How to transfer photos from Xiaomi to your computer: all the ways of 2026

Transfer photos from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO It seems like a simple task on the computer - until you encounter errors like «USB-It's not "identified" or infinite cloud sync. In 2026, users have at least 5 working ways to download images, but each has nuances, from speed to compatibility with different versions. MIUI.

This article will not just list the methods, but will help you choose the best option depending on your situation. USB-C It is suitable for fast transfer of hundreds of photos, but requires the right drivers, and Mi Cloud is convenient for automatic backup, but limited to free storage. We will analyze each method with due regard to the current limitations of Xiaomi (including models with a high-quality camera). MIUI 14/15), We also warn against common errors that may cause files to get lost or damaged.

Transfer through USB-cable: the fastest way

Connecting your phone to your computer via cable is the most reliable method, especially if you need to transfer a large amount of photos (for example, from a vacation). MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, which allows you to share files without additional software, but there are pitfalls here: from the lack of drivers to blocking transmission due to security settings.

To avoid problems, follow this algorithm:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable (cheap analogues may not support data transfer). USB 3.0 on a computer for maximum speed.
• 📱 On the phone screen, select File Transfer Mode (or MTP). If this window is not available, check the settings. USB notice-curtain.
• 🖥️ On your computer, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). The phone should appear as a removable disk.
• 📁 Go to the folder. DCIM → Camera (or Pictures, if the photos are saved in the gallery) copy the files to the hard drive.

Check the integrity of the cable (try another one if not determined)

Update the drivers MTP on PC (via Device Manager)

Turn off the lock. USB in the settings of the phone (Security) → Lockdown USB)

Unlock the phone screen during the transfer-->

Transfer speed depends on the version USB And the phone models. For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro with USB 3.2 Copy 1 GB of Photos in a Time ~20 seconds, and budget Redmi 12s USB 2.0 will spend on it. ~2 minutes. If the transmission is too slow, try it:

• 🔄 Reconnect the cable to another port.
• 🚫 Close background programs on a PC (such as an antivirus that scans files).
• 📶 Turning off Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone – this sometimes speeds up exchanges.

⚠️ Warning: If the computer can't see the phone, but it's charging, the driver problem. PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) or manually install drivers through Device Manager (Portable Devices section).

2. synchronization through Mi Cloud: automatic backup

Mi Cloud – cloud storage from Xiaomi, which is integrated into the firmware MIUI. Its main advantage is that it automatically uploads photos in the background, which eliminates manual transfer:

• 📦 Free fare is only 5 GB (that's ~1,500 high-resolution photos).
• 🌐 To access from a PC, you need a browser or an official Mi Cloud application.
• 🔒 Photos are uploaded in compressed format (quality is reduced to 16 MP even from cameras on 200 MP).

To set up synchronization:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the Gallery switch and select Download only over Wi-Fi (so as not to waste mobile traffic).
3. On your computer, go to i.mi.com and log in under the same account.
4. In the Gallery section, select the necessary photos and click Download (they will be packed in the ZIP-archive).

Once a week.

Once a month

Just before flashing the phone.

Never do.-->

If you have a lot of photos, use the Mi Cloud app to Windows/macOS — It allows you to selectively download folders without archiving. Please note that when you delete a photo from your phone, it automatically erases from the cloud (if you have the option to Sync Delete it).

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. EU), Xiaomi is restricting the functionality of the Mi Cloud due to the fact that the company is not able to use the device. GDPR. If the service is not available, use alternatives like Google Photos or Yandex Drive.

3. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (FTP local-network)

If you don't have a cable and the cloud doesn't fit because of space constraints, you can transfer photos over a local Wi-Fi network, which works on all Xiaomi models (including the old Redmi Note 4) and doesn't require Internet access.

1. Built-in FTP-server (available in the conductor) MIUI).
2. Third-party apps like Send Anywhere or Feem.

Let’s look at the first method (without installing additional programs):

• 📱 On the phone, open the Explorer (standard application) MIUI).
• 🔗 Go to section. FTP (Remote access in new versions).
• 🔄 Click Launch Server - the address of the view will appear ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
• 🖥️ On your computer, open Windows Explorer (or Finder on Mac), enter this address in the address bar and click Enter.
• 📁 Log in (login and password from the phone screen) and copy files from the folder DCIM.

Wi-Fi transmission speeds are typically 5-10MB/s (depending on the router). USB, But it's more convenient for periodic synchronization, and the main disadvantage is that you can't turn off the phone or put it into sleep mode during transmission.

