How to transfer photos from one Android to Xiaomi Redmi: all ways with pros and cons

Transferring photos between Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a challenge faced by every second owner of the brand’s devices, according to statistics from Mi Community, 68% of users prefer wireless methods, but 32% still trust only physical connections. Reasons for moving photos can be a lot: the purchase of the new Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Backing up before resetting your settings or simply wanting to share memories with a friend.

In this article, we will analyze all current transmission methods - from standard (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct) to Xiaomi branded solutions like Mi Share and Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share). MIUI, which speeds up the process in 2-3 Let’s see why the transmission is sometimes interrupted. 99% And how to fix it. If you're looking for the fastest or the most reliable method, you'll find a comparison table here with all the pros and cons.

1. Preparation for transfer: what to do before transferring the photo

Before you start transferring, make sure both devices are ready for the process, which will eliminate 80% of the typical errors like "device not found" or "files not sent".

On Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 14/15 check:

• 📱 Firmware version: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the version is older than 12.5, upgrade the system - in older versions Mi Share is unstable.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Both devices must have at least 30%.At low charge, Android automatically restricts background processes, which can interrupt transmission.
• 📶 Network settings: disable Flight Mode and Traffic Saving (c Settings) → Connections → Data usage. These features block Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth.
• 🔒 Permissions: On the Receiver Device (Redmi), enable Installation permission from unknown sources (for Mi Share transmission, this is critical). → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications.

If you are sharing photos from Samsung, Huawei or another brand, check:

• 🔄 Protocol compatibility: Some vendors (e.g. Huawei) block Wi-Fi Direct for other brands, in which case use Quick Share or cloud services.
• 📂 File format: Xiaomi supports HEIF (Photos in.heic format, but older Android 9 and below devices may not open them. JPEG pre-existingly.

⚠️ Note: If file encryption is enabled on the original device (found on Samsung Knox or Pixel with File-Based Encryption), some transmission methods (e.g., via OTG-In this case, use cloud services or Mi Share.

2. Method 1: Mi Share – a proprietary solution from Xiaomi

Mi Share (formerly Xiaomi Share) is a proprietary protocol from Xiaomi, optimized for devices on the market. MIUI. It runs on Wi-Fi Direct, but with improved speed and stability.Average transfer speed — 10-15 MB/s (against) 3-5 MB / s in standard Bluetooth).

How to transfer photos through Mi Share:

1. On both devices, open Settings. → Connections → Mi Share.
2. On the sender device, tap Send, on the receiver (Redmi) - Receive.
3. Select a photo in the gallery (possibly in a package) and confirm the transfer.
4. On the screen of the recipient will appear a request for confirmation – click Accept.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ High speed: up to 20MB/s on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ newer.
• 🔗 No size limit: You can transfer folders weighing 10+ GB.
• 🛡️ Encryption: Data is transmitted over a secure channel.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Only for MIUI: On pure Android or other brands, Mi Share does not work.
• 🔄 Instability: on devices older than Redmi Note 10, communication breaks are possible.

⚠️ Note: If the transmission is suspended 99%, Don't force it to interrupt. 2-3 If you don't, restart Mi Share on both devices and try again.

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices |

Shut down. VPN (obstructs detection of devices)|

Make sure there is enough space on the recipient|

Close background applications (especially messengers)-->

Method 2: Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share) - universal solution

Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share) is a cross-platform protocol from Google that works on all Android devices. 6.0 Unlike the Mi Share, it supports transfers between different brands (e.g. Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi — 5-8 MB/s, but more reliable.

Instructions for transmission:

1. Make sure that both devices include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Geolocation.
2. On the sender device, open the gallery, select a photo and tap Share → Quick Share.
3. In the list of detected devices, select your Redmi.
4. Confirm the receipt of the files on the recipient.

Quick Share and Mi Share Comparison:

If Quick Share does not find the device:

• 🔄 Reboot both smartphones.
• 📱 Make sure that the receiver has enabled Visibility for All (in Quick Share settings).
• 🚫 Turn off the Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery – it can block background processes.

💡

If the transfer is too slow, try to turn on Developer Mode and activate the Wi-Fi Debugging option. 20-30%.

Method 3: Bluetooth Transmission – Reliable but Slow

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way. 1-2 MB/s, but the method works even on older devices (up to Android). 4.4). Suitable for transmission 10-20 photo, but not thousands.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. On the sender device, open the gallery, select a photo and tap Share → Bluetooth.
3. In the list, find your Redmi and confirm the pairing.
4. At the recipient, accept the incoming file.

How to speed up Bluetooth transmission:

• 📶 Use Bluetooth 5.0 (available on the Redmi Note 9 and later). It's 2 times faster than Bluetooth 4.2.
• 📂 Send the photo in packets. 5-10 pieces, not one at a time.
• 🔋 Connect both devices to charging – this will prevent speeds from slowing down due to energy savings.

Typical errors and decisions:

• 🚫 "Device not found": reboot Bluetooth (turn off/on) or reset network settings (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Reset the settings).
• ❌ "Failed to send file: check if there is enough space on the recipient. MIUI Requires at least 10% free space to receive files.
• ⏳ "Transmission is “hung”: if progress does not move for more than 5 minutes, break the connection and try again.

