How to download files from Xiaomi to your computer: all ways of 2026

Transferring data from Xiaomi phone to computer is a challenge that every user sooner or later faces: free up the memory of the smartphone, back up photos or simply transfer important documents to the big screen, POCO and Mi have at least 5 proven ways to download files - from the classic USB-cable-to-wireless technology.

But not all methods are equally convenient. USB Type-C can slow down because of drivers, and cloud services limit the amount of free storage. In this article, we will examine the pros and cons of each option, give step-by-step instructions with pictures, and tell you how to avoid typical errors. MIUI, Accelerating data transfer by 2-3 times.

If you need to download a large amount of files urgently (for example, a 4K video or a document archive), you should choose a wired connection. Cloud services or Mi Drop's proprietary application will be suitable for regular synchronization of small files. And if the cable is broken and the Internet is not available, the local Wi-Fi network between the phone and the PC will help.

It is important to consider the model of your Xiaomi, for example, on smartphones with a high-end smartphone. MIUI 14+ (Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 are the default protocols MTP, older versions may require manual adjustments, and some methods (e.g, FTP-server) require permission to install applications from unknown sources.

1. File transfer via USB-cable (the most reliable method)

Cable connectivity remains the fastest and most stable method of data transfer. Transfer speeds can reach 40-60 MB/s (on USB 3.0), which is 5-10 times faster than on Wi-Fi. However, there are nuances: not all cables support high-speed mode, and Windows sometimes requires installing drivers.

To download files from Xiaomi to your computer via USB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable (preferably from the kit).
2. On the smartphone screen, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open this computer – your Xiaomi will appear as a removable disk.
4. Go to the Internal Storage folder and copy the files you want.

If the computer can't see the phone:

• 🔌 Check the cable – cheap non-original cords often only work to charge.
• 🖥️ Update Mi drivers PC Suite (you can download it on the official website).
• 📱 In the phone settings, turn on debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Additionally. → For developers).

Use the original cable|Set the regimen on MTP phone-on|Update drivers on PC|Disable blockers (antivirus, firewall)|Try another one. USB-port-->

Transfer speed depends on the version USB-port:

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi 10) will request unlocking when you first connect to a PC OEM. Do not confirm it unless you plan to unlock the bootloader – it can reset your phone settings!

2. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (without cables)

If you don't have a cable, you can download files over your local Wi-Fi network, which works on all Xiaomi models with MIUI 10+ and doesn't require internet, but the main thing is that the phone and the computer are connected to the same network.

Instructions for Windows:

1. On your phone, open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Portable Access Point.
2. Activate. FTP-server (if there is no such point, install Mi File Manager from Google Play).
3. Remember the address of the species ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
4. On PC, open Explorer, enter the address in the address bar and press Enter.

For macOS/Linux, use FileZilla or the terminal:

ftp 192.168.x.x


user: anonymous




pass: (leave empty)

Advantages of the method:

• 📶 No cable needed – convenient for laptops.
• 🔄 You can download and download files at the same time.
• 📁 Access to all folders, including hidden ones (Android/data).

Disadvantages:

• 🐢 Speed is lower than the speed. USB (usually 2-10 MB/s).
• 🔋 Phone battery consumption (~15-20% per hour).
• 🛡️ You need to disable the Windows firewall if it blocks the connection.

Po Po Po USB-cable|Wi-Fi (FTP)|Cloud services (Google Drive)|Mi Drop|Other-->

3. Cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk

Cloud storage is convenient for regular backup or transfer of files to multiple devices. Xiaomi offers its own solution - Mi Cloud (5 GB free), but many users prefer Google Drive (15 GB) or Yandex.Disk (10 GB).

How to download files via Google Drive:

1. On your phone, open the Google Drive app and tap + → Download.
2. Select the files and wait for the download to be completed.
3. On your computer, go to drive.google.com and download the files.

Comparison of cloud services for Xiaomi:

Important: When uploading photos to Google Photos in the "High Quality" mode, they are compressed to a resolution of 16 MP. To maintain the original quality, choose "Original Quality" (considered as a storage quota).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud, check your sync settings in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. By default, backup can be enabled only for contacts and files are not saved!

4. Mi Drop application (fast transfer between devices)

Mi Drop is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for instant file transfer between smartphones and computers. It works over Wi-Fi Direct, so it doesn’t require an internet connection. It reaches 10-20 MB/s — faster than FTP, but slower than USB.

How to use Mi Drop:

1. Install Mi Drop from Google Play (if not preinstalled).
2. On the phone, select files and click Send → Computer.
3. On PC, open your browser and go to http://drop.mi.com.
4. Scan it. QR-phone-screen.

Benefits of Mi Drop:

• ⚡ Faster cloud services (no download to the server).
• 🔒 Encryption of data during transmission.
• 📱 Supports transfer between Xiaomi, POCO and even other brands of devices.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work if the PC ad blocker (turn it off for drop.mi.com).
• 📶 Requires Wi-Fi or mobile internet for first connection.

💡

If Mi Drop can’t find your computer, try connecting to one Wi-Fi network or turning on the “Access Point” mode on your phone.

5. Bluetooth transmission (for small files)

Bluetooth is the slowest but most versatile way to transfer small files (up to 50 MB) when other methods are not available, usually at 1-2 MB/s, but requires no settings.

How to download files over Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and computer.
2. Connect devices (on PC: Settings → Devices → Bluetooth).
3. On your phone, select a file → Share → Bluetooth and select a computer.
4. On the PC, confirm the file's acceptance.

Tips for acceleration:

• 🔄 Use Bluetooth 5.0 (available on Xiaomi 11 and later) – speeds up by 30%.
• 📱 Disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, fitness bracelets).
• 📁 Archivate files before transfer (e.g. to.zip).

⚠️ Attention: On Windows 10/11 Sometimes you get the error "Can't copy the file." In this case, restart the Bluetooth service: press Win. + R, enter services.msc, find Bluetooth Support Service and restart it.

Alternative methods: ADB, OTG and SD-map

If standard methods do not work, you can use advanced tools:

• 🔧 ADB (Android Debug Bridge is for power users, and allows you to download files via the command line: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/. Requires the debugging on. USB.
• 📱 OTG-Adapter – if the phone supports USB OTG, You can plug in a flash drive and copy files to it, and then insert into the computer.
• 💾 SD-If you are using your card (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3) Supports memory cards, just remove it and insert it into the card reader.

For ADB, you will need:

1. Install Platform Tools from the Android site.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging.
3. In the command line enter: adb devices adb pull /sdcard/Download/ C:\Xiaomi_Files\

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

💡

For maximum speed, use USB 3.0+ original cable. If you don't have one, choose Mi Drop or FTP over Wi-Fi. The cloud is suitable for long-term storage, not for one-time transmission.

FAQ: Frequent questions