How to download photos from Xiaomi to your computer: all ways with explanations

Why Xiaomi’s standard photo transfer methods may not work

Transferring photos from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phones to a computer only seems trivial, and users face typical problems in practice: a PC cannot see the device via USB, MIUI blocks access to files due to security settings, and cloud services limit download speeds, especially for models with MIUI 14/15, where the manufacturer has tightened its privacy policy.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to transfer photos - from the classic cable connection to little-known tricks with a local network and the use of a digital camera. ADB. Each method is tested on current firmware and adapted to the features of the Xiaomi ecosystem. MIUI, Faster transfer of large archives and avoid loss of image quality.

It is important that you use it. POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or other new models, please note the section about MTP-Protocol - in the latest versions MIUI For owners of older devices (for example, Mi 9 or Redmi 5) alternative methods without the help of the new model will be useful. USB.

Method 1: Transmission through USB-cable (MTP-regime)

The most obvious, but often problematic, method is that modern Xiaomi smartphones are defaulted to a PC in Charge mode, not File Transfer. To activate MTP, you need to manually change the connection settings.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable (cheap analogues may not support data transfer).
2. Swipe down the notification bar and tap on the USB option to transfer files.
3. Select File Transfer (MTP). If this is not the case, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB.
4. Open this computer - the device should appear as a removable disk.

⚠️ Attention: On Windows 10/11 Sometimes you need to install the Mi driver. PC Suite: If your PC can't see your phone, try it:

• 🔌 Change. USB-port (the front panel of the system unit is often unstable).
• 🔄 Rebooting both devices – it resets the cache MTP.
• 🛠️ Disable debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times tap, then return to the additional → For developers).

Use the original Xiaomi cable

Activate MTP mode in the notification curtain

Install Mi PC Suite on PC

Try another one. USB-port (preferably 3.0)

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To speed up the transfer of large archives (for example, with Xiaomi 13 Ultra and its 200-MP camera), we recommend:

• 📁 Archive photos in ZIP directly on the phone (File app) → Select → Squeeze).
• 🚀 Use it. USB 3.0 (port is usually blue - speed will increase with 5-10 before 40-60 MB/s.
• 🔋 Connect charging - when transferring a large amount of data, the phone may become discharged.

💡

If the PC sees the phone, but the folder DCIM Empty – check the hidden file settings in Windows Explorer (Species tab" → "Hidden elements").

Method 2: Wireless transmission via Mi Drop or LocalSend

If the cable is not available, or USB-The port is defective, you can transfer photos over the local network. Xiaomi offers a proprietary solution - Mi Drop, but it works only between the devices of the brand. Android/Windows).

Step-by-step instructions for LocalSend:

1. Install the app on your phone from the official website (or through Google Play).
2. Download the desktop version for Windows/macOS/Linux.
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. In the mobile application, select a photo → Send → select your computer from the list.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌐 It works without the Internet (local network only).
• 🔒 Encrypting traffic (data does not leak to the cloud).
• 📱 Support for batch sending (up to 1000 files at a time).

Po Po Po USB-cable

Through the Cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

Wi-Fi (LocalSend, Mi Drop)

Another option-->

⚠️ Note: When transmitting via LocalSend to Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and other models with MIUI 13+ It could trigger a speed limit:

1. Go to Settings → Special. opportunities → For developers.
2. Activate the option to turn off background restriction for Wi-Fi.
3. Reboot the phone.

Method 3: Sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos

Cloud services are convenient for automatic backup, but they have limitations: Mi Cloud only gives 5GB for free, and Google Photos compresses images when you exceed the limit.

How to set up autosynchronization in Google Photos:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Log in to your Google account and enable Backup and Sync.
3. Choose Original Quality (if quality preservation is important) or High Quality (free compression).
4. On your computer, open photos.google.com and download the photos you need.

Comparison of services:

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud on Xiaomi 12T Pro and newer photos are uploaded in resolution up to 12MP, even if the original 200MP:

• Before uploading, convert the photo to PNG through the Gallery app → Edit → Save as.
• Use Google Photos in original quality (but keep an eye on the space limit).

Method 4: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the phone is not defined as a storage device, but ADB-It works, you can pull a photo through the command line, and it's a good technique for damaged devices. USB-port or non-standard firmware (for example, POCO X3 Pro on custom ROM).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.
4. Open the Command Prompt in this folder and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, do:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Photos

It'll copy all the photos from the folder. DCIM folder Xiaomi_Photos disk-C:.

To speed up the process:

• 📂 Use a filter (for example, only a filter) JPG): adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/*.jpg.
• 🔄 Package transmission: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ && adb pull /sdcard/Pictures/.

💡

ADB is the only way to pull a photo from a phone that doesn’t have a screen but has USB debugging enabled.

Method 5: MicroSD Memory Card (for slot models)

If your Xiaomi supports memory cards (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO M4 Pro), it is easy to transfer photos to the minimum:

1. Transfer the photo to the folder on the map through the Files app.
2. Remove the microSD and insert it into the computer card reader.
3. Copy the files directly.

Nuances:

• 📸 Photos are saved to internal memory by default – transfer them manually or change camera settings (Camera Settings) → Preservation site → Map. SD).
• 🔄 Formatting: If the card is not readable on a PC, format it in FAT32 via phone (Settings) → Warehouse → Map. SD → Format).
• ⚡ Speed: maps UHS-I (Class 10) transmit data at speeds up to 90 MB/s faster than USB 2.0.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 11T, Redmi K50) MicroSD slot is combined with SIM-If you use two cards. SIM, You will have to choose between the second SIM card and the memory card.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right connection, there can be failures, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

1. the PC does not see Xiaomi via USB:

• 🔌 Check the cable – cheap analogues often don’t transmit data (only charging).
• 🖥️ Update drivers: in Device Manager, find Xiaomi Composite MDB Interface and update the software.
• 🔄 Reset the settings. USB: Settings → Connection and sharing → Resetting settings USB.

2. Photos are not copied (the error "Device does not respond"):

• 🛠️ Disable the antivirus – it can block access to files.
• 📂 Check the access rights: in MIUI 14+ You need to allow access to files for Mi PC Suite in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to 30%+ — low-charge MIUI Limits background processes.

3. Slow Wi-Fi transmission:

• 📶 Switch to 5GHz – this network is faster than 2.4GHz (but has a smaller range).
• 🚫 Turn it off. VPN — It can limit local traffic.
• 🔄 Use Archiving: Compress the photo in ZIP on the phone, then transfer one file.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions