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

Transferring photos from your computer to your Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces. Whether you need to make room on your PC, back up your photos or just share fresh footage with friends, choosing the right method saves time and nerves. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring photos, from the classical to the traditional. USB-cable to modern cloud services, taking into account the features of firmware MIUI Xiaomi and its model range (including Redmi, POCO and flagship series).

It's important to understand that not all methods are equally effective. For example, USB 2.0 can take 10 times longer to transmit than Wi-Fi 6 on the new Xiaomi 14. And using third-party messengers like Telegram limits the resolution of photos to 12 MP, which is critical for professional shots. We tested each method on devices with MIUI 14/15 and collected data on speed, reliability and convenience - so you can choose the best option for your tasks.

If you have previously encountered errors such as "USB-device not identified" or "MIUI There's a section in the article that solves typical problems. We'll also compare how the process on Windows differs. 10/11 and macOS, and why Xiaomi owners with unlocked bootloader have additional options (for example, transfer via the Internet). ADB).

1. Transfer of the photo through USB-cable: classics with pitfalls

USB-Connection remains the most reliable way, but there are nuances in the Xiaomi ecosystem. 13T Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) support USB 3.2 Gen 1, In theory, it gives speed up to 5 Gbps, however, by default MIUI regimen MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, which limits the speed of the 40-60 MB/s even on top models.

To connect:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable (cheap analogues may not support high-speed mode).
• 📱 On your smartphone screen, select File Transfer (not Charge!). If the option does not appear, lower the notification curtain and tap on the screen "USB for...".
• 🖥️ On your computer, open "This Computer" (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS.
• 📁 Go to the Internal Storage folder → DCIM → Camera (or Pictures if the photo is saved in the gallery).

An important point for Xiaomi owners with MIUI 14+: if the DCIM folder is not displayed, check the hidden file settings in Windows Explorer. The MIUI defaults are hidden system folders, but they can be made visible through Settings → Storage → Storage settings → Show hidden files.

Cable supports USB 3.0+ (blue connectors)| File Transfer mode is allowed on the phone | ADB drivers are installed on the PC (for Windows) | Charge only mode is disabled in the developer settings (if enabled)

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⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with unlocked bootloader when connecting to USB You may be asked to authorize debugging ("Allow debugging by USB?"). If you don't use ADB, cancel this request or the transfer of files will be blocked.

On Xiaomi 13/14 series with USB-C 3.2 port, the transfer speed can be increased to 100+ MB / s if the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times) enable the option “Debug by USB” and use the command adb shell setprop persist.sys.usb.config mtp,adb. However, this method requires the installation of ADB on a PC and is suitable only for experienced users.

2 Wireless Wi-Fi transmission: when cables are not at hand

If USB-If you're lost or prefer wireless solutions, Xiaomi offers several Wi-Fi transmission options. The simplest is the built-in "File Transfer over Wi-Fi" feature in the Files app" (MIUI). It works on all devices with MIUI 12+ It does not require additional programs.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app on your phone.
2. Go to the "Transmission" section (the icon with two arrows).
3. Select "Send" → mark the desired photos → click "Wi-Fi".
4. It'll appear on screen. QR-Scan it with another device's camera or enter the address (ftp://192.168.x.x) Windows Explorer (\\192.168.x.x).

The advantage of this method is that there are no restrictions on file sizes (as opposed to instant messengers), but the speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard:

• 📶 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Xiaomi 13/14: before 90 MB/s.
• 📶 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) on the Redmi Note 11/12: before 40 MB/s.
• 📶 Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) on older models: up to 10 MB/s.

⚠️ Note: When transferring over Wi-Fi to Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ session time limit (10 minutes without activity) If the transmission is interrupted, update the page in the explorer or re-scan QR-code.

Alternatively, third-party applications like LocalSend or Snapdrop, which run over a local network and don't require internet, like LocalSend, which supports whole folders and shows real-time progress.

1. Download LocalSend from the official website to PC and phone.
2. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. In the app on your phone, select files → click “Send” → select a PC from the list.

3. Cloud services: convenience vs limitations

Cloud storage is a versatile way, especially if you need to transfer photos to multiple devices at the same time. Xiaomi is closely integrated with the Mi Cloud, but the service has limitations: only 5 GB is available for free, and downloading large files can take hours with slow Internet.

