How to upload a photo from your computer to your Xiaomi phone: all working ways

Transferring photos from your computer to your Xiaomi smartphone (including Redmi and POCO models) seems like a simple task — until you encounter connection errors, slow speeds or unexpected restrictions. In 2026, users have at least 5 proven ways to transfer files, each of which is optimal for different situations, from transferring hundreds of photos in original quality to quickly sending 2-3 pictures without cables.

The main problem is the choice of method, USB-The cable provides maximum speed, but requires a physical connection and setup of data transfer mode. Wi-Fi Direct or Mi Drop are convenient for wireless exchange, but can slow down with a large amount of files. Cloud services like Google Photos or Mi Cloud retain the history of changes, but are limited by the amount of free storage. In this article, we will analyze each option with the nuances of firmware. MIUI 14/15 Features of the new Xiaomi models 14 Redmi Note 13.

Important: If you use a Mac instead of Windows, some of the instructions will require you to install additional software (like Android File Transfer).

Transfer through USB-cable: the most reliable method

Connecting your phone to your computer via cable remains the most stable method, especially if you need to transfer tens of gigabytes of photos without compression, but MIUI may default to Charging mode, not File Transfer. Here's how to fix this:

Check the cable first: Xiaomi’s original wires (especially those from the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ kit) support USB 3.2 and speeds up to 10 Gbps. Cheap uncertified cables are often limited to USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), which is 20 times slower.

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC with a cable (port) USB-C phone-on, USB-A/USB-C computer-based).
• 📱 A notification will appear on the phone screen «USB To transfer files – tap on it.
• 🔄 Select the "File Transfer" mode» (MTP) instead of "Recharging».
• 🖥️ A conductor window with a phone folder will open on the computer (usually this device). → Internal storage).

If the folder does not open automatically:

• On Windows: Go to This Computer and find the Xiaomi device in the Devices and Disks section.
• On a Mac: Install Android File Transfer (official software from Google).

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14+ When you first connect to a new PC, you may need to unlock the screen to confirm the trusted device. If you don't, the folders won't show up.

Where to save a photo on your phone? We recommend using a folder DCIM → Camera – This way photos will automatically appear in the gallery MIUI. Alternatively, create a new folder at the root of the storage (e.g, Photos_from_PC).

Make sure the cable supports data transfer (not just charging)

Unlock the phone screen before connecting

Select MTP mode in the USB notification

Make sure that the phone has enough free space (minimum 10% of the volume of files transferred)

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2. Wireless transmission via Mi Drop (Wi-Fi Direct)

Mi Drop is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for sharing files between devices over a local network, and the advantage of the method is that you do not need to connect to the Internet, and the speed reaches 10-15 MB / s (depending on the router model), minus – both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. On your phone, open the Mi Drop app. If it's not available, download it from Google Play.

If the address is not opened:

• 🔄 Restart the router and try again.
• 📶 Make sure your phone and PC are connected to the same network (not the guest network!).
• 🛡️ Temporarily turn off the firewall on your computer.

⚠️ Attention: On phones POCO shelled POCO The launcher Mi Drop app may be called Quick Share.

The transmission speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard:

Po Po Po USB-cable|

Through the Cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)|

Over Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP) |

Through messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|

Another option-->

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient for backing up and accessing photos from multiple devices, but each service has limitations:

• 📷 Google Photos: Freely stores photos in “high quality” (compression up to 16 MP), originals take up space in Google Drive (15 GB free).

How to upload photos to Google Photos from PC:

1. Open photos.google.com in your browser.
2. Press Download. → Computer.
3. Select the files and wait for the download to be completed.
4. On your phone, open the Google Photos app and sync the data.

For Mi Cloud:

1. On the phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery.
2. Enable "Sync Photos"
3. On PC, go to i.mi.com, log in and upload files via the web interface.

⚠️ Note: When downloading to Mi Cloud via mobile internet (not Wi-Fi), Xiaomi can block file transfer sizes >50MB. Use only Wi-Fi.

A critical nuance for Xiaomi 13/14 owners: MIUI 15 has Mi Cloud background sync disabled by default to save battery. To download photos automatically, add the Gallery app to the battery optimization exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).

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If you need to make room on your phone, but USB transmission is not possible, upload a photo to Google Photos in “high quality” (free of charge), and then delete the originals from the device.

