Mi Drop for Xiaomi: where to download and how to install on a smartphone

Xiaomi’s Mi Drop feature allows instant file transfer between devices without the Internet, via a local Wi-Fi network, and is one of the most convenient solutions for sharing photos, videos and documents between Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones, as well as other Android devices. However, many users face the problem of the app disappearing from the standard set, then not updating through Google Play.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to find and download Mi Drop in 2026 – from official sources to proven ones. APK-You will also learn how to install the app on devices without pre-installing, what alternatives exist for older Xiaomi models, and why sometimes Mi Drop may not appear in the list of system applications even after an update. MIUI.

Official sources: where to download Mi Drop from Xiaomi

The first thing to check out is Xiaomi's built-in services, which the company updates its apps regularly, but they're not always available through Google Play.

• 📱 Mi App Store is Xiaomi's branded app store, where Mi Drop often appears first. Available on all smartphones with a mobile phone. MIUI default.
• 🌐 Xiaomi official website – Support or Downloads section for your model (e.g, mi.com/global/support/downloads).
• 🔄 Update MIUI — Sometimes Mi Drop comes back after installing fresh firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

If you didn’t find the app in these sources, it may have been removed from your version. MIUI It's like "obsolete." In this case, manual installation through APK-file (more on this in the next section).

Download Mi Drop via APK: Safe Ways

When Mi Drop is not available in official stores, there is a manual APK option, so it is important to download files only from trusted sources to avoid viruses or modified versions.

Before installing the APK, it is necessary to:

1. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications.
2. Check the Android version on your device (in Settings → About Phone) – download the APK for your OS.
3. Remove the old version of Mi Drop (if any) to avoid conflicts.

Check out the smartphone model (like the Redmi Note 12)

Download APK with APKMirror or Xiaomi Community

Installation from unknown sources

Remove the old version of Mi Drop (if any)

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Attention, some. APK-files may contain advertisements or additional modules. Avoid sites with suspicious domains (e.g. *.apk-download-free.com).

Why Mi Drop disappeared from your Xiaomi and how to get it back

Many users notice that after the MIUI update, the Mi Drop app disappears from the menu, due to Xiaomi's policy of optimizing pre-installed software.

• 🔄 Update MIUI — in new versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 14+) Mi Drop can be replaced with Quick Share (similar to Google’s version).
• 🗑️ Cleaning the system – the application could be removed as “unused” through Settings → Annexes → Cleanup.
• 📱 Regional restrictions – on some models for Europe or India, Mi Drop is hidden by default.

To return the app:

1. Check for hidden apps: Open Settings → Apps → App Management → All apps and find Mi Drop in the list (it may be disabled).
2. Install. APK-file (see previous section).
3. Reset to factory settings (extreme): Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.

Attention! ⚠️ On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) Mi Drop is replaced by Quick Share, in which case the original application can only be returned through the rollback of firmware or the use of alternatives (see next section).

Mi Drop Alternatives: What to Use if the App is Unavailable

If you can't get Mi Drop back, consider similar features, and the main requirement is that you can transfer files over a local network without the Internet.

For Xiaomi devices, ShareMe is the best choice – it is pre-installed on most new models and integrated into MIUI. If you need cross-platform (for example, transfer to iPhone or Mac), look for LocalSend or Xender.

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Before using alternatives, check if the app supports folder transfer as a whole, for example, Xender allows you to send entire albums of photos, and Snapdrop only one file.

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

If you have managed to install Mi Drop, here is how to use it:

1. Activation: Open the app on both devices, make sure both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
2. Connection: Click "Send" on one device and "Receive" on another. Select the device from the list (it should show up automatically).
3. File selection: Mark photos, videos or documents and confirm the submission.
4. Reception: Confirm receipt of files on the receiving device. They will be saved to the Download/MiDrop folder.

Transfer speeds depend on the device model and MIUI version. For example, on Xiaomi 12 Pro with MIUI 14 files are transferred at speeds up to 30-40 MB / s, and on older models (for example, Redmi 9A) - up to 10-15 MB / s.

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Mi Drop only works between Android devices. Use alternatives like LocalSend or Snapdrop to transfer files to your iPhone or computer.

Attention! ⚠️ If the transfer of files is interrupted, check:

• Distance between devices (no more than 5 meters).
• No interference from other Wi-Fi networks (e.g. in an office or shopping mall).
• Mi Drop version – both devices should have the same build.

Mi Drop on older Xiaomi models: compatibility and limitations

On devices older than 2019 (e.g., Redmi Note 7, Mi 8, POCO F1), Mi Drop may experience problems.

• 🔋 Outdated Android (below 9.0) – some app features are not supported.
• 📡 Wi-Fi Direct limitations – on older chipsets, the transfer speed can drop to 5-7 MB/s.
• 🔄 Lack of updates – Xiaomi has stopped supporting Mi Drop for devices on the Internet MIUI 10 and below.

Solutions for old models:

1. Use alternative applications (see section above).
2. Update your firmware to the latest available version of MIUI via Settings → System Update.
3. Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that supports modern versions of Mi Drop.

On Android 6.0 and lower devices, Mi Drop may not work even after manually installing the APK due to a lack of support for modern Wi-Fi Direct protocols.

Mi Drop Frequent Errors and How to Fix Them

Users often encounter typical problems when using Mi Drop, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Clear the app cache: Settings → Apps → Mi Drop → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Reset network settings: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Reset network settings.
3. Reinstall the application (remove and install again).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Mi Drop