How to Reset Photos from Xiaomi Phone to Your Computer: All Ways to 2026

Transferring photos from Xiaomi to your computer is a challenge that every smartphone owner of this brand faces sooner or later, whether it’s freeing up memory before a trip, backing up important pictures or just wanting to edit photos on the big screen, there are many options for transferring photos. However, they are not all equally convenient: somewhere you need a cable, somewhere stable Internet, and some methods can take a long time.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to reset photos from Redmi, POCO and Mi phones to a Windows, macOS or Linux PC, including the hidden nuances of each method. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes (such as when a computer can’t see a phone via USB), how MTP is different from PTP, and why cloud services sometimes run slower than direct cable, and at the end, a comparison table of all methods on speed, security, and hardware requirements.

Transfer through USB-cable: the classic and most reliable method

Using a USB-Type C cable (or Micro-USB for older models) remains the most versatile method: it does not require Internet, works even on a discharged phone (if there is enough charge to turn on), and allows you to transfer files of any size, but there are pitfalls here: from the choice of connection mode to drivers on the PC.

To reset the photo via USB:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer with the original cable (cheap analogues may not support data transfer).
• 📱 On the Xiaomi screen, select File Transfer Mode (MTP) (if notice is given).
• 🖥️ On PC, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) – the phone will appear as a removable disk.
• 📁 Go to the Internal Storage folder → DCIM → Camera (or Pictures if the photo is saved in the gallery).
• 📤 Copy the desired files to the hard drive of the PC (by drag and drop or through the context menu).

If your computer can’t see your phone, check:

• 🔄 Connection mode: Xiaomi defaults to Charge Only. Swipe down the notification panel and change to MTP.
• 🔧 Drivers: Windows sometimes requires you to install Mi PC Suite (official utility from Xiaomi).
• 🔌 Port port USB: Try another connector on the PC (preferably) USB 3.0 for speed).

⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the cable during transmission - this can damage files. MIUI 14+ Before disabling, click Safe Retrieval in the notification panel.

Connected the original cable |Selected MTP mode on the phone |Checked drivers on PC |Usted USB 3.0|Securely removed the device-->

2.Cloud Xiaomi Cloud: automatic synchronization without wires

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's proprietary cloud storage integrated into MIUI firmware, which allows you to automatically back up photos and videos and then download them to your PC via a web interface. The main advantage is that you don't have to plug in your phone every time. Cons: a volume limit (5 GB free) and a dependence on Internet speed.

How to set up autoload photos in Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the switch in front of the gallery.
3. Select Autoboot over Wi-Fi (to avoid wasting mobile traffic).
4. Set permission to download (original or compressed copies).

To download the photo on PC:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Gallery section.
3. Tag the files you need and click Download (they will be packed in) ZIP-archive).

⚠️ Note: If you delete photos from your phone, they will automatically be deleted from the Mi Cloud after 30 days (unless the Recycle Bin feature is enabled).To save them forever, download them to your PC or transfer them to another cloud service.

Mi Cloud|Google Photo|iCloud|Yandex Disc.|Other-->

3. Wi-Fi transmission: through FTP-server

If you don't have a cable at hand and the Internet is slow, you can arrange the transfer of photos over a local Wi-Fi network. FTP-The server that turns the phone into a network drive works on all models with MIUI 10+ It does not require additional applications.

Instructions for setting up FTP:

• 📶 Connect your phone and PC to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 📱 On Xiaomi, open a Explorer → Network disk → FTP.
• 🔑 Start the server and write down the address (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
• 🖥️ On PC, open Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS), enter the address in the address bar and press Enter.
• 📁 Copy files from the folder DCIM computer.

Wi-Fi transmission speeds are usually lower than USB (about 10–50 Mbps), but you don’t need to connect cables, the main thing is not to go outside the home network, otherwise access to files will get outsiders.

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If FTP is not connected, check if the Windows firewall or antivirus is blocking access. Add port 2221 to the exceptions.

4. Wireless applications: Mi Drop, Snapdrop and alternatives

For those looking for the easiest way to do without settings, specialized applications are suitable. Xiaomi offers its own solution - Mi Drop, and you can also use cross-platform services like Snapdrop or Send Anywhere.

Comparison of popular applications:

• 📲 Mi Drop (built-in) MIUI): It works without Internet over Wi-Fi Direct, but limited functionality on PC.
• 🌐 Snapdrop (https://snapdrop.net): No installation required, but only one Wi-Fi network.
• 🔗 Send Anywhere: Supports a link or QR-code, but the limit is 10 GB per day.

How to use Mi Drop:

1. Open the Mi Drop app on your phone.
2. Select a photo and click Send.
3. On PC, open your browser and go to http://192.168.x.x:8080 (as indicated in the annex).
4. Download files through the web interface.

⚠️ Note: When using Snapdrop or similar services, turn off public Wi-Fi networks (such as at a cafe or airport) or your files may be accessed by other users of the same network.

5. Bluetooth and NFC: When Speed Is Not Important

Transfer of photos via Bluetooth or NFC — The slowest, but sometimes the only way to do it (for example, if it breaks down). USB-The speed rarely exceeds 1-2 MB/s, so it is only suitable for 1-2 shots, but does not require cables or Internet.

How to reset photos on Bluetooth:

• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and PC (on Windows, check that the device is visible to others).
• 📱 On Xiaomi, open a gallery, select a photo and click Share → Bluetooth.
• 🖥️ On PC, confirm the file acceptance (usually they are saved to the Download folder).

NFC on Xiaomi supports transfer of only small files (up to 1-2 MB), so it is not suitable for high-resolution photos, this method is only relevant for fast sending thumbnails or documents.

Alternative methods: SD-map, OTG email

If none of the above methods are suitable, there are several other options:

• 📷 SD-card: transfer the photo to the memory card through Explorer, then paste it into the card reader of the PC. Suitable for models with support for MicroSD (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+).
• 🔌 OTG-Adapter: If you have one USB-USB flash drive with Type-C or Micro-USB connector, connect it to your phone and copy the photo, then insert the flash drive into your PC.
• ✉️ Email or messengers: send a photo to yourself by mail or via Telegram (limit 2 GB per file.

Method SD-card is especially convenient if you regularly transfer photos - just once configure saving pictures to the map in the camera settings (Storage) → Memory map).

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SD-The card is the only way that does not depend on the battery charge of the phone and does not require connection to other devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos from Xiaomi to PC