How to transfer photos to Xiaomi: all ways with pros and cons

Transferring photos to a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces.If you just bought the new Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Or you want to make room for the old Poco. X5, There are many different ways to transmit images. But which one should you choose? Speed, security and convenience depend on the method: from the classical method. USB-Cables to modern cloud services.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to transfer photos to Xiaomi devices, including hidden MIUI features that speed up the process. You’ll learn how to avoid quality loss, why some methods work slower than others, and what to do if the smartphone can’t see files. And a unique life hack for owners of flagship Xiaomi 14 series, which saves up to 40% of time during mass transmission.

1.Photo transfer via USB-cable: classics with nuances

Connecting your smartphone to your computer via cable is still the most reliable method, if you know the subtleties. Modern Xiaomi (starting with MIUI 12) default to MTP (Media Transfer Protocol), which can slow down when transferring large numbers of files. Here's how to avoid this:

First, always use the original cable from the kit or a certified USB-C (for new models). Cheap analogues often limit the speed to USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), while the original support USB 3.1 (up to 10 Gbps). Second, activate the file transfer mode on the smartphone in the notification curtain before connecting, otherwise the PC will see the device as Charging.

• 🔌 Pros: maximum speed (up to 40 MB / s on flagships), no volume restrictions, does not require Internet.
• ⚠️ Cons: you need a cable and a computer, possible driver conflicts on Windows 10/11.
• 📱 Suitable for: transferring hundreds of photos at a time, backup.

⚠️ Note: If after connecting the computer asks to install drivers for ADB Interface, cancel installation — it is not necessary for file transfer. Just select from the menu of the smartphone File transfer (MTP).

Turn off screen lock on your smartphone | Use USB 3.0 port (blue connector) on PC | Check that the cable supports data transfer (not only charging) | Close all programs that can block files (for example, Google Photos)

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2. Wireless transmission: Wi-Fi Direct vs Mi Share

If you don't have the cable, wireless technology comes to the rescue. Xiaomi has two proprietary solutions: Wi-Fi Direct (built into Android) and Mi Share (developed by Xiaomi), the first works with all devices, the second only with Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco equipment, but faster.

To activate Mi Share, open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Mi Share. On another device (like an old smartphone), turn on the same feature and select it from the list. Transfer speeds reach 10-15 MB/s – 2-3 times faster than using Bluetooth. and Mi Share automatically compresses photos without loss of quality if you turn on the option Quick Transfer.

Wi-Fi Direct|Mi Share|Bluetooth|Cloud services|No wireless transmission-->

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient for backing up and syncing photos between devices. Xiaomi has its own service, Mi Cloud, but it is inferior to Google Photos in functionality. For example, Mi Cloud offers only 5 GB for free (versus 15 GB from Google) and does not automatically create collages or animations from photos.

To upload a photo to Google Photos:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Log in to your Google account.
3. Enable Backup and Synchronization in the settings.
4. Choose the download quality: Original (retains resolution) or High (compresses, but unlimited storage).

Google Photos has the advantage of searching by content (e.g., you can find all photos of dogs or the beach), and it automatically creates albums by date and event.

⚠️ Attention: When uploaded in Original Quality, photos take up space in your Google Drive. If you exceed the 15GB limit, new shots will no longer sync. Check the occupied space at drive.google.com.

4.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi: bypassing Apple's restrictions

Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi often comes with the problem of transferring photos. Apple blocks direct transmission through the cable, so you have to use workarounds. The most reliable way is Google's "Switch to Android" program, but it only works when you first set up your smartphone. If the device is already configured, use one of these methods:

• 📱 iCloud: Upload photos to iCloud, then download them to PC via iCloud.com and transfer them to Xiaomi USB.
• 🌐 Google Photos: Install the app on your iPhone, upload photos, then sync to Xiaomi.
• ⚡ AirDrop + Mi Share: Transfer photos from iPhone to Mac via AirDrop, then from Mac to Xiaomi via Mi Share (if Mac supports Mac).

