Xiaomi and Redmi have huge memory and powerful cameras that allow you to shoot high-resolution video. However, even 256 or 512 gigabytes are not rubber, and sooner or later the user faces the question of vacating space. Transferring data to an external medium is not only a way to clean up the storage, but also a necessary security measure to ensure that your memories are safe in the event of a breakdown of the gadget.
There are many ways to move information, and the choice of the specific method depends on your goals, the availability of the cable at hand and the amount of data you transmit. Some prefer the classic wired option for speed, others choose cloud storage for automation. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from simple to more advanced, so you can choose the best one for yourself.
It is important to understand that the file system of modern Android devices has its own features that distinguish it from Windows or macOS. When connecting a smartphone to a PC, it is not always immediately displayed as a full-fledged disk, requiring manual switching of the mode of operation. USB-We'll go into these details so you don't have any technical difficulties in the process.
Preparation of the device and verification of the cable
Before you start to take action, you need to make sure that the equipment used is in good working order. Often users are faced with a situation where the computer can not see the phone, and the reason lies in the banal. USB-Cheap cables that come with some accessories (e.g. headphones or power banks) may be designed solely for charging and may not have internal contacts to transmit data.
Use the original cable that came with your Xiaomi Mi or Redmi Note. If it is lost, choose a quality analogue with claimed data transfer support (Data Transfer). USB-ports on the computer itself: try connecting the device to different connectors, especially those on the back of the system unit, as they are powered directly from the motherboard.
⚠️ Note: If you are using a desktop computer, connect the cable to the ports USB 3.0 (usually blue) on the back. The front ports of the case may not provide enough voltage to keep the smartphone running smoothly in data mode.
On the smartphone side, you should also do a minimal revision.Make sure the Type-C or Micro-USB charging connector is clean of dust and pile that may have accumulated in your pocket.Get it neatly blown or use a dry soft brush.Mud in the port can cause the cable to sit loose and the connection to break constantly at the most inopportune moment.
☑️ Checking before connection
Classical method: Connecting through USB-cable
The fastest and most reliable way to download heavy video files or large archives is a direct connection. Once you have connected a serviceable cable, a charging mode notification will appear on the smartphone screen. By default, the MIUI or HyperOS system sets the Charge Only mode for security purposes, so the computer will not be able to access the file system.
You need to lower the notification curtain from the top down, and you'll see the message, "Charge through." USB" or"USB-Connection. Click on it to open the mode selection menu, and you will see a list of options to select File Transfer (sometimes called File Transfer). MTP). After that, the computer will hear the sound of connecting the new device, and in the "My computer" will appear the icon of your phone.
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If the USB mode selection menu does not appear automatically, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version 7 times to activate the developer menu. Then, in the advanced settings, find USB Configuration and select MTP.
Once you select the file transfer mode, you will have access to the internal memory and SD card (if installed). Your main data - photos and videos - is usually stored in the DCIM folder, and then in the Camera subfolder. Screenshots and images from instant messengers often lie in the Pictures or MIUI folders. Just drag the desired directories to the computer's hard drive, like regular folders.
⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the cable while actively writing or copying files. Wait for the process to be completed, otherwise the data may become corrupted, and the smartphone file system may require verification when the next download is made.
When working with large amounts of data (more than 50-100 GB), the copy speed can vary. The file system of a smartphone is not always optimized to work with thousands of small files at once. If the process is started, try copying the data in small portions, 5-10 GB, giving the system time to index.
Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi and FTP
If you don't have a cable at hand or the phone connector is shattered, wireless transmission will be a great solution.The built-in file manager Explorer in the Xiaomi shell has a built-in feature. FTP-This allows you to turn your smartphone into a network disk that is accessible from your computer without installing additional software.
To start, make sure that both your smartphone and your computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the standard Explorer app (folder icon). In the top menu or sidebar, find Deleted or Network Access. Press the Start or Create button. The system will give you an address that looks something like ftp://192.168.1.5:2121.
What to do if your computer does not see FTP?
