How to download files from Xiaomi phone to your computer via USB: the complete guide

Contents

• Why USB is not always the obvious way to do it
• What you will need to transfer files
• Method 1: Standard File Transfer Mode (MTP)
• Method 2: PTP mode for photos
• Method 3: ADB-Teams for experienced users
• Typical problems and their solutions
• Alternative methods without USB
• Frequent questions

Transfer files from Xiaomi to your computer via USB-The cable seems like a simple task — plugged in, copied, finished. But in practice, users face unexpected challenges: the phone is not defined as a drive, Windows requires drivers, and the phone is not defined as a drive. MIUI This article will cover all the nuances of connection, from basic settings to solving rare errors.

Xiaomi’s smartphone features are the MIUI shell, which sometimes makes adjustments to standard Android processes, such as newer versions that may only enable charging by default and allow access to files manually, and the manufacturer is actively promoting its own cloud services, which sometimes complicates local data transfer.

We have tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO X5 Pro models with the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14. The instructions are valid for older devices as well (starting with MIUI 10), but additional steps may be needed for compatibility.

What you will need to transfer files

Before you start copying data, prepare everything you need:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with unlocked screen (important for confirming connection).
• 💻 Computer running Windows 7/10/11, macOS or Linux (Macs may require additional drivers).
• 🔌 Original. USB-Cheap cables often don't support data transfer, only charging.
• 🔧 Xiaomi drivers (usually installed automatically, but sometimes manual installation is required).

Pay attention to the type of connector of your phone:

The speed of transmission depends not only on the connector, but also on the quality of the cable. For example, even with USB 3.2, a cheap cable can limit the speed to USB 2.0.

⚠️ Note: If you use a hub or extension cord USB, This can cause connection errors. Connect your phone directly to the computer port.

Method 1: Standard File Transfer Mode (MTP)

This is the main method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) allows the computer to interact with the phone as an external drive.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your computer using USB-cable.
2. On the screen of the phone will appear a notification Charging via USB – tap it.
3. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP) or File Manager (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
4. The phone's folder Explorer window will open on your computer, and if that doesn't happen, open this computer manually, and the phone should be displayed as a separate device.

In MIUI 14+, the path to USB settings may be different:

Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB

If the computer can't see the phone:

• 🔄 Check the cable - try another one.
• 🔧 Update drivers through Device Manager (Windows).
• 📱 Reboot your phone and reconnect.

The cable is connected to the original USB port

The phone has a screen unlocked.

Selected MTP (not "Charging Only")

Xiaomi drivers installed (check in Device Manager)-->

Method 2: PTP mode for photos

If MTP doesn’t work or you want maximum compatibility (like macOS), use PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol), which is optimized for photo and video transfer, but is also suitable for other files.

How to turn on:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. In the USB Charge notification, select Image Transfer (PTP).
3. On your computer, the phone will appear as a camera (in Windows, in the Devices and Disks section).

Features of PTP:

• ✅ It works without additional drivers on most OS.
• ❌ Slower than MTP (suitable for small files).
• ⚠️ Not all files can be accessed (for example, documents in Downloads).

On a Mac, use the standard Photo or Image Capture app to work with PTP. In Image Capture, you can select a folder to import and even delete files from your phone after copying.

💡

If the Mac phone is not displayed in PTP-Install Android File Transfer from the official Google website. This is a free utility for working with the Internet. MTP-device.

Method 3: ADB-Teams for experienced users

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a debugging tool that allows you to manage files via the command line, which is suitable for advanced users and requires pre-configuration.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the developer mode on your phone: Settings → About phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)
2. Activate Debugging by USB in the Developer Menu.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it on your computer.
4. Connect the phone in File Transfer mode and confirm the debugging permission.
5. In the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux), execute: adb devices If the device is displayed, you can copy files. For example, to download all photos from the phone: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos\Xiaomi\

Advantages of ADB:

• 🔧 It works even if it does. MTP/PTP switched off.
• 📁 Allows you to copy hidden files and system folders.
• ⚡ Faster than PTP, big-data.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use ADB-commands to modify system files if they are not sure what they are doing, which can cause a failure. MIUI and the need for reflashing.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even with the right connection, there can be errors.

If the phone is detected but the copy is interrupted:

• 🛑 Check the free space on the computer.
• 🔌 Connect the phone to the back port USB (on PCs – they are usually more powerful.
• 📵 Turn it off. Wi-Fi/Mobile data on your phone – this can speed up the transfer.

On Windows 11, sometimes cache resetting helps USB-device:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find the USB Controllers section.
3. Right-hand button for each device called Xiaomi → Delete the device.
4. Restart your computer and reconnect your phone.

💡

If neither of these methods works, try connecting your phone to another computer to help you determine if the problem is in your phone or your PC.

Alternative methods without USB

If USB transmission is not possible, use one of the alternative methods:

• 🌐 Mi Drop (formerly Mi Share) is a proprietary application from Xiaomi for transferring files over Wi-Fi Direct. Up to 20 MB / s, does not require Internet. How to use: Open Mi Drop on your phone and computer (you need Mi Mi Drop). PC Select files on your phone and click Send. Confirm receipt on PC.

Cloud services

Suitable for small files (up to 15 GB).

• Mi Cloud (5GB free, integrated into MIUI)
• Google Drive (15GB, easy for documents)
• Telegram (up to 2 GB per file, no number restrictions).
• 📡 FTP-server: For power users. Applications like FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer is now available FTP-server on the phone and connect to it from the PC through Explorer (enter ftp://[IP-telephone address] to address bar).