Transfer files from Xiaomi to your computer via USB-The cable seems like a simple task – until you encounter errors like “Device not recognized” or lack of access to the phone’s memory. Even experienced users sometimes lose hours to find a solution when Windows stubbornly refuses to see the smartphone, and in the conductor instead of folders with photos appears empty screen. MIUI PC-based drivers.
In this article, we will analyze all current methods of data transfer – from standard connection in mode. MTP bypassing the locks through ADB, If the phone is not visible by the system, we will focus on typical errors (for example, when the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is defined as a “media device”, but the files are not copied), and give a checklist to diagnose the problems «USB-Device not recognized, skip the first partition and go straight to troubleshooting.
What USB modes support Xiaomi and which to choose
Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones offer 4 basic USB connection modes, and it depends on whether you can copy files or just charge your phone.
- 🔌 Charging only - blocks access to the phone's memory, used by default to save battery power.
- 📁 File transfer (MTP) — It's standard mode for photo, video and document copying, and it works on Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 🖥️ USB-modem (RNDIS) — Turns your phone into a PC Internet source, and files are not available in this mode.
- 🔧 Mid (PTP) — It's a digital camera mode, and it's good if you're using a digital camera. MTP doesn't work.
Most tasks require MTP (Media Transfer Protocol). However, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), this protocol may conflict with Windows 11 drivers, and the system will constantly reconnect the device. In this case, try PTP - it is less demanding for software, but will only show the DCIM folder with photos and videos.
Important: If you connect Xiaomi to a Mac, MTP/PTP modes may not work without additional software (such as Android File Transfer).
sudo apt install mtp-toolsStep-by-step: how to download files from Xiaomi on PC
Before connecting, make sure that:
Use the original USB cable (or certified USB-C)
The screen is unlocked on the phone (otherwise access to files will be limited)
PCs have current drivers installed (especially for Windows 7/10)
Shut down. VPN or firewall that can block the connection-->
Now, follow the instructions:
- Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB-Use the port. USB 3.0 (blue) for maximum transmission speed.
- The phone will have a notification “Charge via USB” tap it and select File Transfer (or MTP).
- On your PC, open This Computer (or My Computer in Windows 7). The Devices and Disks section should show your Xiaomi icon (like the Redmi Note 11).
- Double-click on the device to open internal memory: 📸 DCIM — photo and video 🎵 Music - audio files 📄 Documents – Documents and downloads 📁 Download – files downloaded through the browser
Select the files you want and drag them to the folder on your computer (or copy them via Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V).
Transfer speeds via USB 2.0 on Xiaomi are limited to ~40 MB/s, and on USB 3.0 can reach 200-400 MB/s (depending on the phone model and cable). If copying is too slow, check the cable for damage or try another port.
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To speed up the transfer of large numbers of small files (such as photos), archive them in ZIP directly on your phone (use the Archivator app from Xiaomi).
Problems with connecting Xiaomi to PC and their solutions
If your computer can’t see Xiaomi or files aren’t copied, check out these points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Device not identified (code 43) | No MTP drivers or conflict with other devices | Install ADB drivers or update them through Device Manager |
| The phone is charged, but not defined as a drive | Charging Only mode or MIUI failure enabled | Restart the phone, then select MTP in the connection notification |
| Folders are empty or not open | Problems with access resolution (especially on Windows 11) | Try PTP Mode or use Android File Transfer on Mac |
| The connection is constantly breaking. | A cable or USB port is damaged. | Try another cable (preferably original) and port on PC |
| You can not copy files to a memory card | MIUI block access SD-map USB | Remove the card and connect it through the card reader |
If none of these methods worked, try alternative methods:
- 🌐 On Wi-Fi: Use apps like Send Anywhere or Xiaomi File Manager (built-in Send to your computer»).
- ☁️ Cloud: upload files to Mi Cloud, Google Drive or Yandex.Disk, then download to PC.
- 🔧 ADB: For experienced users, the adb pull command /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos copy the photo to disk C:.
How to enable USB debugging for ADB?
⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, some modes USB In this case, before connecting to the PC, temporarily disable Magisk or other modifications of the system.
Features of Xiaomi connection to Mac and Linux
On macOS, you need Android File Transfer to work with MTP, download it from Google's official website and follow the instructions. Importantly, the program often conflicts with MIUI 14, so before you connect:
- Update Android File Transfer to the latest version.
- Reboot Xiaomi and Mac.
- Connect your phone in PTP mode (if the MTP is not working).
On Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.), the problems are usually associated with the lack of mtp-tools and gvfs-mtp packages.
sudo apt install mtp-tools gvfs-mtpIf files are not displayed after installation, try mounting the device manually:
mtpfs -o allow_other /media/XiaomiWhere /media/Xiaomi is a folder that you need to create in advance.
⚠️ Note: Some Linux distributions (such as Arch Linux) may need to disable the module. usb_storage, since he is in conflict with MTP. Follow the command: sudo modprobe -r usb_storage
How to speed up file transfer from Xiaomi to PC
The speed of copying depends on three factors: the USB version, the quality of the cable, and the fragmentation of files on the phone.
- 🔌 Use it. USB 3.0+: a blue port on PC and cable labeled SuperSpeed (or USB 3.1 Gen 1) On Xiaomi 12T Pro and newer speed reaches 500 MB / s.
- 📦 Archiving files: transfer of one ZIP-An archive of 1,000 photos will be faster than copying each file individually.
- 🧹 Clear the cache: before transfer go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. It'll reduce fragmentation.
- 🔄 Disable Sync: Stop Google Photos, Mi Cloud, and other services that can block files.
For a speed test, connect Xiaomi to a PC and start copying a large file (like a video in 4K). If the speed is below 50MB/s, check:
- Cable for physical damage (excesses, broken contacts).
- USB port on PC – connect the flash drive and check its speed.
- Phone settings: in For developers, disable the option Disable USB-audio routing (may inhibit transmission).
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The fastest transfer speeds are achieved using Xiaomi’s original cable (out of the kit) and USB 3.2 port on PC. Cheap cables often limit bandwidth to USB 2.0 (60 MB/s).
Alternative ways to transfer files without USB
If you can’t connect via cable (for example, if the port is broken or there are no drivers), use these methods:
- 📲 Local area network (FTP): Install the app on Xiaomi FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer. FTP-server (usually under "Network" or "Remote Access"). On your PC, open Explorer and enter the view address ftp://192.168.x.x:port (data will be displayed in the appendix).
Cloud services
Upload files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Dropbox, then download them to your PC. For larger files (>10GB), use WeTransfer.
Direct reference
In the Xiaomi Gallery, select a photo → Share → Download link. A temporary link is generated that can be opened on a PC.
For the transfer of large amounts of data (for example, a backup of 50+ GB), optimally use:
- 🖥️ Network disk (SMB): Set up a folder share on your PC and connect to it from your phone via FX File Explorer.
- 💾 Outside SSD: Connect the drive to Xiaomi through OTG-Adapter, copy files, then transfer them to the PC.
If it doesn’t work, download the drivers manually from the Android Developers website.