How to quickly throw photos from Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 on your computer: a detailed guide

Transferring photos from Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 to your computer seems like a simple task — until you face the typical problems: the phone is not defined as a drive, MIUI asks for unlocking, and Windows stubbornly does not see files. This article will not just list the methods, but will analyze each method taking into account the features of Redmi Note 5 (codename whyred), its MIUI firmware and typical user errors.

We tested all the current methods on devices with MIUI 10-14, including older versions of Android 8.1 Oreo and new custom firmware, with special attention to transfer speed, metadata preservation (filming dates, geotagging) and solutions for cases where standard methods do not work «USB-Device not identified" or "Folder DCIM Empty – here you will find specific fixes.

Transfer through USB-cable: step-by-step instructions with error fixes

The most obvious way is to connect the Redmi Note 5 to your PC via cable, but even here there are nuances: since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has changed the logic of connection, and in Windows 10/11, driver conflicts often trigger.

1. Use the original cable from the kit or a certified USB-Type C (for Redmi Note 5 - microUSB). Cheap cables may not support data transfer, only charging.

2 Connect your phone to your PC. The Redmi Note 5 screen will show a notification "Charge via USB" - tap it.

3. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). If this option is not available, update MIUI or check the developer settings (more on this below).

Enable debugging on USB (old-form MIUI)|Check the cable for integrity|Update the drivers MTP PC-only|Disable Antivirus (can block access)-->

If the computer can't see the phone:

• 🔌 Check the port. USB: Try another connector on the PC (preferably) USB 2.0 – They are more stable with the MTP).
• 🖥️ Update drivers: in Device Manager, find Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (can appear as “Unknown Device”), click on PCM → «Update the driver» → «Perform a search on this computer» → select the driver MTP manually.
• 📱 Reset the settings. USB: on the phone go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times to activate the developer mode, then to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, select Configuration Reset. USB.

A critical detail for the Redmi Note 5: if you use custom firmware (like LineageOS), MTP mode may not work well, in which case switch to PTP mode, which is slower but more reliable for photo transfer.

2. Wireless transmission via Mi Drop (formerly Mi Share)

If the cable is not available, or USB-The port is damaged, Mi Drop is a built-in solution from Xiaomi for transferring files over Wi-Fi Direct:

• 🚀 Speed up to 10 MB/s (depending on the router).
• 🔒 Photo metadata is saved (unlike messengers).
• 📱 It works even without the Internet (direct connection between devices).

Instructions:

1. On Redmi Note 5, open the Mi Drop app (if not, download from the Mi App Store).
2. Click “Send” → select a photo from the gallery.
3. On PC, open your browser and go to the address http://midrop.xiaomi.com (or scan. QR-phone-screen).
4. Confirm the transmission on both devices.

Limitations of Mi Drop:

• 📛 The maximum size of one file is 500 MB (for a photo this is enough, but the video may not pass).
• 🔄 When sending a large number of photos (100)+ pieces) possible breaks - divide into batches of 30-50 files.
• 🌐 Chrome, Edge, or Firefox must be installed on your PC (Safari is not supported).

⚠️ Note: If Mi Drop can't find the computer, check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile internet!). On the Redmi Note 5, the built-in firewall can also block transmission - disable it in Settings → Annexes → Mi Drop → Permits.

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient for regular backups, but has speed and volume limitations. Compare the two popular options for the Redmi Note 5:

How to upload photos to Google Photos:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open the app → click on the avatar → “Photofilm” → “Load and sync” (turn on the switch).
3. Choose the quality “Original” (if quality preservation is important) or “High” (saves space).
4. Wait for the boot (on the Redmi Note 5, it may take time due to the weak Snapdragon 636) processor.
5. On PC, open photos.google.com and download the photo.

For Mi Cloud:

1. Register for Mi Account (if not) in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Open the gallery → Select a photo → Share → Mi Cloud.
3. On PC, go to i.mi.com, log in and download files.

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If photos in Google Photos take too long to load, before starting, put Redmi Note 5 in airplane mode, leaving only Wi-Fi. This will eliminate background processes that inhibit loading.

4. Transfer through FTP-server (for advanced users)

If you need to send a large number of photos (for example, after a vacation), USB And the clouds don't fit, we can start. FTP-The server is directly on the Redmi Note 5, which requires minimal configuration, but gives you full control over the transmission.

Instructions:

1. Install an FTP Server application (e.g., FTP Server Ultimate).
2. Launch the server in the application (by default port) 2221, login — anonymous/hollow).
3. On PC, open the explorer and enter in the address bar: ftp://[IP-Address to your Redmi Note 5]:2221 (IP-The address can be found in the settings of the Wi-Fi phone).
4. Log in and copy files from /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera.

Pros of the method:

• 📈 Speed is limited only to your Wi-Fi (up to 50MB/s on a good router).
• 🔧 You can set up selective access to folders.
• 📁 The folder structure and all metadata are preserved.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use FTP To send sensitive photos to public Wi-Fi networks, data is transmitted without encryption, for security, turn on the settings. FTP-Server Options Only Local Area Network.

5. Alternative methods: Telegram, AirDroid and SD-map

If standard methods don’t work, consider these options:

• 📤 Telegram: Create a chat called Save Messages. Send photos as a file (not as an image!) so they will be saved without compression. On PC, open web.telegram.org and download files. Limit: up to 2 GB per file, but slowly for a large number of photos.
• 🤖 AirDroid: Install AirDroid on your phone. Sign up and connect to your PC account via the web. Go to Files» → DCIM And download the files you need.

Plus, you can transfer the photo directly to ZIP-archive.

SD-map

1. Move the photo to SD-gallery-card → Select → Move it → SD-map.
2. Remove the card and insert it into the PC card reader.

Minus: on the Redmi Note 5 SD-The card is often defined as a portable storage device rather than as part of internal memory.

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For maximum speed, use a combination of methods: for example, transfer the main part of the photos via FTP, and the rest through Mi Drop. This will save time and avoid losses when the connection breaks.

6. Solving common problems

Even with the right settings, you can get errors when you're transferring photos.

If none of the methods work:

1. Check if the phone is not enabled mode Do not transfer data to Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version (old firmware had bugs with MTP).
3. Reset network settings: Settings → System → Reset → Network settings reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos with Redmi Note 5