Xiaomi Redmi 3: how to connect to your computer via USB, MTP, ADB and Wi-Fi

Xiaomi Redmi 3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2016, which is still used by many users. Despite its age, the device supports all the main ways to connect to a computer: from the standard to the standard smartphone. USB-It's a cable before wireless data, but it's a firmware thing. MIUI Many Windows drivers and older drivers face problems when connecting for the first time.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of connecting Redmi 3 to a PC, including setting up MTP, PTP, ADB modes, as well as alternative options via Mi PC Suite and Wi-Fi. Special attention will be paid to solving typical errors: when the computer does not see the phone, drivers are not installed or file transfer problems. If you want to not only copy photos, but also flash the device or debug applications, here you will find step-by-step instructions for each task.

Note: All methods tested on Xiaomi Redmi 3 (ido models and ido_xhdpi) firmware MIUI 7–12. For other versions of Redmi (e.g. Redmi) 3S/3X) Additional adjustments may be required.

1.Preparation for connection: what to check before connecting to a PC

Before you connect Redmi 3 to your computer, follow a few steps that will help you avoid 90% of the typical device recognition problems.

Basic requirements:

• 🔌 Use the original. USB-Xiaomi cable or certified analogue (cheap cables often do not support data transfer).
• 🔄 Update Redmi 3 to the latest available version via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🖥️ Make sure that the PC has the latest drivers for Xiaomi (more in the section about drivers).
• 🔒 Unlock the phone screen before connecting – some modes (e.g, MTP) Require confirmation on the device.

If you're connecting Redmi 3 for the first time, Windows may not recognize the device.

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Open Device Manager (click Win + X → select the appropriate item).
3. Find Redmi 3 with a yellow exclamation point (usually in the Other Devices or Portable Devices section).
4. Right-click → Update drivers → Search for drivers on this computer → specify the path to pre-downloaded drivers (links in the next section).

⚠️ Note: If you are using MacOS or Linux, you can connect Redmi 3 in mode. MTP You will need to install additional software: libmtp (Linux) or Android File Transfer (Mac), without these programs, the file system of the phone will not display.

2. Method 1: Connect via USB in MTP mode (for file transfer)

MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) is a standard protocol for transferring files between Android devices and computers, which allows you to manage media files, documents and other data directly through Windows or Finder (Mac).

How to turn on MTP on Xiaomi Redmi 3:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Redmi 3 will show a USB Charge notification.
3. On the menu. USB-Connection select File Transfer (MTP).
4. Open this computer (My computer) and a new device (usually called Redmi 3 or MI 3) will appear on your computer.

If the device is not displayed:

• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 – They are more stable with the MTP).
• 📱 Reboot Redmi 3 and reconnect.
• 🖥️ Update the drivers MTP Device Manager (see Section 1).

Enable USB debugging (if required)| Select MTP mode from the USB | Menu Check USB 2.0 | Update MTP drivers in Device Manager-->

Method 2: Mode PTP (for photographs and others USB-regimes

If MTP doesn’t work or you only need to copy photos, use PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) mode, which is optimized for image transfer and is supported by all modern OSes without additional drivers.

How to turn on PTP:

1. Connect Redmi 3 to the PC.
2. In the Charge notification via USB tap and select Photo Transfer (PTP).
3. Open this computer – the phone will appear as a camera (e.g. Redmi 3 Camera).

Other modes available:

• 🔋 Charging only – the phone will charge, but files cannot be transferred.
• 📡 USB-modem - distribution of the Internet from the phone (requires settings of the access point).
• 🔧 Mid-mode - a special mode for firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (used rarely).

⚠️ Attention: In mode PTP You'll only see the folder. DCIM (where the photos and videos are stored. To access other files, go back to the MTP.

On Xiaomi Redmi 3 with MIUI firmware 8 and below, there may be no PTP option in the USB menu, in which case update the firmware or use alternative ways of connecting (for example, ADB or Wi-Fi).

Method 3: Connecting via ADB (for developers and firmware)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for debugging and managing Android devices from a computer.

• 📱 Install custom firmware.
• 🔧 Get system logs for diagnostics.
• 📲 Manage your phone through the command line.

How to turn ADB on Redmi 3:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification appears You became a developer!

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

Installation of ADB on your computer:

Method 2: FTP-server ES Conductor

1. Install ES Explorer on Redmi 3.
2. Open the side menu → Network → FTP → Enable.
3. Remember the address of the form ftp://192.168.x.x:3721.
4. On PC, open Explorer → enter the address in the address bar → enter the login / password (by default - no).

Method 3: AirDroid (Universal Solution)

• 📱 Install AirDroid on Redmi 3 and sign up.
• 🖥️ Go to web.airdroid.com and sign in to the same account.
• 📎 Now you can manage the files, SMS and even mirror the screen.

⚠️ Note: When transferring large files (>500 MB) speeds may drop over Wi-Fi. For stable operation, make sure both devices are connected to the same 5 GHz network (if the router supports).

💡

If Mi Drop doesn't connect, check if the Windows firewall is blocking incoming connections. Add an exception to the app or temporarily disable protection.

6. Method 5: Using Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi)

Mi PC Suite is the official Xiaomi utility for controlling smartphones from a computer.

• 📁 Transfer files (including backup copies).
• 📱 Install/remove applications.
• 🔄 Update firmware MIUI.
• 📞 Manage SMS contact.

How to use Mi PC Suite:

1. Download the program from the official website and install.
2. Connect Redmi 3 to your PC via USB (MTP or PTP mode).
3. Start Mi PC Suite – the program will automatically determine the device.
4. Use tabs to manage files, applications, and settings.

If the Mi PC Suite can't see the phone:

• 🔄 Reinstall the program with administrator rights.
• 📱 Turn on Redmi 3 mode Debugging on USB (see section on ADB).
• 🖥️ Update drivers via Mi PC Suite (in the Settings menu) → Update the drivers).

💡

Mi PC Suite is the most reliable way to back up Redmi 3, as it supports the creation of full backups with recovery to another phone.

7. Solving common connection problems

Even after setting up correctly, Redmi 3 may not connect to a PC. Consider typical bugs and their solutions.

Additional advice:

• 🔌 If the phone is not charged through USB, Try another cable or port (possibly a power problem).
• 📵 If Redmi 3 does not respond to the connection, reset the settings. USB: Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings → Resetting settings USB.
• 🔄 If nothing helps, try connecting your phone to another computer to help you determine what the problem is (in your PC or phone).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi Redmi 3 to PC