How to transfer photos from one Xiaomi to another: all the ways of 2026

Why Standard Photo Copying Methods Don’t Always Work

Transferring photos between Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face typical problems: some users lose the quality of images when transferring via messengers, others spend hours uploading to the cloud due to slow Internet, and still others can not find the right settings in MIUI. Even for owners of devices of the same line (for example, Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5), the process can be different due to firmware versions or regional restrictions.

The main difficulty is the variety of ways with their nuances, for example, Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) works unstable on older models, and transmission over cable requires the right setup. USB-We tested all the current methods on devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, so you can choose the best option without experimentation.

Method 1: Mi Share – fast transmission without internet

Xiaomi’s built-in file sharing solution for the brand’s devices works on the principle of Wi-Fi Direct, so it does not require a connection to the network and retains the original photo quality. The transfer speed depends on the model: on Xiaomi 13 Pro with Wi-Fi 6E 100, HEIC photos are copied in 1-2 minutes, and on Redmi 9A – up to 10 minutes.

How to use:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → Mi Share on both phones.
• 🔄 Click Send on the original device and select photos (you can bundle).
• 📡 On the target phone, tap Accept and confirm the connection.
• ⏳ Wait until it is completed – progress is displayed as a percentage.

Mi Share enabled on both devices |Bluetooth activated (required for search) | Phone spacing is no more than 5 meters | There is enough memory on the target phone-->

Mi Share supports up to 10GB of file transfers in one session, but there are limitations:

• ❌ Does not work between Xiaomi and other brands (e.g. Samsung).
• ❌ On devices older than 2019 may require firmware updates.
• ❌ Some users complain of communication interruptions when transmitting large packets (500).+ photo).

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If Mi Share doesn’t find the second device, reboot both phones and turn on Visibility for All in Mi Share settings.

Method 2: USB OTG cable – reliable, but with nuances

Cable transmission remains the most stable method, especially if you want to transfer thousands of photos in the original resolution without compression. USB-For example, if the target phone selects Charge instead of File Transfer, the system simply won't see the connected device.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phones via USB-C OTG cable (for newer models) or MicroUSB-OTG + USB-C adapter (for older models).
2. On the source phone, in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (or MTP).
3. On the target phone, open Explorer (or Files) and go to the section USB-device.
4. Copy photos from the DCIM/Camera folder to the directory you want on the second phone.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14) the screen on both phones may need to be unlocked when first connected to confirm a trusted device.

Method 3: Cloud services are convenient, but not always secure

Using cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Photos, Yandex Drive) is suitable for transferring photos from a distance or if you don't have a cable at hand.

• 🔒 Mi Cloud encrypts data, but offers only 5GB for free (for 1000 photos in the Internet). JPEG may not be enough).
• 📉 Google Photos compresses images when uploading in High Quality mode (free).
• ⏱ Yandex Drive limits download speed on free fare.

The best algorithm for Google Photos:

1. On the original phone, open Google Photos and enable Backup.
2. Choose Original Quality (if it is important to keep the resolution).
3. After downloading, log in to the same account on the target phone and download the photo.

Google Photo|Mi Cloud|Yandex Disc.|iCloud|Other|I don't use it.-->

⚠️ Note: When transferring photos via Mi Cloud HEIC (The typical iPhone is automatically converted to JPEG, which may impair the quality.

Method 4: Local Area Network (FTP or SMB) – for advanced users

If both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can organize transmission via FTP or SMB protocols. This method requires configuration, but allows you to transfer files at a local network speed (up to 1 Gbps on modern routers), Suitable for transferring raw photos (RAW) or large archives.

Instructions for FTP:

1. Install an FTP Server application (such as Solid Explorer) on the original phone.
2. Start the server and write down the address (example: ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
3. On the target phone, open Explorer → FTP and enter the address.
4. Copy files from /storage/emulated/0/DCIM folder.

For SMB (for example, through Mi File Manager):

• 📂 Enable Network Access in the Mi File Manager settings.
• 🔑 Enter your username and password (often guest without password by default).
• 🖥 On the second phone, connect to the network disk at the address smb://IP-address.

Method 5: Memory card – universal, but not always possible

If both phones support microSD, it takes minutes to transfer the photo:

1. Copy the photos to a memory card on the original phone.
2. Remove the card and insert it into the target device.
3. Import files through the Gallery or Explorer.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Xiaomi 12T Pro, Xiaomi 13 and other flagships do not have a slot for microSD.
• ❌ ExFAT cards may not be readable on older models (you need to format them in the same format). FAT32).
• ❌ Read/write speed depends on the card class (e.g., the card class, UHS-I vs Class 10).

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A memory card is the only way to transfer a photo if one of the phones is discharged or not turned on (provided that the photos are saved to SD).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with proven methods, users are faced with problems, and here are typical scenarios and solutions:

⚠️ Note: When transmitted via Mi Share on devices with MIUI 13 and older may trigger a limit on the number of files in a single session (maximum 500.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions