How to transfer photos from Xiaomi: 7 proven ways with instructions

Porting photos from a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user will face sooner or later, and you may want to free up the device’s memory, back up your photos, or just share them with your friends. from the classical connection to USB Up to modern cloud services and wireless technologies.

It’s important to understand that the choice of method depends on several factors: the volume of photos, the speed of the Internet connection, the availability of additional devices (computer, second phone), and even the model of your Xiaomi. For example, the flagships of the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12 series support Wi-Fi Direct, and budget models may be limited only to basic features.

We're not going to be limited to standard tips, but in this article you'll find a method comparison table, step-by-step instructions with screenshots (for key steps), and solutions to typical problems that arise when you move. DCIM How to get around the limitations on file size in messengers.

1. Transfer photos from Xiaomi to the computer via USB-cable

The most reliable and versatile way is to connect your smartphone to your PC or laptop using a cable, which works even without Internet access and is suitable for moving large amounts of data (tens of gigabytes), but there are nuances associated with Xiaomi settings and drivers.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the Xiaomi kit – cheap analogues may not support data transfer).
• 💻 Windows, macOS or Linux PC (Mac may require Android File Transfer installation).
• 🔓 Unlocked screen of the smartphone (some models block access to files when the screen is locked).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer using a cable. Use the port. USB-C on Xiaomi and USB-A or USB-C PC-only.
2. The smartphone screen will show a notification "Charge via USB."
3. Select "File Transfer" (or "Photos (PTP)", If the first option does not work).
4. On your computer, open "This Computer" (Windows) or "Finder" (macOS) - there will appear the Xiaomi device as a removable disk.
5. Go to the Internal Storage folder → DCIM → Camera (or) MIUI → Camera on some models).
6. Copy the desired photos to your computer (by drag and drop or through the context menu).

⚠️ Note: If the computer can't see the folder DCIM, Check if the "Debugging" mode is enabled USB" In the developer settings. Go to Settings for that. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap that 7 times. Then go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and activate the "Debugging by" USB".

Connect the original Xiaomi cable

Unlock the smartphone screen

Select the "File Transfer" mode in the notification

Check the visibility of the device in this computer

Copy files into a separate folder on the PC-->

Transfer speed depends on the version USB-port:

• USB 2.0 (old Redmi models): up to 480 Mbps (~60 MB/s).
• USB 3.0 (Xiaomi flagships 12/13): before 5 Gbps (~600 MB/s).

In practice, the real speed will be lower due to the limitations of Xiaomi’s file system.

2. Wireless transfer over Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP, LocalSend)

If you don’t have a cable on hand or want to avoid a physical connection, wireless technology is available. Xiaomi offers several built-in solutions, as well as supporting third-party apps.

Let us consider three main options:

More about each method:

Mi Drop is the easiest solution for owners of several Xiaomi devices:

1. Open the Files app on your smartphone.
2. Select photos, click "Share" → "Mi Drop".
3. On the second Xiaomi device, open "Mi Drop" and accept the files.

⚠️ Note: Mi Drop only works within the same local network. If photos are not sent, check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi.

FTP-Server - a universal way to transfer to the PC:

1. Go to Settings. → Connections → FTP-server.
2. Activate the server and remember the address of the view ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
3. On your computer, open "Windows" or "Finder" and enter this address in the address bar.
4. Sign in (login / password is displayed on the smartphone screen).
5. Copy files from the DCIM folder.

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If FTP-server is not connected, try to disable the firewall on your computer or use the Solid Explorer app on your smartphone to create FTP-linkage.

3. Use of cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive)

Cloud storage is convenient for backing up and accessing photos from any device. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud, but its functionality is limited (for example, only 5 GB is available for free).

Comparison of cloud services for Xiaomi:

Instructions for Google Photos (recommended option):

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Tap the avatar. → "Photo settings" → "Backup and synchronization".
4. Turn on the switch and select quality ("Original" or "High Quality").
5. Wait until the download is complete (you can track the progress in notifications).
6. On your computer, open photos.google.com and download the photos.

Important: Google Photos compresses photos when selecting the "High Quality" option, but retains the original resolution. For professional shots, choose "Original" (fills 15 GB faster).

For Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the gallery sync.
3. On your computer, open i.mi.com and download files.

⚠️ Note: Mi Cloud may not be saved EXIF-Data (photo meta-information) if you edited your photos in a standard Xiaomi gallery.

Google Photo

Mi Cloud

Yandex Disc.

iCloud

Other

Not using.-->

4. Transfer of photos through messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

Messengers are convenient for sending multiple photos quickly, but have limitations on file size and quality, such as WhatsApp compresses images to 16 MP, and Telegram allows you to send files up to 2 GB without losing quality.

