How to copy photos from Xiaomi to your computer: all ways 2026

Transfer photos from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO on the computer seems to be a simple task - until you encounter connection errors, no drivers or broken MTP-in the regime. 2026 The problem is complicated by updates MIUI 14/15, which change the location of settings and sometimes block the transfer of files through USB. This article covers all the current methods - from classic cable to cloud services, taking into account the features of the latest firmware.

We tested each method on Xiaomi models. 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 steerable MIUI 15 (Android 13/14). If you are using the old version MIUI (before 12.5), Some menu items may be different, and for those cases, we've added a section with alternative instructions, and we've also broken down some of the common mistakes that you might have in your computer, which are why the computer can't see the phone, how to get around the transmission restrictions. RAW-What to do if your photos are copied in low resolution.

Before you start, check two key points: 1) The phone should have enough charge (at least 20%) – at low battery level Xiaomi automatically turns off data transfer over USB. 2) Use the original cable from the kit or certified USB-C/USB-A with data transfer support (cheap charging cables often do not transfer files).

Transfer through USB-cable (MTP-regime)

The most reliable and quickest way is to connect your phone to your computer via cable, but in recent MIUIs, this method often fails due to changes in the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) protocol. Follow the step-by-step instructions to avoid errors.

Connect your phone to your PC using a cable. The Xiaomi screen will show a "Charge via USB" notification, tap it. In the window that opens, select "Charge File" (or "File Manager" on older versions of MIUI).

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Connection and sharing → USB.
• 📱 Select "File Transfer" (MTP). In some models (POCO X5, Redmi 10C) This item may be called a "Multimedia device".
• 🖥️ On your computer, open "This Computer" or "File Manager" (macOS/Linux) — The phone should be displayed as a removable disk.

If the telephone is not identified:

⚠️ Attention: On Windows 10/11 Often there are no drivers for new Xiaomi models. download the official Mi package PC Suite ("Drivers" section) or use the universal Google driver USB Driver.

To copy the photo:

1. Open the Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera (or Pictures if the photo is saved in the gallery).
2. Select the files you need (click Ctrl+A to highlight everyone).
3. Drag them to a folder on your computer or copy them through the context menu (Right Click → Copy).

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

Unlock the phone screen before connecting

Enable debugging over USB (optional, but helps with errors)

Turn off the VPN on your phone (can block MTP)

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2. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (Mi Drop, FTP)

If the cable is not available, or USB-The port is damaged, use wireless methods. Xiaomi offers a built-in solution, Mi Drop, but it only works between Xiaomi devices. FTP-server or specialized applications.

Method 1: Built-in FTP-server (without third-party applications)

• 📲 Open the File Manager on your phone.
• 🌐 Go to section "FTP" (tab "Network" or "Remote access").
• 🔄 Click "Run the server" - the address of the view will appear ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx.
• 🖥️ On your computer, open "Windows" or "Finder" (macOS), enter the address in the address bar and press Enter.

Method 2: Mi Drop (only for Xiaomi devices)

• 📱 Make sure your phone and computer have Mi Drop app installed (available for the user) Windows/macOS).
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 📤 In the application on the phone, select a photo and click "Send", then select the computer from the list.

⚠️ Attention: When transmitting through FTP The speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard. 5 (802.11ac) 100 photo-format JPG (down 5 MB each) is copied ~3-5 On Wi-Fi. 4 process may take up to 15 minute.

Po Po Po USB-cable

Google Drive (Mi Cloud) and Google Drive (Mi Drive)

Wi-Fi (FTP, Mi Drop)

Through Bluetooth.

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3. Cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Photos, Yandex.Disk

Cloud storage is convenient for backing up and transferring photos to multiple devices. Xiaomi offers its own service - Mi Cloud, but it has a restriction on free storage (5 GB). Alternatives: Google Photos (15 GB) and Yandex.Disk (10 GB).