4. Messengers and social networks: fast exchange without registration

If you need to transfer 1-10 photos without installing additional programs, messengers are suitable.

• 📎 Telegram: no limits on file size (up to 2 GB), maintains original quality. Use the Send function without compression (click photo) → «Send it as a file»).
• 💬 WhatsApp: compresses photos up to 16 MP, but is convenient for fast sending. WhatsApp Web allows you to download files directly from your PC.
• 📧 Email: attach a photo to an email and send it to your mail, then open it on your phone. Suitable for files up to 25 MB (limiting most email services).

Step-by-step instructions for Telegram:

1. On PC, open the web version of Telegram or desktop application.
2. Go to the Saved Messages chat.
3. Drag the photo into the chat window or click on the paper clip → File.
4. On the phone, open the same chat and download files (tap on the photo → Save to the gallery).

Limitations:

• In Viber and Facebook Messenger, photos are compressed to 1200px on the long side.
• Instagram Direct reduces the resolution to 1080px and converts to JPEG even if the original is in PNG or HEIC.

5. FTP-Server on the phone: for advanced users

If you need to transfer large amounts of data regularly (for example, RAW-Photo from the camera, set up FTP-It's a server right on the phone, and it'll connect to it like a network drive.

Instructions for MIUI:

1. Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app from Google Play.
2. Open the side menu. → FTP-server → Launch.
3. Remember the server address (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.100:2221), login and password.
4. On PC, open Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and enter the address in the address bar.
5. Log in and copy files like a regular hard drive.

Advantages of the method:

• 📥 Speed is limited only by your Wi-Fi capabilities (up to 20 MB/s on Xiaomi 14 Pro).
• 🔄 You can set up automatic folder sync (for example, through Total Commander).
• 🔒 Encryption is supported (in Solid Explorer).

⚠️ Attention: FTP-The server on the phone uses a lot of power, so connect the device to charge during transmission, or the battery will run out of power. 1-2 hour.

For models with MIUI 15 and later, an alternative protocol is available - WebDAV. It is safer than FTP and supports HTTPS encryption.

Settings → Additional → Laboratory → Enable WebDAV server

6 Specialized programs: AirDroid, Snapdrop and others

If the standard methods don't work, use third-party utilities, which offer additional features like remote management, transmission without connecting to the same network or encryption.

Top.-3 Xiaomi:

How to use Snapdrop:

1. On your phone and PC, open the site snapdrop.net in the browser.
2. The devices will automatically detect each other (they must be on the same network).
3. Drag files into the browser window on the PC → confirm the reception on the phone.

AirDroid is convenient for continuous use:

• 📲 Install the app on your phone and desktop version on PC.
• 🔗 Register or enter through Google/Facebook.
• 📎 In the Files section, select a folder on your PC and phone for synchronization.

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To transfer sensitive photos (documents, scans) use Send Anywhere with encryption or AirDroid in Private Network mode (only for your devices).

7 Problems and Mistakes: What to Do When Nothing Works

Even with the right settings, file transfers can be interrupted. Consider typical errors and their solutions for Xiaomi devices.

Problem 1: The computer can’t see the phone through USB.

• 🔌 Try a different cable or port on your PC (especially if you use a hub).
• 🖥️ On Windows, update drivers: Device Manager → Portable devices → [Your Xiaomi] → Update the driver.
• 📱 On the phone, turn on "Debugging by" USB» (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Problem 2: Mi Drop is not connected to the PC.

• 🔄 Restart the router and check that it is disabled “Customer isolation mode»** (AP Isolation).
• 📡 Change the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings (from Auto to 6 or 11).
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN phone and PC.

Problem 3: Google Photos are loaded in low quality.

• 📷 In Google Photos settings, select Original Quality (requires space in Google Drive).
• 💾 Free up space in the cloud or buy more space.
• 🔍 Check if compression is included in mobile traffic settings (Settings) → Transfer of data → Saving traffic).

Problem 4: FTP-The server on the phone is constantly shut down.

• 🔋 Connect your phone to charge.
• 📵 Turn off the power saving mode for the server application (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select the application → No restrictions).
• 🔄 Reduce timeout inactivity in settings FTP-server (by default) 5-10 minute).

FAQ: Frequent questions