Transfer photos from Xiaomi to your computer via USB-cable seems like a simple task - until you encounter typical problems: the phone is not defined as a drive, MIUI It asks for unlocking, and Windows insists on not seeing files, most often because of data protocol settings or outdated drivers. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways of transferring photos, including workarounds for older models (Redmi). 4X, Mi A1) and new flagships (Xiaomi 14, POCO F6).
Xiaomi’s smartphone features are the MIUI shell, which blocks files from USB by default for security reasons, which means simply plugging in a cable is not enough: you’ll need to manually select the data mode and possibly install additional drivers. We’ve tested all methods on devices with MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14, so the instructions are relevant for 90% of the brand’s models.
If you have previously tried to transfer a photo over Bluetooth or cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Photos) and are faced with slow speed or volume restrictions — USB-cable is the most reliable solution. USB 3.0 reaches 50-100 MB/s, which is 10-20 times faster than wireless alternatives.
1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for connection
Before you connect your phone to your PC, make the basic settings on the device itself, which will eliminate most of the device definition problems.
- 📱 Unlock the screen: MIUI It blocks access to files if your phone is locked with a password or fingerprint.
- 🔌 Use the original cable: Cheap uncertified cables often don't support data transfer (charging only). Xiaomi's original cables are labeled USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 on the connector.
- 🔄 Update. MIUI: In older versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 10) there may be no modern transmission protocols. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🛡️ Disable Data Protection: In some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3) The option that blocks is included USB-Connect. Find it in Settings. → Special facilities → Data protection.
The critical detail is that if you connect your phone to your PC for the first time, MIUI asks for permission to access the data. This request only appears once — if you accidentally click Cancel, you will have to reset USB settings to Settings → System → Settings Reset → USB settings Reset.
Unlock the phone screen
Use the original USB-cable
Update MIUI to the latest version
Disable “Data Protection” in the settings
Connect the cable to the port USB 3.0 on PC-->
2. Selection of data transmission mode in MIUI
When the phone is connected to the PC, the option appears in the Xiaomi notification curtain «USB-Connection. You have to manually select the mode here, otherwise Windows will see the device as a Charger without access to files.
Available modes and their purpose:
| Regime. | Description | Is it for a photo? |
|---|---|---|
| File Transfer (MTP) | The standard protocol for sharing media files works on all Windows/macOS PCs. | ✅ Yes. |
| Photo transfer (PTP) | Simplified camera mode, suitable if MTP is not working. | ✅ Yes, only a photo) |
| USB-modem | Phone Internet. Files are not available. | ❌ No. |
| Charging. | Only power, no data transmission. | ❌ No. |
| MIDI | To connect musical instruments, irrelevant for photography. | ❌ No. |
Most Xiaomi devices have Charging mode enabled by default to change it:
- Connect the phone to the PC.
- Flip the notification curtain down.
- Tap on the notification «USB-Connection (or Charging through) USB»).
- Select "File Transfer" (MTP).
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If there is no notice in the curtain USB-When you connect, check if notifications for system applications are disabled. → Notifications → System notifications and enable the option «USB».
On some models (POCO F1, Mi 9) after selecting MTP, an additional window may appear with a request for permission to access data.
3. Set up a computer to recognize Xiaomi
Even if the phone is configured correctly, Windows or macOS may not recognize it due to the lack of drivers, especially for older PCs or devices with MIUI Global Stable (not the Chinese version).
For Windows 10/11:
- Open the Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
- Find your Xiaomi in the “Portable Devices” or “Other Devices” list (may appear as “MTP Device” or “ADB Interface”).
- Right-click → “Update driver” → “Automatic search”.
If automatic search does not help, download the drivers manually:
- 🖥️ Official Xiaomi drivers (select the version for your model).
- 🔧 Universal Android package SDK Platform-Tools (includes) ADB and MTP driver).
For macOS:
- Install Android File Transfer – the official software from Google for working with MTP.
- If the program doesn’t see the phone, restart both devices and reconnect.
