How to transfer music from one Android smartphone to Xiaomi: all ways of 2026

Transferring music files between Android devices is a challenge that every second Xiaomi smartphone owner faces, especially when switching to a new model or sharing favorite tracks with a friend quickly. But here users face pitfalls, from Bluetooth limitations to file system compatibility issues. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to transfer music, from classic to little-known but effective.

It’s important to understand that the choice of method depends on several factors: the amount of data transferred (one album or the entire collection), the availability of the Internet, Android versions on both devices and even Xiaomi models. For example, the flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series support Wi-Fi Direct at increased speed, and the budget Redmi Note can limit the background data transfer, we took into account all these nuances so that you can choose the best option.

We will focus on preserving track metadata (covers, artists’ names) – often reset by standard transmission methods, and how to avoid common mistakes that may cause music to fail to play on a new device.

1. Music transfer via Bluetooth: fast but with limitations

The most common method, which doesn't require any additional software or Internet connection, but it has some serious limitations: the transmission speed rarely exceeds the speed. 2-3 MB/s and some Xiaomi models (for example, POCO X5) Automatically compress audio when sent over Bluetooth, degrades quality.

To minimize losses, follow this algorithm:

  • πŸ“± Open on the original smartphone Settings β†’ Connected devices β†’ Bluetooth and activate visibility
  • πŸ” On Xiaomi, start a device search and connect to the source phone (when you request a code, type 0000 or 1234)
  • 🎡 In the file manager, select tracks, click "Share" and select Bluetooth.
  • ⏳ Wait for the transfer to be completed – a notification of receiving files will appear on the Xiaomi screen

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ By default, the option β€œTransfer optimization” is enabled, which converts FLAC/WAV into AAC. To turn it off, go to Bluetooth Settings. β†’ Additionally. β†’ Quality of transmission β†’ Original.

The main advantage of the method is versatility (it works even on older versions of Android), the disadvantages of the limitation on the file size (usually up to 100 MB at a time) and the inability to transfer entire folders.

πŸ“Š What file transfer method do you use most often?
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi Direct
OTG cable
Cloud services
Other

2. Wi-Fi Direct: Transfer without Internet at high speed

Wi-Fi Direct technology allows you to connect devices directly over Wi-Fi, providing speeds up to 20-30 Mb/s - in 10 This method is ideal for transferring large music collections (for example, lossless albums in the format of Bluetooth). FLAC). However, not all Xiaomi models support this feature out of the box: on Redmi 9A and POCO M3 It needs to be manually activated.

Step-by-step:

  1. On both smartphones, open the settings. β†’ Wi-Fi β†’ Wi-Fi Direct (on some firmware path: Settings) β†’ Connections β†’ More. β†’ Wi-Fi Direct)
  2. On the original phone, click β€œCreate a Group” or β€œConnect”, on Xiaomi – β€œSearch for Devices”
  3. After connecting, open the file manager (such as Mi File Manager) and highlight the tracks you want.
  4. Click "Send" and select the connected device in the list
Xiaomi modelSupport for Wi-Fi DirectMax, speed.Limitations
Xiaomi 13/14 ProYes (MIUI 14+)up to 35 Mb/sNo.
Redmi Note 12Yes (must be included)up to 25 Mb/sScreen lock gap
POCO X5 ProYes.up to 30 Mb/sRequires confirmation on both devices
Redmi 10APartially (only intake)up to 10 Mb/sYou can't send files.

On devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), Wi-Fi Direct can reach 40 MB/s when using the protocol. 802.11ac. For stable transmission, keep your smartphones at a distance of no more than 5 meters and do not switch to mobile data.

Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi enabled|

Turn off the power saving mode |

Close background applications (especially messengers)|

Check the free space on the receiving device-->

3. Cable use OTG: reliable, but not for all models

If you have OTG-cable USB-C β†’ USB-A), You can connect the original smartphone to Xiaomi as an external drive, which guarantees 100% data and track metainformation, but it doesn't work on all devices. 9C and POCO C40 supportive OTG host-like.

Check the compatibility of your model:

  • πŸ”§ Go to Settings. β†’ The phone. β†’ Specifications β†’ Hardware support
  • πŸ” Find the item "Support" OTG" β€” If you have one, the method will do.
  • ⚠️ On some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global 13.0.4) OTG Deactivated by default - enable it in Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ Developer functions β†’ Configuration USB default β†’ File transfer

Instructions for transmission:

  1. Connect. OTG-cable to Xiaomi, and the second end to the original smartphone
  2. Xiaomi will have a notification on the screen "USB-Device is connected" - click on it and select "File Transfer"
  3. Open Mi File Manager and go to the section "USB-Drive and copy the music to the Music or Download folder

⚠️ Note: When connecting Xiaomi 12T Pro devices on Android 10 and below may need a choice of mode MTP (Media Transfer Protocol manually through notification curtain.

