Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a popular smartphone that is still widely used for its reliability and functionality, but many owners have difficulty syncing it with a computer: If you have a device that's not defined, if you don't copy files, if you don't install drivers, you'll see all the actual ways you connect -- from the classic way of connecting. USB-cable to wireless solutions, and also tell you how to get around typical errors.
Feature of Redmi 5 (codename rosy is its firmware based on MIUI, It sometimes blocks data transmission by default (7/8) They may not recognize the device because they don't have drivers, but don't despair, because most problems are solved by the driver. 5–10 minutes, if you know the algorithm of actions.
You don't need root rights or complicated manipulations, all of the methods in this article run on standard firmware, but the key is to follow the instructions and check each step, and let's start with the simplest way.
1. Connection through USB-cable (MTP-regime)
The most obvious and reliable way is to use the original cable. USB But even here, there's a nuance: Redmi 5 can only be connected by default to charge, not to transfer files. Here's how to fix it:
- 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC with a cable. Use the port. USB 2.0 (blue connector) - it works more stable with the MTP.
- 📱 On the phone screen will appear a notification "Charging through" USB". Put it on him.
- 🔄 In the menu, select "File Transfer" (MTP). If this paragraph is not - see the section about drivers.
- 🖥️ On your computer, open "This Computer" - the device should appear as a removable disk.
If Redmi 5 is not identified, check:
- 🔍 Cable: Try another (cheap cables often don't support data transfer).
- 🔌 Port port USB: connect to the back of the system unit (on laptops, ports are sometimes limited in power).
- 🔄 Connection mode: in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, include "Debugging by USB" (If the section is hidden, tap 7 times on "Version" MIUI" on the telephone").
⚠️ Warning: If Windows is not identified after you connect, don’t rush to download drivers from questionable sites. First, try updating your hardware configuration through Device Manager (right-click on unknown device). → "Update the driver" → "Perform a search on this computer").
The original cable is used.|Port port USB 2.0 (not 3.0)|Regime on. MTP phone-on|Debugging by USB activated (if necessary)|Problems with drivers fixed-->
2.Install drivers for Xiaomi Redmi 5 on PC
A common cause of problems is the lack of proper drivers. Xiaomi does not always automatically install them through Windows Update, especially on older versions of the OS.
- Download the official drivers: 🌐 From the site MIUI Downloads (section "Tools"). 📁 Or directly at this link (the archive weighs) ~10MB).
Set it manually:
- 🖱️ Open Device Manager (Win) + X → Device Manager).
- 🔍 Find Redmi 5 under Other Devices (usually with an exclamation point).
- 🔧 Right click → "Update the driver" → "Select a driver from the list" → "Install from disk".
- 📂 Specify the path to the unpacked folder with drivers (select the file) android_winusb.inf).
If drivers are not installed, try:
- 🔄 Disable the verification of the digital signature of drivers (in Windows) 10/11: reboot with a pinched Shift → "Disruption and troubleshooting" → "Additional parameters" → "Loading parameters" → "Deactivate mandatory inspection").
- 🧹 Remove old drivers via USBDeview (Utility from NirSoft).
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Device not identified (Code 43) | Driver conflict or damaged USB-port | Reinstall drivers, try another port/cable |
| MTP-device fails | Transfer protocol failure | Restart your phone and PC, turn on/off mode MTP |
| No access to files. | Block MIUI or antivirus | Allow access in phone settings, disable antivirus |
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If the drivers are persistently not installed, try connecting Redmi 5 to another computer, and if it detects a problem in your system (possibly a corrupt registry or software conflict).
3. Synchronization through Mi PC Suite (official software)
Mi PC Suite is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi that allows you not only to transfer files, but also to manage contacts, messages, backups. However, the program has limitations: it does not support new versions of Windows 11 and can conflict with antiviruses.
Download Mi PC Suite is available from the official website (select the version for your OS:
- 🔌 Connect Redmi 5 to USB (regime MTP non-compulsory).
- 🔍 Launch Mi. PC Suite and wait for the device definition.
- 📁 In the Files section, you will see the memory structure of the phone.
- ⚙️ To back up, go to Backup and select the data (contacts, SMS, applications).
Advantages of Mi PC Suite:
- 🔄 Automatic synchronization of contacts with Mi Account.
- 📱 Ability to update firmware without losing data.
- 🛠️ System Recovery After Failure.
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ Slow work with large files (video, backups).
- 🚫 No support. macOS/Linux.
