How to download photos and videos from Xiaomi phone to your computer: all ways of 2026

Transfer photos and videos from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO It seems like a simple task to get to a computer, unless you have connection errors, slow transfers, or sudden loss of quality, and even experienced users sometimes lose hours trying to figure out why Windows doesn't see the phone as a removable drive, and macOS requires additional drivers. This article will not just list the ways, but will help you choose the best method depending on your situation: whether you need speed, preservation and maintenance. EXIF-Data transfer or file transfer without the Internet.

We tested all the current methods on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro models+ and POCO F5 latest-edition MIUI (including MIUI Special attention was paid to typical problems: why photos are downloaded in low resolution, how to circumvent restrictions. MTP-And what to do if the computer doesn't see the internal memory of the phone, and at the end of this article, we're going to show you a table of how to compare methods on speed and reliability, and answers to some of the questions that are often not covered in the standard instructions.

Transfer through USB-cable: the classic method with pitfalls

Connecting your phone to your computer via cable is still the most versatile way, but it requires more preparation in 2026 than it used to. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, which Windows uses by default, often runs unstable, especially on older versions of the OS or when connected via a mobile phone. USB-hub.

To avoid errors, follow this algorithm:

• 🔌 Use the original cable from the kit or certified USB-C/USB-A Data-enabled (not all charging cables are suitable!).
• 📱 On the phone, when you connect, select File Transfer Mode (or File Manager in older versions). MIUI). If this window is not available, check the settings for developers. → Configuration USB.
• 🖥️ On a Windows computer. 10/11 install the Mi drivers PC Suite (download from Xiaomi’s official website), even if the system claims drivers are not needed.
• 🔄 If the phone is not identified, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0, usually blue) or reboot both devices.

⚠️ Note: On MacOS for working with MTP You'll need additional software, like Android File Transfer (the official solution from Google). ADB (See Section 5, but it is more difficult for beginners.

Transfer speed depends on the version USB And the type of files, RAW-Photo from Xiaomi 13 Pro (size) ~50 MB each) copied at speed ~20 MB/s USB 3.0, and the video in 8K — before ~40MB/s If the speed is below 5MB/s, check the cable or port.

2. Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop): Unlimited wireless transmission

Mi Share is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for wireless file sharing between devices. Unlike AirDrop (which only works in the Apple ecosystem), it supports transfer to any platform: Windows, macOS, Linux and even other Android smartphones. The main advantage is the absence of file size restrictions (unlike email or instant messengers).

How to use:

1. On your phone, open the Mi Share app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. Select files (photo/video) and click "Send".
3. On your computer, open your browser and go to the address ftp://[IP-address phone] (it will appear on the phone screen) or use QR-code.
4. Download files via the web interface (works as a local file manager).

⚠️ Note: When transmitting large videos (for example, 4K@60fps Xiaomi 13T Pro) speed depends on the Wi-Fi router. 6 (802.11ax) speed — ~15-20 MB/s, on Wi-Fi. 5 — before 10 MB/s If the router is older 5 In the years to come, it is better to use a cable.

Mi Share automatically compresses video when you transmit it if you have the Traffic Saving option enabled in your app settings. Turn it off to maintain the original quality.

3. Cloud Services: When Convenience is More Important Than Speed

If you don’t need instant transfer, cloud services are a reliable way to back up and sync files. Xiaomi offers its own solution, Mi Cloud, but it has limitations: only 5 GB is available for free (versus 15 GB for Google Drive), but Mi Cloud automatically saves EXIF-data photos (geolocation, camera settings), which are lost when downloaded to some messengers.

Comparison of popular services for Xiaomi:

* Speed is specified for connection of 100 Mbit / s.

** Files are only stored with an active subscription to Telegram Premium (over 2 GB).

💡 Lifehack: If you need to transfer a video urgently, but you don't have time to upload to the cloud, use Telegram. Send the file to yourself in Saved Messages, then open the web version of web.telegram.org on your computer and download it from there. This is faster than Mi Cloud, but video compression is possible at the size of the video. >1.5 GB.

💡

Before downloading to Mi Cloud, disable the option “Storage Optimization” in the Gallery app settings – otherwise the photos will be saved in a compressed format.

4. FTP-Server on the phone: for advanced users

If you want complete freedom to manage files (for example, for automatic synchronization or work with large archives), set up a file management system. FTP-It's a method that requires minimal technical knowledge, but it gives you maximum control: you can connect to your phone as a network drive, use wget to download, or even mount folders as local.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Install an FTP Server application from Google Play (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Launch it. FTP-server in the application (usually the "Start" button in the "Network" section").
3. Remember or write down. IP-address, port, login and password (often by default) anonymous/password-free).
4. On your computer, open Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and type in the address bar: ftp://[IP-address:[port] (e.g, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
5. Log in and work with files as a local folder.

⚠️ Attention: FTP-The connection is not encrypted by default. If you're transmitting sensitive data, use it. SFTP (requires additional settings) or enable FTPS Also make sure that the phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or the connection will be blocked.

5. ADB (Android Debug Bridge): for technical applications

ADB is a tool for debugging Android, but it can also be used to transfer files if other methods don't work.

• 🔧 You need to copy files from a locked phone (without unlocking the screen).
• 📁 Access to system folders is required (e.g, /data/media/0/DCIM/).
• 🚀 Maximum speed is required (up to 40 MB/s) USB 3.0).

Instructions:

1. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (7 times click on "Version" MIUI" In Settings → The phone).
2. Activate "Debugging by" USB" In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. On your computer, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos\ (this copies the DCIM folder with the photo to the C:\Photos\ folder on your computer).

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB have full access to the file system. misuse (e.g. adb shell rm) -rf /) You can delete all the data from your phone, and we recommend that you test the flag commands first. --dry-run (if maintained).

💡

ADB — The only way to copy files from a phone that has a broken screen is to USB-debugging was included earlier.

6. Messengers and social networks: when you urgently need one photo

If you have to transfer 1-2 files and you don't have a cable, the easiest way to use a messenger is to use it, but there are some critical drawbacks to this method:

• 📉 Quality compression: WhatsApp compresses photos to 16 MP, and video – up to 720p. Telegram retains original quality only for files up to 2 GB (with Premium – up to 4 GB).
• 🕒 Size limit: Viber has a maximum file size of 200 MB, Facebook Messenger has a maximum size of 25 MB.
• 🔒 Privacy: Files pass through messenger servers (except Telegram in "Secret Chat" mode").

💡 How to minimize quality loss:

• In Telegram, send files as a “Document” (not as a photo / video) – so they will not shrink.
• On WhatsApp, use the Document function (clip icon → Document → select a file).
• For 4K video, break the file into 1.5GB pieces (e.g., via MX Player or VLC).

📌 Spoiler: If you send photos from Xiaomi to Instagram or VK, They are automatically converted into JPEG quality ~85% To avoid this, download files via the web version of the social network in the "Professional Download" mode (if available).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To avoid wasting time on experiments, use this table:

* When the option "Saving traffic" is disabled.

🔹 Conclusion: For regular transfer of large files (for example, video from Xiaomi 13 Ultra in the Internet) 8K) optimally USB-cable FTP. For one-time tasks, Mi Share or messengers (if quality is not critical), the cloud is suitable for backup, but not for operational work.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions