Share Me on Xiaomi: what is it feature, how it works and why you need it

Have you ever faced a situation where you urgently need to transfer a photo, document or video from one Xiaomi to another, but there is no Internet at hand and Bluetooth is too slow? In such cases, the built-in Share Me app, a proprietary tool from Xiaomi, which allows you to share files between devices over a local network without an Internet connection, this feature often goes unnoticed, although it surpasses many popular analogues in speed and convenience.

In this article, we will explore in detail what Share Me is, how it works on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, how it differs from AirDrop or Nearby Share, and why it can become your main data transfer tool.

What is Share Me and How Did It Come About?

Share Me (formerly known as Mi Share) is a proprietary wireless file transfer technology developed by Xiaomi for its devices.It debuted in 2019 as a response to similar solutions from Apple (AirDrop) and Google (Nearby Share), but with a focus on working in the Xiaomi ecosystem.Today, the feature is integrated into MIUI firmware and is available on all of the brand's modern smartphones, including Xiaomi's line, Redmi, POCO and even some Black Shark devices.

Share Me's main difference from its competitors is that it uses a combination of Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to establish a connection.

• 🔗 Transfer files without an Internet connection (enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth only).
• ⚡ Get to speed. 10-15 MB/s (depending on the device model).
• 📱 Work not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also with some devices of other brands (provided that the protocol is supported).
• 🔒 Encrypt the transmitted data to protect against interception.

Interestingly, Xiaomi does not position Share Me as a replacement for cloud services (such as Mi Cloud), but rather as an add-on for fast data exchange in offline mode.

How Share Me Works: Technical Details

To understand why Share Me often works faster than Bluetooth or instant messengers, let’s take a look at the technical basis of the feature.

1. Detection of devices occurs through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) – this saves battery power and allows you to quickly find nearby gadgets.
2. The connection is established via Wi-Fi Direct (or through the creation of a local Wi-Fi network), which ensures high transmission speeds.
3. File transfers are done via a secure channel with encryption, which minimizes the risk of data interception.

For comparison, classic Bluetooth (e.g. version 4.2) is limited to speeds of up to 2-3 MB/s, while Share Me can reach 10-15 MB/s on new models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

An important nuance: on devices with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), Share Me speed can reach 20 MB / s due to the optimization of Wi-Fi drivers. However, on budget models (for example, Redmi 10A), the speed is limited to ~ 5 MB / s due to hardware limitations.

What you need Share Me for: basic use cases

Many users mistakenly believe that Share Me is only for photos, but in fact, the scope is much wider.

• 📸 Instant photo/video sharing between friends at a party or event (e.g. sharing photos with Xiaomi) 12S Ultra on Redmi Note 11).
• 📄 Transfer of documents (PDF, Word, Excel – colleagues without email or messengers.
• 🎵 Sharing music or playlists (for example, sending tracks in format) FLAC s POCO F4 Xiaomi Pad 6).
• 🎮 Transfer APK-Files (application installers) or backups between devices.
• 📱 Sync files between smartphone and Xiaomi tablet (e.g. Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro).
• 🔧 Sharing configuration files for smart devices (e.g., settings profiles for Xiaomi Router).

It is especially convenient to use Share Me on trips where mobile internet is expensive or unavailable.

⚠️ Note: When transferring large files (>500 MB) make sure that there is enough free space on the receiving device, otherwise the process may be interrupted with the error "Inadequate memory".

Another useful case is the transfer of files to Xiaomi TV Or Mi Box. For example, you can send a video in resolution. 4K Directly from the phone to the big screen without using USB-accumulator.

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices |

Open the Share Me app (or Quick Transfer)|

Allow access to files and media |

Make sure the devices are within a 10m radius |

Check the battery level (minimum 20%)-->

How to turn on and use Share Me: step-by-step instructions

Share Me is easier than you think. Here is a universal guide for all devices on MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the app: Most devices call it Share Me or Quick Transfer (in Russian) and find it through an app search or in the Tools folder.
2. Activate visibility: Click on the avatar in the upper right corner → select “Visibility for all” or “Contacts only” (if you need to restrict access).
3. Select files: Tap the "Send" button and mark the desired files in the gallery or file manager. Any formats are supported: JPG, MP4, PDF, APK, ZIP, etc.
4. Connect to the device: In the list of available devices, select the recipient. On its screen, a confirmation request will appear – you need to click “Accept”.
5. Wait until it is completed: Transfer progress is displayed in real time. Upon completion, files are automatically saved to the Download/ShareMe folder.

If Share Me is not on your device, you can install it separately from Google Play (it’s called “Mi Share” for older models), and the feature is available through the Quick Settings menu – swipe down the screen and find the Quick Transfer icon.

On some models (e.g. POCO F5), the Share Me interface may be different, but the way it works is the same, so both devices should support Wi-Fi Direct.

Hidden features of Share Me, which few people know

Most users use Share Me only for basic file transfer, but the feature has hidden features:

• 🔄 Transfer multiple files at once (up to 100 in one session) to select them in the file manager and select "Send via Share Me".
• 📂 Creating temporary folders: When you send multiple files, they are grouped into an archive ZIP, which is automatically unpacked on the recipient's device.
• 🔗 Link and text transfer: You can send not only files, but also text notes or links (for example, to a website or video).
• 📡 Access Point Mode: If Wi-Fi Direct is not working, Share Me can create a local area network to which the second device will connect.
• 🔒 Password protection: when transferring confidential data, you can set a temporary PIN-code (available in the application settings).

Another little-known thing is to transfer files to a PC.

1. Install official Xiaomi PC Suite or BlueStacks emulator with Share Me on your computer.
2. Connect your smartphone and PC to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. In the Share Me app on your phone, select the "Connect to PC" option.

Critical detail: on a Windows 11 PC, Share Me transmission may not work smoothly due to conflict with the built-in Nearby Share protocol, in which case it is recommended to disable the latter in the system settings.

💡

If you often transfer files between Xiaomi and MacBook, use the alternative, the LocalSend app (free, open source), which supports cross-platform transfer without restrictions.

Share Me Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite the convenience, users sometimes encounter errors when using Share Me. Here are the most common problems and solutions:

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting your network settings:

Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth

⚠️ Note: On custom firmware devices (e.g. LineageOS), Share Me may not work properly due to the lack of proprietary Xiaomi drivers. KDE Connect.

It’s also worth checking if the power saving mode is blocking the transmission, and on some models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro), it restricts Wi-Fi Direct. Turn it off in the battery settings.

Share Me Alternatives: What’s Best for File Transfer

If Share Me doesn't suit you for some reason, there are a few good alternatives, and let's compare them by key parameters:

If you want top speed and only use Xiaomi devices, Share Me is the best choice. For cross-platform transfer (for example, between Xiaomi and iPhone), use LocalSend or Snapdrop.

Interesting fact: MIUI 14 introduced an experimental feature called “Share Me 2.0”, which supports file transfers up to 50 meters (instead of the standard 10) by using Wi-Fi 6 technology, which is only available on flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 14).

💡

To transfer files between Xiaomi and iPhone, it is better to use LocalSend or Snapdrop, since Share Me and AirDrop are incompatible with each other.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Share Me