- 🔒 Requires firewall shutdown at first connection.
4. Wireless file transfer (Wi-Fi/FTT)
If you don’t have a cable on hand or want to avoid driver problems, use wireless methods. Redmi 5 supports several protocols:
- 📶 FTP-server: built-in function MIUI, Allows you to access files through any FTP-client (e.g. FileZilla).
- 🌐 HTTP-server: temporary web interface for downloading / downloading files through the browser.
- 🔗 Mi Drop: Xiaomi’s proprietary application for transferring files between devices on the same network.
How to turn it on FTP-server:
- 📱 Open the "Conductor" on your phone.
- 🔍 Scroll down and choose "FTP".
- 🔄 Click "Run" - the address of the view will appear. ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
- 🖥️ On PC, open FileZilla or Windows Explorer (enter the address in the address bar).
- 🔐 Login: anonymous, leave your password blank.
It's important: FTP-The server on Redmi 5 automatically shuts down after 5 minutes without activity.
Alternatively, Mi Drop:
- 📱 Install Mi Drop from Google Play.
- 🔗 Connect your phone and PC to a single Wi-Fi network.
- 🖥️ Open in the browser drop.mi.com and scan QR-phonecode.
⚠️ Note: When transferring large files (video, backups) over Wi-Fi, the speed can drop to 2-5 MB / s. To accelerate, use the frequency of 5 GHz (if the router supports) or connect to the PC via the PC USB-debugging ADB.
5. Synchronization through cloud services
If you don’t need constant synchronization, but only periodic file sharing, cloud services are the best solution. Redmi 5 supports:
- ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, integration with MIUI (Contacts, photos, notes).
- 📁 Google Drive: 15GB free, easy to use for documents.
- 🌍 Yandex Disk/Mail.ru Cloud: 10–20 GB free, high speed in Russia.
Setup of Mi Cloud:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
- 🔄 Enable synchronization for the desired data (contacts, gallery, SMS).
- 🖥️ On PC, open i.mi.com and log in.
The benefits of clouds:
- 🔄 Automatic backup.
- 🌐 Access from any device.
- 🛡️ Protection against data loss.
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ Volume limit (free rates are small for backups).
- 🐢 Slow loading with weak internet.
- 🔒 Risk of data leakage (especially for sensitive files).
How to increase the volume of Mi Cloud for free?
6. Solving typical problems
Even after you set it up correctly, synchronization can fail, and here are the most common errors and solutions.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Elimination |
|---|---|---|
| Phone is connected, but files are not displayed | Failure MTP-protocol or antivirus blocking | Reboot both devices, disable antivirus, try another cable |
| Windows asks to format the disk when you connect | The damaged file system on the phone | Check it out. SD-Error maps via chkdsk in CMD |
| Mi PC Suite doesn't see the phone | Outdated version of the program or conflict with drivers | Reinstall Mi. PC Suite and drivers, run on behalf of the administrator |
| FTP-The server is shut down in a few seconds. | Energy saving or background optimization MIUI | Add "Conductor" to battery optimization exceptions |
Additional advice:
- 🔧 If Redmi 5 is not defined in any mode, reset your settings. USB: Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Resetting settings → Resetting settings USB.
- 🔄 For transferring large files (>4 GB) use exFAT on SD-map (FAT32 Does not support files larger than 4GB).
- 🛠️ If nothing helps, run your phone through Fastboot (instructions on xiaomi.eu).
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Before resetting settings or firmware, always back up your data via Mi. PC suite TWRP (if established).
7. Alternative methods (for experienced users)
If the standard methods do not work, you can use advanced tools:
- 🐧 ADB (Android Debug Bridge: Allows you to manage files via command line. adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/.\Photos\ # Copy photos on PC adb push music.mp3 /sdcard/Music/ # Download music to your phone
- 🔌 Scrcpy: Not only mirrors the screen, but also allows you to drag and drop files between devices.
- 📦 TWRP + MTP: If you have custom recapable installed, you can connect to the PC in Mount mode. → Enable MTP.
How to set up ADB:
- 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB (see section 1).
- 🖥️ Download Platform Tools from Google.
- 🔍 Open up. CMD in the folder with adb.exe and enter: adb devices If the device is displayed – the connection is established.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB root rights can cause a loss of warranty or a device's "brick." Do not follow commands unless you understand their purpose. 5 Only the operations with files are safe (pull/push), Changing system settings requires caution.