Windows 10/11
macOS
Linux
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4. Step-by-step instructions for transferring photos
When the phone and PC are set up, you just have to copy the files, and let's look at the process for Windows and macOS separately.
On Windows:
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB by selecting MTP mode.
- Open the "This Computer" (Win + E)
- Under the Devices and Disk section, your phone will appear (e.g., Redmi Note 12 Pro).
- Double-click on the device → open the Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera folder (there are photos taken by the camera).
- Select the files you want and drag them to your PC folder (or copy them via Ctrl + C/Ctrl + V).
On macOS:
- Connect the phone by selecting MTP mode.
- Start Android File Transfer (install it in advance).
- In the program window, go to DCIM → Camera.
- Select the photos and drag them to a folder on your Mac (for example, on the desktop).
If the DCIM folder is empty, check the other locations:
- 📁 Pictures – screenshots and uploaded images.
- 📁 Download – photos saved from messengers.
- 📁 MIUI → Gallery → Cloud – synchronized with Mi Cloud photos.
What to do if the DCIM folder is empty?
5. Solving typical problems
If your PC doesn’t see your phone or don’t display files, use these tips:
⚠️ Note: If after connecting Xiaomi starts to run out (despite the fact that it is not connected) USB), Check the cable, the wire may have been damaged. VBUS, You can use another cable or port. USB.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Phone's not being determined. | There are no MTP drivers | Install Xiaomi or Android SDK drivers |
| Folders are empty. | Photo saved on SD-map | Check the section /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM |
| Error "Device not recognized" | Conflict USB-port | Connect the cable to the back port of the system unit (for PC) |
| Slow transmission | USB 2.0 is used. | Connect to USB 3.0 port (blue connector) and use the original cable |
For devices with MIUI 14 and later (Xiaomi 13, Redmi K60), additional resolution may be required in the security settings:
- Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permit management → USB-installation.
- Enable the option “Allow installation via USB”.
If nothing helps, try an alternative method:
- 🌐 Temporary FTP-server: Install the application on the phone FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer, include it FTP-server and connect it from the PC through the browser.
- ☁️ Cloud Bridge: Upload photos to Google Drive or Mi Cloud, then download them to your PC.
6. Process optimization: how to transfer photos faster
Thousands of photos can take hours to move if you don't optimize the process. Here are some life hacks:
- ⚡ Use it. USB 3.0: Transmission speed increases from 5-10 MB/s (USB 2.0) up to 50-100 MB/s. Ports USB 3.0 is usually highlighted in blue.
- 🗃️ Archive before transfer: Select the folder with the photo in Xiaomi, click “Squeeze” (option in Explorer) MIUI), Then transfer one archive.zip.
- 🔍 Filter by date: In the folder DCIM Photos are sorted by subfolder (for example, Camera/202605). Only carry through the right months.
- 🤖 Automate with ADB: For advanced users – a command to copy all photos to one folder on the PC: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Photos\Xiaomi\ (Developer Mode is required and ADB).
A tip for POCO and Redmi owners: if you often transfer photos, set up automatic sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud. Then new images will be immediately available on PC through the web interface of the cloud.
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For maximum speed, use the combination: original USB 3.0 cable + USB 3.0 port on PC + MTP mode + archive folders before transfer.
7. Alternative ways to transfer photos without USB
If USB-Connection still doesn’t work, consider these methods:
- 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: Install LocalSend (free, cross-platform) on your phone and PC. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network. Send photos from your phone to your PC via the app (speed) ~10–20 MB/s).
Email/Messengers
- Send yourself a photo to the mail (Gmail, Yandex) or to the messenger (Telegram, Viber).
- Download them to PC.
⚠️ Note: Messengers compress photos (for example, WhatsApp reduces the resolution to 1280px). For original quality, use mail or clouds.
For MacBook owners with ports USB-C You may need an adapter. USB-C → USB-A, As most of Xiaomi cables have a connector USB-A. The original Apple adapters are ~1 500 ₽, You can find cheaper ones (for example, from Baseus).