Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have powerful cameras that allow you to create high-resolution images that take up a significant amount of internal memory. Sooner or later, each user faces the need to make room or save valuable footage in a safe place.
There are many ways to solve this problem, from the classical connection through the USB-The method you choose depends on your goals: whether you need to flip a couple of pictures or need to unload the entire archive of the gallery with a volume of tens of gigabytes. We will consider all the current options so that you can choose the most convenient for yourself.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the technical details of each method, point out the hidden settings of the MIUI system, and help you avoid typical data transmission errors, learn how to set up automatic synchronization and which tools are better suited for batch processing of files.
Connection through USB-cable: the classical method
The most reliable and quick way to transfer a large amount of data is to use it. USB-This is a cable that comes with a smartphone, and it doesn't require an Internet connection, and it provides a stable copy speed, which is critical when you're working with video in a video-based environment. 4K or RAW-First, you need to connect the port of the device to the USB-computer-connector.
After the physical connection, the charging mode notification will appear on the smartphone screen. To get the computer to see the files, you need to change the USB mode. Click on the notification and select File Transfer (MTP) or Photo Transfer (PTP). In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called "Android Auto File Transfer".
If your computer is not responsive to the connection, check the integrity of the cable. Cheap cables designed only for charging do not have internal data lines. Also make sure that the computer has the current Android drivers installed, although they are installed automatically on modern versions of Windows 10 and 11.
⚠️ Warning: When you first connect to a new computer, a request will appear on the phone screen for permission to debug or access data. Be sure to click "Allow" or the folders will remain hidden to the system.
Once you've successfully connected, open "My Computer" on your PC, your phone will show up as a removable drive, find the DCIM folder, and inside it is the Camera, and that's where all the pictures taken with the main camera are stored.
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Use the original Xiaomi cable to achieve maximum data transfer speeds. Cheap analogues can reduce speeds by 3-4 times.
Set up the file transfer mode in MIUI
The MIUI shell interface has its own features that can confuse users who have switched from other brands. Sometimes the system defaults to Charge Only mode, ignoring computer requests, and to fix this, you need to go to advanced settings.
Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Then go back to the “Additional” menu and find “Developers” option. Here you can force the default USB configuration.
- 📱 Find the “Network” or “System” section in the developer menu.
- 🔌 Select "Configuration" USB default».
- 💾 Set the value of "File Transfer».
This setup will save you from having to manually switch modes every time you connect, and the computer will immediately see the smartphone file system as an external drive.
Use of Mi PC Suite and Mi Share
For those who prefer software solutions, Xiaomi offers the Mi PC Suite utility. However, it is worth noting that support for this application has declined in recent years, and it may not work properly with new models based on Android 12/13/14.
A more modern alternative is Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop), which allows you to transfer files to Windows computers wirelessly using Wi-Fi Direct, and to do this, you must install the appropriate program on your PC or use the web version through a browser.
The transfer process is simple: activate Mi Share in the notification curtain, select a photo in the gallery, click "Send" and select your computer from the list of available devices. Transfer speeds can reach 40 MB/s, which is comparable to USB 2.0.
⚠️ Note: When using wireless methods, make sure that both your smartphone and your computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Different frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) can sometimes prevent devices from being detected.
The advantage of the wireless method is that the charging connector doesn't wear out, which prolongs the life of the device, but it's still better to choose a cable to transmit thousands of photos.
Why can't the Mi PC Suite see the phone?
Sync with Google Photos and Cloud Storage
Cloud technology is the most convenient way for those who want to access their photos from any device. Google Photos is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and offers free storage in compressed quality ("Saving space") or original (takes up the quota of Google Drive).
To activate, open the Google Photos app, click on your profile avatar, and select “Settings to boot.” Here you can specify which folders to sync, whether to use mobile Internet, and how to save copies.
| Parameter | Original | Saving space | Expression |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality. | No change. | Compressed (up to 15 MP) | Compressed (up to 16 MP) |
| Place in the cloud | It takes 15GB. | Unlimitedly | Unlimitedly |
| Details | Maximum | Good. | Good. |
*Note: Free storage conditions may change, check the current information in the rates of Google One.
Once synchronized, you just have to open your browser on your computer, go to photos.google.com and download the archives you want, and this is the perfect way to back up before resetting your settings.
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Cloud synchronization is the best way to protect against data loss when a smartphone breaks down or is stolen, but it requires a stable internet connection.
Wi-Fi transmission via FTP and conductor
Built-in MIUI The conductor ("Files") has a hidden but extremely useful function - creating a file. FTP-This allows you to access the phone's file system through My Computer in Windows without installing additional software.
Open the Explorer app, go to the Network tab (or click on the three-bar menu) and select Access from your PC. Press Launch. The system will give you an address, such as ftp://192.168.1.55:2121.
Type this address into the address bar of any folder on your computer, and you'll see all the folders on your smartphone, and you can copy, delete and move files just like you would on a regular drive.
- 📂 Open the “Conductor” on Xiaomi.
- 🌐 Select the section "Access from PC».
- 🚀 Click "Run" and copy the address.
This method is especially convenient if you are not on hand. USB-It's a cable, but both devices are on the same network, and the speed depends on the quality of the router and the Wi-Fi range.
Third-party apps: Send Anywhere and AirDroid
If standard tools do not suit, cross-platform applications come to the rescue. Send Anywhere allows you to transfer files over 6-digit code between any devices, even those on different networks.
Another powerful tool is AirDroid, which provides full remote access to your phone via a web-based Interactive, so you can not only download photos, but also manage notifications, contacts and SMS directly from your computer.
Installing these apps is worth it if you regularly work with files between your phone and your PC, and they often offer a more user-friendly interface for sorting media than the standard Windows Explorer.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party programs from unknown sources, be careful. download apps only from the official Google Play Store to avoid viruses.
Some features in these apps may be paid or have limits on how much data is transferred per month, and free versions are usually quite functional for home use.
☑️ Pre-transfer checks
Solution: Computer cannot see photos
A common problem: the phone charges, but the folders don't show up. 90% of the time, it's in mode. USB. Another reason is a damaged port or connector. Try inserting the cable into another one. USB-port, preferably in the connector USB 3.0 (blue) on the back of the system unit.
If the problem persists, check the debugging settings. Sometimes switching USB from MTP to PTP and back helps, and rebooting both devices helps, which resets network protocol errors.
In rare cases, antivirus on a PC will block new devices from connecting. Try temporarily disabling protection or adding the phone to exceptions. Make sure the phone does not turn on Charge Only mode in the battery settings.