Mi Drop on Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide to the fast file transfer function

If you own a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and notice Mi Drop on the menu, but don’t understand what it is for, this article will help you understand. Mi Drop (formerly known as Mi Share or Xiaomi Share) is a proprietary tool for wireless file transfer between the brand’s devices. Unlike classic Bluetooth or messengers, it uses a combination of Wi-Fi Direct and access points to quickly share data — photos, videos, documents and even applications.

The main advantage of Mi Drop is that there is no Internet connection and no restrictions on the size of files transferred (within the available memory of devices). However, the feature has a nuance: it does not work on all Redmi models, has compatibility restrictions with other brands and sometimes requires additional settings. In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to activate Mi Drop, which files can be transferred, why errors can occur and how to replace the feature if it is not available on your device.

What is Mi Drop and how does it work for Xiaomi Redmi?

Mi Drop is Xiaomi’s proprietary technology that allows instant file transfer between smartphones, tablets and other devices in the brand’s ecosystem, based on Wi-Fi Direct, which creates a direct connection between gadgets without a router, and can transfer speeds of up to 20MB/s (under ideal conditions), which is 5-10 times faster than classic Bluetooth.

The difference between Mi Drop and similar solutions:

• 📱 Cross-platform within Xiaomi: works between Redmi smartphones, POCO, Mi and some Black Shark devices.
• 🔗 There are no limits on file size (unlike messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp).
• 🛡️ Data encryption: Transmission protected from interception.
• 🚫 Does not require mobile internet or Wi-Fi router connection.

It is important to understand that Mi Drop is not a standalone application, but a built-in feature in the MIUI shell. On new firmware versions (starting with MIUI 12), it can be called Quick Share or Mi Share.

What models Xiaomi Redmi is available Mi Drop

The Mi Drop feature is supported by most Redmi smartphones released after 2018, but there are exceptions.

If your model is not listed in the table, check for a feature in the Settings menu → Connections and Sharing → Quick Transfer. On older devices (such as Redmi 6 or Redmi Note 7), Mi Drop may not work at all.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with global firmware (Global) ROM) This feature can be disabled by default due to regional restrictions, and if you change the region to India or China, you can change the settings. MIUI.

How to Enable and Use Mi Drop on Xiaomi Redmi

Activation of the function takes less than a minute. Follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the file transfer menu: Method 1: Swipe down the screen to open the notification bar, and find the Quick Transfer (or Mi Drop) icon. Method 2: Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Quick Transfer.

Activate visibility:

Make it visible to others

Select the files:

Files.

gallery

Send. → Quick transmission

Confirm the appointment:

To speed up the process, you can pre-connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (not necessarily, but reduces search time).

Synchronize time on both devices |

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth|

Update MIUI to the latest version|

Close background applications that consume the Internet |

Check the free space on the receiving device-->

What files can be transferred via Mi Drop

Mi Drop supports almost all file types, but there are some format and size limitations:

• 📸 Photos and videos: JPEG, PNG, GIF, MP4, MOV (permit-free).
• 📄 Documents: PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, TXT.
• 🎵 Audio: MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC.
• 📦 Archives: ZIP, RAR, 7Z (up to 4GB per file).
• 📱 APK-Files: Application installation packages (requires permission to install from unknown sources).

The maximum size of a single file is theoretically unlimited, but in practice, when transmitting videos weighing more than 1-1.5 GB, hangings can occur.

• Breaking up large files into pieces (for example, using an archiver).
• Use alternative methods (e.g. LocalSend or OTG cable).

⚠️ Attention: In transmission APK-Files via Mi Drop on the receiving device automatically activates the Installation from unknown sources for this file. Once you install the application, it is better to manually disable this option in the security settings.

Why Mi Drop doesn’t work: Common mistakes and solutions

Mi Drop problems are usually associated with software conflicts or device incompatibility, and here are the typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings:

Settings → System → Additional → Network reset

Mi Drop Alternatives for Xiaomi Redmi

If Mi Drop is unavailable or unstable, consider alternative file transfer methods:

• 🔄 LocalSend: Open-source analogue with support for all platforms (Android, iOS, PC). Speed comparable to Mi Drop, but without being branded.
• 🌐 Snapdrop: Web service for transferring files through the browser (does not require installation.
• 📶 Nearby Share (Google): Built-in Android feature for sharing files between any Android 6 devices+. Less stable than Mi Drop, but versatile.
• ⚡ Cable OTG + Flash drive: A reliable method for large amounts of data (up to the 250 MB/s. Requires an adapter USB-C/OTG.

Transfer speed comparison (test on Redmi Note 12 Pro):

• Mi Drop: ~15-18 MB/s (photos, documents).
• LocalSend: ~12-15 MB/s.
• Nearby Share: ~8–10 MB/s.
• Bluetooth: ~1–2 MB/s.

💡

If you frequently transfer files between Redmi and your computer, set up the file. FTP-server FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer. This will allow you to manage your smartphone files through Windows Explorer over Wi-Fi at speeds up to 30 MB / s.

Mi Drop Security: Can I Trust the Functions?

Mi Drop uses AES-256 encryption to protect the data being transmitted, making it unlikely that files will be intercepted.

• 🔒 Local encryption: Data is only protected during transmission, and once stored on the device, it becomes vulnerable (like any other file).
• 👥 Acceptance Confirmation: Both devices require manual transmission confirmation, which eliminates accidental data exchange.
• 🚫 Distance Limit: Connection breaks if devices are more than 10 meters apart.

For maximum safety:

• Do not share sensitive files (such as scans of documents) in public places.
• After transfer, delete temporary files from the Download/MiDrop folder.
• Use a VPN on both devices if you are transferring data over public Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Attention: B 2023 Security researchers have discovered a vulnerability in the Mi Share protocol (CVE-2023-24805), allowing attackers to swap files during transfer. Xiaomi released a fix in an update MIUI May 2023. Make sure your device is updated to the version MIUI 14.0.5+.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Drop on Xiaomi Redmi

💡

Mi Drop is a handy tool for Xiaomi Redmi owners, but not a universal one. If you want cross-platform transfer or work with large files, consider alternatives like LocalSend or the like. FTP-server.