Pay special attention to the photo format. iPhone saves the images in HEIC (High Performance Format), which many Android devices do not support.

1. On iPhone go to Settings → Camera → Formats.
2. Select the most compatible (will be saved in JPEG).
3. Back up old photos in JPEG via the Shortcuts app.

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If Xiaomi photos from the iPhone are displayed green or with artifacts, install the HEIF Image Viewer app from Google Play - it will correctly open the HEIC format.

5 Hidden MIUI functions for working with photos

The MIUI's proprietary shell contains some little-known features that make it easier to work with photos, such as the Xiaomi Gallery, which has a built-in tool for batch renaming and remote access to photos from another device, to use:

1. Open the gallery. → Albums.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Control.
3. Enable the option Sharing albums (Miga Account authorization is required).

Another useful feature is the automatic facial sorting, where MIUI analyzes photos and groups them by people (like Google Photos), but does it locally, without uploading to the cloud, to activate:

1. Go to the gallery. → People.
2. Press Settings. → Facial recognition.
3. Turn on the option and wait for processing (may take up to an hour for a large collection).

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The Duplicate feature in the Xiaomi Gallery finds the repetitive photos and suggests removing them, freeing up space. Located in the Gallery → Control → Duplicates.

6.Photo transfer from camera to Xiaomi: bypassing restrictions

If you’re taking pictures with a SLR or mirrorless camera (like the Sony Alpha or Canon EOS), it can be difficult to transfer pictures to your smartphone due to the large file sizes (RAW or JPEG 20+MB).

• 📷 cardreader + OTG: Buy an adapter. USB-C to SD (worth ~300 rubles.) and connect the memory card directly to the smartphone. Xiaomi supports the exFAT file system, so there will be no problems with reading.
• 🖥️ PC as a mediator: Copy photos from card to computer, then transfer to Xiaomi via USB or Mi Share.
• ☁️ FTP-Server: On the camera, turn on the mode FTP (If supported, connect to its Wi-Fi with Xiaomi and download files through a file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer).

For professional photographers, it is important to save metadata (EXIF) when transmitted over the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud), it is often cropped.

1. Use local transmission (USB or card reader).
2. Install ExifViewer on Xiaomi to check metadata.
3. If you need to edit EXIF, use Photo Exif Editor.

7. Transfer automation: tasks and scripts

If you need to migrate photos regularly (for example, for a blog or work), set up automation. MIUI has a built-in Automation tool (Settings → Advanced Features → Automation) that allows you to create rules.

• 🤖 Autoboot to the cloud: When I connect to home Wi-Fi, upload new photos to Google Photos".
• 📤 Cleaning after transmission: “After connecting to the PC USB Remove photos older than 30 days".
• 🔄 Synchronization with NAS: "Copy your photo to a network drive every night (requires a file manager with support) SMB, for example FX File Explorer).

For advanced users, Tasker is a paid app, and you can use it to write a script that:

1. Scans the DCIM/Camera folder for new photos.
2. Convert HEIC to JPEG (if necessary).
3. Upload them to the cloud or send them by email.

An example of a simple script for Tasker:

Profile: New Photos (Event: File Modified, Path: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/)


Task:




1. If %ef(1) ~ *.heic




A1: Run Shell [Command: magick "%ef(1)" "%ef(1).jpg" (Installation ImageMagick required)]




A2: Delete File [File: %ef(1)]




2. Upload File [Server: Google Drive, File: %ef(1)]

⚠️ Note: When using Tasker to work with files, give it permission ADB or root, otherwise scripts will not be able to interact with folders DCIM and Pictures.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you transfer the photo correctly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to correct it:

If photos open with distortions (such as green), the problem is the color profile. Modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with Xiaomi 12) support an extended Display P3 profile, which can conflict with the standard sRGB.

1. Open the photo in Google Photos.
2. Click Edit → Tools → Color.
3. Choose the original or natural profile.

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If Xiaomi doesn’t recognize the memory card after transferring the photo, check its format. Xiaomi devices only work with FAT32 (up to 32 GB) or exFAT (up to 64 GB).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions