How to transfer photos from Android to Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Transferring photos between Android devices is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new Xiaomi smartphone. Even if both devices run on the same operating system, differences in firmware (MIUI vs. stock Android) can create unnecessary complications. In this article, we will discuss 7 current ways to transfer photos, taking into account the peculiarities of the Xiaomi ecosystem and typical user errors.

It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on several factors: the amount of data transferred (10 photos or 50 GB of archive), the availability of the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network), device models (support for Mi Share, Nearby Share) and even the version of MIUI. For example, on devices with MIUI 14+, an improved Mi Share 2.0 protocol is available, which runs faster than the standard Android Beam.

We analyzed user feedback on the 4PDA and Mi Community forums to weed out outdated methods (like Bluetooth 4.0 transmission) and focus on the fastest and most reliable solutions. If you need to migrate not only photos, but also videos, contacts or messages, at the end of this article you will find links to specialized guides.

1. Mi Share - proprietary protocol Xiaomi (up to 20 MB / s)

Mi Share (formerly Xiaomi Quick Share) is a proprietary technology from Xiaomi, optimized for file transfer between the brand devices. It works on the basis of Wi-Fi Direct, but with an improved algorithm for compression and connection recovery. The main advantage is speeds up to 20 MB / s (versus 5-8 MB / s in the standard Nearby Share).

To use the Mi Share, both smartphones must support MIUI 12 or later. On devices with pure Android (like the Google Pixel), this method will not work – you will have to use alternatives. Also note that when transferring a large amount of photos (more than 5 GB), automatic packet separation can occur, which slows down the process.

• 📱 Open the Gallery on the original Android device, select a photo and click Share».
• 🔍 In the list of options, find Mi Share (the icon with two phones and a blue wave).
• 📲 On the target Xiaomi, confirm receipt of files in the notification.
• ⚡ Wait for the transfer to be completed – do not lock the screen or switch to other applications.

⚠️ Note: If your target Xiaomi has power saving enabled, Mi Share can automatically shut down. Before transfer, check the battery settings in Settings → Battery. → Energy saving regime.

Disable the power saving mode on both devices

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Make sure that the target Xiaomi has enough memory (at least +10% of the transfer volume)

Close background applications (especially messengers and streaming services)-->

2. Nearby Share (Google) – a universal method for all Android

Nearby Share is Google’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop.The technology works on all Android devices running Android 6.0+, including Xiaomi, but has a speed limit of 10MB/s. The main plus is cross-platform: you can transfer photos even from Samsung or OnePlus to Xiaomi without additional applications.

An important nuance: Nearby Share uses a combination of Bluetooth (to initialize the connection), Wi-Fi Direct (to transfer data), and a hotspot (if Wi-Fi is not available).This means that both devices must have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, even if they are not connected to the network. On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+, the function can be hidden - it must be activated manually.

• 🔧 On the target Xiaomi, open Settings → Google → Devices and sharing → Nearby Share and enable the function.
• 📎 On the original Android, select a photo in the gallery, click "Share» → Nearby Share.
• 🔍 Wait until the target Xiaomi appears in the list of available devices, and select it.
• 🔒 On Xiaomi, confirm your files by selecting visibility (“All Contacts” or “You Only»).

Mi Share (only for Xiaomi)

Nearby Share (Universal)

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

OTG cable or adapter

Another option-->

3. Transmission via OTG cable or adapter (maximum speed)

If you need to move tens of gigabytes of photos (like a vacation archive), wireless methods may be too slow, and you can connect directly to the cable.

• 🔌 OTG-cable (Type-C) → Type-C or Micro-USB → Type-C, depending on the device ports).
• 📁 File Manager (e.g., embedded Files on Xiaomi or Solid Explorer).

Transmission speeds through the cable can reach 40-60 MB / s (depending on the version of USB: 2.0 gives up to 480 Mbit / s, 3.0 - up to 5 Gbit / s).

• ⚠️ Not all smartphones support host mode via OTG. For example, some Redmi models in the budget segment may require manual inclusion in Settings. → Additionally. → OTG.
• ⚠️ When connecting two smartphones directly, one of them should be in the mode "USB-drive (Mass Storage), which is not always supported by modern Android.

