How to reset photos from Xiaomi to your computer via wire: a detailed guide

Transfer photos from Xiaomi to your computer via USB-The cable seems like a simple task, but in practice, users face a lot of nuances, from unidentified devices to hidden folders. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic transmission algorithm, but also the solution to 90% of the typical problems that arise when connecting Redmi smartphones, POCO or Mi to PC through wire.

Modern Xiaomi models (starting with MIUI 12) use MTP to transfer files, which sometimes conflicts with Windows drivers. We tested all the methods on devices from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra — and identified three critical points that ignore even official instructions: for example, why some photo folders may not appear in Explorer, and how to fix this without installing additional software.

If you’ve tried to copy photos before but have a device ID error or an empty DCIM folder, this guide will help you understand the reasons. We’ll also compare the transfer speed over a standard USB 2.0 cable to Xiaomi’s original USB-C 3.1 – the difference can be as much as 400%!

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for connection

Before connecting a smartphone with a computer, you need to configure the parameters. USB-The connection is in the device itself. MIUI Can block data transmission or use the cable only to charge.

Open Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode here. If this is not available, then your version of MIUI requires additional actions:

• 🔄 Update the firmware: Go to Settings → The phone. → System updates. Up-to-date versions MIUI 14+ support MTP without further manipulation.
• 🔒 Unlock the screen: When connecting to a PC, the phone must be unlocked (it's not enough to just swipe up - unlock it is necessary). PIN/print).
• 📱 Put the debugging on. USB (For older models: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, activate the debugging by USB.

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If after connecting the phone starts charging but is not defined as a drive, try using another one. USB-port on the computer (preferably) USB 3.0 blue).

Pay special attention to cable: cheap, non-original wires often only support charging. Xiaomi's original cables are labeled USB 2.0 (black connector) or USB 3.1 (blue connector), which provide transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, which is critical when copying hundreds of photos in RAW format.

2. Step-by-step instruction: transfer of photo through the wire

When the phone is ready, follow this algorithm, and we've broken it down into steps, taking into account the typical errors.

1. Connect the cable to your phone and computer. Use the USB 3.0 port on your PC (usually blue) for maximum speed.
2. The phone will display a notification "USB for file transfer" and tap it and select File Transfer (MTP).
3. On your computer, open This computer (Win+E). Your Xiaomi should display as a removable drive (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G).
4. Go to Internal storage → DCIM → Camera (there are photos taken by the main camera). For screenshots, check Pictures → Screenshots.
5. Select the files you want (Ctrl+A for everyone) and drag them to the folder on your computer or copy them through the context menu.

Charge > 20% (so that you don't switch off during transmission)

The cable is connected to USB 3.0 port (blue connector)

The phone has a screen unlocked.

In the settings USB chosen MTP-->

If the DCIM folder is empty, but you are sure that the photo is:

• 🔍 Check Hidden Folders: In Explorer, enable the display of Hidden Items (View) → Hidden elements).
• 📁 Photos from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) are stored in Internal storage → Android → media → com.whatsapp.
• 🖼️ For Xiaomi with dual camera photos can be duplicated in folders Camera2 or Camera_Ultra.

3. Solving typical connection problems

Even with the right settings, Xiaomi users are faced with errors.-5 Problems and solutions confirmed by tests 15+ model:

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to warm up after you connect, turn it off immediately.This may indicate a faulty cable or driver conflict that results in 100% CPU loading on your PC. USB-port or reboot both devices.

For models POCO F3/F4 redmi K50 Users often complain about self-disconnection MTP-regime 1-2 It's about aggressive optimization. MIUI. Decision:

1. Enable Developer Mode (as described above).
2. In Settings → Additional → For developers, disable MIUI Optimization.
3. Add the Media Storage app to autorun exceptions (Settings → Applications → Autorun).