5. Method 4: Wi-Fi Direct - Fast wireless transmission

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to transfer files at speeds up to 25-30 MB/s (on Redmi Note) 12 Pro+ Wi-Fi 6). Unlike Mi Share, this method works on any Android device, but requires manual setup.

How to transfer photos via Wi-Fi Direct:

1. On the sender device, open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. On the Redmi recipient, do the same.
3. On the sender, select the Redmi device from the list and confirm the connection.
4. Open the gallery, select a photo and send it via Wi-Fi Direct (the option may be called Send over Wi-Fi or Transfer).

Advantages:

• ⚡ High speed: faster than Mi Share on larger files.
• 🌐 Cross-platform: works even with iPhone (through third-party apps like Send Anywhere).
• 📡 No Internet dependency: Direct network between devices is created.

Disadvantages:

• 🔧 Complicated setup: requires manual connection every time.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: Wi-Fi Direct consumes 30% more power than Bluetooth.
• 🚫 It does not work on some firmware: for example, on ColorOS (devices). Oppo/Realme) Wi-Fi Direct can be turned off.

⚠️ Note: If photos are not displayed in the Redmi Gallery after transfer, check the Download or WiFiDirect folder through any file manager (for example, Mi File Manager). DCIM, a in the root directory.

Method 5: Cable OTG — maximum speed and reliability

Use of the OTG-A cable (or adapter) is the fastest and most reliable way to do this, if you have physical access to both devices. 40-50 MB/s (when used) USB 3.0), The risk of data loss is minimal, suitable for transferring thousands of photos or videos in format. 4K.

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-Type-C to Type-C or Type-C to Micro-USB cable, depending on the device ports).
• 💾 Flash drive (optional if there is no direct cable between devices).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi to another device via OTG-cable.
2. On the Redmi screen, select File Transfer Mode (or MTP).
3. On the sender device, open the file manager, find the folder with the photo (DCIM → Camera) and copy them to Redmi.
4. Wait for the copy to be completed and safely remove the device.

Tips for acceleration:

• 📁 Use Total Commander or Mi File Manager – they support batch copying with progress bar.
• 🔌 If it's cable USB 2.0, speed limit 5-10 MB/s. Take it for maximum speed USB 3.1 (blue-jack).
• 🔋 Connect both devices to charge – long-term copying of large amounts of data drains the battery.

If Redmi does not recognize the connected device:

• 🔄 Reboot both smartphones.
• 🔧 Check if the Developer Mode is enabled and if the Debugging option is activated USB (In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times according to version).
• 🛠️ Try another cable, cheap cable. OTG-Adapters are often not supported MTP-protocol.

💡

OTG-cable is the only method that guarantees 100% data transfer without loss or failure, ideal for backing up before resetting or selling a device.

7. Method 6: Cloud services – convenient but dependent on the Internet

Using cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Disk) is convenient if your devices are in different places or you have slow Wi-Fi Direct. However, speed depends on your Internet connection, and free rates limit storage.

Comparison of popular services:

There is no strict limit on Telegram, but files are stored only in the cloud, without backup.

How to transfer photos via Google Drive:

1. On the sender device, open Google Drive and press + → Download.
2. Select a photo and wait for the download to be completed.
3. On Redmi, open Google Drive, find the files and download them.

The advantages of cloud services:

• ☁️ Access from any device: photos can be downloaded even from a PC.
• 🔄 Automatic sync: Autoboot can be enabled in Google Photos.
• 🛡️ Backup: Files are stored in the cloud even after being deleted from your device.

Disadvantages:

• 🌐 Internet is required: with a slow connection, downloading will take hours.
• 💰 Limited space: 100 GB photos will have to pay for expansion.
• 🔒 Privacy: photos are stored on the company’s servers (except for the encrypted Mi Cloud).

💡

If you want to transfer a photo in original quality, in Google Photos, select the option High Quality (unlimited) instead of Original - so the files will not be compressed, but will take up less space.

Method 7: Third-Party Applications – Alternative Solutions

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications, which often offer additional functions like compression, encryption, or LAN transmission.

Top.-3 photo-transfer applications:

1. Send Anywhere: ⚡ Speed: up 10 MB/s. 🔗 Cross-platform: works on Android, iOS, Windows. 🔐 Encryption: there is an option to protect password.
2. Xender: 📶 No Internet: Creates a Local Area Network. 📁 Supports packet transmission. 🚫 Disadvantages: a lot of advertising in the free version.

Snapdrop

• 🌐 Works through the browser: you do not need to install the application.
• 🔒 Without registration: it is enough to open the site on both devices.
• ⚠️ Limitation: Maximum file size – 1 GB.

When to use third-party applications:

• 🔄 If the standard methods (Mi Share, Quick Share) do not work due to firmware incompatibility.
• 📡 If you need to transfer a photo from a distance (for example, via the Internet).
• 🔒 If additional protection is required (encryption, password).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as SHAREit) have been removed from Google Play for security issues. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos to Xiaomi Redmi