How to transfer a photo from one Xiaomi phone to another: all the ways 2026

Transferring photos between Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face restrictions on volume, speed or compatibility. In 2026, users have at least 7 working ways to resend pictures, but each of them has nuances: Some of the quality is lost, some of the Internet is required, and some methods are completely blocked on new models. MIUI 15.This article will help you choose the best option depending on your situation - whether it is the lack of Wi-Fi, different versions of firmware or the need to save EXIF-data.

We tested all the current methods on devices from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, took into account changes in the Mi Share after security updates, and collected step-by-step instructions with warnings about typical errors. For example, did you know that when transmitted via Bluetooth, HEIF photos automatically convert to JPEG with loss of quality? or that Xiaomi Cloud compresses images when downloading, if you do not change the settings?

At the end of the article, we'll show you a comparative table of all the methods for speed, security and requirements, and answers to common questions, like why some photos don't show up after a transfer or how to avoid duplicate files. If you want to transfer not only photos, but also videos or documents, most of the methods in this guide will work for them.

1. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) – official way from Xiaomi

Mi Share is a built-in file transfer solution between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices that works without internet via a direct Wi-Fi hotspot. This method is optimal for transferring large numbers of photos (up to 1000 at a time), but has compatibility limitations: devices older than 2019 may require a firmware update.

To avoid errors, check before starting:

• 📱 Both phones must be connected to charge (when transferring a large volume, the battery sits down 15-20% per hour).
• 🔄 Both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled (even if the transmission is over Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🔒 Turn it off. VPN Energy saving modes – they can interrupt the connection.

Step instructions:

1. On the source phone (from which you copy the photo), open the Files app → select the DCIM or Pictures folder.
2. Press your finger on the photos you want (or click Select All) → Share → Mi Share.
3. On the target phone (where transfer) in the notification that appears, click Accept.
4. Wait until the transfer is complete. The photos are saved to the MiShare folder on internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If photos don't show up after transfer, check the file format. Android 12 devices+ They are still saving the images in default. HEIC, which is not supported by older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 5 or Mi) A1). Solution: before transferring the photo to JPEG through the Gallery appendix → More. → convert into JPEG.

Turn off Do Not Disturb mode on both phones|Check the free space on the target device (minimum 10% of the volume of transferred files)|Make sure that both phones have the latest version of the Files app installed"|Close all background apps that consume the Internet (such as YouTube or Telegram)-->

2. Transfer via Xiaomi Cloud (cloud storage)

Xiaomi Cloud is a convenient way to sync photos between devices, if you have a stable Internet. The main advantage is that files are automatically optimized to save space, but this is also a minus - compression is used when uploading to the cloud by default. To transfer photos in their original quality, you need to manually change the settings.

Algorithm of action:

1. On the original phone, open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Gallery.
2. Turn on Gallery Sync and select Original Quality (if the option is not available, there is not enough space on the account).
3. Wait for the download to be completed (depending on the speed of the Internet and the number of photos can take from 10 minutes to several hours).
4. On the target phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable gallery sync. Photos will appear in the Cloud Album folder.

Important nuances:

• 📊 Xiaomi Cloud offers only 5GB of free tariff for transferring a large archive of photos (for example, 20GB)+ GB) will need to buy additional space (from 100 GB per ~300 ₽/year).
• ⏳ Download speed is limited: when transferring 1000 photos (total volume of 3 GB) via mobile Internet (4G) leave ~40-60 minutes.
• 🔄 If the photos were edited in the standard Gallery app, only the final version is uploaded to the cloud (the source is not saved).

3. Using Google Photos to Automatically Sync

If you don't want to depend on Xiaomi's ecosystem, Google Photos is a one-stop solution, automatically backing up all your images and allowing you to download them to any device, including other brands. By default, photos are uploaded in High Quality (compressed to 16 MP), and for the original resolution you will need to pay for Google One (from 100 GB for 139). ₽/month).

How to transfer photos via Google Photos:

1. Install Google Photos on both phones (if not).
2. On the source device, open the app → click on the profile avatar → Photo settings → Backup and Sync → turn on the function and select Original Quality (if you need to save without compression).
3. Wait for the download to be completed (progress is displayed in notifications).
4. On the target phone, log in to the same Google account and wait for sync. Photos will appear in the Google Photos app.
5. To save them to the phone gallery: select a photo → More → Download.

⚠️ Note: If you use Original quality, please note that Google includes these files in your account quota (15 GB for free for everything: mail, disk, photos). For example, 5,000 photos on average quality will take up the amount of time. ~10–12 GB. Before the penos check the free space on the Google Storage page.