Copy this address and paste it into the address bar of any folder on your computer or Windows Explorer. Press Enter. Now you see the phone files. This method is convenient because it requires no drivers and works on any operating system. However, the speed will be limited by the bandwidth of your Wi-Fi router and the distance to it.
There are third-party apps like Send Anywhere or Feem that work on a similar principle, but offer a more beautiful interface and the ability to transfer over the Internet. QR-They're especially useful if you want to quickly move a couple of files without opening the system folders.
Use of cloud services and ecosystems
Xiaomi device owners have access to their own Mi Cloud, which syncs contacts, messages, notes and, most importantly, photos. If you have gallery sync enabled, your photos can already be online. Just go to i.mi.com from your computer, log in to your Mi Account and download the files you need.
The alternative is universal services like Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox. Once you install the app on your phone and enable autoload, you can be sure that even if you lose your device, the photo archive will remain intact. On your computer, you just install a cloud client, and the files will appear in a separate folder automatically.
The disadvantage of cloud methods is the dependence on Internet speed and the availability of limits on free storage. uploading 100 GB of video via the mobile Internet can take a day, and free space in the cloud is usually no more than 15 GB. Therefore, this method is ideal for documents and important photos, but not suitable for regular full backup video library.
Comparison of data transmission methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we've put the basic characteristics of the methods in a table. Pay attention to the balance between speed and convenience: what is fast for a single file can be uncomfortable for thousands of photos.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | We need the Internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB Cable | High (up to 40 Mb/s) | Medium (wire required) | No. |
| FTP (Wi-Fi) | Medium (depending on router) | High (no wires) | No (local area network) |
| The cloud (Mi Cloud/Google) | Low (depending on the tariff) | Very high (automatically) | Yes. |
| Bluetooth | Very low. | Low (long pairing) | No. |
As you can see from the table, USB-If you need to free up 20 GB of space after a vacation, it's better to spend 5 minutes looking for a wire than waiting for a few hours to download to the cloud.
Solution: Computer can't see phone
One of the most common problems is when you plug in the cable, the phone just charges and the computer is silent, and 90 percent of the time it's USB, which we talked about earlier, but if you switched to File Transfer, and you don't have a reaction, try turning on USB Debugging.
You need a developer menu: go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on "MIUI Version." It will say "You're a developer." Then go back to the main settings menu, select "More" → "Develop" and turn on the "Debugging by USB" switch. This often helps Windows system to install device drivers correctly.
⚠️ Note: When you include debugging on USB You'll see a risk warning on your smartphone screen, and you'll only agree if you're connected to your personal computer, and don't turn it on on public charging stations or other people's PCs, and it's worth checking if the driver is installed. MTP Go to Device Manager (right-click on My Computer" →"Control. If you see a device with a yellow exclamation point or "Unknown device", try right-clicking →"Update the driver" →"Select a driver from the list of available" →"MTP USB-device". 💡The main reason for connection problems is poor cable or the choice of "Charge Only" mode in the notification curtain. Always check these two points first. Try to turn off the phone, remove it from Device Manager (right-hand button) → Remove the device, then reconnect. The system will try to reinstall the driver from scratch, which often solves the problem. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I transfer files if the phone's screen is broken and the touchscreen is not working? If the screen is even partially showing the image and working, but the touch is not responding, you can connect it. USB-mouse-over OTG. With a mouse cursor, you can unlock the phone and confirm access to the data. If the screen is black, but the phone is showing signs of life, this method will not work without first setting up the debugging. USB 3.0? Speed depends on file type. Thousands of small photos are copied longer than a single 4GB movie, due to the file system overhead to create the headers of each file. Also, the speed can be limited to the class of SD card if you copy data from it. Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi to transfer files over FTP? Absolutely not. FTP protocol used in standard Xiaomi Explorer does not encrypt data. On a public network, an attacker can intercept your files. Use this method only in trusted home networks or set up a secure connection. How to reset all files at once to free up space? The easiest way to copy DCIM folders (photo/video) and Pictures (screenshots/messengers) to your computer. Once checked, you can only delete your Android files, you can not delete your PCs.