Transferring photos from Xiaomi Redmi 4 to your computer seems like an easy task, but users often face unexpected problems: the phone is not defined as a drive, MIUI It asks for permissions, and Windows can’t see the folder. DCIM. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of photo transfer - from the standard USB-Cable to cloud services – and consider common errors and their solutions.
Redmi 4
Pro/Prime/Standard
MIUI
Step-by-step instructions with illustrative examples
If you need to transfer a few pictures, Bluetooth or email will do, but for mass transmission (hundreds of photos) it is better to use it. USB-And if the phone doesn't turn on, we'll tell you how to extract data in emergency mode.
1. Connection through USB-cable: step-by-step instruction
The most reliable and quick way is to connect your smartphone directly to your PC via the original cable, but there are nuances: Redmi 4 may not be displayed in the Explorer unless file transfer mode is enabled.
First check the quality of the cable and port. USB: Often the problem is a damaged wire or a faulty connector. Use the original Xiaomi cable or a certified cable. USB 2.0 Type-C (Redmi 4 Pro) If you connect to a laptop, try another one. USB-port – sometimes the front connectors on the system unit do not provide sufficient power.
Follow the algorithm further:
- Connect your phone to your PC with a cable.
- On the screen of Redmi 4 will appear notification “Charge via USB” – tap it.
- Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP).
- On your computer, open "This Computer" - the phone should appear as a removable disk.
If the device is not determined:
- 🔌 Check if the debugging is included USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
- 🖥️ Update drivers through Device Manager (under Portable Devices, find Redmi 4 and update the software).
- 🔄 Reboot both devices.
Use the original Xiaomi cable
Enable File Transfer (MTP) on your phone
Check the debugging on USB in the developer settings
Update drivers on PC
Restart your phone and computer-->
Important: Windows 7 may require manual installation of the MTP driver for Xiaomi – download it from the official Microsoft website or through the Mi PC Suite program.
2. Transfer via Mi Cloud: Cloud Solution
If USB-The cable is not available, the Xiaomi cloud will be an alternative, and this method is suitable for backing up or transferring photos to another computer, but note: free storage is limited to 5 GB, and download speed depends on the Internet connection.
To upload a photo to Mi Cloud:
- On the phone, open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Turn on the sync for Gallery.
- Wait until the download is complete (time depends on the number of files).
- On PC, go to i.mi.com, log in and download the necessary photos.
Advantages of the method:
- 🌐 Access to photos from any device.
- 🔄 Automatic backup.
- 📱 Does not require a physical phone connection.
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ Limitation on the volume (5 GB for a free account).
- 🐢 Slow loading with weak internet.
- 🔒 Risk of data leakage (if the account is hacked).
Through USB-cable
Mi Cloud or other cloud
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
Email or messengers
Another option-->
3.Use of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct are slower than USB, but do not require cables. Bluetooth is convenient for sending 1-10 pictures, and Wi-Fi Direct is convenient for sending a packet (up to 50 photos).
Instructions for Bluetooth:
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone (Settings → Bluetooth) and PC.
- Connect devices (enter the same confirmation code).
- In the gallery Redmi 4, select a photo → “Share” → Bluetooth.
- Take the file on the computer.
For Wi-Fi Direct:
- Activate Wi-Fi Direct on your phone (Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct).
- Connect your PC to the network created by your phone (the password will appear on the Redmi 4 screen).
- Use a file manager (e.g. ES Explorer) to transfer photos over a local network.
⚠️ Warning: When transferring over Wi-Fi Direct, turn off mobile internet on your phone to avoid additional traffic.
The transmission speed over Bluetooth is ~1-2 MB / s, and over Wi-Fi Direct - up to 10 MB / s (depending on the Wi-Fi standard on a PC).
Programs for synchronization: Mi PC Suite and alternatives
Xiaomi’s official software, the Mi PC Suite, makes file management easier, but has limitations, such as not always running correctly on Windows 11 or macOS, and let’s look at its options and alternatives.
Mi PC Suite allows you to:
- 📁 Viewing files on your phone as if it were a conductor.
- 🔄 Synchronize contacts, messages and photos.
- 📱 Install applications from PC.
How to use:
- Download the program from the official website.
- Connect Redmi 4 to USB and select MTP mode.
- In the program, go to the "Files" section and copy the photo to the desired folder on the PC.
Alternatives to Mi PC Suite:
| Programme | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| AirDroid | Wireless transmission, remote access | Traffic Limitation in the Free Version |
| Snapdrop | Works through the browser, without installation | No folders, just one file. |
| Pushbullet | Integration with messengers | Paid subscription for large files |
⚠️ Note: When using third-party programs (such as AirDroid), disable data transmission over the mobile network to avoid additional costs.
5. Removing photos from a broken Redmi 4
If the phone doesn’t turn on but responds to charging, you can try to retrieve the photo through recovery mode or ADB-This is a technique that requires technical skills, but sometimes it's the only solution.
Method 1: TWRP Recovery (if installed):
- Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume Up to enter recovery.
- Connect your phone to your PC and select Mount → Enable MTP.
- Copy files from /data/media/0/DCIM.
Method 2: Through ADB (if debugging is enabled):
- Install ADB Tools on your PC.
- Connect the phone in Charging mode and execute the command: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos\
What if the phone is not identified in ADB?
If none of the methods worked, contact the service center – wizards can extract data through a memory chip (eMMC), but this is expensive and not always possible.
6. Process optimization: tips for speeding up
To save time when sharing photos regularly, follow these guidelines:
🔹 Sort photos in advance: in the gallery Redmi 4 create separate albums (for example, "Vacation 2023") and transfer only them.
🔹 Use archiving: before transferring the photo in ZIP through a file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer) that will speed up copying and reduce the number of files.
🔹 Set up automatic synchronization: in Mi Cloud or Google Photos, enable autoload over Wi-Fi so that photos are copied to your PC without your participation.
🔹 Check the file format: Redmi 4 saves photos in the file format JPEG or HEIF (if High Quality mode is enabled. Make sure your PC supports these formats (for the purpose of HEIF You may need an extension from Microsoft).
💡
If photos are transmitted too long, try disabling antivirus on your PC – some programs (such as Avast) scan each file when you copy, which slows down the process.
7.Typical errors and their solutions
Let’s discuss common problems and ways to eliminate them:
🚫 The phone is not displayed in this computer":
- Check if the MTP mode is on (not Charging Only).
- Update drivers through Device Manager (manually select the driver "MTP-device").
- Try another cable or USB port.
🚫 folder DCIM idle:
- Make sure that the photo is stored for internal memory, not for the SD-map (check in gallery: Albums) → The device).
- If the folder is damaged, use data recovery programs (e.g. DiskDigger).
🚫 Error "Device not identified":
- Turn it off. USB-Debug and reconnect the phone.
- Install Mi PC Suite – it will automatically install the desired drivers.
🚫 Photos are transmitted but not opened on PC:
- Check the file extension (possibly saved to.heic – use the JPEG converter).
- Update the program to view (e.g. IrfanView or FastStone).
💡
If neither method works, try connecting your phone to another computer (like macOS or Linux) – sometimes the problem is with Windows.