Alternatively, you can use an adapter with a card reader (for example, Xiaomi USB-C Multiport Adapter).

1. Copy photos from the first Android to the microSD card.
2. Insert the card into the adapter and connect it to Xiaomi.
3. Transfer files through the file manager.

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If your Xiaomi doesn’t recognize you OTG-cable, try to connect it to the charger on 1-2 And then you go straight to your smartphone, and that sometimes helps you wake up the port.

4. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is the most versatile way, but it requires a stable Internet connection and can be paid for at large volumes. Consider two options: Google Photos and Xiaomi's proprietary Mi Cloud.

Google Photos offers 15GB for free (with Google Drive), but compressing a photo in "high quality" (not original) can worsen the detail. Mi Cloud gives 5GB for free, but is integrated with MIUI and supports automatic gallery synchronization.

Instructions for Google Photos:

1. Install the app on both devices.
2. On the original Android, enable Backup and Sync in the Google Photos settings.
3. Wait for the photo to be uploaded to the cloud.
4. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download photos through Photos → Library → Devices.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud, make sure that the target Xiaomi has Settings enabled. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronize the gallery, otherwise the photos will not appear in the standard gallery.

5. Computer transmission (the most reliable method)

If wireless methods fail, and you don't have OTG cables, the computer can be a middleman, and this is a way to transfer any amount of data without loss of quality.

• 💻 PC or laptop USB-port.
• 🔌 Two cables for connecting smartphones (usually Type-C or Micro-USB).
• 📁 Folder on the computer for temporary storage of photos.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the original Android to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy photos from the DCIM → Camera folder (or another one where the images are stored) to your hard drive.
3. Turn off the first smartphone, connect Xiaomi.
4. Move the photo to the DCIM → Camera folder on Xiaomi.
5. Turn off your smartphone and update the gallery (pull down for an update).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ 100% data security (no risk of loss during transfer).
• ✅ Ability to sort photos before perenosom (remove duplicates, rename files).
• ✅ It works even on older devices (Android 5.0 and below).

6. Messengers and social networks (for a small number of photos)

If you need to transfer several pictures (up to 50 pieces), you can use instant messengers, but this method has serious limitations:

• 📉 Quality compression (in Telegram and WhatsApp photos are sent in reduced resolution).
• 🚫 Size limit (for example, in Viber, a maximum of 200 MB per file).
• ⏳ Long loading with a large number of photos.

The best options among messengers:

• 📎 Telegram: You can send photos in original quality through the File function (not like a picture!). Maximum - 2 GB per file.
• 💬 WhatsApp: convenient for fast transfer, but compression is inevitable.
• 🌐 VK/OK: You can upload a photo to an album with the “Me Only” setting, then download it to Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: When transferred via WhatsApp or Viber, photos are stored in the WhatsApp Images or Viber Media folder on Xiaomi. To display them in the main gallery, they must be manually moved to the main gallery. DCIM/Camera.

7 Specialized applications (Send Anywhere, Xender)

If standard methods don't work, third-party applications come to the rescue, and they often offer faster speeds through streamlined transmission protocols.

Send Anywhere (available on Google Play):

• ⚡ Speed up to 15 MB/s (wi-fi).
• 🔗 Transfer by six-digit code or QR-code.
• 📁 There are no restrictions on file sizes.

Xender (alternative to devices without Google Play):

• 🌍 It works without the Internet (via Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📱 Supports transfer between Android, iOS and PC.
• ⚠️ In the latest versions there is advertising, but it can be turned off in the settings.

Instructions for Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both devices.
2. On the original Android, select a photo and click “Send”.
3. Create a 6-digit code or QR-code.
4. On Xiaomi, enter the code in the “Get” field or scan the QR.
5. Confirm file acceptance.

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The Send Anywhere or Xender side of an application is the best choice if standard methods (Mi Share, Nearby Share) do not work due to firmware incompatibility or hardware limitations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos to Xiaomi