Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sooner or later face the need to transfer the accumulated archive of photos, videos or documents to the big screen. The internal storage of the device is not rubber, and when the memory is filled, the system begins to work slower, and new images simply cease to be stored. Moving files to the hard drive of the computer is not only a way to free up space, but also to create an important backup of valuable moments.
There are many methods, from traditional cable connection to cloud technology, and the choice depends on the amount of data and the speed of your Internet connection. Some users prefer time-tested wires, others are looking for wireless freedom. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
Data security is a big concern, because data loss can be a nasty surprise, and unlike simple copying, migrating system settings or application data requires specialized tools like Mi Mover or full backup. Let's get to the practical steps.
Connection to USB-Cable: The Classic and Fastest Method
The most reliable way to transfer large amounts of data is to use USB-This method provides the maximum transmission speed, which is limited only by the port capabilities of your computer and the smartphone itself. To start, you need to connect the device to the PC, after which a notification about the charging mode will appear on the phone screen.
You have to click on this notification and select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the menu that appears. If you select Charge Only, the computer will not see the internal memory of the device. After switching the Windows mode, a new disk will appear in My Computer, which is your smartphone.
When you enter a disk, you will see several folders, but the main media files are usually stored in the DCIM directories (camera photos and videos) and Pictures (screenshots and images from messengers), you can simply drag and drop the desired files to the hard drive, copying them as normal documents.
☑️ Checking before connection
It is worth noting that when using this method, copy speeds can vary depending on the quality of the cable. Cheap cables designed only for charging will not be able to provide data transfer, so always use original or certified products.
Using Mi Cloud Cloud Storage and Synchronization
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own cloud solution called Mi Cloud, which is deeply integrated into the MIUI and HyperOS shell. This is ideal for those who want to automate the process and not think about manually copying every time.
To activate sync, go to your phone's settings, find the "Mi Cloud" section and log in. There you can choose which data to save: contacts, messages, notes, voice recordings and, of course, the gallery. When synced, all new photos are automatically uploaded to the cloud.
Access to files from your computer is via a browser at i.mi.com. Once you log in to your account, you will see all the synced data and be able to download it to your PC. This is convenient when you need to quickly get one particular document or photo without connecting your phone with wires.
⚠️ Note: Free in Mi Cloud is provided only 5 GB of space. to store a large archive of photos and videos of this volume may not be enough, so you will need a paid subscription or regular cleaning of the cloud.
It's important to understand the difference between synchronization and backup. Synchronization works in real time, and backup is created on schedule. 4K-Video, cloud method can be too slow without a high-speed plan.
Mi PC Suite: Official Management Solution
Xiaomi has developed a special program for computers called Mi PC Suite, which allows you to manage the content of a smartphone from a large screen.This software provides deeper access to the file system than a standard Windows Explorer, and allows you to make full backups.
Once you install the program on your computer and connect your smartphone, you'll see the interface with the sections: Photos, Music, Video and Backup. The backup feature is especially useful because it saves not only files but also folder structure, making it easier to recover data in case of loss of the phone.
However, it should be noted that support for this program in recent years is not updated regularly, and on new versions of Android or new models of Redmi it may not work stable. USB-port, preferably USB 3.0 (blue).
The interface allows you to sort files by date, create albums, and even edit some metadata, making the Mi PC Suite a convenient tool for organizing a media library before archiving it to external media.
Why Mi PC Suite may not work on Windows 11
Wireless transmission via FTP and conductor
Modern smartphones based on Android have a built-in function of creating FTP-It's a server that allows you to transfer files over your local Wi-Fi network without installing any additional software on your computer, and it's very convenient when you don't have a cable on hand, but both devices are on the same network.
Open the standard Explorer app on your phone, click on the menu (three bars or dots) and select Remote Control or FTP Access. By pressing Start, you will get an address that you need to enter into the address bar of any Explorer on your computer (for example, ftp://192.168.1.55:2121).
Once you enter the address, your computer will have access to all the folders on your phone, and the speed of the transfer depends on the quality of your router and the Wi-Fi standard (5GHz is much faster than 2.4GHz), and you can copy files, delete them, and rename them right from your PC keyboard.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Do I need the Internet? |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB Cable | Tall. | Requires wires. | No. |
| Mi Cloud | Depends on the network. | Automatically. | Yes. |
| FTP (Wi-Fi) | Medium/High | No wires. | No (wi-fi only) |
| Bluetooth | Very low. | Tough setup | No. |
Use of the FTP-The protocol is secure because the connection is only established inside your home network, and no one outside can access your files if your Wi-Fi is password protected.
Third-party apps: AirDroid and Send Anywhere
If standard tools seem inconvenient, third-party developments like AirDroid or Send Anywhere come to the rescue, providing advanced functionality including the ability to control your phone from your computer, receive SMS and work with notifications directly on the monitor.
To work with AirDroid, you need to install the application on your smartphone and register, after which you can manage files through a web interface in the browser. QR-code and instantly access files without authorization, which is very convenient for fast transfer.
Send Anywhere works by generating a six-digit key, so you pick up files on your phone, you get the code, you type it into the service's website from your computer, and it starts downloading, and this cross-platform solution works even if the devices are on different networks using an Internet channel.
⚠️ Note: When using free versions of third-party applications, the transfer speed can be limited, and the files themselves can pass through the developers' servers, which theoretically reduces the level of data privacy.
The feature of such programs is the availability of advertising in free versions and limits on the size of one transferred file. However, for regular use of the functionality is quite enough, especially given the availability of a convenient interface and transmission history.
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Use the Dark Theme feature in the guide apps when working with files at night to reduce eye strain and save battery power. OLED-Xiaomi screens.
Solving Connection and Driver Problems
Often, users are faced with a situation where the computer simply can not see the connected phone, the first thing to check the cable itself: many cheap cables only support charging and do not have lines for data transmission.
The second common reason is the lack of drivers: Windows 10 and 11 usually install them automatically, but older OS versions or specific Poco models may require manual driver launches. These are often in the Mi PC Suite installation folder or downloaded from the official website.
It is also worth checking the settings. USB-Although you don't need them for easy file transfer, sometimes turning on developer mode helps the system correctly identify the device. → About the phone and seven times click on the build number to activate the developer menu.
If nothing helps, try connecting your phone to another. USB-port, preferably directly to the motherboard (behind the system unit), bypassing USB-Hubs and front panels of the case, where there may be a lack of power.
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90% of Connection Problems Are Solved by Replacement USB-cable to high-quality shielded wire with support for data transmission.