How to sync photos from one Android to another: a complete guide for Xiaomi

Transferring photos between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or sharing an archive of images. Unlike the iPhone, where Apple’s ecosystem provides seamless synchronization, owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi have to choose from several methods, from cloud services to direct transmission by cable. Each method has its own nuances: somewhere a limitation on the amount of files, somewhere a dependence on Internet speed, and somewhere the risk of loss of image quality.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to synchronize photos between Android devices, focusing on the features of firmware. MIUI. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes (such as Wi-Fi Direct transmission interruption or loss of power). EXIF-And then you can compare the speed and reliability of each method, and you can focus on the hidden functions. MIUI, Faster file transfers by 2-3 times compared to standard Android tools.

1. sync through Mi Account (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is a built-in solution for Xiaomi owners that allows you to synchronize not only photos, but also contacts, notes, call recordings. The main advantage of the method is that new images are automatically uploaded in the background, without manually starting. However, there are limitations: free tariff provides only 5 GB of memory, and when you exceed the limit, the download speed decreases.

To activate synchronization:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud on both devices.
• 🔄 Turn on the switch next to the Gallery item (or Photos in new versions) MIUI).
• ☁️ Select the download quality: Original (saves) EXIF and resolution) or high (compression to 2048px long-sided).
• 🔗 On the second phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the sync to complete (time depends on the number of files).

It is important to note that Mi Cloud does not support synchronization. RAW-files and videos in the resolution above 4K. If you need to migrate professional images, use alternative methods. Also check your mobile traffic settings: by default, upload to the cloud is only via Wi-Fi.

2. Move through Google Photos: pros and cons

Google Photos is a universal solution for syncing media files between any Android device (and even iOS). Unlike the Mi Cloud, there are no strict restrictions on file format, but there are other pitfalls. Since June 1, 2021, Google has abolished free unlimited storage of photos in “high quality”, and now all downloads are counted in the limit of 15 GB (common to Gmail, Drive and Photos).

Instructions for setting:

1. Install the Google Photos app on both smartphones (if it is not available by default).
2. On the first device, open the app, tap the avatar in the upper right corner, and select Photo Settings → Backup and Sync.
3. Activate the function and select quality: Original quality - without compression (counts to the limit of 15 GB); High quality - compression to 16 MP for photos and 1080p for video (free, but with loss of detail).

Photo Photo

The advantage of this method is that it's cross-platform and can access photos from any device, but there are some nuances:

• ⚠️ Loss of loss EXIF-data: when compressed in "high quality" geolocation tags and shooting parameters are removed.
• ⏳ Long loading: with a large amount of photos (for example, 10,000 pictures), synchronization can take several days.
• 📶 Internet addiction: without a network connection, photos will not appear on the second device.

Check the free space in your Google account|Connect both phones to Wi-Fi|Charge the devices to at least 50%|Turn off battery optimization for Google Photos-->

3. Direct Wi-Fi Direct: fast, but with nuances

Wi-Fi Direct technology allows you to transfer files between devices without intermediaries (cloud or cable) at speeds up to 25-30 MB / s. This is 2-3 times faster than Bluetooth, but requires a stable connection. In MIUI, the function is hidden in the Security menu, and many users do not even know about its existence.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. On the first device, select a photo in the gallery, tap Share → Wi-Fi Direct.
3. On the second phone, confirm the connection request (password is not required).
4. Wait until the transfer is complete. Progress is displayed in the notification curtain.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 High speed: transfer of 1 GB photo takes ~5 minutes vs. 20+ minute Bluetooth).
• 🔒 Security: Data does not pass through third party servers.
• 📱 No format restrictions: supported RAW, HEIC, video 4K.

However, there are also disadvantages:

⚠️ Note: When transferring large numbers of files (>500) the connection may break down. Break up the archive into 200-300 photos or use alternative methods.

4. OTG cable usage: reliable, but not always convenient

If you have an OTG cable (or USB-C to USB-C adapter) on hand, you can transfer photos directly, like from a flash drive. This method guarantees 100% data security (without compression and loss), but requires additional accessories. The transfer speed depends on the USB version: on Xiaomi 12T Pro (USB 3.2) it reaches 40 MB / s, and on budget models (Redmi 10A) it is only 5-10 MB / s.

How to transfer photos through OTG:

1. Connect the OTG cable to the receiving phone (the one you copy the photo to).
2. Connect the second end of the cable to the source (the phone you're copying from), and the notification will appear on the screen. USB-connection.
3. At the source, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
4. On the receiving phone, open any file manager (such as Google Files or MIUI File Explorer) and copy files from the DCIM/Camera folder.

Tips for speeding up the process:

• 📂 Archive photo: before copying, pack the folder in ZIP (for example, through an appendix RAR). This will reduce the number of I/O operations.
• 🔋 Use Charged Devices: Transferring a Large Data Volume Relieves the Battery by 10-15% per Hour.
• 🚫 Avoid interruptions: Do not remove the cable while copying – this can cause file damage.

5. Alternative methods: Bluetooth and third-party applications

While Bluetooth is the most versatile method (it works even on older phones), it is not suitable for photo transfer, the speed rarely exceeds 1-2 MB / s, and MIUI has a limit on the file size to no more than 50 MB per send.

• 📲 Open the gallery, select a photo and tap Share → Bluetooth.
• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on the second phone and confirm the file is accepted.

Third-party applications can be used to speed up the process:

• 📎 Send Anywhere: Direct channel without cloud (speed up to 10 MB/s).
• 🌐 Snapdrop: Web service for transferring files through a browser (works on the same Wi-Fi network).
• 🔗 Xender: Supports folder transfer in its entirety, but contains ads.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications, disable access to contacts and SMS — Many of them are collecting extra data, like Xender asking for permission to call, but you don't need to transfer files.

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If you need to transfer a photo from the old Xiaomi to the new one, but the first phone is discharged, connect both devices to charging while transferring via the OTG cable.

6.How to avoid loss of quality during synchronization?

One of the major problems with photo transfer is loss of quality, which is due to compression in cloud services or transmission errors, to save the original files:

• 🖼️ Check the formats: photos in HEIC (It's used on iPhones, and it can be displayed incorrectly on Xiaomi. JPEG via HEIC to JPG Converter.
• 📊 Compare the dimensions: after transfer, check the properties of the file. If the original weighed 5 MB and the copied one weighed 1 MB, then compression occurred.
• 🔍 Use it. EXIF Viewer: Apps like Photo EXIF Editor shows if date tags, geolocations, and camera settings are saved.

Pay special attention RAW-Files (with the extension.dng,.arw) take up a lot of space (20-50 MB each) and are often not supported by cloud services:

• 📁 Cable OTG or Wi-Fi Direct.
• ☁️ Supported cloud RAW: Dropbox or pCloud (free up to 10GB).

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For professional photographers, the only reliable way to transfer RAW is through a physical connection (OTG) or dedicated clouds, and shared services like Google Photos convert such files to JPEGs with loss of data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about syncing photos on Xiaomi