Comparison of messengers for the transfer of photos:

• 📌 Telegram: maximum size is 2 GB, no compression (if sent as "File").
• 💬 WhatsApp: 100MB limit per file, strong compression.
• 🔵 Viber: up to 200 MB, moderate compression.
• 📱 WeChat: Up to 25MB, suitable for thumbnails only.

How to send photos without loss of quality in Telegram:

1. Open a chat with yourself ("Saved Messages") or with the recipient.
2. Press the paper clip ("Attach") → "File".
3. Select photos in the folder DCIM.
4. Send. The files will be saved in their original quality.

On your computer, open web.telegram.org and download the photos.

WhatsApp and Viber are only suitable for transferring a small number of photos, as:

• Quality is deteriorating due to compression.
• You can’t send the entire folder just one file.
• File size limit (for example, WhatsApp video should not exceed 16 MB).

5. Transfer photos from Xiaomi to another phone (Android or iPhone)

If you want to transfer photos to another smartphone, the method depends on the recipient’s operating system, Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth will work between two Android devices, and special applications or cloud services will work for the iPhone.

From Android to Android:

• 📲 Wi-Fi Direct: Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct on both phones and connect. Then select photos in the gallery and send via "Send" → "Wi-Fi Direct".
• 🔵 Bluetooth: Turn on Bluetooth on both devices, pair them and send files.Speed low (~1-2 MB/s, but suitable for 10-20 photos.
• 📁 Google Files app: Select photos → "Share" → "Nearby device" (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled required).

From Android to iPhone:

• ☁️ iCloud: upload photos to Google Photos, then install the app on your iPhone and download the pictures.
• 📎 Email: Send yourself an attachment letter (suitable for 5-10 photos).
• 🔌 Lightning-USB Adapter: Connect Xiaomi to iPhone via Adapter and Use FileExplorer App to Copy.

For large amounts of data (e.g., transferring the entire gallery), it is better to use the cloud or computer as an intermediary.

1. Copy photos from Xiaomi on PC (via the USB).
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and transfer files via iTunes or “Conductor” (Internal Storage folder) → DCIM).

6. Automatic synchronization of photos (setting backup)

To avoid thinking about manually transferring photos, set up automatic sync. Xiaomi supports several backup options, including built-in and third-party services.

Automatic synchronization options:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Enable "Backup and Sync" in the app settings. Photos will be uploaded to the cloud when you connect to Wi-Fi.
• 📱 Mi Cloud: activate gallery sync in Settings → Mi Cloud only works for photos taken with a standard camera.
• 🔄 LocalSync: Syncs folders between devices over a local network without a cloud.

How to set up autoload in Google Photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap the avatar. → "Photo settings".
3. Select "Backup and Synchronization".
4. Turn on the switch and set the settings: Quality: Original or High. Network: Wi-Fi Only (recommended). Folders: Select which folders to sync (e.g. Camera and Screenshots).

Once set up, all new photos will automatically be uploaded to the cloud and will be available on your computer at photos.google.com.

⚠️ Attention: If your smartphone is running traffic saving mode, the autoboot may not work. Check the settings in Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Saving traffic.

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Automatic sync through Google Photos is the most reliable way to back up, but requires a stable internet connection and sufficient space in the cloud.

7. Solving problems when transferring photos

Sometimes, when you try to copy photos, you get errors, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Computer can't see photos in folder DCIM.

• Check if the File Transfer mode is enabled in the notification when you connect to the USB.
• Update Xiaomi drivers on your computer (download from the official website).
• Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).
• If the folder DCIM empty, check hidden folders: enable the display of hidden files in the settings "Windows" or "Finder" (Mac).

Problem 2: The photos are not uploaded to the cloud.

• Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• Make sure there is enough free space in the cloud.
• In the app settings (like Google Photos), check if sync is enabled for the Camera folder.
• Restart the application or reinstall it.

Problem 3: When you transmit via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, photos are distorted.

• Try sending files one at a time – sometimes batch sending leads to crashes.
• Use a different method of transmission (e.g, FTP instead of Wi-Fi Direct).
• Check if the power saving mode on the smartphone is turned on (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).

Problem 4: You can’t send a photo to the messenger because of the large size.

• Compress the image using the Photo Compressor or Resize Me! app.
• Send the photo as a “file” (on Telegram) or archive it in the ZIP.
• Use a cloud service to transfer the link instead of the file itself.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos from Xiaomi