platform transmission it is better to use FTP-server or application like LocalSend.

Method 1: Built-in Mi Drop

• 📲 On the phone, open Settings. → Connection and sharing → Mi Drop.
• 💻 On PC, go to the web version of drop.mi.com and scan QR-phone-screen.
• 📁 Select files on your PC and confirm the transfer on your smartphone.

Limits: The maximum file size is 1 GB, the speed depends on the quality of the Wi-Fi network.

Method 2: FTP-server (for large files)

If you want to transfer your video to 4K or archive with photos:

1. Install WiFi FTP Server (or equivalent) on your phone.
2. Start the server and write down the address of the view ftp://192.168.x.x:2221.
3. On PC, open Explorer → enter the address in the address bar → enter the username / password (by default, often anonymous without a password).

Mi Drop (built into MIUI)

FTP-server

LocalSend/Snapdrop

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Other-->

3. Cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Disk

Cloud storage is convenient for backing up and transferring files between multiple devices, for example, you upload photos from your PC to Google Drive, and then download them to Xiaomi via a mobile app, the main plus is access from any device, the minus is the dependence on Internet speed and volume restrictions.

Comparison of services for Xiaomi:

• 🌐 Google Drive: 15GB free, integration with Gallery MIUI. Suitable for documents and photos.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, automatic contact and note sync.Uses Xiaomi servers in China - can be slow for users from Russia/Europe.
• 📁 Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, high download speed for Russian users. There is a photo album function for automatic sorting of photos.

How to transfer files via Google Drive:

1. On PC, upload files to drive.google.com.
2. On your phone, open the Google Drive app → find uploaded files → click Download (arrow icon down).
3. Files will be saved to the Download folder or the directory you select.

⚠️ Note: When downloading large files (>1 GB via mobile internet MIUI It can pause downloads in the background. To avoid this, open Settings. → Battery and productivity → Power management apps and disable optimization for Google Drive.

4. Transfer via messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

The easiest way to send 1-2 small files is to use messengers. Telegram stands out from them due to the lack of restrictions on file size (up to 2 GB) and maintaining original quality. WhatsApp and Viber compress media files, so they are only suitable for documents.

How to send files via Telegram:

• 📎 Open Save Messages Chat (or any other chat).
• 📁 Press the paper clip. → File. → Select the desired files from the PC.
• 📱 On your phone, open the same chat room. → Download files (hold your finger on the message) → Save it to the gallery).

Limitations of messengers:

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If you want to send a folder with files, pre-archive it in ZIP/RAR. Messengers do not support transferring directories "as is", but easily send archives.

5. Use of a memory card (microSD) as an intermediary

If your Xiaomi supports memory cards (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro or POCO X5), you can use microSD as an intermediate storage method.

• 🔄 We need to move a very large amount of data (>50GB).
• 🚫 USB-The port on your phone or PC is not working.
• 🔒 Requires to circumvent restrictions MIUI access to system folders.

Step-by-step:

1. Insert the memory card into the microSD→USB adapter and connect to the PC.
2. Copy files to the card (format it in exFAT for files >4 GB).
3. Remove the card, paste it into your smartphone, and use Explorer (Files) to move data into internal memory.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS phones (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) When you first connect a memory card, you'll be asked to format it as an internal storage device, and if you agree, you won't be able to read it on other devices.

6. Alternative methods: OTG, Bluetooth, Email

These are the ways to deal with emergencies where other methods are not available, they're slower and have limitations, but sometimes they do.

1. USB OTG + flash drive

If you have one on hand. USB-storage OTG:

• 🔌 Connect the flash drive to the PC and copy files to it.
• 📱 Connect the flash drive to the phone through OTG-adapter.
• 📂 Use Explorer on Xiaomi to copy files.

2. Bluetooth

Slow (speed ~1-3 MB/s), but does not require Internet access:

1. On PC: Settings → Devices → Bluetooth → turn on visibility.
2. On the phone: Settings → Bluetooth → find a PC and connect.
3. Send files from your PC via the context menu (Send → Bluetooth device).

3. Email (for small files)

Suitable for documents up to 25 MB:

• 📧 Send an attachment letter to your mail from PC.
• 📱 Open the letter on your phone and download the attachment.

7. Transmission automation: folder synchronization

If you need to transfer files regularly (such as photos from the camera or work documents), set up automatic synchronization.

Method 1: Syncthing (for experienced users)

Free open source software that syncs folders between PC and Xiaomi over the local network:

1. Install Syncthing on PC and phone (via F-Droid).
2. Add both devices to the same network and specify folders for synchronization.
3. Set up a schedule or start synchronization manually.

Method 2: Autoboot to the cloud

For example, in Google Photos:

• 📱 On your phone, open Google Photos → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 🖥️ On PC, install Backup and Sync and specify folders to download.
• 🔄 Photos will automatically sync between devices.

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For automation, it is better to use local solutions (Syncthing) – they do not depend on the speed of the Internet and are not limited by the quotas of cloud services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file transfers to Xiaomi