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

Transferring data from Xiaomi to PC seems like a simple task – until you encounter connection errors, slow transfer speeds, or unexpected limitations. MIUI. Even experienced users sometimes lose hours trying to upload photos through the Internet. USB-cable that is persistently unrecognised by the system, or setting up a Wi-Fi transmission that breaks off on half of the files.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to download files from Xiaomi to your computer - from the classic version of the file. USB-connection to little-known functions MIUI, We'll focus on common bugs (like why Windows doesn't see the phone as a drive) and hidden settings that the manufacturer doesn't advertise. If you need to move 10 GB of photos in 10 minutes, here's a workable solution.

1. File transfer via USB-cable: step-by-step instruction

USB-The connection is the most reliable method, but in MIUI There are some nuances that make it impossible for a computer to recognize a device, and we're going to take the process from plug-in to copy, and we're going to take all the pitfalls into account».

The first thing to do is to choose the right cable. Cheap Chinese cords often don't support data transfer (charging only). The original Xiaomi cable or Anker/Baseus' certified USB-Type C is guaranteed to work. Connect your phone to your PC, and the USB Charge option will appear in the notification curtain.

• 🔌 Select the transfer mode: in the window that appears, click File Transfer (MTP). If this paragraph is not available, update MIUI or check the cable.
• 🖥️ On your computer: Open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS).The phone should appear as a removable drive (e.g. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12).
• 📁 File Copying: Go to Internal Storage folder → DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) or MIUI (Screenshots. Select the files and drag them to the desktop.

If the telephone is not identified:

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) regime MTP It's blocked because of security policy. → Additionally. → Developer and turn on Debugging by USB, Then reconnect.

Use the original cable|Unlock the phone screen|Enable the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP)|Update drivers on PC (if Windows can’t see the device)-->

2. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi: faster than USB 2-3 times

If the cable is not available or damaged, Wi-Fi transmission will be a lifeline, which works on all Xiaomi models (from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and does not require additional programs, the main condition is that the phone and computer must be on the same network.

The easiest way is to use the built-in FTP-server MIUI:

1. Open Explorer on your phone (File app).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → FTP → Launch.
3. Remember the address of the species ftp://192.168.1.100:2121 and login data (the default login and password is anonymous).
4. On a PC, open Windows Explorer, enter the address in the address bar and press Enter.

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) transmission speeds reach 50-70 MB/s, which is 2-3 times faster than USB 2.0.

• 📶 With a weak signal, the speed drops to 5-10 MB / s. Bring the phone closer to the router.
• 🔒 FTP-The connection is not encrypted. Do not transmit sensitive data on public networks.
• ⏳ The server automatically shuts down after 10 minutes of inactivity.

3. Cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud and alternatives

Cloud storage is easy to back up, but has speed and volume limitations, and let's figure out how to upload files to the cloud and download them to your PC to avoid loss of quality or synchronization errors.

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi's built-in cloud) gives 5GB for free, but only works with photos, contacts and notes. For other files, you will have to use Google Drive or Yandex Disk.

1. Install the Google Drive app on your phone.
2. Download files: click + → Download and select the data you need.
3. On PC, open drive.google.com, find files and download them.

Comparison of cloud services for Xiaomi:

⚠️ Note: When uploading photos to Google Photos in the “High Quality” mode, the resolution is reduced to 16 MP. To save the originals, select the option “Source Quality” (takes up space in the cloud).

4. Mi Drop (ShareMe): Hidden MIUI feature for lightning fast transmission

Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in Mi Drop app (formerly ShareMe) that transfers files between Xiaomi devices and computers at speeds up to 20 MB/s without internet, ideal for large videos or backups.

How to use:

1. Open Explorer on your phone → Mi Drop (or find ShareMe app in the menu).
2. Click Send, select files and tap Next.
3. Select Connect to the computer → display QR-code.
4. On PC, open your browser and enter the address ftp://[IP-address from the screen] or scan QR.

Mi Drop uses the protocol FTP optimised MIUI, This means that the speed is higher than the standard speed. FTP-There are limitations, however:

• 📱 It only works on Xiaomi phones, POCO and Redmi with MIUI 10+.
• 🖥️ PCs require Chrome, Edge, or Firefox (Safari not supported).
• 🔄 Maximum size of one file – 2 GB.

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If Mi Drop can’t find your computer, turn off the VPN and firewall on your PC, and check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even if the transfer is without the Internet).

5. ADB-Teams: for experienced users and automation

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., a broken USB connector or a phone that doesn’t turn on), you can extract files through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires skill but saves you in critical situations.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (download from Android site).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode).
• 🔌 Working USB-cable (even if the connector is damaged, sometimes a neat connection helps).

Step-by-step teams:

adb devices # Connection check (serial number should be displayed)


adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Photos # Download folder DCIM to disk C




adb pull /sdcard/Download/ # Download downloads

If the phone is not switched on but is charged:

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB This is a low-level system access, misuse (e.g. adb shell rm). -rf /) Can erase all data on your phone without recovery.

6. Solving common errors

Even with the right settings, file transfers can be interrupted.-5 Problems and solutions based on forum analysis 4PDA and Mi Community.

1 Computer cannot see Xiaomi via USB

• 🔌 Check the cable and port (try another one) USB-PC-connector).
• 🖥️ Update drivers: in Device Manager, find Xiaomi [model] → Update the driver → Perform a search on this computer → choose MTP-device.
• 📱 On the phone go to Settings → Memory. → Three points. → USB-Connect and change mode from Charging to File Transfer.

2. Slow transmission speed over Wi-Fi

• 📶 Switch the router to 5 GHz (in the router settings).
• 🖥️ Disable the antivirus (for example, Kaspersky or Avast can slow down). FTP-linkage).
• 📱 V MIUI Open the settings. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Network Mode and Select Max. Performance.

3.Mi Drop doesn't connect to PC

• 🔄 Restart the Mi Drop app and generate a new one QR-code.
• 🖥️ In the browser on the PC, clear the cache (Ctrl)+Shift+Del → select "Cookies»).
• 📡 Make sure that the modem modem is turned on on on the phone (Settings). → Access Point and modem).

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If neither method works, try connecting your phone to another computer (Mac/Linux/Windows).

FAQ: Frequent questions about file transfers from Xiaomi