How to transfer photos from memory card to Xiaomi phone: all ways + error solving

Transferring photos from a memory card to a Xiaomi smartphone seems like a simple task — until you encounter errors like “Device not detected” or slow copy speed. In 2026, users of Redmi, POCO and the flagship Xiaomi 13/14 series have at least 5 working ways to transfer, but each of them has nuances, from support for the exFAT file system to the limitations of MIUI on working with external drives.

In this article, we will analyze not only standard methods (through a file manager or a file manager). OTG-adapter), but also alternatives - for example, how to bypass the lock on the record SD-map MIUI Why some Xiaomi models don’t see cards larger than 256 GB, and why moving through Google Photos eats up to 30% of the quality of original images and how to avoid it.

1.Preparation: Checking the memory card and telephone

Before you copy files, make sure your memory card is compatible with your phone. Xiaomi models support microSD (up to 2TB in theory), but in practice there are limitations:

• 📱 Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5: maximum — 1 TB, exFAT file system or FAT32.
• 📱 Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra: No card slot - only through OTG-adapter.
• ⚠️ Older models (Redmi 9, Note 10): may not see the maps >128 GB without formatting in FAT32.

To avoid mistakes:

1. Check the card on another device (laptop or camera).
2. If the phone doesn't recognize. SD-map, reboot it with the card inserted.
3. Update MIUI to the latest version: in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

⚠️ Note: If the card has been formatted in NTFS (For example, for a DVR, Xiaomi won't read it. You'll have to reformat it to exFAT on a PC, but that will delete all the data!

2. Method 1: Transfer through the built-in MIUI file manager

The easiest method is to use a standard Files (desktop folder icon) that is suitable for most models, except those where the card slot is occupied by the second one. SIM-card.

Step-by-step:

1. Insert the memory card into the slot (or an adapter for models without a slot).
2. Open the Files app → go to the Device tab.
3. Tap on point «SD-Card (or the name of your card).
4. Select the desired photos (long press → ticks) → click “Copy”.
5. Return to the root directory, select “Inner Memory” → DCIM or Pictures folder → “Insert”.

The speed of copying depends on the class of the card:

⚠️ Note: If you have a copying error “Not enough memory”, check the free space in Settings → Memory. MIUI It can save up to 10% of internal memory for system needs, even if it seems like there is space.

3. Method 2: Use of OTG-Adapter for models without slot

If you have Xiaomi 13/14, Mix Fold or other model without a card slot, you will need OTG-adapter (Type-C) → USB-A It's worth it. 200–500 rubles, but allows you to connect not only cards, but also flash drives.

How to transfer the photo:

1. Connect the adapter to the phone, insert the card.
2. Notification will pop up «USB-The drive is connected – tap on it.
3. Select File Manager (not File Transfer, otherwise the card will only be available via PC).
4. Then the action is the same: copy files from the DCIM folder on the card to the internal memory of the phone.

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If the adapter is not recognized, try connecting it via an externally powered hub – some cards require more power than the Type-C port can give.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔌 Adapter not defined: check if your Xiaomi supports OTG (List of models: official website).
• 📛 The map requires formatting: don't agree, it will delete the data. Better connect the card to the PC and copy the files from there.
• ⚡ Slow copying: Close all background apps (especially Google Photos and Gallery, which can scan files in parallel).

Method 3: Transfer over a computer (most reliable)

If your phone persistently fails to see the card or the copying is interrupted, use your PC/laptop as a middleman, a method that guarantees 100% data security and works even with damaged cards (provided the computer recognizes them).

Instructions:

1. Connect the card to the PC through the card reader.
2. Copy the photos into a folder on your desktop.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer mode in the notification curtain).
4. Drag files to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 You can check files for viruses before perenosom.
• 📁 It is easy to sort photos by date/folder.
• 🛠️ If the card is damaged, programs like PhotoRec or Recuva can help you recover data before copying.

5. Method 4: Cloud Services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

If you don't need to physically port files, but you need to back them up, cloud services are the right option, but there are pitfalls to this approach:

• 📸 Google Photos: Freely stores photos in “high quality” (compression up to 16 MP), the originals take place in Google Drive.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: gives 5GB for free, but only syncs folder DCIM.
• 🔒 Yandex.Disk./Mail.ru Cloud: No automatic download from memory card.

How to transfer via Google Photos:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it → tap on the avatar → “Photo settings” → “Backup and synchronization”.
3. Enable backup and select “Original Quality” (if quality preservation is important).
4. Wait for the photo to be uploaded from the card (it can take hours with slow internet).
5. Delete the card and download the photo back to your phone through the same app.

⚠️ Note: When uploading in “high quality” Google Photos compresses RAW-files (if you are taking photos in this format on Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 To avoid loss, use original quality or transfer files in other ways.

6. Method 5: Applications for file management (Solid Explorer, FX File Manager)

The standard MIUI file manager is not always convenient, for example, it does not show hidden files or support multithreaded copying. Third-party applications like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager offer more features:

• 🗂️ Multi-tape interface (you can open the card and internal memory in different windows).
• 🔄 Support FTP/SMB (localization).
• 🔍 Advanced metadata search (for example, find all photos with resolution) 4K).

How to transfer photos through Solid Explorer:

1. Install the application from Google Play (free version with restrictions or paid for 100-200 rubles).
2. Open the side menu. → choose «SD-map».
3. Find a folder with a photo (usually DCIM or Pictures).
4. Select files → click Copy → select the target folder in internal memory.
5. To accelerate, turn on the settings “Use the clipboard”.

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Partition file managers can bypass the limitations of MIUI to work with external drives, but require permission to access memory (configure in "Settings → Applications → Permissions").

7. Solving errors when transferring photos

Even with the right actions, there can be failures.

If the card is identified but the files are not copied:

1. Check if the Read Only mode on the adapter is enabled (the slider on the side).
2. Disable the antivirus – some (such as Avast) block access to external drives.
3. Update the firmware: older versions of MIUI had bugs with exFAT work.

8.Optimization: How to save space after transfer

After copying the photo to the phone, the internal memory can quickly fill up.

• 🗑️ Remove duplicates: Use apps like Files by Google (Cleanup tab»).
• 📂 Archive old photos: select the folder → «Squeeze (saves up to 40% of space).
• ☁️ Move to the cloud: upload originals to Google Photos (original quality) and delete local copies.
• 🔄 Use the card as an internal memory: in Settings → Memory. → SD-map → Set up as internal (not working on all models).

If you take a photo in RAW (for example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra), one photo can weigh 50-80 MB.

• Turn off saving RAW in the camera settings (unless you need professional edits).
• Convert RAW to JPEG via Lightroom Mobile (compresses 5-10 times).

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On models that support microSD as internal memory (Redmi Note 11 and older), you can transfer applications to the map, freeing up space for photos.

FAQ: Frequent questions