How to copy files from Xiaomi to your computer: all the ways of 2026

Transferring data from your smartphone to your PC is a challenge that every Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO user faces. Whether you want to free up your device’s memory, back up important documents, or just edit your big screen photos, there are dozens of file transfer options today, but not all of them are equally convenient: cable is required somewhere, stable Wi-Fi is needed somewhere, and some methods work only with certain models.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to copy files from Xiaomi phones to a computer running Windows 10/11 or macOS, including solutions for cases where the device is not determined by the system, focusing on transfer speed, data security and avoiding common errors (for example, when the phone connects only as a “charger”).

If you are looking for the fastest way, go to the section about USB-debug MTP-For those who prefer wireless solutions, you can find detailed options through Mi Drop, Google Drive and LAN. And if your Xiaomi stubbornly doesn't want to see your PC, there's a checklist at the end of this article to diagnose the problem.

All instructions tested on Xiaomi models 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and compatible with firmware MIUI 14/15 (For owners of older devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A2 Android One provides some recommendations.

1. File transfer via USB-cable (MTP-regime)

The classic method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones is MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) cable connectivity, which is the most reliable way to transfer large amounts of data (like 4K video files or archives), but it requires a physical connection and sometimes faces device recognition problems.

To copy files via USB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC using the original cable (preferably from the kit – cheap analogues may not support data transfer).
2. On the screen of the smartphone will appear a notification “Charging via USB” – tap it.
3. Select File Transfer (or MTP in older versions of MIUI).
4. The computer will open a conductor window with folders of the phone (usually it is "Inner Memory" and "SD-map" if it is fixed).

Now you can drag and drop files with your mouse or use Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V combinations. It is important: do not remove the cable during transfer – this can cause file damage, especially if it is a database (for example, Telegram chats or WhatsApp).

Use the original cable (or certified USB-C)

Update MTP drivers on PC (via Device Manager)

Disable the "Only Charging" mode in the developer settings

Reboot the phone if it is not determined-->

If your computer doesn’t see Xiaomi in MTP mode, try the following:

• 🔌 Change. USB-port on PC (preferably) USB 3.0 blue - it's faster).
• 📱 Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on "Version" MIUI", then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, include "Debugging by USB".
• 🖥️ Reinstall drivers: in Windows, open Device Manager, find Xiaomi in the Portable Devices section, right-click and select Update Driver".

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

If you don’t have a cable on hand or want to avoid wires, use Mi Drop (formerly Mi File Manager) app, which allows you to transfer files between Xiaomi and your PC over a local network without size restrictions (unlike Bluetooth).

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Mi Drop on your phone (pre-installed on most devices).
2. On PC, open your browser and go to drop.xiaomi.com.
3. On the phone in Mi Drop, select "Send", then "Computer".
4. Scan it. QR-code from the PC screen or enter a 6-digit pairing code.

Once connected, you can drag and drop files right in the browser window.

• 🚀 Transmission speed to 10-15 MB/s (depends on the router).
• 🔒 Data is transmitted over an encrypted channel (unlike public Wi-Fi networks).
• 📁 Folders and files of any format (including.apk,.zip) are supported).

Through USB-cable

Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP)

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

Bluetooth or NFC

Another option-->

Mi Drop automatically compresses images when you transmit them if you have enabled the Traffic Saving option in your app settings. To transmit photos in their original quality, turn them off before sending them.

3.Using Mi PC Suite for backup

Xiaomi’s official Mi PC Suite is designed not only for file transfers, but also for full data backup, firmware updates and contact management. This is ideal if you need to transfer not only media files to your PC, but also:

• 📞 Call log and SMS.
• 📅 Notes and calendar events.
• 🎮 Game savers (e.g. Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail).

How to use Mi PC Suite:

1. Download the program from the official website and install it on the PC.
2. Connect your phone via USB (MTP or File Transfer).
3. In the main window of the program, select the "Backup" or "Files" section.
4. Tick the necessary data and click "Export".

The program automatically organizes files into categories (photos, music, documents) and saves them to a folder on your PC. Please note: Mi PC Suite does not support macOS - for Mac use Android File Transfer or Mi Drop.

💡

If the Mi PC Suite doesn’t see the phone, try temporarily disabling the antivirus (like Avast or Kaspersky) – they sometimes block the connection of Xiaomi devices.

4. Cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex.Disk

Cloud storage is convenient for backing up and accessing files from any device. Xiaomi offers its own solution - Mi Cloud (5 GB for free), but also supports integration with Google Drive and other services.

Comparison of cloud services for Xiaomi:

To upload files to Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired data types (e.g., "Gallery" or "Notes").
3. On PC, open i.mi.com and log in to the same Xiaomi account.
4. Download files via the web interface or the official Mi Cloud application for Windows/macOS.

Important for Redmi and POCO users: If you use global firmware, sync with Mi Cloud may be disabled by default. To enable it, go to Settings → Additional → Region and select China (reboot required).

5. Transmission over FTP or local area network (for power users)

For those who prefer full control over the process, file transfer is suitable. FTP or locally IP-This method requires minimal adjustment, but provides high speed (up to the end of the day). 20-30 MB/s on a local network and works even without the Internet.

How to set up FTP-server:

1. Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app from Google Play.
2. Open the side menu and select "FTP-server" (or "remote access").
3. Click "Run" and the address of the form ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx appears.
4. On PC, open "Conductor" (or Total Commander) and enter this address in the address bar.

To connect to IP-address (without address) FTP):

1. Make sure your phone and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. In Mi Drop or Explorer, select Transfer over IP.
3. Enter the generated address (e.g. http://192.168.1.100:8080) in your PC browser.

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FTP and IP transmission are the fastest wireless methods, but they require the phone and PC to be on the same network. For public Wi-Fi (such as in a cafe), use Mi Drop or clouds.

6. Problem Solving: The phone doesn't connect to the PC

If Xiaomi is not detected by a computer in any of the modes, use this diagnostic manual:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ Android 13+ You may need to confirm access to files when you first connect. If the request window doesn't appear, check the notifications in the curtain.

Checklist for troubleshooting:

• 🔄 Restart both devices (phone and PC).
• 🔌 Try another cable/port (USB-C on USB-A or USB-C on USB-C).
• 📱 Reset the settings. USB: In Settings → Additionally. → For developers, select "Configuration Reset" USB".
• 🖥️ Update drivers: download Mi USB Driver and install them manually.
• 🛡️ Turn off the firewall/antivirus for 5 minutes (sometimes they block) MTP-linkage).

If the problem persists, check:

• 📵 Inactive USB-Debugging: Enable it in the developer settings.
• 🔧 Damaged nest USB on your phone (try connecting another device to this port).
• 🖼️ Conflict with other connected devices (disconnect flash drives, external drives).

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring files from Xiaomi to PC