How to reset photos from Xiaomi to your computer: all the ways 2026

Transferring photos from Xiaomi’s smartphone to your computer seems like a simple task — until you encounter connection errors, slow transfer or unexpected limitations of the MIUI. In 2026, users have a minimum of 5 working ways to copy photos, but each of them has nuances. For example, when using a USB- cable, the system can request a screen unlock every 5 minutes, and cloud services can limit download speeds for free accounts.

This article covers all the current methods, from classic wire connection to advanced solutions like FTP- server or ADB. We tested each method on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 14 running MIUI 14/15 devices, and also took into account typical problems from the lack of drivers to blocking the transfer of files by antivirus. If you need to transfer thousands of photos without loss of quality or automate the process, here you will find the optimal solution.

Attention: not all methods are equally secure. For example, transmission via messengers (like Telegram) compresses images, and using public Wi-Fi networks for FTP risks exposed your data. We noted the risks in each section - read carefully!

Transfer through USB-cable: classics with pitfalls

The most obvious way is to connect Xiaomi to your computer via the original cable (or a certified USB-C/USB-A). However, even here, users are waiting for surprises: starting with MIUI 12, the system by default blocks access to files unless you turn on a special mode.

To avoid problems, follow the algorithm:

1. Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable (cheap analogues may not transmit data).
2. On the smartphone screen, select File Transfer (MTP) mode – not Charging or Photo (PTP).
3. If Windows does not recognize the device, install the Mi PC Suite driver (official software from Xiaomi).

⚠️

Note: Xiaomi with a bootloader unlocked may display a warning about an “untrusted device” when connecting to a PC. This is normal – confirm access, but never click “Always Allow” on public computers (risk of data leakage).

Use the original Xiaomi cable

File Transfer (MTP) mode is enabled

On PC disabled "Quick Start" in USB settings

The antivirus does not block access to the device-->

Once connected, open this computer in Windows, your Xiaomi will appear as a removable drive. Photos are stored along the way:

Internal memoryDCIM\Camera

or (if you use third-party cameras):

Internal Memory \Pictures

The transfer speed depends on the USB version:

• 🔌 USB 2.0 (older models): up to 40 MB/s — suitable for 100-200 photos.
• ⚡ USB 3.0/3.1 (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12): up to 400 MB/s is optimal for thousands of files.

💡

If Windows doesn't see photos, try manually updating the device driver through Task Manager → USB Controllers. Select Search for Drivers on this computer and specify the folder with Mi PC Suite.

Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi: no cables but with limitations

If the cable is not available or damaged, you can transfer photos over the local network. Xiaomi offers two options: built-in FTP- server (for advanced users) and the Mi Drop application (for beginners).

Method 1: FTP- Server (for large volumes)

1. Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → FTP-server.
2. Activate the switch and remember the address of the ftp://192.168.x.x:2121 type.
3. On PC, open Explorer, enter the address in the address bar and press Enter.

⚠️

Attention: FTP transmits data without encryption. Do not use this method on public networks (cafes, airports) - your photos can be intercepted by attackers. For security, turn on the password in the FTP- server settings.

Method 2: Mi Drop (simple but slow)

• 📱 Install Mi Drop on your phone.
• 💻 Download the Mi PC Suite to your computer.
• 🔗 Connect your devices to a single Wi-Fi network and scan the QR- code.

Mi Drop is convenient for transferring up to 500 photos at a time, but the speed is limited to ~5 MB / s. For large archives, it is better to use FTP or USB.

FTP-server

Mi Drop

Other applications (SHAREit, Snapdrop)

I don't use wireless transmission.-->

3. Cloud services: Automatic synchronization with risks

Sync photos through the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk) is convenient because files are available on any device.

1. Quality compression: Google Photos saves the photo in “high quality” (compression to 16 MP) by default, not in the original resolution.
2. Volume limitations: The free Mi Cloud account only gives 5GB, and Google Photos from 2021 requires a fee for storage of more than 15GB.
3. Privacy: Photos uploaded to the cloud can be scanned for banned content (even personal photos).

