How to transfer photos from Android to Xiaomi Redmi Note: all working ways

Transferring photos between smartphones to Android is a challenge faced by every second user of Xiaomi Redmi Note. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated due to differences in firmware, limitations of MIUI, or banal lack of space on the device. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven methods – from classic (cable, Bluetooth) to modern (cloud services, local network), taking into account the features of the Redmi Note 10/11/12 and older models.

We will focus on speed, photo metadata (date, geotagged, EXIF) and ways to avoid common errors like “lack of memory” or “files are not copied.” If you switch from Samsung, Huawei or another brand to Xiaomi, here you will find the best solution for your case.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Model of your Redmi Note (Settings in Settings) → The phone. → This is dependent on some features (e.g. Mi Share is not available on all versions). MIUI).
• 🔋 Battery charge of both devices (minimum 30%) Transferring a large amount of photos via Wi-Fi Direct or cable can drain the phone in 10-15 minutes.
• 📡 Internet speed (if you plan to use the cloud) Upload 10 GB of photos to Google Photos on slow 3G take up to 5 hours.

1. Transfer via USB cable (OTG or PC)

The most reliable method for large volumes (from 5 GB), but requires additional accessories, Suitable for all models of the Redmi Note, including the Note 8 Pro and the newer.

🔹 Method 1: Direct connection (USB OTG)

• 🔌 Buy it. OTG-adapter (stands) ~200₽) cable USB-C → USB-C (For the new Redmi Note 12).
• 📱 Connect your old smartphone to Xiaomi via an adapter. On the Redmi screen, select File Transfer (MTP).
• 📂 Open Explorer on Xiaomi (File app), find the folder DCIM or Pictures on a connected device.
• 📤 Select the photo, click Copy → specify the destination folder (for example, internal memory) → DCIM → Camera).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note with MIUI 14+ copying OTG You may have a "file is too big" error:

Rename the files with the extension.jpg to.jpeg (via PC) or split the transfer into batches of 500 photos.

🔹 Method 2: Through the computer (Windows/macOS)

1. Connect both phones to your PC via USB by selecting File Transfer mode.
2. Open This Computer → Find both devices in the Portable Devices section.
3. Copy photos from one phone to a PC (like desktop), then drag them to Xiaomi.

Connect OTG-adapter (if there is no cable) C-C)|Select a regime MTP both phones|Check the free space on Xiaomi|Use the original cable (not cheap analogues)|Disable "Battery Optimization" for the Files application"-->

2 Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (Mi Share, LocalSend)

Mi Share (formerly Xiaomi Share) is a proprietary protocol from Xiaomi, running at speeds up to 20 MB / s. Supported on Redmi Note with MIUI 12+ and most Android devices (requires installation of the Mi Share application from Google Play).

📲 Instructions:

• 🔄 Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both phones.
• 📱 On Xiaomi, open Settings → Connection and sharing → Mi Share.
• 📤 On your old phone, select a photo. → Share. → Mi Share → Select Redmi Note from the list.
• ✅ Confirm the reception on Xiaomi. Photos will be saved in the folder. Download/MiShare.

🔹 Alternative: LocalSend (without brand restrictions)

If Mi Share doesn’t work (for example, on Redmi Note 7 with custom firmware), use LocalSend’s open source software:

• 📥 Install the app on both phones from localsend.org or Google Play.
• 🔗 Click Send on an old phone → Choose a photo → Please specify Redmi Note on the local network.
• 📁 Files will be saved to the LocalSend folder on internal memory.

💡

If the transmission is interrupted, turn off the power saving mode on both phones. in MIUI this is done in Settings → Battery → Power saving mode (turn off).

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Xiaomi Cloud

Optimal for transferring photos at a distance or without a cable, speed depends on the Internet connection, but all metadata (date of shooting, geotags) are stored.

📊 Comparison of services:

🔹 Instructions for Google Photos:

1. 📥 On Xiaomi: Sign in to the same Google account → Photo Photo → Photo library → highlight the photo → Download.

⚠️ Note: When using Xiaomi Cloud, photos are compressed to 12 MP resolution if the option "Saving traffic" is enabled!

4. Transfer via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Suitable for small volumes (up to 2 GB) if other methods are not available, the main advantage is that you do not need additional programs, but there are limitations:

• 📌 Telegram: maximum 2 GB per file (in channels/chats), compression to 12 MP when sent as a "photo" (send as a "file").
• 📌 WhatsApp: Limit 100 MB per file, strong compression (up to) 1600×1200 px).

🔹 Step-by-step instructions for Telegram:

1. 📱 Create a secret chat (click on a pencil) → New secret chat room).
2. 📎 Press the paper clip. → File. → Choose a photo (up to 2 GB at a time).
3. 📥 On Xiaomi, open a chat room. → click on the photo → Save it to the gallery.

💡 Lifehack: To transfer the package archive photos in ZIP (through the Files → Select → Telegram allows you to send archives up to 2 GB without compression.

5. Use of a Memory Card (MicroSD)

Relevant for Redmi Note with support for microSD (all models except Note 10S and Note 11 SE).

• 📌 Class 10/UHS-I: before 90 MB/s (optimum for 4K-photo).
• 📌 Class 4: Up to 15MB/s (slow for 1000)+ photo).

🔹 How to transfer:

1. 📱 Put the card in the old phone → copy the photo to a folder DCIM map.
2. 🔄 Remove the card and paste it into Xiaomi (pre-disable the phone!).
3. 📂 Open the files. → The device → SD-map → DCIM → Copy the photo into your internal memory.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note with MIUI 13+ When you first connect the memory card, you'll see a formatting request. Don't agree if you already have data on the card, choose Use as a portable storage.

6. Transfer through FTP-server (for advanced servers)

The method is for users who need high speed (up to 50 MB/s) and process control. It requires third-party software installation, but it works without the Internet.

🔹 Instructions:

1. 📱 Put it on an old phone. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. 🌐 Launch it. FTP-server in the application (Network section) → FTP). Remember the address of the species ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
3. 📱 On Xiaomi, open the files. → FTP (or install ES Conductor) → connect to the server.
4. 📤 Copy the photo from the folder DCIM server-to-local storage.

📌 Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Speed 2-3 times faster than the Mi Share.
• 🔒 No file compression.
• 📂 You can move folders, maintaining the structure.

💡

FTP-Server is the best choice for transfer RAW-photo (.ARW,.CR2) quality-free.

7 Automation: Tasker + AutoInput (for those who like customization)

If you need to transfer photos regularly (for example, from your work phone to your personal Redmi Note), set up an automatic process using Tasker. This method takes time to set up, but then one tap is enough.

🔹 What's the matter:

• 📱 Tasker and AutoInput applications (paid, ~300₽).
• 🔧 Knowledge of the basics ADB (to unlock certain functions in MIUI).

📌 Example of task:

1. Create a profile in Tasker with the trigger "Connect to Wi-Fi network" RedmiNote_Hotspot".
2. Add the action File → Copy (source: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera, appointment: ftp://[IP_Xiaomi]/DCIM).
3. Set up a notification at completion.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 Tasker may not see some system folders.Solution:

Enable Developer Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Tap 7 times) → then in Additional → For Developers, enable Allow debugging over USB.

FAQ: Frequent questions