Have you ever faced a situation where you urgently need to transfer a photo, video or document from one Xiaomi Redmi smartphone to another, but there is no cable at hand and the Internet is malfunctioning? In such cases, the built-in Mi Share feature, Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for wireless file sharing between devices, comes to the rescue. But what is it really, how does it work and why sometimes refuses to send files? In this article, we will understand all the nuances of the technology, its advantages over analogues like AirDrop or Nearby Share, and also show a step-by guide to set up and fix typical problems.
Mi Share debuted in MIUI in 2020 and has since become an integral part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, allowing files to be transferred at up to 10MB/s (under ideal conditions) without using the mobile internet or connecting to a Wi-Fi router, and not only between Redmi smartphones but also with other Android devices (provided the protocol is supported), but it has its limitations and pitfalls that you need to know in advance. Next, we’ll detail how to activate Mi Share, which file formats are supported, and why the transfers sometimes stop halfway.
What is Mi Share and how does it work?
Mi Share is a proprietary technology from Xiaomi designed to wirelessly transfer files between devices over the Wi-Fi Direct protocol. Unlike classic Bluetooth, which is limited to 2-3 MB / s, Mi Share uses a high-speed connection similar to Apple's AirDrop or Google's Nearby Share. The main advantage is the lack of need for an Internet connection or a local network: devices create a direct hotspot and exchange data directly.
Technically, the process looks like this:
- One device (sender) creates a temporary Wi-Fi network.
- The second device (recipient) is connected to the network.
- Files are transmitted over a secure channel with encryption.
- After the transfer is completed, the connection is automatically broken.
The transmission speed depends on several factors:
- 📶 Distance between devices (optimally up to 5 meters).
- 🔋 Battery charge (at a level below 15% the function may be turned off).
- 📱 Smartphone model (new Redmi with Wi-Fi 6 run faster).
- 📁 File type (small files are transferred faster than large archives).
Mi Share supports the transfer of the following types of data:
- 📸 Photos (.jpg,.png,.heic).
- 🎥 Video (.mp4,.mov,.mkv).
- 📄 Documents (.pdf,.docx,.xlsx).
- 🎵 Audio files (.mp3,.flac,.wav).
- 📦 Archives (.zip,.rar).
- 📱 Applications (.apk – with restrictions).
Mi Share from AirDrop, Nearby Share and Bluetooth
Many Xiaomi Redmi users are wondering, why not use standard Bluetooth or Google's Nearby Share?The fact is that the Mi Share has several key advantages but also disadvantages over the alternatives. Let's compare them in the table:
| Function | Mi Share | AirDrop (Apple) | Nearby Share (Google) | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | Up to 10MB/s | Up to 10MB/s | Up to 8MB/s | Up to 2-3 MB/s |
| Cross-platformity | Android only (with limitations) | Only Apple. | Android, ChromeOS, Windows | Any device. |
| Internet is required | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| File size limitation | Up to 10GB (theoretically) | Up to 50GB | Up to 2GB | Up to 50MB |
| Energy consumption | Medium (Wi-Fi) | Low. | Average. | Low. |
An important nuance: Mi Share is 3-5 times faster than Bluetooth, but AirDrop is less stable when transferring large files (for example, video in 4K). In addition, the feature can conflict with some MIUI firmware, especially on older Redmi models (for example, Redmi Note 7 or Redmi 8). If you often transfer files between Xiaomi and devices of other brands, it is better to use Nearby Share - it is more versatile, although slower.
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Mi Share may not be on the menu due to hardware platform limitations, in which case the alternative would be Nearby Share or third-party apps like Xender.
How to Enable and Configure Mi Share on Xiaomi Redmi
You can activate Mi Share on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones in two ways: through the notification panel or the settings menu.
Method 1: Through the notification panel
- Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the Mi Share icon (usually it looks like two handsets with an arrow). If it's not there, click on the «⚙️ Edit" and add it manually.
- Slip the icon to activate the function.
Method 2: Through settings
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Connections and Sharing (or additionally → Mi Share on older versions of MIUI).
- Activate the Mi Share slider.
- Set up the visibility of the device: 🔒 Contact only (recommended for safety). 🌍 For everyone (comfortable but less safe).
Once activated, your Redmi will become visible to other devices within range.
- Open the Explorer or the gallery.
- Select the files you need and click Send (or Share).
- In the list of options, select Mi Share.
- Wait until the recipient confirms acceptance.