4. Use of third-party applications (Send Anywhere, Xender)

If the built-in methods do not work (for example, due to older versions) MIUI Or driver problems, third-party utilities come to the rescue, often offering faster speeds and additional features like transferring without file size restrictions or encryption.

The most reliable applications for Xiaomi:

Let’s look at the example of Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on your phone from Google Play.
2. Open Send Anywhere, select a photo and click Send.
3. 6-digit code is generated or QR-code.
4. On your computer, open the web version of send-anywhere.com, enter the code and download files.

💡

If the transmission is interrupted, try connecting the phone and PC to the router via an Ethernet cable (if supported) – this will stabilize the connection.

The advantage of such applications is cross-platform: you can send photos not only to a PC, but also to another phone or even a Mac. However, be careful with public Wi-Fi networks: some applications transmit data in an unencrypted form.

5. Bluetooth Transmission: Slowly but without Internet

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way, and it is suitable if you need to send 1-2 photos (for example, a document or a screenshot), and there are no other options.

• 🔵 Bluetooth 4.0 (old Redmi): ~1-2 MB/s.
• 🔵 Bluetooth 5.0 (modern models): ~3-5 MB/s.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and PC.
2. On the computer, open the settings → Devices → Bluetooth and press Add the device.
3. Select the phone from the list and confirm pairing (the code must match on both screens).
4. On the phone, open the Gallery, highlight the photo, click Share → Bluetooth and select a PC.
5. On the computer, confirm the file acceptance.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14/15 When transmitted via Bluetooth, photos are automatically compressed to resolution. 2048×1536 (even if the original 48 To avoid loss of quality, use other methods.

The process is similar for macOS, but additional software like Android File Transfer may be required (if the standard drivers don’t recognize the phone).

Alternative methods: SD-map, OTG email

If none of the above methods are suitable, consider backup options. They are less convenient, but sometimes the only way out (for example, if you break down). USB-port or lack of Wi-Fi).

📁 Transfer through SD-map

Many Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro) POCO X5) It supports microSD cards. It's simple:

1. Copy the photo from the folder DCIM on SD-map.
2. Remove the card from your phone and insert it into your computer (through the card reader).
3. Move the files to the hard drive.

The downside of the method is that not all phones have a card slot (e.g. Xiaomi). 13T lacking).

🔌 Use of the OTG-cable

If USB-The port of the phone works, but the computer is not at hand, you can connect the flash drive through OTG-adapter:

• Buy an adapter. USB-C/OTG (worth ~200–300 ruble).
• Put the flash drive on the phone.
• Copy the photo in the Explorer on the flash drive.
• Connect the flash drive to the PC and transfer the files.

✉️ Emailing

For 1-2 photos, you can use the mail:

• Open the Gallery, select the pictures and click Share → Email.
• Give me your address and send me a letter.
• Download the attachments from the letter on the computer.

Limitations:

• 📧 Most email services limit the amount of an attachment of 25 MB.
• 🔒 Photos can be blocked by spam filters (especially if you send a lot of files).

💡

SD-map OTG — The only way to transfer a photo is if the phone is not turned on but the file system is not damaged.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the best way, evaluate your priorities:

Selection recommendations:

• 🚀 You need to move a lot of photos quickly. → USB-cable or Send Anywhere.
• ☁️ You want an automatic backup. → Mi Cloud (if there is enough space).
• 🌐 No cable, but there's Wi-Fi. → FTP feem.
• 📱 Phone's off. → SD-card OTG.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even with proven methods, users face problems, and here are the most common solutions.

1. The computer can't see the phone. USB: 🔌 Try another cable or port. 🔄 Enable Developer Mode and activate Debugging by USB. 🖥️ Update drivers through Device Manager (Controllers section) USB).
2. Mi Cloud does not upload photos: 📶 Check Wi-Fi connection (mobile download may be disabled). 🔒 Make sure there is enough space in your Xiaomi account. 🔄 Restart the sync service in the cloud settings.
3. FTP-server shuts down: 🔋 Connect your phone to charge (MIUI Can shut down the server at low charge). 📵 Turn off the power saving mode. 🔄 Restart the server in the Explorer.

Apps like Send Anywhere don’t find PCs

• 🌐 Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔒 Temporarily turn off the firewall on the PC.
• 📱 Restart the app on your phone.

If none of these methods work, check:

• 📱 Developer settings: Turn on Do not turn off the screen while charging (sometimes the transfer is interrupted due to locking).
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Some programs (for example, Avast) block file transfers over the Internet USB.
• 🔧 File system damage: if the phone does not display the folder DCIM, Try to restore it through Explorer or DiskDigger.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions