How to transfer a photo from Xiaomi phone to a laptop through the charging cord: 5 proven ways

Transfer photos from Xiaomi phone to laptop via standard USB-The charging cable seems like a simple task — until you encounter errors like “Device not recognized” or lack of access to files. 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11) By default, the data transfer is blocked through USB, I'm just saying charge. And if the laptop runs on Windows, 10/11 or macOS, additional drivers or settings may be required.

5 working methods for transferring photos over cable (including hidden functions) MIUI), Device compatibility table, as well as solving typical errors: from lack of connection to “empty” folders DCIM. Special attention is paid to models Xiaomi 2020-2026, where the manufacturer has changed the logic of work USB-If you have an older phone, check out the developer mode section, which often saves you in such cases.

Why Xiaomi Phone Is Not Defined as a Cable Drive

The main reason is the setting USB default MIUI. Xiaomi has stopped using the standard protocol since 2019. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, as the primary protocol, instead, when you connect to a PC, the phone offers you a choice:

• 🔋 Charging only (by default) – no data is transmitted.
• 📁 File transfers – includes MTP, But you may need confirmation on your phone.
• 🖥️ USB-modem - for distribution of the Internet (not suitable for photos).
• 🔧 Midlink – Xiaomi’s proprietary protocol for synchronization with Mi PC Suite (frequently broken).

The second problem is that there are no drivers on PCs. Windows usually installs them automatically, but macOS or Linux may require manual installation (e.g. libmtp for Linux).

• 🚫 Damaged cable – even if it charges, the contacts for data transmission can be broken.
• 🔒 Lockdown MIUI — firmware (MIUI 13+) need to unlock USB-debugging.
• 🛡️ Antivirus – programs like Kaspersky or Avast can block access to your phone files.

Method 1: Standard connection via MTP (for Windows/macOS)

This is a basic method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices (except for the oldest models like Redmi). 4X). The instructions are relevant for Windows 7–11 and macOS Monterey–Sonoma:

Connect your phone and laptop with the original cable (not wireless charging!)

Unlock the phone screen (otherwise the PC will not see the device)

On the phone, select the file transfer mode (MTP) plug-in

On PC, wait for the driver installation (check Device Manager in Windows)

-->

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the cable to your phone and laptop. Use the original Xiaomi cable or a certified USB-TypeC (cheap cables often don't transmit data).
2. The phone will have a notification, "Charge over USB," and tap it.
3. Select the item "File Transfer» (MTP). If there is no such item, see the section on the developer mode.
4. On PC: 🪟 Windows: Open This Computer – The phone will appear as a removable drive (e.g., “Redmi Note 12»). 🍎 macOS: Install Android File Transfer (official software from Google).

DCIM → Camera

Pictures

💡

If the folder DCIM Check the camera settings: some Xiaomi models save photos in the camera MIUI → Camera or on a memory card (folder) external_sd).

What to do if your PC can’t see your phone:

• 🔄 Reconnect the cable by changing the port USB on a laptop (try it out) USB 3.0 - usually blue).
• 🔧 In Windows, update the driver: Device Manager → Portable devices → [Your Xiaomi] → Update the driver.
• 📱 On the phone, reboot and reconnect.

Method 2: Using the Developer Mode (if) MTP doesn't work)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi hid some of the settings USB, including compulsory incorporation MTP. If the notification does not include the “File Transfer” item, you will have to activate the developer mode:

Setting up USB developer-like:

1. Activate the developer mode (see spoiler above).
2. In the section "For developers" find: Configuration USB default → choose MTP (Media Transfer Protocol: Debugging by USB → Turn on (confirmation on the phone will be required).

Now, reconnect the cable. The notification should show "File Transfer."

On models POCO F4/F5 redmi K50 After enabling debugging, you may need to restart the phone, otherwise the PC will not see the device.

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on the debugging USB On unfamiliar PCs, this gives you access to the system files of the phone.

Method 3: Transmission through Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi)

If MTP It doesn’t work hard, try the Mi utility. PC It supports all Xiaomi models (except the newest ones, which require Xiaomi HyperOS), but has limitations:

• ✅ It works even without it. MTP (Use the Midlink protocol).
• ❌ Slower than standard file transfer.
• ❌ Not all photo formats are supported (for example, RAW Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

How to use:

1. Download Mi. PC Suite from the official website (version for Windows or macOS).
2. Install the program, connect the phone with a cable.
3. On the phone, select the "Mi" mode. PC Suite" (in the connection notification).
4. In the program go to the tab "Files» → «gallery».
5. Select a photo, click "Export" and specify the folder on the laptop.

Method 4: Alternative protocols (PTP, USB-accumulator)

If MTP It's not working, in MIUI There are hidden modes of connection:

1. Mode. PTP (photo):

• Connect the phone, in the notification select “Share images (PTP)».
• On PC, the phone will appear as a camera (on Windows, open through Image Import).
• ⚠️ Disadvantage: only photos and videos are visible (not other files).

2. Mode USB-storage device (only for older models):

• It runs on Xiaomi until 2018 (Redmi 5, Mi) A1 etc.).
• In the developer settings, turn on «USB-storage device” (reboot required).
• ⚠️ Risk: if you disconnect the cable without safe extraction, the data on the phone can be damaged.

💡

Regime. PTP — The best way to send a photo is if MTP It's more stable and requires less drivers.

Method 5: Bypasses (if nothing helps)

If all of the above methods fail, use the alternatives:

Wireless transmission:

• 🌐 Google Photos: Automatically upload photos to the cloud, then download to your laptop.
• 📤 Xiaomi Cloud: Built-in cloud MIUI (5GB free of charge).
• 🔗 LocalSend or Snapdrop: Transfer over a local area network (without the Internet).

Memory card:

• If the photos are saved to a microSD, remove them and paste them into your laptop via an adapter.
• ⚠️ On some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) The card is formatted as internal memory – it cannot be removed.

3. OTG-adapter:

• Buy it. USB-OTG adapter (stands) ~200₽), connect to the phone flash drive and copy the photo to it, then insert the flash drive into the laptop.
• 🔹 It works for all Xiaomis with USB-TypeC.

⚠️ Note: When using cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud), the original photos can be compressed. To transfer files in their original quality, select the option "Original Quality" (requires more space).

Solving errors in the transfer of photos

Let’s look at the typical problems and their solutions:

1.The phone is plugged in, but the folders are empty:

• Check where the photo is saved: Camera settings → The place of preservation (internal memory or SD-map).
• Some of the photo files are called MIUI → Camera or 100MEDIA.
• If you use Google Photos, check if the originals are hidden in the cloud. → Basket).

2. the error "Device not recognized" (Windows):

• Remove Old Drivers: Device Manager → Portable devices → [Your Xiaomi] → Delete.
• Install Google USB Driver.
• Try another cable or port. USB (preferably USB 2.0 - it's more stable for MTP).

3. macOS can't see the phone:

• Install Android File Transfer (official software from Google).
• If the program does not open, restart the Mac and reconnect the phone.
• For macOS Ventura and later, you may need to allow access to System settings → Confidentiality.

4. The phone is constantly reconnected:

• This is typical of cheap cables. Try the original Xiaomi cable.
• Turn off the debugging. USB In the developer mode, it can cause conflicts.
• On Windows, turn off the “Battery Savings” for USB-port-to-control panel → Power supply.

FAQ: Frequent questions