4. Alternative ways to transfer photos (if USB does not work)

If you can't connect via cable (for example, a broken USB-C connector), use alternative methods. We tested them for speed and reliability:

• 🌐 Mi Drop (built-in solution): Open the Mi Drop app on your phone, select a photo and send it to PC via QR-Code, speed: ~5 MB/s on Wi-Fi 5.
• ☁️ Google Photos: Automatic sync with the cloud (free up to 15 GB.
• 📡 FTP-server (for advanced): Install FX File Explorer, launch it. FTP-server and connect via Windows Explorer at the address ftp://[IP phone].
• 💻 ADB Pull (for technical users): Connect your phone in debugging mode and execute the command: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Photos\

Compare the speed of transfer of 1 GB of photos:

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Pull do not interrupt the copying process. If the transfer is interrupted, some files may be partially saved, which will damage the photos (especially in the format). HEIC).

5. Process optimization: how to speed up transfer

It can take hours to move thousands of photos if you don't optimize the process, and we've identified 4 key factors that affect speed:

1. Cable and port: The original Xiaomi USB 3.1 cable (blue connector) + USB 3.0 port on a PC speeds up transfers by 8-10 times compared to cheap USB 2.0.
2. File format: Photos in HEIC (used on the new Xiaomi) are transmitted more slowly than JPEG. Convert them in advance through the Gallery app → Edit → Save as JPEG.
3. File fragmentation: If photos are stored in hundreds of small folders, copying slows down. Use a file manager (like Solid Explorer) to merge them into one directory.
4. Antivirus: Programs like Kaspersky or Avast can scan every file when you copy it. Turn off protection during transmission.

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The fastest way is to use Xiaomi’s original USB 3.1 cable + USB 3.0 port on your PC, which reduces the time to transfer 1000 photos from 20 minutes to 2-3 minutes.

For users of the Xiaomi 13/14 series with support for UFS 4.0, read speeds can reach 100 MB / s, but only if all conditions are met. You can check the real speed through Windows Task Manager (Productivity tab → Drive).

If you regularly carry photos, consider buying a card reader for microSD:

• 💾 Maps. UHS-II (For example, SanDisk Extreme Pro provides speeds up to 90 MB/s.
• 🔄 Transfer through the card reader USB 3.0 is often faster than a phone, especially if you have a Redmi with a phone. UFS 2.1.

6.Security: How to protect photos when transferring

Transferring photos from your phone to your computer is not just a technical process, it's also a matter of privacy, especially if you're working with personal or work data.

The main risks and ways to minimize them:

• 🔓 Unauthorized access: If a computer is used by multiple people, copied photos can be made available to others. Solution: create a password folder using the help of a password-enabled file. 7-Zip or BitLocker.
• 🦠 Viruses: Phone files may contain hidden threats (e.g., in the case of a computer) EXIF-Check them with antivirus before opening them.
• 🗑️ Data loss: When copying is interrupted (for example, due to phone discharge), files may be corrupted.Always check integrity after transfer.

For additional protection:

1. Use encryption: Apps like Signal or Proton Drive allow you to encrypt photos before transferring them.
2. Delete metadata: ExifTool-type programs or online services (such as exif.viewer) can help clean up EXIFs where coordinates and other personal information can be stored.
3. Backup: Before mass-deleting photos from your phone, make sure they are copied to your PC and cloud.

7. Frequent Questions and Myths About Xiaomi Photo Transfer

Roundup of common misconceptions and real facts:

• ❌ Myth: You need to format your phone into FAT32 PC-compatible." ✅ Fact: Xiaomi uses exFAT or F2FS, Which are perfectly compatible with Windows 10/11. Formatting is not required.
• ❌ Myth: Wi-Fi transmission is always slower USB." ✅ Fact: Wi-Fi. 6 (Xiaomi 13/14) speed 20 MB/s, which is comparable to USB 2.0.
• ❌ Myth: "You have to install Mi for transmission" PC Suite." ✅ Fact: The program is only needed to restore the system or back up. It is not required for normal file transfers.

Another popular question is, "Why aren't some photos copied?" Most often it's related to:

• 🔒 Secured Files: Photo from Secure Folder (on the MIUI 14+) require unlocking.
• 📛 Damaged data: If a file doesn't open on your phone, it won't be copied to your PC.
• 📏 File System Limitations: Files >4GB is not supported on disks FAT32 (But that’s not true for Xiaomi, as they use exFAT).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions