How to transfer photos from Xiaomi to your computer: all the ways of 2026

Transferring photos from Xiaomi smartphone to your computer is a challenge that every user faces. Even if you have a Redmi Note 12 model or Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagship, the algorithm of actions remains similar, but there are nuances that depend on the version. MIUI In this article, we will discuss all the current ways: from the classical connection to the PC. USB-cable to wireless solutions via Wi-Fi Direct or cloud services.

We'll focus on the typical problems that come up with file transfers: why the computer can't see the phone, how to get around MIUI restrictions on access to folders, and what to do if photos are copied in low resolution, and how to compare the data rate for each method, which will help you choose the best option depending on the volume of photos.

1. Transfer of photographs through USB-cable: step-by-step instruction

The fastest and most reliable way is to connect your phone to your PC via USB-But even here, Xiaomi users often face difficulties: the system may not recognize the device or request additional permissions.

To get started, prepare the cable: it is advisable to use the original USB Type-C (or Micro-USB for older models), as cheap analogues may not support data transfer.

• 🔌 Enable file transfer mode in the Xiaomi notification curtain (click on the "Charge through" alert). USB" → select "File Transfer").
• 📁 On PC, open the conductor (Win) + E – The phone should appear as a removable drive (usually under the name Xiaomi or Redmi).
• 🖼️ Go to the folder. DCIM → Camera (retains photos taken with the main camera) or Pictures (screenshots and uploaded images).
• 📥 Select the files you need and copy them to your computer’s hard drive (by dragging and dropping or through the context menu).

If your computer can’t see your phone, check:

• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 for high speed).
• 🔧 Update the drivers MTP (Media Transfer Protocol via Windows Device Manager.
• 📱 In the phone settings (Settings) → Connection and sharing → USB) select mode MTP (Not "Only charging").

Connect the original cable|Enable "File Transfer" mode in the curtain|Check the visibility of the phone in the conductor|Update the drivers MTP if necessary-->

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ You may need to unlock folder access through Settings → Privacy → Special access → Access to files. Without this, some photos (e.g., from messengers) may not be displayed.

2. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP, Wi-Fi Direct)

If you don’t have a cable on hand or want to avoid physical connectivity, use wireless technology. Xiaomi offers a few built-in solutions:

• 🌐 Mi Drop is a proprietary application for transferring files between Xiaomi and PC devices over a local network.
• 📡 FTP-Server - built-in function in the Explorer → Network disk → FTP, It allows you to connect to your phone as a network storage device.
• 🔄 Wi-Fi Direct – Direct transmission without router (not supported by all PCs).

Let’s take a look at Mi Drop:

1. Install the Mi Drop app from Google Play (if it is not by default).
2. Open the app on your phone and select "Send Files" → "Photos".
3. On the PC, go to the address. http://drop.mi.com browser-based QR-phone-screen.
4. Select photos and confirm the transmission.

For FTP-server:

1. On the phone: Conductor → Three points → FTP- server → Run.


2 On PC: In Windows Explorer, type in the address ftp://[IP- of the phone] (e.g., ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).




3. log in (login and password from the phone screen).

Mi Drop|FTP-server|Wi-Fi Direct|Cloud services|Not using.-->

⚠️ Attention: When in use FTP Turn off the antivirus on your PC, it can block the connection, considering it as a network attack. Also make sure that the phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

3. Cloud services: Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk

If you need to transfer photos not only to your computer, but also to keep them backed up, cloud services will be the best solution. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud, but it has limitations on the volume (5 GB for free).

• ☁️ Google Photos – automatic synchronization, unlimited storage (compressed photos) or 15 GB in original quality.
• 💾 Yandex.Disk – 10 GB free, convenient web interface for downloading on PC.
• 🌍 Mi Cloud - integrated into MIUI, It requires authorization through a Xiaomi account.

Instructions for Google Photos:

1. Install the app on your phone and log in to your Google account.
2. Enable backup: Settings → Backup and synchronization.
3. On PC, open photos.google.com, select a photo and click "Download".

For Mi Cloud:

1. On phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery → Sync.


2. On PC: Go to i.mi.com → Gallery → Select a photo → Download.

Important: When uploaded via Mi Cloud, HEIF photos (used on new Xiaomi models) are automatically converted to JPG, which can reduce quality.

4.Using Mi PC Suite: Official Software from Xiaomi

For users who prefer to work through specialized software, Xiaomi offers Mi PC Suite, which allows not only transfer files, but also manage contacts, messages and firmware updates, and can be downloaded from the official website pcsuite.mi.com.

Advantages of Mi PC Suite:

• 🔗 Automatic device recognition Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.
• 📂 Ability to selectively copy photos by album or date.
• 🔄 Sync with the Mi Cloud in one click.

Instructions for use:

1. Install and run Mi PC Suite on PC.
2. Connect your phone via USB (File Transfer Mode is automatically enabled).
3. In the main menu of the program, select "Files" → "Gallery".
4. Select the desired photos and click "Export to PC".

⚠️ Attention: Mi PC Suite can conflict with antivirus software (such as Kaspersky or Avast). Add the program to exceptions before connecting or temporarily disable protection.

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If Mi PC Suite doesn’t see the phone, try reinstalling drivers through Device Manager → Other devices → Xiaomi [model] → Update the driver → Perform a search on this computer → Select from the list "MTP-device".

5. Transfer via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and email

If you only need to transfer a few photos, you can use instant messengers or email, which is suitable for urgent transfer, but has file size limitations:

• 📧 Email – most services (Gmail, Mail.ru) allow you to send attachments up to 25 MB.
• 💬 Telegram – limit of 2 GB per file, original quality is preserved.
• 📱 WhatsApp – compression of photos up to 16 MB, quality is reduced.

For transmission via Telegram:

1. Open the Save Messages chat or any other chat.
2. Click on the paperclip → “Gallery” → select a photo.
3. On PC, open web.telegram.org, find the message and download the photo.

Gmail:

1. On the phone: Open Gmail → Write → Enter the file → Gallery.


2. Enter your email in the "To" field and send the letter.




3. On PC, open the letter and download the attachments.

💡

Messengers are convenient for transferring a small number of photos, but are not suitable for archives due to compression and file size limitations.

Alternative methods: OTG-cable, memory card, AirDroid

If standard methods don’t work, consider alternatives:

• 🔌 OTG-cable + flash drive - plug in USB-drive to the phone, copy the photo, then insert the flash drive into the PC.
• 📷 Memory card – remove the microSD from your phone and insert it into your computer card reader.
• 🌐 AirDroid – a third-party application for remote control of the phone through the browser.

For AirDroid:

1. Install the app on your phone and register.
2. On PC, open web.airdroid.com and scan. QR-code.
3. In the Files section, select the DCIM folder and download the necessary photos.

Advantages of a memory card:

• ⚡ Transfer speeds up to 90 MB/s (when used) UHS-II map).
• 🔄 No dependence on drivers or network settings.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with hybrid slot (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5) memory card replaces the second SIM-Before retrieving, turn it off in the settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Memory map).

7 Problem Solving: The computer can't see the Xiaomi phone

If the USB phone is not detected, follow the following steps:

For Windows 10/11:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).


2.Look for "Portable Devices" → [Your Xiaomi model] → Update the driver.




3. Select "Perform driver search on this computer" → "Select from list" → "MTP- device".

For macOS:

• Install Android File Transfer from the official website android.com/filetransfer.
• Connect your phone and allow access in the notification curtain.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos from Xiaomi