Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to free up internal storage by moving media files to more powerful desktops. High-resolution music compositions take up a significant amount of memory, which can slow down the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. The process of copying audio data seems simple, but users often face the technical nuances of connecting and choosing a transmission protocol.
There are many methods to quickly and without loss of quality to transfer your favorite music collection. The choice of the particular method depends on the amount of data transferred, the availability of a cable at hand and the speed of your Internet connection. In this article, we will discuss in detail both classic wired methods and modern wireless solutions available in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
It's important to understand that the right file structure on your computer will help you find the right tracks in the future, and we'll look not only at the copying process itself, but also at ways to avoid common errors, such as interrupting a connection or corrupting file metadata, starting with the most reliable and fast option that doesn't require an Internet connection.
Connection to USB-cable: the classical method
The most stable and fastest way to transmit large amounts of data is to have a physical connection via cable. USB-A cable, preferably original or certified, capable of transmitting data, not just charging the device. Connect your smartphone to the computer's free port and unlock the mobile device screen.
Once connected, a charging mode notification will appear at the top of the smartphone screen, and you need to click on it and select File Transfer (MTP) or Photo Transfer (PTP) mode. It is the MTP mode that allows the computer to see the phone's internal memory as an external drive, giving access to all folders, including system and user folders.
⚠️ Note: If your computer is not responding to the connection, try using another one. USB-port, preferably located on the back of the system unit, since the ports on the front panel may not provide sufficient power.
Once you select the mode, a new device will appear on your PC screen under "My Computer" or "This Computer." Open it, go to the Internal shared storage folder, and find the Music or MIUI/Music directory, which usually stores the default tracks. Select the files you want, click the right mouse button and select "Copy," then paste them into the folder on your computer's hard drive.
☑️ Connection check
Wireless transmission via Mi Share and Explorer
Mi Share (formerly known as Mi Drop) is Xiaomi’s native tool for transferring files between devices without using the internet, ideal if you don’t have a cable on hand but both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, and can transfer speeds comparable to USB 2.0.
To get started, make sure your computer has a Mi Share client installed or a web version is used if it is available for your model, or use the built-in Windows functionality "Share next to", which is now compatible with Android. Open the Explorer app on your smartphone, highlight music files and click "Send".
From the list of available devices, select your computer. The PC screen will request confirmation of the file you want to accept. The transfer process will take longer than the cable, but the convenience of no wires often outweighs this disadvantage when transferring small playlists.
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For maximum Wi-Fi speed, make sure that both your smartphone and your computer are connected to the router in the 5GHz range, not 2.4GHz.
You can also use the standard Windows network environment. You can set up a folder sharing on your computer and use an Android file manager (such as ES Explorer or standard Files) to connect to a network resource using the SMB protocol. This requires setting up a local network, but allows you to manage files directly.
Using Cloud Storage for Synchronization
Cloud technology has become the standard for storage, and Xiaomi Cloud or third-party services like Google Drive, Yandex Disk and Dropbox do a great job of doing this, and the good thing about it is that your music files will be accessed from any device that has access to your account without the need for physical portability.
The process is this: install a cloud storage app on your smartphone if it's not built into the system. Upload selected music tracks to the cloud, wait for the sync to complete, and then log in to your account from your computer and download files to the desired folder.
| Service | Free volume | Speed without subscription | Integration with MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Cloud | 5GB | Tall. | Built-in. |
| Google Drive | 15GB | Medium | Tall. |
| Yandex Disk | 10GB | High (in Russian Federation) | Through the app |
| Mega | 20GB | Depends on IP. | Through the app |
The main advantage of clouds is that they have automatic backups, so you can set up the app so that all new tracks downloaded to your phone are automatically sent to the cloud, but you have to consider that there may not be enough free space for large music archives and you have to sign up for a subscription.
Bluetooth Transfer: For Small Files
Although Bluetooth is considered obsolete due to its low data rate, it remains versatile and does not require network setup or additional software installation, which is suitable if you need to urgently transfer one or two tracks, and the cable is lost and Wi-Fi does not work.
Activate Bluetooth on both devices via the Quick Settings Panel or Settings menu → Connected Devices.Pair: On your computer, select Add Device, find your smartphone in the list, and confirm the confirmation code on both screens.
Once you pair successfully, select a music file in the gallery or phone explorer, click Share and select the Bluetooth icon. The computer will request confirmation to receive the file. Remember that Bluetooth transmission speeds rarely exceed 1-2 Mbps, so copying the album will take considerable time.
⚠️ Note: When transferring large numbers of small files via Bluetooth, the process can often be interrupted. ZIP-archive.
Specialized software: Mi PC Suite and analogues
For users who prefer to manage through the interface of the program on the PC, there are special utilities. The official Mi PC Suite program allows you to manage contacts, messages and files. Although support for the official version for new models is limited, it still works with many devices.
An alternative is general-purpose Android managers, such as AirDroid or Android File Transfer, which bridges the gap between the computer’s OS and smartphone, allowing you to see the file system in a convenient window. They often offer additional features such as notification management or mirroring the screen.
Using third-party software requires you to install a client part on your PC and, in some cases, a companion application on your phone. Once connected (via Wi-Fi or USB), you get access to the file system, which is especially convenient for mass sorting and renaming music files before transferring.
Where to find drivers for Mi PC Suite?
Solution: The computer can't see Xiaomi
One of the most common problems is when the phone is charging but not showing up on the system as a drive. 90% of the time, the reason is USB mode. Check the notification "Charge via USB" and switch it to MTP. If there is no notification, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click 7 times to open the developer menu.
From the developer menu (available via Settings → Advanced Settings → Developer) find the option “Default USB Configuration” and select “File Transfer”. Also try to disable USB debugging if it is enabled, as this sometimes conflicts with the normal transfer mode.
If the problem persists, check the drivers in Windows Device Manager. If there is a device with a yellow exclamation mark, try updating the driver automatically or select "MTP USB Device" from Microsoft's list of standard drivers.
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In most cases, the problem is solved by replacing the cable or manually selecting the MTP mode in the smartphone notifications.