A critical nuance for Xiaomi users: if your phone is enabled memory optimization in MIUI (Settings → Memory → Memory Cleanup), the system can automatically delete local copies of photos after they are uploaded to Google Photos. To avoid this, turn off the option "Auto Cleanup" before penos.

Google Photo|Xiaomi Cloud|Yandex Drive|iCloud|Other |Not using cloud-->

4. Direct Wi-Fi transmission (without internet)

If you don’t have access to a mobile network or Wi-Fi, but you need to transfer photos quickly and without loss, you can create a local network between phones. This method works on all Xiaomi models, including older ones (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi 6), and does not require additional applications. Transfer speeds reach 10-15 MB / s (2-3 times faster than Bluetooth).

Step-by-step:

1. On the target phone (where to transfer the photo) open Settings → Wi-Fi → Modem Mode → Wi-Fi Access Point.
2. Provide a network name (for example, Xiaomi_Transfer) and password (minimum) 8 symbolism).
3. On the original phone, connect to this access point.
4. Install any application to transfer files over the local network, such as Send Anywhere or Feem (available on GetApps or Google Play).
5. In the app on the source phone, select a photo and generate a key (or QR-On the target phone, enter this key to receive files.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Speeds 5-10 times faster than Bluetooth.
• 🔒 No limit on volume (you can transfer tens of gigabytes).
• 📱 It works even on devices without root rights or custom firmware.

💡

If the transfer is interrupted, try to reduce the number of files sent simultaneously (optimally, in packs of 50-100 photos). Also check whether the transmission is blocked by antivirus or the built-in MIUI firewall (turn them off temporarily in Settings → Applications → Permissions Management).

5. Transfer via OTG cable or computer

If you have a computer or an OTG adapter on hand, this method is the most reliable one, especially for transferring a large archive (e.g. 50+ GB), the main plus is that there is no loss of quality, no dependence on the Internet or firmware compatibility, minus - you will need additional equipment.

Method 1: Through a computer (Windows/macOS/Linux)

1. Connect the original phone to the computer through USB-cable (select File Transfer mode in the notification on the phone).
2. Copy the DCIM folder (or selected photos) to your computer’s hard drive.
3. Disable the first phone, connect the second and transfer the files back.

Method 2: Through OTG-adapter (without computer)

• Buy it. OTG-adapter (stands) ~200–300 ₽) plug-in USB-C Micro-USB (depending on the phone model).
• Connect the flash drive to the original phone through the adapter and copy the photo to it (use the Files application).
• Connect the flash drive to the target phone and transfer the files to internal memory.

Important observations:

• 🔌 On some Xiaomi models, for example, POCO F5) work OTG You need to turn on the option in Settings → Additionally. → OTG-linkage.
• 📁 When copying through a computer, make sure that folder paths do not contain Cyrillic—this can cause reading errors on your phone.

6. Bluetooth Transfer: When Justified

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way, it is only suitable for transferring a small number of photos (up to 10-15 pieces) and only if other methods are not available. Transfer speeds rarely exceed 1-2 MB / s, and on older phones (up to Redmi 8) can drop to 0.5 MB / s.

How to transfer photos over Bluetooth:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth in the notification panel.
2. On the original phone, open the Gallery, select a photo → Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select the target phone from the list of devices and confirm reception on it.

⚠️ Bluetooth automatically converts photos into JPEG quality ~85%, even if the source was in PNG or HEIC. Also removed EXIF-Data (date of shooting, camera model, etc.) If it is critical, use other methods.

When Bluetooth can be useful:

• 📶 No Wi-Fi or mobile internet.
• 🔋 Low battery power (Bluetooth uses less power than Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📱 You need to transfer 1-2 photos to an old device (for example, Redmi). 3S), where modern protocols do not work.

7.Alternative applications: ShareMe, Snapdrop and others

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party apps, and we tested 5 popular solutions and selected two of the most reliable ones:

Instructions for ShareMe (we recommend as the most stable option):

1. Install the app on both phones from GetApps or Google Play.
2. On the source phone, select Send, on the target - Receive.
3. Scan it. QR-code or select the device from the list.
4. Select a photo and confirm the transmission.

Snapdrop is convenient because it does not require installation – it works through a browser. Just open the site snapdrop.net on both phones (in the same Wi-Fi) and drag files.

💡

For maximum transfer speed, turn off the Adaptive Battery option on both phones (Settings → Battery → Battery Mode) to prevent the applications responsible for transferring files from being suspended.

Comparative table of all methods

Frequent problems and their solutions