Why Redmi 5 Plus doesn’t connect to PC and how to fix it
Are you trying to transfer photos from Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus to your computer, but the device is not detected? Or is the phone charging but the files are not displayed? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi smartphones - especially on older models like Redmi 5 Plus (vincent), released in 2017. The reasons may lie in the wrong settings USB, Lack of drivers or even hardware limitations.
In this article, we will discuss all ways to connect Redmi. 5 Plus to PC through USB: from basic configuration of the data transfer mode to solving errors with drivers and MIUI. You will learn how to turn on the debugging USB, Why Windows can't see the phone and what to do if the smartphone is defined as an "unidentified device." Linux/macOS We have prepared separate instructions.
Important: Redmi 5 Plus is MIUI-based (even on the latest firmware) and its USB-connection behavior is different from that of pure Android. For example, the default mode can be activated Charge Only, and the option of File Transfer (MTP) is hidden. Next, you will find step-by-step solutions for all these cases.
Preparing for connection: what to check before connecting to a PC
Before you connect the Redmi 5 Plus to your computer, follow a few preliminary steps to save time and avoid common errors:
- 🔌 Check it out. USB-cable: Use the original Xiaomi cable or a certified USB-Type C. Cheap cables often only support charging, but not data transfer.
- 🔋 Charging your phone: If the charge level is below 15%, your smartphone can automatically lock USB-power-up.
- 🔒 Unlock the screen: on MIUI some USB-functions (e.g., functions, MTP) It only works when the screen is unlocked.
- 🖥️ Update Windows: If you are using a PC, make sure you have the latest updates installed for your PC. USB-Controllers (especially for Windows) 7/8).
Also pay attention to the port. USB on a computer: if you connect to the front panel of the system unit, try the rear port (it is connected directly to the motherboard and works more stable). USB-hubs – they may not provide enough power to transmit data.
How to connect Redmi 5 Plus to your computer
Now, let's get to the main process. Follow the instructions carefully, the order of action is important.
- Connect the cable to your phone and computer. Wait for the connection beep (in Windows) or the notification on the Redmi 5 Plus screen.
- Unlock the smartphone screen. On some versions of MIUI, the USB option may not be available on a locked screen.
- Swipe down the notification bar and find the option USB-Connection (or Charging through a USB). Put it on her.
- Select a mode: 📁 File transfer (MTP) — phone-memory. 📷 Transmission of photo (PTP) — If you only need to copy the photos. 🔌 Charging only – if other modes don’t work.
Confirm the choice
Linux/macOS
If after these actions the phone is still not identified, go to the next section with the solution of problems.
☑️ Checklist before connection
The computer does not see the Redmi 5 Plus
If Redmi 5 Plus is not displayed in Windows Explorer or is defined as an "unidentified device," the reasons may be as follows:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is charging, but the files are not visible. | Selected mode Charging Only | Change the mode to MTP in the USB notification |
| "Unidentified device" in dispatcher | There are no MIUI drivers. | Install the driver manually (see below) |
| The phone is connected and immediately disconnected. | Problems with cable or port | Try another cable/port, check on another PC |
| No notice of USB-connection | Failure in the developer settings | Enable USB Debugging (instruction below) |
Redmi 5 Plus feature: on some versions MIUI The option "File Transfer" may not be available in the menu USB-In this case, you need to manually activate the developer mode and enable debugging on the USB.
How to Enable Hidden MTP Mode on Redmi 5 Plus
Installation of drivers for Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus on Windows
If your Redmi 5 Plus is displayed with a yellow exclamation point in Device Manager, Windows can't automatically pick up drivers. Here's how to manually install them:
- Download the official Xiaomi drivers from the MIUI Downloads website (Drivers section).
- Unpack the archive and remember the path to the folder with drivers.
- Open Device Manager (click Win + X → Device Manager).
- Find the device with the error (usually in the Other Devices or USB Controllers section).
- Right-click → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer.
- Specify the path to the unpacked folder with drivers and wait for the installation.
For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):
- Open the terminal and install packages to support MTP: sudo apt install mtp-tools libmtp-common libmtp-runtime
- Connect the phone in MTP mode.
- Use a file manager (such as Nautilus or Dolphin) to access files.
On Linux, there may be permission errors, in which case you can try running the file manager on root's behalf or add a user to the plugdev group:
sudo usermod -aG plugdev $USERAdditional settings: debugging over USB and access to hidden functions
If standard methods don't work, you can use the developer mode, which gives you access to advanced USB settings, including forced MTP.
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. tap on MIUI Version 7 times. Enter the Mi Account password if necessary.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
- 🔧 Debugging by USB
- 🔄 Configuration USB default → choose MTP
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
If it doesn’t help, install the drivers manually (see section above).