Mi Drop on Xiaomi: where is in MIUI 14/15 and how to use it in 2026

Mi Drop (formerly known as Mi Share or Quick Transfer) allowed Xiaomi smartphone owners to share files without the Internet, either over Wi-Fi Direct or over the local network. However, after the MIUI 12-15 updates, many users noticed that the app disappeared from the menu or stopped working.

Since 2022, Xiaomi has been actively integrating alternative data sharing solutions, such as Google’s Nearby Share or Samsung’s own Quick Share development, which has led to the classic Mi Drop being hidden or removed from some regional firmware. But don’t rush to install third-party apps — the feature is still available, just need to activate it properly.

Where to look for Mi Drop in new MIUI versions (2026)

Mi Drop location depends on MIUI version and regional firmware.

• 📱 MIUI 14/15 (Global version: Open Settings → Connections and sharing → Mi Drop. If there is no item, try the Setup path. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Mi Drop.
• 🌍 MIUI China (CN): Go to Settings. → Connection and sharing → Fast gear. "" Here, Mi Drop can be combined with Mi Share.
• 🔍 Search System: Swipe down the home screen to open the search, and type Mi Drop or Quick Transfer.The system may give you a hidden shortcut.

If neither of these paths worked, check if the function in the developer settings is disabled.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 5 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Enable Mi Drop (or Enable Mi Share) and activate it.

Why Mi Drop disappeared from the menu and how to get it back

The main reasons for the disappearance of Mi Drop:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: In the firmware MIUI 13+ Mi Drop Replaced with Nearby Share for European and Global Regions).
• 📦 Regional restrictions: In some countries (e.g. India, Russia) the function is disabled due to local regulations.
• 🧹 Optimizing the system: Xiaomi removes underutilized services to save resources.
• 🛠️ Firmware failure: After an incorrect update or reset settings, the shortcut may disappear.

To return Mi Drop, try the following methods:

1. App Reset: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points (menu) → Reset application settings. This will bring back hidden system utilities.
2. Installation APK: Download the original APK-Mi Drop file from a verified source (e.g. APKMirror) and install manually. MIUI (for example MIUI 14 is fine with com.miui.midrop v5.0+).
3. Change the firmware region: If you are using the global version, try switching to MIUI CN (Chinese) via Settings → Additional → Region. After the reboot, check for Mi Drop.

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

If you’ve managed to find or restore Mi Drop, here’s how to use it:

Turn off mobile data (Wi-Fi must be turned on)

Make sure that both devices are enabled Mi Drop

Place your smartphones at a distance of no more than 5 meters

Check that the receiving device has enough memory-->

1. Sending files: Open Mi Drop on the sending device. Select files (photos, videos, documents) or folder. Click Send and select the recipient from the list of available devices.
2. Receiving files: On the receiving smartphone, open Mi Drop and confirm the request for acceptance. Wait for the transfer to be completed (speed depends on the model - before the transfer is completed). 10–20 MB/s on flagships. Files will be saved to folder Download/MiDrop Or internal memory. → miui → midrop.

Features of the work:

• 📶 Supported devices Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO Some other brands (if they have Mi Share installed).
• 🔋 File transfer consumes battery power – it is recommended to connect devices to charge when exchanging large volumes (from 1 GB).
• 🔒 To transfer sensitive data (for example, passwords) use encryption: in the Mi Drop settings, activate the option Safe Transfer.

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If Mi Drop doesn't see the second device, try turning on Flight Mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off and restart the app. This will reset the Wi-Fi Direct network settings.

Mi Drop Alternatives: What to Use Instead

If Mi Drop is not returned or is not stable, consider alternative ways to share files:

Recommendation: For Xiaomi owners on global firmware, Nearby Share is the best choice – it is integrated into the system and does not require additional installations. If you want high speed, use Quick Share (if available) or FTP over the local network.

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On devices with MIUI 15 and later, Mi Drop can be completely replaced with Quick Share. Check if this feature is available in the Settings → Connections and Sharing menu.

Mi Drop Frequent Errors and How to Fix Them

Even if Mi Drop is installed, users face some problems.

⚠️ Warning: If you have a "Disconnected" error when you transfer files, check if the connection is blocked by an antivirus or firewall. Disable them temporarily and try again.

• 🔌 "Device not found": Make sure both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on. Restart both devices. Check if power saving mode is activated (it can block background work of Mi Drop).
• ⏳ "Transfer is 0% ": Cancel the current transfer and start again. Reduce the file packet size (e.g. send 500MB at a time.

"Authentication error"

1. On both devices, upgrade Mi Drop to the latest version via the Play Market or App Store.
2. Reset network settings: Settings → Wi-Fi → Three points → Additional → Network reset.

If the error is repeated, try clearing the app cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Drop → Storage.
2. Click Clear the cache and Clear the data.
3. Restart the app.

Mi Drop on older Xiaomi models (Redmi Note 4/5, Mi A1/A2)

On Xiaomi devices 2017-2019 release (Redmi Note 4/5, Mi A1/A2, Mi 6/8) Mi Drop may not work properly due to outdated version of MIUI or lack of updates.

• 📲 Update MIUI: Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update of the system. For older models, the current version — MIUI 12.5 (new firmware may not be supported).
• 🔄 Reverse to the old version: If after the update Mi Drop disappeared, try to roll back to the previous firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website).
• 🛠️ Hand-mounted APK: Download Mi Drop for Android 7–9 (e.g. com.miui.midrop) v4.5) and install manually, having previously allowed installation from unknown sources.

Limitations of old models:

• Transfer speed is limited to 2-5 MB/s (due to outdated Wi-Fi module).
• Files larger than 1 GB are not supported.
• There may be transmission failures between devices on different versions of MIUI.

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On Redmi Note 4/5 for stable operation of Mi Drop, disable the Adaptive Battery function in the power settings. This will prevent the application from automatically closing.

Safety with Mi Drop

File transfers via Mi Drop occur over the local network, but this does not guarantee complete data protection.

• 🔐 Turn off automatic file reception: In Mi Drop settings, deactivate the option to Accept Files from All. Allow manual reception only.
• 📡 Use secure networks: Avoid transmitting sensitive data in public places (cafes, airports) where outsiders can connect to your local network.
• 🛡️ Check files after you take them: Install antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) and scan the files before opening.
• 🔄 Clear transmission history: In Mi Drop, go to History and delete files records to avoid metadata leakage.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring files between Android and iOS devices, use Nearby Share or AirDrop – Mi Drop does not support cross-platform transfer.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Mi Drop