How to download photos from Xiaomi Redmi 4X phone to your computer through a cord

Mobile devices have long been our primary content tools, and the Redmi 4X is no exception, with a decent camera for its time. However, the built-in memory of a smartphone is not rubber, and sooner or later every owner faces the question of preserving the accumulated archive of images. The most reliable and fastest way to transfer gigabytes of photos is to use a direct connection to a personal computer.

Unlike cloud services, which can require a long load time and a stable Internet connection, cable connectivity provides maximum data transfer speed without compressing quality. USB-The interface allows you to instantly access the file system of the device, turning the smartphone into a regular flash card, this is especially true when you urgently need to make room for new pictures or back up important moments.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of connecting Xiaomi Redmi 4X to a PC running Windows or macOS. We will consider not only the standard algorithm of actions, but also possible problems with drivers that often occur to users, as well as specific MIUI settings that block the transfer of files by default.

Equipment preparation and cable inspection

Before proceeding to the software part, you must make sure the physical health of the components used. USB-cable is a critical link in this chain, as many cheap cords, which come with portable batteries or cheap headphones, are designed solely for charging and do not have internal contacts to transmit data. For a successful connection, you will need an original cable or a quality analogue that supports data transfer protocols.

It is also worth paying attention to the state of USB-port on the Redmi smartphone itself 4X. Due to frequent use in the Micro-USB connector, dust and pile can accumulate, leading to poor contact. Carefully clean the port with a dry toothbrush or wooden toothpick to rule out mechanical reasons for failure. The computer is also better connected directly to the motherboard, especially if you use a desktop PC, avoiding front panels of the case or the front panels of the computer. USB-hubs without external power.

⚠️ Note: If the cable only charges, but does not emit connection sounds and does not vibrate, in 90% of cases the problem lies in poor-quality cable that does not support data transmission.

Configure the USB mode in MIUI

Operating system MIUI, Xiaomi-based Redmi 4X, It has enhanced security measures that by default prohibit access to files when connecting to a new computer. Immediately after connecting the cable to the PC, the smartphone goes into "Charge Only" mode. To change this behavior, you need to unlock the device screen and lower the notification curtain from top to bottom. USB-port” or similar.

Click on this notification to open the mode selection menu. You will need to select the option File Transfer (MTP). This protocol allows the computer to see the phone's internal memory and memory card as normal drives. Some firmware versions may require proof of debugging permission or data access, which must be confirmed by pressing "OK" on the smartphone screen.

If the menu doesn't appear automatically, you can go the other way through the settings. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI version several times to activate the developer menu. Then, in the advanced settings, find the USB configuration and force MTP mode. This action will force the interface to switch to the desired mode.

Search and copy photos on the computer

Once you have successfully set up your mode, a notification should appear on your computer screen that you are connecting a new device. If you are running a Windows environment, open "My Computer" or "This Computer." A new object with the name of your smartphone, such as Redmi 4X, will appear in the list of disks and devices.

Photos taken on camera, by default, are saved in the DCIM folder, and inside it - in the Camera subfolder. If you used third-party applications for shooting or editing, the paths may differ, but the standard algorithm of the camera Xiaomi always leads to DCIM. To search for screenshots or uploaded images from messengers, you need to go to the root directory and find the Screenshots or MIUI folders, respectively.

The copying process is done by the standard Drag-and-Drop method or through the clipboard. Select the desired files or entire folders, click the right mouse button and select Copy, then paste them into the desired directory on the computer's hard drive. When working with large amounts of data (for example, several gigabytes of video), the bar can move slowly - this is normal for the MTP protocol, do not interrupt the process.

Table of the main paths to files in the Android system

To make it easier to navigate the Redmi 4X file system, use the table below, which contains standard paths where different types of media are stored. Understanding the structure of directories will help you quickly find the right pictures, even if there are hundreds of them.

Solving driver and visibility problems

Often it happens that the phone charges, MTP mode is selected, but the computer does not see the Xiaomi Redmi 4X. In Windows Device Manager, this can appear as “Unknown Device” or a device with a yellow exclamation mark. The problem lies in the absence or incorrect operation of MTP drivers. To solve this problem, right click on the problem device in Manager and select “Update driver”.

In the window that opens, select “Search for drivers on this computer” and then “Select a driver from the list of available drivers on your computer.” From the manufacturer list, find “MTP USB-Device” or “Android”, and from the model list, select “MTP USB-Device” or “USB MTP device.” Installing this standard Windows driver often solves the problem of file visibility.

Another reason could be that you have an antivirus or corporate security policy blocking your port, try connecting your phone to another PC or laptop, if it works, it's a problem with your main computer's software, and it's worth checking if Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) is enabled under Administration → Services.

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To speed up your work with files on your computer, disable preview of sketches in folders with thousands of photos, which will reduce the load on the processor when you open the directories of the phone.

Use of alternative methods of transmission

If wired connectivity is not possible for some reason or the cable is lost, there are wireless alternatives that are also effective. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is built right into the standard MIUI Explorer. Open the Explorer, click on the menu (three bars) and select "Contact Access from PC over Network." The phone will give you the address to enter into the address bar of the folder on the computer.

This method allows you to work with files without installing additional software and drivers using only Wi-Fi network. The transfer speed will depend on the quality of the wireless signal, but for transferring photos is a great option. You can also use cloud storage, such as Google Photos or Yandex.Disk, setting up automatic synchronization of the gallery in them.

However, the wired method remains the most stable for working with large amounts of data, since it does not depend on interference in the air and provides a stable speed close to the maximum possible for the USB 2.0 interface, which is installed in Redmi 4X.

⚠️ Attention: When in use FTP-Make sure your computer and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest and main network split, the devices may not be able to see each other.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Direct connection via USB-cable is the only way to guarantee the original quality of photos and quickly free up space on your smartphone without losing data.