How to sync Xiaomi with your computer: The full guide 2026

Synchronizing Xiaomi smartphone with a computer opens up a lot of possibilities: from backup photos to control the device through the computer. ADB. However, users often face problems – the phone is not identified, files are not transferred, and standard methods do not work. MIUI), We also solve typical connection errors.

Many people think that Xiaomi and PC are enough to connect USB-It's a cable, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. MIUI 14/15 They support wireless data, cloud sync over Mi Cloud, even remote control over scrcpy. We tested each method on Redmi Note models. 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 — results in the comparison table below.

If you have tried to connect your phone before and you have a mistake "USB-device not identified" or "MTP-Driver not installed, don't be quick to blame the cable, 70% of the time the problem is with the developer's settings or the outdated Mi version. PC Next, step-by-step instructions for each scenario, from simple to complex.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for synchronization

Before connecting to the computer, you need to activate key functions in the settings MIUI. Without it, even the original USB-cable will not be able to transfer files.

First thing you do is check the regimen. USB-By default, Xiaomi uses Charge Only mode, which blocks access to memory:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Swipe down the notification panel.
3. Tap the notification "USB for file transfer".
4. Select "File Transfer" (MTP).

If the item "File Transfer" is not in the list, then the debugger is disabled in the settings. USB. Turn it on like this:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate "Debugging by USB" and confirm the permission.

⚠️ Attention: On models POCO X5 Pro and newer debugging USB may require input PIN-If you forget it, restore access via account.xiaomi.com.

The last step is installing drivers. For Windows. 10/11 They are usually installed automatically, but if the system is in error, download the official Mi package. USB Driver from Xiaomi website (link to the link to the FAQ).

2. Synchronization through USB-cable (MTP)

The most reliable, but often problematic method. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, which allows a computer to interact with a phone's file system.

To connect:

1. Use the original cable (cheap analogues may not support data transfer).
2. Connect the phone to USB-Port 3.0 (blue) on PC – this will speed up file transfers.
3. On the phone, select the "File Transfer" mode (MTP)" (see section 1).

If the computer can't see the phone:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably on the back of the system unit).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 🛠️ Update drivers through Device Manager (find “Xiaomi...” in the list, click on PCM) → "Update the driver").
• 📱 On the phone, turn off "Optimized Transfer" in Settings → Memory. → Additionally.

⚠️ Warning: Windows 7 and older Windows 10 builds (up to 1809) may require manual installation of the WpdMtpDriver driver. Download it from Microsoft's website or use Mi PC Suite (see section 3).

A critical feature for Xiaomi owners 12/13 Series: When you first connect to a new PC, the phone requests permission to access data via a new PC MTP. If you click "Cancel", access will be blocked until permissions are reset in Settings. → Annexes → Permits → USB.

Use the original Xiaomi cable|Activate the regime MTP phone-on|Connect to USB 3.0|Update drivers on PC|Disable the optimized transmission-->

3.Use of Mi PC Suite for full synchronization

Mi PC Suite is the official software from Xiaomi, which allows you not only to transfer files, but also to install firmware, manage contacts and backups. Up-to-date version - 3.2.1.3001 (2026).

Download the program from the official website:

• 🌐 Russian version: pcsuite.mi.com
• 🌍 International version: new.mi.com/global/pcsuite

After installation:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB (regime MTP required).
2. Launch Mi. PC Suite and wait for automatic device detection.
3. In the main menu, select the desired function: 📁 Files – Management of media library and documents. 📱 Annexes - installation/removal APK. 🔄 Backup – Creating a Backup on PC. 📲 Screen - mirroring the display (requires debugging by USB).

If the program doesn't see the phone:

• 🔌 Reinstall Mi. PC Suite with Administrator Rights.
• 🛠️ Manually install drivers from the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Xiaomi\MiPhone\Driver.
• 📱 On the phone, turn on "Installation through" USB" In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

4. Wireless synchronization over Wi-Fi

If you don't have cables, you can transfer files over the LAN. FTP or specialized applications like Mi Drop (built into the MIUI).

Method 1: Built-in FTP-server

1. On the phone, open Explorer → Network Storage → FTP.
2. Tap "Run" FTP-server" and write down the address of the type ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
3. On a PC, open Windows Explorer and enter this address in the address bar.
4. For authentication, use the anonymous login (without a password) or data from the phone.

Method 2: Appendix Mi Drop

• 📲 Install Mi Drop from Google Play (if removed).
• 🖥️ On PC, open the web version: drop.mi.com.
• 🔗 Scan it. QR-phone-code.
• 📎 Drag files directly in the browser.

