How to Save Data from Xiaomi Phone to Computer: A Complete 2026 Guide

Why Xiaomi Backups Need a Special Approach

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or HyperOS have a unique storage architecture that differs from the “pure” Android. For example, the MIUI folder in the root directory contains the system’s service files, and access to some memory parts can be limited even when connected via USB. This means that standard methods of transferring data (such as simple copying through a wire) sometimes work incorrectly – especially if we are talking about models with encrypted storage (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

Another feature is automatic media optimization: MIUI compresses photos and videos by default when transmitted over some channels (for example, Mi Cloud is free). If you want to keep original quality, you will have to use workarounds. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data with these nuances in mind, including rare methods for models with OEM Unlock lock.

Method 1: USB connection (fastest, but with limitations)

The classic method via USB-TypeC cable remains the most reliable for transferring large amounts of data (for example, video files to the Internet). 4K or RAW-However, Xiaomi has two key features:

• 🔌 The default mode is often set to Charge, not File Transfer, and needs to be changed manually each time you connect.
• 🔒 In some models (for example, POCO F5 Xiaomi 12T) need to unlock OEM Unlock in the developer settings, otherwise Windows will not see internal memory.
• 📁 System folders (Android, MIUI, DCIM/Thumbnails) can be hidden even when hidden files are displayed.

To connect correctly:

1. Connect your phone and PC with the original cable (cheap analogues often don’t support data transfer).
2. On the phone in the notification panel, tap on the USB option to transfer files → select File Transfer (MTP).
3. On PC, open This PC → find a Xiaomi device (may appear as “Portable Device” or “Xiaomi [model]”).
4. Copy data manually or use Total Commander/Far Manager to work with hidden folders.

Use the original Xiaomi |Include MTP mode on your phone |Unlock OEM Unlock (if required) |Check the visibility of hidden folders on PC-->

⚠️ Warning: If the PC can't see the phone, try connecting to another USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 blue) or update drivers via Mi PC Suite. On Windows 11 laptops, it sometimes helps to disable the "Fast Charge" feature in the settings. USB.

Method 2: Wireless transmission over Mi Cloud (convenient but not for all files)

Mi Cloud is a proprietary cloud storage from Xiaomi, integrated into MIUI/HyperOS.It automatically synchronizes contacts, notes, photos and even SMS, but has critical limitations:

• ☁️ Free rate – only 5 GB (this is the case) ~1000 high-resolution photos or 30 minutes of video 1080p).
• 📉 Media compression: photos are uploaded in resolution up to 16 MP, video is transcoded into 720p (even if the original — 4K).
• 🔄 Synchronization works only when connected to Wi-Fi and battery charge >20%.

How to use Mi Cloud:

1. On the phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → turn on synchronization of the desired data.
2. On PC: Go to i.mi.com, log in and download files via the web interface.

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To keep your photos in Mi Cloud original quality, convert them to PNG format before uploading or use a ZIP/RAR archiver.

Method 3: Wi-Fi transmission via Mi Drop or local area network

If you don't have a cable on hand and Mi Cloud is not suitable due to limitations, you can use local data transfer.

1. Mi Drop (built-in MIUI application): allows you to send files to your PC via a browser over a local network. The speed reaches 10-15 MB / s (depending on the router).
2. FTP-server (through applications such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer: Creates on your phone FTP-server that can be connected from the PC to IP-address.

Instructions for Mi Drop:

1. Open Mi Drop on your phone → click Send → select files.
2. Tap on the PC avatar → generated QR-code.
3. On PC, open drop.mi.com, scan QR and download files.

For FTP-server:

1. Install Solid Explorer, open the side menu → FTP-server → Launch.
2. Remember. IP-address and port (e.g, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
3. On PC, open Explorer → enter the address in the address bar → log in (login / password is displayed in the application).

Po Po Po USB-cable|Through the Mi Cloud|On Wi-Fi. Drop/FTP)|Other Clouds (Google Drive, Yandex Drive)|I can't stand the data.-->

⚠️ Warning: When transferring over Wi-Fi, turn off the Adaptive Wi-Fi frequency function on your phone (Settings) → Wi-Fi → It may interrupt the connection when switching between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Method 4: Backup via Mi PC Suite (official solution)

Mi PC Suite is a desktop app from Xiaomi that allows you to create full phone backups, including apps, settings and system data.

• 📱 Established APK-files (including application data if there are no root rights).
• ⚙️ System settings (themes, wallpaper, network parameters).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and accounts.

How to make a backup:

1. Download Mi PC Suite from the official website (version for Windows).
2. Connect your phone over USB by selecting File Transfer mode.
3. In the program, go to Backup → Full Backup → specify the folder on the PC.
4. Wait for the completion (on Xiaomi 13 Pro with 256 GB of memory, the process takes ~40 minutes).

An important caveat: the backup created in the Mi PC Suite can only be restored to the same phone model, for example, a backup with the Redmi Note 11 will not be suitable for the POCO X5, even if they are on the same version of the MIUI.

Method 5: Alternative cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex Drive)

If Mi Cloud is not comfortable with volume or speed, you can use third-party clouds.

• 🌍 Google Drive gives you 15GB for free (but photo/video compression is similar to Mi Cloud).
• 🇷🇺 Yandex Drive – 10GB free, but no media compression (suitable for original files).
• 🔗 Auto boot: Google Photos can set up a backup over the mobile network (useful for travel).

How to set up automatic backup in Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open Settings → Backup and Sync → Enable the option.
3. Choose quality: Original - no compression (considered in the quota of 15 GB). High quality - free, but photos are compressed to 16 MP, video to 1080p.

photos.google.com

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For transmission RAW-photo 4K/8K Use Yandex Drive or a physical connection USB. Cloud services (except for paid rates) almost always compress such files.

Method 6: For advanced users – ADB and Fastboot

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on phones with a damaged screen or a locked Mi Account), you can extract data via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🖥️ PC with installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 Included mode Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer settings).
• 🔑 Unlocked. OEM Unlock (for models with HyperOS 2026).

The main commands for data extraction:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Photos # Copy photo


adb pull /sdcard/Download/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Downloads # Copy downloads




adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab # Full backup (requires confirmation on phone)

For recovery from the backup:

adb restore C:\backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Adb backup and adb restore commands do not work on Xiaomi with HyperOS if Data Protection is enabled MIUI (Settings → Confidentiality. Turn it off beforehand!

Comparison of all methods: what to choose?

The choice of method depends on your priorities:

• 💾 Reliability: USB or ADB.
• ☁️ Utility: Mi Cloud or Google Drive (if not critical compression).
• 🚀 Speed: FTP via Wi-Fi 6 (on routers with 802.11ax).
• 🔧 Full backup: Mi PC Suite.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability with Xiaomi