How to connect Xiaomi Redmi 4 to your computer: all ways + error solving

Why Redmi 4 doesn’t connect to your computer and how to fix it

Xiaomi Redmi 4 (Redmi 4 Pro, Redmi 4 Prime, Redmi) 4A) It's still a popular device because of its price and functionality, but when you try to connect it to a computer, you often run into problems: the PC can't see the phone, you get an error. USB-The device is not recognized, or the smartphone is simply charging, but the files are not transmitted. MIUI, absence of drivers or cable malfunction.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of connecting - from the standard USB-Connections to wireless file transfer via Mi Drop and FTP-We'll focus on solving common errors, which are when the computer doesn't recognize Redmi. 4 storage-like (MTP), When drivers are installed with an error code 28, or when the phone only connects in charging mode. All instructions are checked on Windows. 10/11 and recent versions MIUI 12–14.

If you've tried to connect your smartphone and you've got a mistake, don't blame the cable or the port. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by changing USB mode or installing official Xiaomi drivers. Let's start with the simplest method.

Method 1: Standard USB connection (MTP mode)

The most obvious way is to use USB-And the cable that came with the phone, but even here, there's a nuance: Redmi 4 can default to Charging Only, not as a storage device:

1. Connect your phone to your computer with the original cable (it is advisable to use a USB 2.0 port on a PC, it works more stable with MTP).
2. Redmi 4 will have a USB notification to transfer files.
3. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). If this is not the case, move to the next option.

If the computer still can’t see the phone after this action:

• 🔌 Check the cable: try another (preferably original or certified) USB Type-C: Cheap cables often don't support data transfer.
• 🖥️ Update drivers: Go to Device Manager (Win) + X), find Redmi 4 under Portable Devices or Other Devices, right-click and select Update Driver.
• 📱 Reboot your phone: Sometimes a basic reboot or resetting settings helps USB (In Settings → Memory. → Menu (three dots) → USB-connection).

⚠️ Note: If Redmi 4 Device Manager displays an exclamation point, it means a driver problem.Do not use universal drivers from dubious sites - download them only from the official Xiaomi website.

Use the original USB-cable|Check the port. USB on PC (try another one)|Update MIUI last-minute|Disable Developer Mode (if enabled)|Restart your phone and computer-->

Method 2: Install official Xiaomi drivers

If the computer makes an error USB-The device is not recognized (Code 43) or Code 28 is likely missing the correct drivers. Xiaomi provides an official driver package for all its devices, including Redmi 4:

1. Download drivers from the official website (Drivers section).
2. Unpack the archive and run the file MiPhoneManager.exe (it will automatically install the desired drivers).
3. Connect Redmi 4 to your PC and wait until the installation is complete.
4. If drivers don't install, try manual installation: Open Device Manager → find Redmi 4 with a yellow triangle. Right-click → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer. Specify the path to the unpacked driver folder and confirm the installation.

After successful installation, the Xiaomi Redmi 4 should appear in the Device Manager section of the Portable Devices or Android Device section, if the drivers are not installed anyway:

• 🛡️ Turn off digital signature verification (Windows only) 10/11): 1. Hold Win. + X → "Command line (administrator)". 2. Enter: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on → Enter. 3. Restart the PC and re-install.
• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port: sometimes ports USB 3.0 (blue) conflict with MTP.
• 📵 Put the debugging on. USB (if it didn't help MTP): Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times to activate the developer mode. → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.

💡

If Xiaomi drivers aren’t installed, try Google’s universal USB Driver.It works with most Android devices, including Redmi 4.

Method 3: Connect in PTP mode (for photos)

If MTP doesn’t work but you need to copy photos urgently, try PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) mode, which is less driver-driven and often works even on older versions of Windows.

1. Connect Redmi 4 to your computer.
2. On your phone, tap the USB notification to transfer files.
3. Select Image Transfer (PTP).

Now the phone will show up in Explorer as a camera, so you can copy photos and videos, but not other files, and this mode is useful if you:

• 📸 You need to quickly transfer photos without installing drivers.
• 🖼️ MTP Refuses to work due to conflict with antivirus (for example, Avast or Kaspersky block the connection).
• 🔌 You're using it. USB 3.0 port that does not support MTP.

⚠️ Attention: In mode PTP the data transfer speed is lower than in MTP. Do not use it for large files (video) 4K, archive).

Method 4: Wireless File Transfer (Wi-Fi)

If there's a problem with USB-Cable or port is not solved, you can do without wires. Xiaomi Redmi 4 supports several methods of wireless transmission:

4.1. via Mi Drop (official Xiaomi app)

Mi Drop is Xiaomi’s proprietary Wi-Fi file sharing solution that doesn’t require an internet connection and works even without a router (via Wi-Fi Direct).

1. Install Mi Drop on your phone (if not installed) from the Mi App Store.
2. On your computer, open your browser and go to drop.xiaomi.com.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the PC screen using Mi Drop on the phone.
4. Select the files to transfer and confirm the sending.

4.2. Through FTP-server (for large files)

If you need to transfer a lot of data (for example, a backup copy), set up FTP-This will allow you to access Redmi 4 files as a network drive.

1. Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app from Google Play.
2. Open the app. → Menus. → FTP-server → Launch.
3. Remember the address of the species ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
4. On the computer, open Explorer, enter the address in the address bar and press Enter.

Advantages of FTP:

• 📁 Access to all phone files, including hidden files.
• 📶 It works without the Internet (local network is sufficient).
• 🔗 You can connect several devices at the same time.

USB (MTP/PTP)|Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP)|Bluetooth|Google Drive)|Do not connect-->

Method 5: Using Mi Suite (Official Xiaomi Software)

Mi Suite (formerly Mi PC Suite) is Xiaomi’s official software for managing your phone from your computer, which allows you to not only transfer files, but also install firmware, backups and updates to MIUI.

Instructions for connection:

1. Install Mi Suite on your computer.
2. Connect Redmi 4 via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Start Mi Suite – the program must automatically identify the phone.
4. In the main menu, select File Management to access the device’s memory.

If Mi Suite can't see the phone:

⚠️ Note: Mi Suite may conflict with antivirus (e.g. Avast blocks the connection). Add the program to exceptions or temporarily disable protection.

💡

Mi Suite is the only official way to flash Redmi 4 over a PC. Other programs (such as the SP Flash Tool) require unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a phone blink.

Addressing common mistakes

Even after installing drivers and settings MTP There may be problems.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1.The computer sees the phone as a "Media Device" but the files are not displayed

Reason: conflict with drivers or Windows settings.

• 🔧 Reinstall drivers manually (see Method 2).
• 🖥️ Turn off Quick Start in Windows: Control Panel → Power supply → Power buttons. Uncheck the tick from Quick Start.

Settings → Memory. → Menus. → USB-connection

2. Mistake "USB-Device not recognized (Code 43)"

Cause: A faulty cable, port, or driver conflict.

• 🔌 Try another cable and port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🛠️ Remove all Xiaomi drivers in Device Manager and reinstall them.
• 🔄 Turn off the developer mode (if it was turned on).

3.The phone is connected only in charging mode

The reason: USB settings are lost or power saving mode is turned on.

• 📱 On the phone go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Power saving mode and turn it off.
• 🔧 In Device Manager, check if Redmi 4 is showing as a Charger. If so, remove the device and reconnect.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Redmi 4 to PC