How to transfer photos through Mi Cloud:

1. On the phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery → turn on synchronization.
2. On PC: Go to i.mi.com, log in and upload a photo to the Gallery section.
3. Wait for synchronization (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours).

Alternative clouds with no resolution restrictions:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Unlimited storage in "high quality" (16 MP), originals take up space in Google Drive.
• ☁️ Yandex Drive: 10GB free, supports automatic download from your phone.
• ☁️ Mega: 20GB free, data encryption.

In Google Photos, from June 2021, “high quality” (compressed photos) does not take up space in the cloud, but the originals are counted in the limit of 15 GB (common with Gmail and Drive).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ When uploading to Mi Cloud photo in format HEIF/HEIC (used by default on new models, automatically converted to JPEG, To avoid this, manually convert files before downloading through the Gallery app. → Save how...).

4. Messengers and social networks: fast, but with loss of quality

Send photos via Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber is the fastest way to move them. 10-20 But every messenger has its limitations:

• 📱 Telegram: up to 2 GB per file, but compressing up to 12 MP when sent as a "photo" (without compression - only through the "file").
• 📱 WhatsApp: 16MB limit per file, strong compression (up to 2 MP).
• 📱 Viber: up to 200MB per file, but transfer speed depends on the servers.

How to send a photo without loss of quality in Telegram:

1. Open a chat with you ("Saved Messages").
2. Press the paper clip. → "File" (not "Photo!").
3. Select the right pictures and send them.
4. Download files from the chat on your phone – they will be saved in the original resolution.

WhatsApp and Viber are not compressible, because they are optimized to save traffic. If quality is critical, use alternatives:

• 🌐 Discord: Up to 8MB free (up to 50MB with Nitro), minimal compression.
• 🌐 WeTransfer: up to 2 GB without registration, original quality.

Important for Xiaomi: When sent via messengers, photos in RAW format (available on Xiaomi 12S Ultra, 13 Pro, etc.) are automatically converted to JPEG with loss of data. To save RAW, use the cloud or USB.

5. Specialized programs: for advanced users

If standard methods don't work, you can use sync programs, which offer additional features like automatic transmission, backup, and even editing photos directly to your PC.

Top.-3 Xiaomi:

1. Xiaomi PC Suite (official software): 🔹 Automatic synchronization of photos, contacts and messages. 🔹 Support for backup MIUI. 🔹 It only works on Windows. You can download it from the official website. USB and select "Multimedia Synchronization".
2. AirDroid: 🔹 Wi-Fi transmission without USB. 🔹 Remote control of the phone with PC. 🔹 The free version limits the speed to 5 MB/s.

Syncthing

• 🔹 Free of charge, without restrictions.
• 🔹 Transmission encryption.
• 🔹 Requires settings on both devices.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 It does not depend on the speed of the Internet or USB.
• 🛡️ Data is not transferred through third services (security).
• 📥 You can use cards with a capacity of up to 1 TB (on Xiaomi with exFAT).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ formatting SD-The card as internal memory is encrypted and cannot be read on other devices. Always choose Portable Storage if you plan to use the card on a PC.

The transmission speed depends on the class of the card:

• Class 10/UHS-I: Up to 90MB/s (optimum for photo).
• UHS-II: Up to 300MB/s, but not all Xiaomi models are supported.
• Class 4/6: Up to 10-20MB/s – slow for larger volumes.

7. Problem Solving: Why Xiaomi Can't See a Computer (and Vice versa)

If you don't detect a USB phone, the problem could be on the Xiaomi side or the PC side, and let's look at the typical bugs and how to fix them.

Problems on the phone:

• 🔋 "Charging only": check the settings USB If the option doesn't appear, reboot your phone.
• 🔒 "Debugging by USB": If you have previously enabled this mode, turn it off in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🛠️ "MIUI No response: Reset the settings USB via #13491## (service code for port resetting).

Problems on PC (Windows):

• 🖥️ "Drivers not installed: download Mi PC Suite or drivers ADB Xiaomi.
• 🔌 "USB-Device not identified: try another port (preferably) USB 3.0, marked blue).
• 🛡️ "Antivirus Block: temporarily disable protection or add conductor in exceptions.