Mi Cloud (official solution from Xiaomi)

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 📷 Include "Synchronization of the gallery" (section "Gallery").
• 🖥️ On your computer, open i.mi.com, log in and download photos in the section "Gallery".

Google Photos (Automatic Synchronization)

• 📱 Set up Google Photos and log in to your Google account.
• ☁️ In the application settings, enable "Backup and Synchronization".
• 🖥️ On PC, open photos.google.com, select a photo and click Download".

Important: Google Photos compresses photos up to 16 MP if you choose the option "High quality". To maintain the original resolution, use "Original quality" (considered in the quota of 15 GB).

4. Transmission via Bluetooth (slowly but without internet)

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way, and it's suitable for sending 1-2 photos when other methods are not available. On Xiaomi with MIUI 14/15, the algorithm has changed: now you need to turn on the visibility of the device first.

Instructions:

• 📲 On the phone: Settings → Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth and make the device “Visible to all".
• 🖥️ On your computer: turn on Bluetooth (in Windows via "Settings") → Devices").
• 🔗 Connect your phone to your PC (confirmation code may be required).
• 📤 In the gallery of the phone, select a photo → "Share. → Bluetooth and select your computer.

⚠️ Attention: Transfer speed over Bluetooth 5.0 — ~1-2 Mbit/s Photo size 10 MB will be copied ~1-2 For batch transmission, use other methods.

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If Bluetooth doesn’t find your computer, update your adapter drivers on your PC. On Windows 10/11, download the latest version from the laptop manufacturer’s website (e.g. Intel Driver & Support Assistant for Intel chips).

5. Use of third-party applications (Send Anywhere, Snapdrop)

If the built-in methods don't work, use specialized applications. They don't require registration and are often faster than cloud services. We tested Send Anywhere and Snapdrop - both run on Xiaomi with MIUI 15.

Send Anywhere (direct transmission over Wi-Fi)

• 📱 Install Send Anywhere on your phone.
• 🖥️ Open send-anywhere.com on PC.
• 📤 On the phone, select a photo and click "Send" - a 6-digit code is generated.
• 🔢 Enter this code on the site on your computer to start downloading.

Snapdrop (direct transfer between devices)

• 🌐 Open snapdrop.net on your phone and computer (in the same browser, for example, Chrome).
• 📱 On the phone, select a photo in the gallery → "Share. → Snapdrop".
• 🖥️ On the PC will appear a notification about the incoming file - confirm the reception.

6 Problem Solving: The computer can't see the Xiaomi phone

If your USB phone doesn’t appear in “This Computer” when you connect, check the following points:

• 🔌 The cable problem: 70% Errors are caused by damaged or “charged” cables. Try another cable (original from Xiaomi or certified). USB 2.0/3.0).
• 🔄 Reset USB-Settings: On the phone go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting settings USB.
• 🖥️ Drivers on PC: On Windows, delete the device in Device Manager (Portable Devices) and connect the phone again.
• 🛠️ Developer Mode: Enable Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times according to version, then return to Additional settings → Developer parameters).

If the telephone is defined as a "charger" but not as a storage device:

1. Turn the phone off the PC.
2. On your phone, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB.
3. Select "File Transfer" (MTP).
4. Reconnect the cable.

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On Windows 11, it sometimes helps to disable the Quick Start feature. To do this, open Control Panel → Power → Power buttons and uncheck the "Enable Quick Start" box.

7.Alternative methods for older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5)

If your Xiaomi runs MIUI 11/12, some menu items will be different, such as the Connect and Sharing section, which uses “Additional Settings → USB” instead.

Instructions for MIUI 11/12:

• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC.
• 🔄 Swipe down the notification panel and tap on "Charging through" USB".
• 📁 Select "File Transfer" (if this item is not available, go to Settings → Additional settings → USB → Regime. USB).

For Wi-Fi transmission on older versions:

• 📲 Use the app. ES The conductor (it has a built-in) FTP-server).
• 🌐 Turn it on. FTP in the side menu of the application and connect from the PC at the specified address.

FAQ: Frequent questions