Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with cameras that can shoot in 4K and even 8K resolution, which inevitably leads to overflow of internal memory of the device. High-quality video capture takes up gigabytes of free space, forcing users to look for effective ways to transfer files to more spacious media. Moving the media library to a personal computer is the most logical solution to free up space and create backups of valuable moments.
There are many methods of data transfer, each of which has its advantages depending on the size of files and the speed of the Internet connection. In this article, we will discuss in detail the wired and wireless methods, as well as focus on solving the typical problems that arise when connecting a smartphone to Windows or macOS. You will learn to use the hidden capabilities of the MIUI system for the fastest synchronization.
Before we start, it's important to understand that the choice of method directly affects the speed of copying. For large amounts of data, such as long videos, it is preferable to use a cable, whereas for several short clips, cloud storage or messenger will do. Let's look at all the options available in detail.
Preparation of the smartphone and the choice of cable
The first step in the file transfer process is to physically connect the device. USB-The cable that came with the smartphone, or the high-quality analogue with data support, cheap cables designed only for charging, will not be able to provide a connection between the phone and the computer, which will lead to an error of connection.
After connecting devices, you need to change the mode of operation USB-By default, Xiaomi can charge from your computer, ignoring requests for access to the file system. You need to lower the notification curtain and find the Charge notification via the file system. USB. Clicking on it, you open the menu to select the mode of operation.
In the list that opens, you should select File Transfer or Android Auto, which allows the computer operating system to see the phone's internal memory as an external drive. If you select Charge Only, the computer will not display new drives in the explorer.
⚠️ Attention: When you first connect to a new computer, a request for debugging or data access may appear on the smartphone screen. Be sure to click "Allow" or the folders will remain hidden.
Make sure that USB-The port on the computer is good and provides sufficient current. Ports on the front panel of the system unit are often less stable than those on the motherboard at the back. USB 3.0 (usually blue).
Transferring Videos via Windows Explorer (MTP)
The most common and reliable way to copy video is using the standard MTP protocol. Once you switch USB mode to the File Transfer connector, a new device with the name of your smartphone will appear on your computer in the "My Computer" or "This Computer" section, and when you open it, you will access the Android file system.
Videos taken on the main camera are usually stored in the DCIM folder and then in the Camera subfolder. If you used other applications to shoot, the files may be in the Pictures directory or in the folders of specific programs, such as Telegram or WhatsApp. Find the desired file, highlight it and copy to the computer's hard drive.
The speed of copying depends on the class of the memory card (if the files are on it) and the speed of writing the internal drive. 4K-The process can take a few minutes to complete the video clips, so don't interrupt the transmission abruptly so as not to damage the structure of the video file.
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Use the Cut feature instead of Copy if you want to make room on your phone right away, but you'd better copy the file first, check it on your PC, and then delete the original.
MacOS users will need to install additional software, as Windows works with Android natively, and Mac does not. Android File Transfer or OpenMTP app will allow you to see the Xiaomi file system in the Apple environment.
Use of Mi PC Suite and Mi Share
Xiaomi has developed its own software to manage a smartphone from a computer, although in recent versions of MIUI functionality has been somewhat curtailed in favor of cloud services. However, using specialized software can simplify sorting media files. The official utility allows you to see the gallery in a convenient way and export selected videos with one click.
The alternative is Mi Share (or Mi Drop), which allows you to transfer files over Wi-Fi without using cables, but at high speed. To work this method, the computer and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network. On a PC, you need to open the browser and enter the address displayed on the smartphone screen, or use the web version of the service.
The advantage of Xiaomi’s wireless methods is that you don’t have to search for cables and drivers, but for tens of gigabytes of video, it may be less stable than a direct USB connection.
When using proprietary utilities, make sure that your smartphone firmware version is up to date. Older versions of MIUI may have compatibility issues with newer versions of PC software. System updates often contain patches of data protocols.
Wireless transmission over FTP and local area network
One of the most elegant ways that do not require installation of heavy software on a PC is the use of built-in software. FTP-This method turns your smartphone into a network drive, accessible from any device on the same Wi-Fi network, ideal for laptop owners without the right ports.
To activate the function, open the Explorer application, go to the Network tab or click on the three-bar menu where you need to select Network Access. After the server is turned on, an address will appear on the screen starting with ftp://. This address must be entered in the address bar of any conductor on the computer.
Once you enter the address, your computer will have full access to your phone files, and you can drag and drop video with your mouse as if you were working with a regular folder on your desktop, and the speed of your Wi-Fi router and the standard it supports (e.g., 802.11ac) will only be limited.
| Parameter | USB Cable | FTP (Wi-Fi) | Cloud. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Medium (depending on router) | Low (depending on the internet) |
| Stability | Tall. | Medium | Tall. |
| Need for PO | Not required | Not required | Customer required |
| Battery consumption | Minimum | Medium. | High-pitched |
It is important to note that when using FTP-The protocol phone must remain unlocked or have a configured "Do not turn off the screen" setting during transmission, otherwise the connection may be broken. Some Xiaomi models allow you to keep the connection active even when the screen is turned off, if the Wi-Fi settings allow you to work in the background.
Cloud Storage and Synchronization
If physical access to your computer is limited or you want to create an automatic backup, cloud services will be the best solution. Xiaomi Cloud, Google Photos and Yandex.Disk offer auto-save features that download new videos immediately after shooting.
For large volumes of video, services that provide a virtual drive integrated into the system, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, are best suited, and if you install an app on your PC, you get a folder that syncs automatically, and you just move the video to that folder on your phone, and it will appear on your computer.
⚠️ Attention: Uploading video to the cloud consumes mobile Internet traffic, it is recommended to configure sync only over Wi-Fi, so as not to exhaust the limits of the tariff plan.
The main disadvantage of cloud-based methods is the dependence on the speed of the Internet channel. Downloading one hour of video to 4K can take several hours with a slow connection, but this is the price for the convenience and security of data in the event of loss or failure of the device.
How to save space in the cloud?
Solving Connection and Driver Problems
Often, users are faced with a situation where the computer charges the phone but does not see it as a drive. In most cases, the problem lies in the lack of necessary MTP drivers in the Windows operating system.
To rectify this, open Device Manager on your computer. Find a device with a yellow exclamation point or item "MTP USB Device. Right-click, select "Update Driver" and point the way to standard Microsoft drivers by selecting the model MTP USB-list-book.
Another reason could be the enabled USB debugging, which sometimes conflicts with file transfer mode. Try turning off the developer mode in your phone settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Developer Settings → and turn off the switch.
☑️ Diagnostics of connection
If nothing works, try resetting your network settings on your smartphone or resetting your USB settings. In some cases, cleaning the Media Storage cache in your application settings helps, forcing the system to re-index files and establish a connection.