Mi Drop in Xiaomi: what is this app, can it be removed and how to do it

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably noticed Mi Drop in the installed software list. It's pre-installed on most of the brand's devices, but not all users understand its purpose. Often, you wonder why this software is needed, can it be removed, will it harm the phone?

In this article, we will discuss in detail what Mi Drop is, how it works on Redmi smartphones, POCO And we'll give you step-by-step instructions on how to delete or disable it, and you'll learn what alternatives exist for transferring files between devices, and whether it's worth getting rid of this system application at all.

We will pay special attention to the nuances: what will happen if you uninstall Mi Drop on different versions MIUI, How this will affect the functionality of your phone and what precautions to follow. If you want to free up memory or just don't use this feature, read on!

What is Mi Drop and Why You Need It

Mi Drop is a proprietary application from Xiaomi, designed to wirelessly transfer files between devices without using the Internet or cloud services. It works on the principle of Wi-Fi Direct, creating a local network between smartphones, tablets or even computers (if special software is available).

The main features of Mi Drop:

• 📁 Transfer of files of any type - photos, videos, documents, APK-file.
• 🔄 Exchange between Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark).
• 🚀 High speed - up to 20 MB / s (depending on the model and version) MIUI).
• 🔒 No size restrictions (unlike Bluetooth or instant messengers).
• 🌐 Working without the Internet – the connection is directly.

The application is integrated into the firmware MIUI and is often used for:

• 📱 Quickly transfer photos between friends’ phones.
• 🎮 Sharing game saves or large media files.
• 🖥️ Transfer data to the new smartphone Xiaomi (alternative to Mi Mover).
• 📂 Backup of important files to another device.

Despite the convenience, many users prefer to use alternatives like ShareIt, Xender or the built-in Quick Transfer function. MIUI 12+. That is why there is a desire to remove Mi Drop to free up space and remove unnecessary icons from the menu.

Can I remove Mi Drop without any consequences?

The answer to this question depends on which version MIUI You're using it, and how deeply Mi Drop is integrated into your device's firmware:

1. On smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer:

• ✅ The application can be disabled through settings (complete removal may require root rights).
• ⚠️ After uninstallation, some features of fast file transfer to MIUI They may not work properly.

2. On older versions MIUI (11):

• ❌ Uninstall without root is impossible – the application is protected by the system.
• ⚠️ Trying to remove it through ADB This could cause disruptions to other Xiaomi services.

3. on devices with global firmware (Global) ROM):

• ✅ Most often removed by standard means (through Settings) → Annexes).
• ⚠️ On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) It may be necessary to disconnect through ADB.

It is important to note that Mi Drop is sometimes used by other system processes, such as:

• 🔄 Data exchange between Xiaomi and POCO-device.
• 📱 Synchronize files with Mi Account (in some versions) MIUI).
• 🔧 Diagnostics of problems when contacting the service center.

⚠️ Note: If you delete Mi Drop on your device with MIUI 10 or older, you may not be able to use the Quick Transfer function in the Settings menu → Connections and sharing. It can only be restored by flashing the phone.

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Before removing system applications, always back up data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset, which will help you recover your phone if something goes wrong.

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

There are several ways to remove or disable Mi Drop, depending on your technical skills and smartphone model, and let’s take a look at them in order from the simplest to the most complex.

Method 1: Standard removal (without root)

This method is suitable for most devices on MIUI 12/13/14 global-fixed:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Mi Drop list (you can use the search).
3. Press Remove or Disable (if the Remove button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action.

If the Remove button is missing, try:

• 🔹 Go to Settings → About the phone and several times tap on the version MIUI, to activate the Developer Mode.
• 🔹 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.
• 🔹 Connect your phone to the PC and use it ADB (guideline).

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

This method will require a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tools. ADB:

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download and unpack. ADB Tools|Put the debugging on. USB phone-on|Connect your phone to your PC via cable|Check the connection with the adb device command

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Instructions:

1. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of your device).
3. Run the command to delete Mi Drop: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop
4. Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop

This won’t remove the app completely, but it will disable it for the current user.

Method 3: Remove with root rights

If you have root, the process is simplified:

1. Install any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Manager).
2. Go to the file. /system/priv-app/MiDrop or /system/app/MiDrop.
3. Delete the MiDrop folder or rename it (e.g., MiDrop.bak).
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system files from root can lead to bootloop (locked phone boot) if you delete something extra.Always back up the partition /system before such operations!