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If Xiaomi doesn’t recognize the connected device, try using the original charging cable – some cheap ones OTG-Adapters do not support data transfer.

4. Cloud services: universal, but dependent on the Internet

The method is suitable for those who do not want to mess with cables or are limited in physical access to devices, suitable for music transmission from a distance, but requires a stable Internet connection. The main drawback is the possible loss of quality when downloading / downloading (especially relevant for Google Drive, which compresses files over 25 MB).

Comparison of popular services for Xiaomi:

ServiceMax. File size.Loading speedMetadata preservationIntegration with MIUI
Mi Cloud50MBup to 5 Mb/sYes.There's an embedded app.
Google Drive750 MB (via browser)up to 10 Mb/sNo (squeezes)Requires a separate application
Yandex Disc.2GBup to 8 Mb/sYes.There's a widget for MIUI
Telegram (Saved Messages)2GBup to 15 Mb/sYes.No formal integration

Recommended algorithm for Mi Cloud (optimized for Xiaomi):

  1. On the original phone, open the Mi Cloud app and log in.
  2. Go to the "Files" section" β†’ "Download and select music tracks
  3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Cloud account and download files to the Internal folder. Storage/Music

For transfer without loss of quality, use Yandex Drive or Telegram:

  • πŸ“ In Telegram, send files to yourself in "Saved Messages"
  • πŸ”— On Xiaomi, open the same message and download tracks (for folders, use archiving in the app). ZIP)
  • 🎧 Check the metadata through the Music app or VLC
How to avoid compression in Google Drive?
Upload files through the browser in the "High Quality" mode (settings) β†’ "Download quality. Alternative: pack music into ZIP-archive before downloading, and unpack on Xiaomi using Mi File Manager or RAR.

5. Local area network (FTP/HTTP-server: for advanced users

It's a method for people who are willing to dig a little bit into the settings, it allows you to stream music at local network speeds (up to 100 MB/s), saving the entire folder structure and metadata. It's suitable for large collections (10).+ On Xiaomi with GB MIUI 14 is built-in FTP-server, but it is hidden in the developer menu.

Instructions for built-in FTP-server:

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI Version (click 7 times)
  2. Back to Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers β†’ Local area network β†’ Turn on FTP-server
  3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network
  4. On the original phone, enter the address in the file manager ftp://[IP-Xiaomi]:2221 (IP specified FTP)
  5. Copy files into a folder /storage/emulated/0/Music

For devices without a built-in server, use the following applications:

  • πŸ“² FX File Explorer (include in it) FTP-side-menu)
  • 🌐 Solid Explorer (supports WebDAV and SMB)
  • πŸ”Œ MiXplorer (optimized for the MIUI, built-in HTTP-server)

Xiaomi. 13T Pro and newer built-in FTP-Server supports the protocol SFTP (encrypted transmission), which is relevant for the transfer of licensed music. To enable it, select "Secure connection" in the server settings (SFTP)" and enter port 2222.

Specialized applications: automation and additional functions

If standard methods don't work, look for apps designed specifically for transferring files between Android devices. They often offer extra chips: lossless compression, metadata recovery, playlist transfer. MIUI, Some programs are in conflict with the shell of Xiaomi.

Top.-3 apps:

AnnexSpeed.FeaturesCompatibility with MIUIRecommendation
Send Anywhereup to 50 Mb/sWi-Fi Direct transmission, generation QR-codeComplete (including MIUI 14)Better for larger files
Xenderup to 40 Mb/sSupport for playlist transfer, built-in playerPartial (conflicts with) MIUI 12)Comfortable for music
Files by Googleup to 30 Mb/sIntegration with Google Drive, cleaning the cacheComplete.A simple solution out of the box

Step-by-step instructions for Send Anywhere (optimum choice for Xiaomi):

  1. Install the app on both devices from Google Play or Mi App Store
  2. On the original phone, click "Send" β†’ "Files" and select music
  3. Select the transfer method: "Without the Internet" (Wi-Fi Direct) or "Generate code"
  4. On Xiaomi, enter a 6-digit code or connect to the access point created by the first phone.
  5. Confirm the acceptance of files – they will automatically be saved to the Download/SendAnywhere

⚠️ Note: When transferring via Xender to Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 13.0.6 may cause an error "Insufficient memory" even if there is space. Solution: before transferring, clear the application cache to Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Xender β†’ Warehouse.

