How to save all data from Xiaomi to your computer: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones sooner or later face the need to transfer information to a larger screen or create a reliable backup. The device’s internal memory is not rubbery, and over time it is filled with high-quality shots, 4K videos and lengthy documents. Simply deleting files to free up space is the risk of losing important moments forever if the gadget fails.

There are several proven methods to save data from Xiaomi to your computer quickly and without using third-party paid programs. The choice of the specific method depends on the amount of information, the type of files transferred and the availability at hand. USB-In this article, we will discuss each option in detail so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.

Don’t delay the backup until the storage is 99% full, as this can lead to unstable operation of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. Regular copying of archives to an external medium is a basic digital hygiene that will save your nerves at a critical moment.

Preparation for file transfer and cable selection

Before connecting a smartphone to a personal computer, you need to make sure that the connection cable is in good working order. Often users use cheap cables designed only for charging, which do not physically have contacts to transmit data, as a result, the device will charge, but the computer will not see it as an external drive.

It is recommended to use the original wire from the kit or a certified analog with support for USB 3.0 and higher for maximum speed. It is also worth checking the connectors for contamination: dust in the USB Type-C port can prevent tight contact and interrupt the connection at the most inopportune time.

💡

Use short cables (up to 1 meter) for stable connection – long wires often cause a drop in transmission speed or periodic communication breaks.

You also need to make presets on the smartphone itself, make sure the screen is unlocked, and when you first connect to the new computer, you will allow access to data. If you previously chose Charge Only mode, the system will have to manually notify you of the change in preferences through the notification curtain.

The classical method through USB-cable

The easiest and fastest way to copy photos, videos and documents is to use the drive mode, which requires no additional software installation and works on any version of Windows, macOS and Linux. Once you connect the cable and select the file transfer mode, the smartphone will appear on the system as a regular flash drive.

You need to find a folder with your device name in My Computer or This Computer. Inside you are interested in certain directories where the Android system stores user content by default. Navigating the file system may seem confusing, but the main folders have standard names.

• 📸 DCIM — It stores all photos and videos taken on the main and front cameras (Camera folder).
• 📥 Download – a standard folder for all downloaded files from the browser and messengers.
• 💬 Tencent/MicroMsg — nested folders with media files from the WeChat messenger (the path may vary).
• 🎵 Music and Documents – spaces for audio files and office documents, respectively.

The copying process is done by Drag-and-Drop or via the Copy-to-Pass context menu. When you transfer large amounts of data (e.g. 50GB of video), the speed can vary depending on your flash memory class and USB port. Don't turn off the cable until the operation is complete, otherwise the files may get corrupted.

Use of the official Mi PC Suite program

For those who prefer automated solutions, Xiaomi has developed the Mi PC Suite utility, which, while support for global firmware has declined in recent years, remains a powerful tool for creating full backups, contacts and messages, especially when switching to a new phone.

Once you install it on your computer and connect your smartphone, you have access to a user-friendly management interface that not only allows you to copy files, but also sync contacts, take screenshots directly to your PC, and even update your firmware, but you should also consider that it sometimes requires super-user rights (Root) or a developer menu to work.

⚠️ Note: Official version of the Mi PC The Suite may not work properly with the latest Redmi models and POCO Android-based 12-14. In such cases, it is better to use alternative methods or the Chinese version of the ulita.

The program interface is divided into logical blocks: Backup, Device, Tools. The backup function allows you to select the specific types of data you want to save, which saves time if you don't have to copy the entire array of information, just contacts and call logs.

Wireless transmission via FTP and Wi-Fi

If you don't have a cable at hand, but you have a stable Wi-Fi network, you can use the built-in FTP file transfer function. The standard Explorer app on MIUI has a handy option called Remote Management or PC Access, which turns your smartphone into a network server accessible from any device on the same network.

To activate the function, open Explorer, go to the category and click the Connection button. The screen will show an address starting with ftp://192.168... This address must be entered in the address bar of any folder on your computer, and then you will access the phone’s file system at the same speed as your router.

The advantage of this method is that there are no wires and it can transfer files to multiple devices at once, but the speed of transmission will be limited by the bandwidth of the wireless network. For copying several gigabytes of video, this method can be slower than a wired connection.

• 📶 Make sure your PC and phone are connected to the same network (important for living networks).
• 🔒 The phone screen must not go out during the transmission, otherwise the connection will break.
• ⚡ To speed up the process, use a 5 GHz frequency if the router supports dual-band mode.

Synchronization through cloud services and Mi Cloud

Cloud technology makes it easy to forget about cables and physical media. Mi Cloud is a native solution from the manufacturer that is deeply integrated into the shell. It automatically synchronizes contacts, notes, voice recorder and gallery. Free to the user is available 5 GB of space, which is enough for documents, but not enough for a video archive.

Alternatively, Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox, which offer automatic photo and video downloads when connected to Wi-Fi, is ideal for creating a lazy backup: you just use your phone, and data in the background flies to the server.

The main drawback of cloud-based methods is the dependence on Internet speed and the limited amount of free storage, so if you need to save hundreds of gigabytes of data, you will have to pay for a subscription or combine the cloud with local storage on your hard drive.

Advanced methods: ADB and USB debugging

For tech-savvy users, there is an Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit, a console utility that allows you to manage your phone's file system from a computer at a deep level, and it doesn't require you to install drivers in the classical sense, just unpack platform tools.

To use this method, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times. Then, in the menu "Advanced settings" or "Additional" turn on "Debugging on USB." Confirm the permission to access from the computer that appeared on the smartphone screen.

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:/Backup/Xiaomi_Photos/

The command above will copy all the photos from the camera to the specified folder on the drive C. ADB syntax allows you to copy entire partitions, make complete images of the system and execute complex automation scripts. This is the most reliable way to save data if the phone's GUI is not working, but the system is booting.

⚠️ Attention: Careless use of commands ADB, Especially those associated with deleting or overwriting system partitions, can cause data loss or buildup of the device. Use only the copy commands (pull) if you are not sure of your actions.

Solving Connection and Visibility Problems

Often, users are faced with a situation where the computer makes a sound of the device connection, but the folders do not appear. In 90% of cases, the problem lies in USB mode. By default, the phone goes to Charge Only mode for security purposes. To fix this, lower the notification curtain after connecting the cable and select File Transfer (MTP).

If the problem is not resolved, try updating drivers in Windows Device Manager.Look for a device with a yellow exclamation mark or marked as "Unknown Device", right-click and select "Update Driver" → "Select from the list of available drivers" → "MTP USB Device".

💡

If neither method works, try connecting your phone to another. USB-port (preferably from the back of the system unit) or reboot both devices – this solves most software conflicts.

It is also worth checking whether the phone is not on mode «USB-modem. Sometimes activating the distribution of the Internet through USB Disable this feature in network and access point settings before trying to connect to the PC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)