The speed of transmission over Wi-Fi depends on the standard of the router:

• 📶 802.11n (2.4 GHz - up to 150 Mbit/s (~18 MB/s).
• 📶 802.11ac (5 GHz - up to 866 Mbit/s (~100 MB/s).
• 📶 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) — up to 2.4 Gbit/s (~300 MB/s).

⚠️ Note: When transferring large files (>1 GB through FTP The connection may break. To avoid this, increase the router's settings. TCP Timeout to 300 seconds.

💡

To speed up Wi-Fi transfer, turn off the “Adaptive Wi-Fi” function on the phone in Settings → Wi-Fi → This will prevent automatic switching between 2.4 and 5 GHz.

5. Sync through Mi Cloud (cloud)

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that automatically syncs photos, contacts, notes and even photos. SMS. Free 5 GB of storage (expands to 200 GB for 199)₽/month).

To set up synchronization:

1. On the phone go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired data (for example, "Gallery", "Contacts").
3. On PC, open i.mi.com and log in.
4. In the web interface, select a section (such as “Photos”) and download files.

Advantages of Mi Cloud:

• ☁️ Automatic backup.
• 🔄 Synchronization between multiple devices.
• 📱 Remote control of the phone (find, block, erase data).

Limitations:

• 🚫 Maximum size of one file is 50 MB (for photos - without restrictions).
• 🕒 Synchronizing large amounts of data can take hours.
• 🔒 Some functions require a phone number binding.

6. Advanced synchronization through ADB

For experienced users who need complete freedom of action (for example, installing custom firmware or backing up system applications), Android Debug Bridge is suitable (ADB).

What can be done through ADB:

• 📱 Install APK phone-free.
• 🔄 Create full backups (including application data).
• 📝 Change system settings (for example, unlock bootloader).
• 🖥️ Manage your phone from a PC (via scrcpy).

Instructions for connection:

1. Download ADB and Fastboot Tools from Google.
2. Unpack the archive in the folder C:\adb.
3. On the phone, turn on "Debugging by" USB" (see section 1).
4. Connect the phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices If the device is displayed, the connection is established.

Examples of useful commands:

• Copy files from phone to PC: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos\
• Install the application: adb install app.apk
• Create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

⚠️ Attention: Adb shell su commands and system file modifications require an unlocked bootloader and can result in loss of warranty.On Xiaomi models 13T Pro and newer unlock takes up to 720 hours of waiting!

💡

ADB — It's the most powerful tool for synchronization, but it takes care. Wrong commands can brick your phone. Always check the syntax before running.

7. Solving synchronization problems

If none of the methods work, use this diagnostic manual:

🔍 The computer cannot see the phone through the phone USB.

• 🛠️ Solution 1: Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select "Update driver" → "Perform a search on this computer" → "Select from the list" → "MTP-device").
• 🔌 Solution 2: Try a cable from another device (e.g. a camera).
• 📱 Solution 3: Reset your settings on your phone USB In Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting settings USB.

🔍 Problem: Mi PC Suite gives an error "I failed to connect to the device".

• 🔄 Decision 1: Reinstall the program from the official website.
• 🛡️ Solution 2: Temporarily disable the antivirus (e.g., Avast or Kaspersky may block the connection).
• 📋 Decision 3: Check whether "Installation through" is enabled USB" developer-setting.

🔍 Problem: Files are not transferred over Wi-Fi.

• 📶 Solution 1: Reconnect your phone and PC to the same network (do not use guest Wi-Fi).
• 🔒 Solution 2: In router settings, turn off Client Isolation).
• 📱 Solution 3: In Mi Drop, update the app to the latest version.

If the problem persists, check the error log:

1. On PC, open the Command Prompt and type: adb logcat > log.txt
2. Repeat the action that causes the error.
3. Stop log recording (Ctrl)+C) and examine the log.txt file for critical errors (e.g, E/MtpServer).

8. Alternative synchronization methods

If standard methods don’t work, consider these options:

🖥️ Scrcpy – Screen Mirror and Control from PC:

• 🔹 Free and without root rights.
• 🔹 It works on USB or wifi.
• 🔹 Supports file transfer by drag and drop.

Download: github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy

☁️ Google Drive/OneDrive — cloud-synchronization:

• 🔹 Automatic uploading of photos.
• 🔹 15GB free of charge on Google Drive.
• 🔹 Integration with Windows 10/11.

📡 Bluetooth for small files:

• 🔹 Speed up to 2-3 MB/s.
• 🔹 Doesn't require the Internet.
• 🔹 Suitable for contacts and notes.

🔌 OTG-adapter + flash drive - if the PC is not available:

• 🔹 Copy files directly to an external drive.
• 🔹 It works even without a PC connection.

FAQ: Frequent questions