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Apps like Send Anywhere use their own transmission protocols, which allows you to bypass Android’s limitations on background activity, which is especially useful for Xiaomi with aggressive battery optimization.

7.Transfer music by computer: reliable but long

The classic method through the PC is relevant if you need not only to transfer music, but also to edit metadata, convert formats or create a backup. PC Suite or Xiaomi Community Tools – they allow you to manage your smartphone files directly.

Procedure:

  1. Connect the original smartphone to the PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode (MTP))
  2. Copy music files into a folder on your computer (for example, D:\Temp\Music)
  3. Turn off the first phone, connect Xiaomi and re-select the mode MTP
  4. Transfer files to the Internal folder Storage\Music or MIUI\music
  5. Disable the device using the "Safe Retrieval" function in Windows/macOS

To work with metadata, use programs:

  • 🎡 MusicBrainz Picard – for automatic tag recognition and correction
  • πŸ”„ Mp3tag β€” manually edit meta-information
  • 🎧 foobar2000 β€” Forms conversion without loss (FLAC β†’ ALAC iPhone)

On Xiaomi MIUI 14 After the music is transmitted via PC, the media library may not be updated:

Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ Music β†’ Storage β†’ Clear data

Then restart the device – the system scans the files.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you transfer the music correctly, it may not play or be displayed correctly, and here are the typical mistakes and ways to fix them on Xiaomi:

  • πŸ”Š Tracks not playable: Check format support. Xiaomi on-base MIUI default supports MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV. For APL, DSD or M4A set up VLC poweramp.
  • πŸ“› No album covers: Delete the.thumbnails folder in Internal Storage/DCIM And reboot the device. The media scanner will recreate the thumbnails.
  • πŸ”„ Music is played with distortions: Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ set the settings on β†’ Sound. β†’ Sound quality β†’ High resolution.
  • πŸ“ Files are not displayed in the player: In Mi File Manager, go to Settings β†’ Show hidden files and check if there is a.nomedia folder in the music directory.

To diagnose playback problems, use the Media Info application - it will show the technical data of the file (bitrate, codecs) and compatibility with the file. MIUI.

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If the music is quieter after the transfer than on the old device, check the settings of Xiaomi: Settings β†’ Sound. β†’ equalizer β†’ Select Preset "Rock" or "Custom" and enlarge the slider on 60-100 Hz.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I transfer music from iPhone to Xiaomi in the same way?
Partially. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct will not be suitable for transferring from iPhone due to the limitations of iOS. β†’ Mi Cloud Apps like Send Anywhere (iTunes version) β†’ PC-folder β†’ Xiaomi: The main problem is formats: iPhone uses M4A (AAC), which Xiaomi plays, but the metadata may not be displayed correctly. MP3 via iTunes or VLC.
Why does Xiaomi not display Cyrillic track names after transfer?
This is a coding problem typical of devices with MIUI Solutions: Rename files to Latin before transfer Use the MiXplorer file manager - it handles correctly UTF-8 Update the firmware to MIUI 12+ (new versions fixed support for Unicode) If the problem persists, check the settings of the region: β†’ Additionally. β†’ Language and input β†’ Region β†’ Russia.
How to transfer playlists from one Android to Xiaomi?
Standard transmission methods (Bluetooth, cable) don't save playlists: πŸ“‹ VLC: Export the playlist to M3U-File on an old device, transfer it to Xiaomi and import it 🎡 Poweramp: Syncs playlists via Google Drive (paid) πŸ–₯️ MusicBee (PC): Create a playlist on your computer and sync with Xiaomi on the computer USB On Xiaomi, playlists are saved by default in Internal Storage/MIUI/music/playlists.
Can you stream music between Xiaomi and devices on HarmonyOS (Huawei)?
Yes, but with reservations: 🚫 Not working: Wi-Fi Direct (due to Huawei restrictions) βœ… Works: Bluetooth (but with a limit of 50 MB per file), cloud services, cable OTG πŸ”§ Recommendation: Use Huawei Share (if Xiaomi has Huawei Mobile Services installed) or Send Anywhere When transferring over Bluetooth files more than 100 MB are broken into parts – they will need to be combined manually on Xiaomi.
How to transfer music from Xiaomi to another Xiaomi as quickly as possible?
Fastest way for two Xiaomi devices: Activate Wi-Fi Direct on both phones On the original Xiaomi, open Mi File Manager, select the folder with music and click "Send" Select the second Xiaomi device in the list (it will show as Xiaomi_XXXX) Confirm reception on the second phone - files are copied at a speed of up to 40 MB/s Advantage: you do not need to install third-party applications, but MIUI optimized for this scenario (no connection breaks).