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

Transferring photos from Xiaomi to your computer is a challenge that every smartphone owner of this brand faces sooner or later: Pictures take up precious space in the device’s memory, and backing up to a PC protects them from accidental loss. However, not everyone knows that there are at least seven ways to transfer files, and each of them has its own nuances.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods - from the classical connection to the USB You will learn how to avoid common mistakes (for example, why the computer does not see Xiaomi as a removable drive), what settings to check before transferring, and how to speed up the process if there are thousands of files. And also – the only way to transfer photos without loss of quality, even if they were edited in the standard app “Gallery".

It doesn’t matter if you’re using the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – the instructions are universal and work on all models running MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions) Let's start with the most reliable, but often problematic, method: cable transmission.

1.Photo transfer via USB-cable: step-by-step instruction

Connecting your phone to your computer via cable is the most obvious way, but it doesn't always work out of the box, and most of the time, problems are caused by a mis-chosen data mode or an outdated driver.

First, prepare a quality USB-Cable (preferably original from Xiaomi or certified) USB-C). Cheap cables often only support charging, not data transmission:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. On the screen Xiaomi will appear notification Charge via USB – tap it.
3. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP) Photo (PTP). Any person can transfer pictures, but MTP universal.
4. On your computer, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) – the phone should appear as a removable drive.

If the device is not determined:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (Try another connector on the PC).
• 🖥️ Update the Media Transfer Protocol Drivers (MTP) via Device Manager.
• 📱 On your phone, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Developer and turn on Debugging by USB (if the option is available).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) regime MTP It may not work because of firmware limitations. PTP or alternative methods of this article.

To speed up copying:

• 📁 Transfer files in packs of 500-1000 pieces (large batches can "hang").
• 🚀 Connect the cable to the port USB 3.0 (usually blue) on PC.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50% – with a low battery level, the transmission may be interrupted.

Checked cable to support data transmission

The regime is chosen MTP/PTP phone-on

Current drivers installed MTP PC-only

Phone unlocked (not in sleep mode)

Port port USB 3.0 is used on a computer-->

2. Wireless transmission over Mi Cloud: pros and cons

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically syncs photos from your phone, a method that is convenient if you don’t need instant transfer and files can be downloaded later, and the main advantage is that photos are saved in the original resolution (unlike some third-party services).

To use the Mi Cloud:

1. On the phone, open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the synchronization of the Gallery (if it is disabled).
3. Wait until the photo is uploaded to the cloud (time depends on the speed of the Internet).
4. On your computer, go to i.mi.com, log in and download the necessary files.

Limitations of the method:

• 📉 Free available only 5 GB (for Xiaomi with Chinese firmware – 10 GB).
• ⏳ Loading a large number of photos can take hours.
• 🌍 Requires a stable connection to the Internet.

⚠️ Warning: If you're using Mi Cloud for the first time, check your sync settings. By default, only new photos can be uploaded, and old ones can be ignored. To move everything, you can go to the Gallery menu. → Settings → Sync with Mi Cloud, choose Sync all photos.

The alternative is to use Google Photos, but note that with a free tariff, the images are compressed to a resolution of 16 MP. For original quality, you will need a Google One subscription.

Mi Cloud

Google Photo

Yandex Disc.

iCloud (for iPhone)

Another option-->

3. Wi-Fi transmission: no cables or clouds

If you don't have a cable at hand, and you don't want to wait for the cloud to load, you can transfer the photo over the local Wi-Fi network. MIUI Or third-party applications. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Built-in "Transfer Files" function

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has a built-in tool for transferring files over Wi-Fi:

1. Open the Files app on your phone.
2. Select the photos you need, click Share → Pass it on.
3. On your computer, open your browser and go to the address that will appear on the phone screen (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:1234).
4. Download files through the web interface.

Method 2: Annex "Send Files to" TV" (for Windows/macOS)

This is the official software from Xiaomi, which allows you to transfer files between your phone and your computer over the same network:

• 📱 Install the Send Files to app on your phone TV Google Play.
• 🖥️ Download the desktop version from filetransfer.xiaomi.com.
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions on the screen.

Wi-Fi transmission speeds are usually lower than those over Wi-Fi. USB (especially if the router is running at 2.4 GHz:

• 📶 Connect to a 5GHz network (if the router supports it).
• 📵 Disconnect other devices from Wi-Fi during transmission.
• 📂 Transfer files to archives (for example, in.zip format).