How to set up sync in Google Photos:

1. Install Google Photos.
2. Open the application → Photo → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
3. Select Original Quality (if Google Drive space permits).
4. On PC, open photos.google.com and download the archive.

⚠️

Note: If you have photographed documents (passport, license) or screenshots with personal data, exclude them from sync. In the Google Photos settings, there is the option to exclude folders - add DCIM/Screenshots and Download.

💡

To automatically upload photos to the cloud without compression, use Amazon Photos (free for Prime owners) or Degoo (100 GB free but slow download).

4. Transmission through messengers: fast, but with losses

You can send a photo via Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber in seconds, but this method is only suitable for single shots.

• 📉 Compression: WhatsApp reduces the photo to 1600×1200 pixels, and Telegram (in normal chat rooms) to 10MB.
• 🚫 Limitations: You can’t send more than 10 photos at a time to Viber, up to 100 photos to Telegram, but with delays.
• 🔒 Privacy: Photos sent via instant messengers can be intercepted (especially in unencrypted chats).

How to minimize quality loss:

• In Telegram, use Save to the Cloud (files up to 2 GB without compression).
• On WhatsApp, send the photo as a document (less aggressive compression).
• For Viber, enable the option to Send without compression (available in the latest versions).

⚠️

Note: If you send photos via messengers to your desktop computer, they can be scanned by corporate security systems (e.g., DLP). For business purposes, use only USB or encrypted archives.

5. Advanced methods: ADB and third-party utilities

If standard methods don’t work (for example, a broken USB connector or MIUI blocks transmission), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or specialized programs like AirDroid.

Method 1: Transmission via ADB (for tech-savvy)

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Download ADB Tools on your PC and connect your phone.
4. In the command line, execute: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera C:\Xiaomi_Photos (replace C:\Xiaomi_Photos with the desired folder).

ADB copies files in their original quality without compression and works even if the phone screen is broken (when debugging is enabled).

Method 2: AirDroid (Universal Solution)

• 📱 Install AirDroid on your phone.
• 💻 Register at web.airdroid.com.
• 🔗 Connect devices to a single network or use remote access (requires a premium account).

AirDroid allows you to transfer photos in folders rather than one file, but the free version limits the speed to 5 MB/s.

Yes, I use it regularly.

I tried it once.

No, but I want to learn.

No, I don't plan on.-->

6 Automation: How to transfer photos without manual copying

If you need to regularly drop photos from Xiaomi to your PC (for example, for backup or processing), set up automatic sync. Here are 3 working options:

Option 1: Syncthing (Decentralized Synchronization)

• 🔄 Install Syncthing on PC and phone.
• 📂 Add the folder DCIM/Camera to the public.
• 🔒 Set up encryption (Encrypted Folders option).

Pros: there are no limits on the scope, data is not stored on third-party servers.

Cons: requires setting up, synchronizes all photos at the first start (may take hours).

Option 2: Planned task in Windows

1. Connect Xiaomi to USB and remember the letter of the drive (e.g. E:).
2. Open Task Planner → to Create a Task.
3. Specify the command: xcopy E:\DCIM\Camera\*.jpg C:\Backup\Xiaomi_Photos /E /C /I /Y
4. Set up a schedule (for example, every evening at 20:00).

Option 3: Google Photo + PC client

• 📱 Set up automatic download in Google Photos (section above).
• 💻 Install Backup and Sync on your computer.
• 📁 Select a folder to sync (e.g. C:\Google Drive\Xiaomi Photos).

⚠️

Note: When you automatically sync through Google Photos or OneDrive, turn off disk space optimization (Free space option). Otherwise, the original photos will be deleted from the phone after download!

7. Solving problems: what to do if the photo is not transmitted

Even with the right settings, the transfer of photos from Xiaomi to the PC can be interrupted. Here are the typical errors and their solutions:

If nothing helps:

• 🔧 Reboot your phone and PC (solves 30% of connection issues)
• 📵 Check the cable on another device (often caused by damaged wires inside the connector).
• 🔄 Reset USB on your phone: Settings → Connections → USB → Reset settings.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)