How to quickly throw a photo from the phone Xiaomi: all working ways in 2026

Transferring photos from Xiaomi phones to other devices is a challenge that every user faces. Even if you back up to the cloud, sooner or later you have to transfer the images to your computer to edit, print or free up the memory of your smartphone. The problem is that standard methods (such as USB connection) often work unstable due to the features of MIUI firmware or drivers.

In this article, we will discuss 7 Proven ways to transfer photos from Xiaomi (including Redmi models, POCO and Black Shark on PC with Windows/Mac, Other Android smartphones or iPhones, and we'll focus on common errors, like when a computer doesn't see the phone as a storage device or asks you to unlock it when you connect. MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14.

1. Transfer of the photo through USB-cable (the most reliable method)

Cable connection remains the fastest and most versatile method, but Xiaomi has nuances: by default, the smartphone may not display as a drive due to settings. USB-Debugging or data mode. Here's how to fix it:

Check the quality of the cable first – cheap cords often don’t support data transfer (charging only). Use the original cable from the kit or a certified USB-C/USB-A labeled USB 2.0/3.0. Connect the phone to a PC and if it’s not automatically determined:

• 📱 On your phone, unlock the screen and swipe down the notification bar. Tap on the "Charge through" notification. USB".
• 🔄 Select File Transfer Mode (or File Manager in older versions) MIUI). If there is no such item, go to Settings → Connection and sharing → USB.
• 🖥️ On your computer, open "This Computer" (Windows) or Finder (Mac). The phone should appear as a removable drive (e.g., Redmi Note 12).
• 📁 Go to the folder. DCIM → Camera (or Pictures if the photos were saved in the gallery) Copy the files on your PC.

⚠️ Note: If your computer requests drivers for Xiaomi ADB Interface, download them from the official website MIUI (Installing through Device Manager in Windows may require disabling the digital signature check for drivers.

For Mac, you will also need to install the Android File Transfer app (free from the App Store).If the app doesn't see the phone, reboot both devices and reconnect.

Use the original cable |Unlock the Xiaomi screen |Select File Transfer mode |Check the drivers on PC (for Windows) |Install Android File Transfer (for Mac)

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2. Wireless transmission via Mi Drop (for Xiaomi phones)

Mi Drop is Xiaomi’s proprietary Wi-Fi Direct file sharing app, preinstalled on all MIUI smartphones, but often hidden in the Tools folder, with the main advantage of up to 20MB/s (10-15 times faster than Bluetooth) and no file size restrictions.

How to use:

• 📲 Open Mi Drop on both phones (sender and receiver). If the app is not available, download it from Google Play.
• 🔗 Press "Send" on the source device and "Get" on the target device. Wait for the phones to find each other.
• 📸 Select photos in the gallery or through the file manager. Confirm the transfer.
• ✅ Files will be saved to the MiDrop folder on the recipient’s internal drive.

Mi Drop works between Xiaomi and other Android smartphones, but for this, the second phone must have the Mi Drop or Xender app installed (alternative).

⚠️ Warning: If the transmission is interrupted, turn off the power saving mode on both phones (Settings) → Battery → Power saving mode. Wi-Fi Direct is sensitive to background constraints MIUI.

3. Transfer via Google Photos (automatic synchronization)

Google Photos is the most convenient way to back up and transfer photos if you have a Google account.

• 📱 Automatically uploading new images Wi-Fi/mobile.
• 💾 Free storage for photos in "High quality" (compression up to 16 MP).
• 🔄 Access to any device via browser or application.

How to set up:

1. Open the Google Photos app on Xiaomi (download from Play Market if removed).

To download the photo to your computer:

1. Go to photos.google.com and log in.
2. Select the desired pictures (or folder) → click “More” → “Download”.
3. Files will be uploaded to ZIP-Use Google Takeout for mass uploading.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Photos in "Original Quality" take up space in Google Drive (15 GB free).
• 📶 Downloading over a mobile network consumes traffic (better to use Wi-Fi).

Po Po Po USB-cable|Through the Cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)|Po Po Po Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct|Other ways-->

4.Using Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage integrated into MIUI, offering 5GB of free and automatically syncs photos if you have an option enabled, and is suitable for transferring pictures to another Xiaomi phone or computer.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or sign up).
3. Activate the "Synchronization Gallery" slider.
4. Select Wi-Fi only to avoid mobile traffic.

To download the photo on PC:

1. Open in i.mi.com and log in.
2. Go to the Gallery section.
3. Select the files → "Download" (download in ZIP-archive).

If Mi Cloud doesn’t sync your photos, check:

• 🔄 Is Auto Starting for the Gallery app enabled in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
• 📶 Wi-Fi connection (mobile network synchronization disabled by default).
• 🔄 Update the “Mi Cloud” app in the Play Market.

5. Transfer to iPhone via AirDrop (with restrictions)

Xiaomi does not officially support AirDrop, Apple's wireless transmission technology, but there are workarounds:

1. Upload your photos to the cloud with Xiaomi, then open the Google Photos app on your iPhone and save them to Photos.
2. By email or messenger: send photos to your email (eg Gmail) or to Telegram/WhatsApp, then download them to your iPhone.
3. Through cross-platform applications: 📱 Xender (available for iOS and Android). 📱 Send Anywhere (Credit 6-digit code for transmission).

For Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On Xiaomi, select a photo → “Send” → generate a code.
3. On iPhone, enter this code in the "Get" field.

Instructions for FTP:

1. Install FX File Explorer from the Play Market.
2. Open the side menu. → "FTP-server" → "Launch".
3. Remember the address of the form ftp://192.168.x.x:2221.
4. On your computer, open the "Windows" or Finder (Mac), enter the address in the address bar and download files.

7. Solving problems: phone not detected or photo not transmitted

If none of these methods work, check out these points:

For complex cases (for example, if the phone is not detected on any PC):

1. Try another one. USB-cable and port (preferably) USB 3.0 blue).
2. Update your MIUI firmware to the latest version (Settings → About Phone → System Update).
3. Reset USB settings: go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset USB settings.
4. If you are using Windows, remove Xiaomi drivers in Device Manager and reconnect the phone.

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If you need to transfer a photo from a damaged Xiaomi screen, connect your phone to your PC USB, Then use the combination of Volume up. + Power to unlock (if option is enabled "USB-debugging").

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos from Xiaomi

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For maximum transfer speed, use USB 3.0 (blue port) + the original Xiaomi cable. If you want to upload a photo on your iPhone, the best option is Google Photos or Send Anywhere.