How to replace Mi Drop: Best Alternatives

If you have deleted Mi Drop or are simply looking for a more convenient way to transfer files, consider these alternatives:

If you want to get the speed you want, go with Xender or ShareIt. LocalSend is better for privacy, and if you want to transfer files to your computer, you can use Snapdrop, and you can open the site on both devices.

On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, you can do without third-party applications — the system already has a built-in Quick Transfer feature that works on the same principle as Mi Drop, but with an improved interface:

1. Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → Quick transmission.
2. Select the files to send.
3. On the second device, open the same section and accept the files.

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Starting with MIUI 14, the function of Fast transfer supports file sharing not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also with devices of other brands (Samsung, Oppo, Vivo) through the Quick Share standard.

Frequent Mi Drop Problems and Solutions

Even if you don't plan to remove Mi Drop, it can cause a variety of crashes, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

1. Mi Drop does not find transmission devices

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 Wi-Fi or Bluetooth disabled – check that both devices are connected to the same network or turn on Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔄 Older version of the app – Update Mi Drop via Play Market or Settings → Annexes → Mi Drop → Update.
• 📱 Incompatible versions MIUI — if on the same device MIUI 14, and the other. MIUI 10, the transmission may not work.
• 🔒 Firewall blocks connection – disable antivirus or add Mi Drop to exceptions.

2. file transfer is interrupted or is too slow

What to do:

• 📶 Go to Wi-Fi settings and select 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz (if supported).
• 🔋 Close background apps that may consume traffic.
• 📱 Reboot both devices.
• 🗃️ If you transfer large files, break them down into pieces (for example, archives). ZIP).

3.Mi Drop is constantly hanging in the background and consuming battery

How to turn off background activity:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Mi Drop → Battery.
2. Choose to limit background activity.
3. Turn off autostart: Settings → Annexes → Mi Drop → Auto-start.
4. B Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management add Mi Drop to the list of limited apps.

Error "Unable to connect" or "Device not supported"

Decisions:

• 🔄 Make sure both devices have the latest version of Mi Drop installed.
• 📱 Check if Do Not Disturb or Save Traffic is enabled.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 📲 Try using alternative apps (see table above).

⚠️ Note: If Mi Drop stopped working after the update MIUI, Try clearing the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Mi Drop → Warehouse → Clear the cache.If this doesn't help, you may need to reset your phone to factory settings (be sure to back up your phone!).

Mi Drop and Security: Should You Trust This App?

Many users are worried about how secure it is to use Mi Drop to transfer sensitive data.

Security advantages:

• 🔒 Local transfer – files do not pass through Xiaomi servers, but are transferred directly between devices.
• 🛡️ Encryption in the latest versions MIUI data is encrypted during transmission.
• 🚫 Without ads and trackers – unlike many third-party apps, Mi Drop does not collect data for targeted advertising.

Potential risks:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Vulnerabilities in older versions MIUI 9-11 bugs were found that allow intercepting transmitted files when connecting to the same network.
• 📡 Public Wi-Fi Connection – If you use Mi Drop in a cafe or airport, in theory, someone could intercept traffic.
• 🔄 Automatic file acceptance – if you don’t disable this feature, third-party devices will be able to send you files without confirmation.

How to improve security when using Mi Drop:

1. Always update. MIUI last-minute.
2. Turn off automatic file acceptance in the application settings.
3. Don’t use Mi Drop on public networks – create a hotspot on one of your phones.
4. For the transfer of critical data, use archive with a password (ZIP s AES-256).

If you’re concerned about privacy, consider alternatives like LocalSend or Snapdrop, which offer additional encryption and don’t require you to install software on both devices.

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V MIUI 14 Xiaomi adds protocol support OPP (Object Push Profile, which provides more secure file transfer over Bluetooth, but for maximum speed, it is still recommended to use Wi-Fi Direct.

Mi Drop on different Xiaomi devices: features of work

The functionality of Mi Drop may vary depending on the smartphone model and version MIUI. Let’s take a look at the key nuances for popular lines:

On devices with MIUI For Russia (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or Xiaomi 11 Lite), Mi Drop often works unstable due to localization restrictions:

• 🔄 Refuse the phone to Global ROM or EEA ROM.
• 📱 Use alternative applications (see table above).
• 🔧 Turn off Mi Drop through ADB, if it's not necessary.

On flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 2), the application is optimized for working with large files (for example, video in the video). 8K), It can conflict with other Xiaomi services, such as Mi Cloud or Xiaomi Community.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Drop