💡

If your computer can't see your phone over Wi-Fi, check if it blocks file transfers from Windows Firewall or antivirus. Add the Send Files to app TV excepted.

4. Memory card usage: if the phone supports microSD

Many Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or Xiaomi) POCO M5) They have a microSD card slot, and if your photos are stored on them, transferring them to your PC is made to a minimum:

1. Remove the memory card from the phone (pre-mount it in the settings).
2. Insert the microSD into the card reader and connect to the computer.
3. Copy files from the folder DCIM → Camera (or other place where the pictures are stored).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Instant access to files without depending on your phone.
• 🔄 You can use the card as a “middleman” to transfer photos between multiple devices.
• 🛡️ No risk of data loss when disconnected USB or wifi failure.

But there are nuances:

⚠️ Note: If you remove a memory card from your phone, do not format it on your computer in a format. NTFS — Xiaomi won't be able to read it. The best option is exFAT (supports files over 4 GB).

5. Transfer via third-party applications: AirDroid, Snapdrop and others

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools, which often offer additional features, such as transfer without connecting to the same Wi-Fi network or backup on a schedule.

Top.-3 Applications for transferring photos from Xiaomi to PC:

• 📲 AirDroid – Supports file transfer, SMS The free version is limited to traffic (200 MB/month).
• 🌐 Snapdrop is a web service for transferring files between devices on the same network. It does not require installation, it works through a browser.
• 🔗 Pushbullet – synchronizes notifications and allows you to send files between your phone and PC.

Instructions for Snapdrop (the easiest option):

1. Open the website snapdrop.net on your phone and computer.
2. Make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. On the phone, select a photo in the gallery, click Share → Snapdrop.
4. On the computer will appear a notification about the incoming file - confirm the download.

Comparison of annexes:

⚠️ Note: When using third-party services (especially those that are not well known), check the permissions of applications, SMS geolocation that is not required for file transfer.

6. Transfer via email or messengers: when there are no other ways

If you only have a phone and a computer with no cables, Wi-Fi or cloud services, you can use email or instant messengers, which is suitable for transferring a small number of photos (up to 50-100 pieces), because there are restrictions on the size of the attachment.

Method 1: Sending to email

• 📧 Select a photo in the gallery, click Share → Email.
• 📩 Enter your email address in the "To Who" field".
• 📎 Attach files (usually a limit of 25 MB per email).
• 🖥️ Open your email and download the attachments.

Method 2: Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp Web)

• 💬 Send a photo to yourself in Telegram (in "Saved Messages") or another messenger.
• 🌐 On your computer, open the web version of the messenger (web.telegram.org) and download files.

Limitations:

• 📉 Gmail and Mail.ru limit the size of investments of 25 MB.

To circumvent the restrictions:

• 🗜️ Archive the photo in ZIP before sending (for example, through the ES Conductor).
• 🔗 Use Telegram – it allows you to upload files up to 2 GB without compression.

💡

Email and instant messengers are the last option for photo transfer, and they are suitable for 10 to 20 snapshots, but not for full backup due to size and compression limitations.

7.Transfer automation: how to set up regular backups

If you're moving photos from Xiaomi to your PC often, it makes sense to set up automatic sync, which will eliminate routine and protect your files from loss.

Method 1: Autoboot in Mi Cloud

Set up new photos to the cloud automatically:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery.
2. Enable Auto Sync and select Only via Wi-Fi (so as not to waste mobile traffic).
3. Install Mi on your computer. PC Suite for Automatic Downloading of Files from the Cloud.

Method 2: Sync with Google Photos + PC

If you are using Google Photos:

1. On your phone, open the Google Photos app, turn on Backup and Sync.
2. Install Google’s Backup and Sync on your computer.
3. Select a folder to download the photo (for example, D:\Xiaomi_Photos).

Advantages of automation:

• ⏰ Save time – don’t need to remember about file transfer.
• 🛡️ Protects against data loss (e.g., when your phone is stolen or broken).
• 📂 Photos are automatically sorted by dates and albums.

⚠️ Note: When setting up automatic backup in Google Photos, check the quality settings. By default, compression ("High Quality") may be enabled, which reduces the resolution of the images. To save the originals, select Original Quality (you will need a Google One subscription if you exceed 15 GB).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions