Mi Drop (com.xiaomi.midrop): what is this app on Xiaomi and how to use it

If you’ve ever looked at the installed app list on a Xiaomi smartphone, you’ve probably noticed a strange name — com.xiaomi.midrop. It’s not a virus or system junk, but the official Mi Drop app, which is built into the MIUI firmware. It’s designed to quickly transfer files between Xiaomi devices (and not only) without using the Internet or cloud services. But how exactly does this service work, why does it sometimes disappear from the menu, and can it be removed? In this guide, we’ll go through everything from basic features to hidden features to solving typical problems.

Many users mistake com.xiaomi.midrop for an unnecessary system process and try to disable it. However, it is one of the most convenient solutions for file sharing in the Xiaomi ecosystem, especially if you have several gadgets of the brand. Unlike Bluetooth or NFC, Mi Drop uses a local Wi-Fi Direct network, which provides high transfer speeds (up to 20 MB / s) and no restrictions on file size, without requiring an Internet connection or registration — it is enough that both devices are nearby.

In this article you will learn:

• 🔍 What is com.xiaomi.midrop and why is it needed in MIUI
• 📱 How to use Mi Drop to transfer files between smartphones, tablets and laptops.
• ⚙️ Where to find hidden app settings and how to configure them.
• ⚠️ Why Mi Drop May Not Work and How to Fix It
• 🗑️ Can you delete com.xiaomi.midrop without system consequences?

What is com.xiaomi.midrop and how does it relate to Mi Drop?

com.xiaomi.midrop is the internal name for the system package that runs the Mi Drop service (formerly known as Mi Share), a standard file transfer application preinstalled on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI. Unlike third-party counterparts like ShareIt or Xender, Mi Drop is deeply integrated into the system and does not require a separate installation.

The main features of the service:

• 🌐 Works over Wi-Fi Direct (without internet) or local Wi-Fi network.
• 📎 Supports the transfer of any file: photos, videos, documents, APK, music.
• 🔄 Can be used to exchange data between Android devices as well as Windows PCs (via browser).
• 🛡️ Encryption of transmitted data to protect against interception.

It is important to understand that com.xiaomi.midrop is not a standalone application, but a MIUI component that provides Mi Drop functionality. So you won’t find it in the Settings → Applications list, but you will see it in the System Applications section or through the Task Manager.

Xiaomi has been replacing Mi Drop with a new Quick Share service since 2022 (in collaboration with Google), but on many devices the old functionality remains available. If you have a new version of MIUI 14+, you may see Quick Share instead of Mi Drop, which is similar, but there are differences in interface and compatibility.

How to use Mi Drop: step-by-step instructions

Transferring files via Mi Drop takes a few seconds, if you know the right algorithm, and here are the detailed instructions for different scenarios:

📱 Transfer between two Xiaomi smartphones

1. Open File Manager on both devices.
2. Select the files you want to send and click the Share (or Send) button.
3. In the list of options, select Mi Drop (or Quick Share in newer versions of MIUI).
4. On the second phone, confirm the file’s acceptance – it will appear in the Download/MiDrop folder.

If Mi Drop doesn’t appear in the Share menu, check whether Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on on both devices, and make sure the distance between the devices is less than 10 meters, otherwise the connection may be interrupted.

💻 File transfer from Xiaomi to PC (Windows/Mac)

For data exchange between smartphone and computer:

1. On your phone, open Mi Drop through Settings → Connect and Sharing → Mi Drop.
2. Select a file and click Send to the computer.
3. On PC, open your browser and go to the address http://midrop.xiaomi.com (or scan. QR-phone-screen).
4. Confirm the connection on both devices and wait for the transfer to be completed.

Note: to work with a PC, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the computer can't see the phone, try disabling the firewall or antivirus, which can block the connection.

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices |

Make sure your phone has enough free memory |

Turn off power saving mode (may interrupt transmission)|

Allow Mi Drop to access files and media (in the app settings)-->

Where to find Mi Drop settings and what you can change in them

Despite the simplicity of the interface, Mi Drop has hidden settings that allow you to optimize the service.

1. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Mi Drop.
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Settings.

The following options are available in this section:

Pay special attention to the item Use Mobile Data. If it is enabled, Mi Drop may consume your data rate traffic when transferring files, which will lead to unexpected costs.

You can also clear your transmission history (Clear Log) in the settings, which is useful if you share files frequently and want to free up space in your memory.

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If Mi Drop constantly requests confirmation of file acceptance, turn on the option Auto-Accept from contacts – so you can automatically receive data only from trusted devices.

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

Despite being reliable, Mi Drop sometimes fails, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

❌ Devices can't see each other

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 No Wi-Fi connection: Turn on Wi-Fi on both devices (even if there is no network, Wi-Fi Direct will work).
• 🔄 Outdated version MIUI: Update the firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update.
• 🛡️ Firewall Block: Disable the antivirus or add Mi Drop to exceptions.
• 📱 Power saving mode: turn it off in Settings → Battery.

⚠️ File Transfer is interrupted

If the process is terminated in the middle:

• 📶 Check the stability of the Wi-Fi signal – go closer to the router.
• 🔋 Make sure the phone has enough charge (less than 15% can cause problems).
• 🗑️ Free up memory space – if the device has less than 500MB of free space, the transmission may crash.

🚫 Mi Drop has disappeared from the Share Menu.

If the Mi Drop button is missing:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Clear the app cache through Settings → Apps → Application Management → Mi Drop → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. If it doesn’t help, reset the app settings (in the same menu).

⚠️ Warning: If Mi Drop is making an error when transferring large files (>1 GB), try breaking the archive into pieces or using the USB-C cable to connect directly.

Can I delete com.xiaomi.midrop without consequences?

Technically, com.xiaomi.midrop can be removed, but it is not recommended.

• 🔧 This is a system application, and deleting it could disrupt other features MIUI, such as Quick Share or Bluetooth.
• 🔄 After the MIUI update, the application can be restored automatically.
• 📦 Some proprietary services (e.g., Mi Cloud) use Mi Drop components for synchronization.

If you want to get rid of com.xiaomi.midrop, there are two ways:

🛠️ Method 1: Disconnect (no root rights)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Drop in the list (you may need to enable system applications display).
3. Click Disable (Do not delete!).

⚙️ Method 2: Complete removal (requires root rights)

This will require:

1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Delete folders: /system/priv-app/MiDrop/system/app/MiDrop

⚠️ Warning: Deleting system applications can cause a device to blink (unloadable). If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to shutting down.

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Even if you don’t use Mi Drop, disabling it (without deleting it) won’t harm the system, but it will deprive you of a convenient file transfer tool.

Mi Drop Alternatives: What to Use Instead of a Standard Service

If Mi Drop doesn’t suit you, there are a few worthy alternatives:

If you want to speed up, look at LocalSend or Xender. Snapdrop is better for transferring between Android and iPhone, because it doesn't require installing apps.

Important: When using third-party services, always check the permissions they request. Some apps (like ShareIt) are known for collecting personal data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about com.xiaomi.midrop and Mi Drop