Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to quickly transfer large files without using the Internet or cables. the built-in Mi Share feature (formerly known as Mi Drop) is the ideal solution for this, providing transfer speeds of up to 100 MB / s. However, after updating the MIUI shells and switching to HyperOS, the location of this option may have changed, which raises questions among users.
Many people are looking for Mi Share Xiaomi where it is, believing that the feature is missing or has been removed by developers. In fact, it just moved to another menu or disappeared into the notification curtain depending on the version of the operating system. Understanding the logic of the location of system utilities in MIUI will help you not only find this tool, but also effectively manage wireless connections.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all possible ways to access the feature, look at the differences between old and new firmware versions, and provide solutions for cases where the service icon has really disappeared.
Search for function through the control center and notification curtain
The fastest way to activate wireless transmission is to use the Quick Access Panel. Most modern smartphones with MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS shells just swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open Control Center, which is where the shortcut is most often placed to enable instant detection.
If you don't see the icon you want on the first widget screen, try swiping left or clicking on the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots). In the list of available toggles, find "Mi Share" or "Sharing with the environment" and drag it to the active zone. This action will add a button for permanent access.
⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may call the shortcut “Exchange with nearby devices” or “Exchange with environment” because Google has integrated this feature into the Android system layer.
Once the mode is turned on, the phone starts broadcasting the signal, allowing other devices to find it.
Location in MIUI and HyperOS system settings
If you can't find a function through the curtain, you should go to the deep system settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the general logic is maintained. Open the Settings app and scroll through the list to the connection section.
In current versions of MIUI, the item most often found is along the path: Connections and Sharing → Sharing with the environment. In older builds or Chinese version of firmware, this section can be called Mi Share and located immediately in the main settings menu or inside the Additional Features tab.
Inside this menu, you'll find a device name and visibility switch, and you can limit the number of people who can send files to you by selecting "Contacts Only" or "All Devices," which is an important security aspect to prevent unwanted content from being received in public.
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Rename your device in the Mi Share settings menu so it’s easier for friends to find your phone in the list of connected gadgets available.
Differences in names: Mi Share and Sharing with the environment
Users are often confused by the presence of two similar features, the fact that Xiaomi, following the trends of Google, began to replace its own application Mi Drop system protocol Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share), which in Russian localization is called "Exchange with environment".
Functionally, they do the same thing, but they work at different levels. The old Mi Share is an application that runs on top of Wi-Fi Direct, whereas Surrounding is a native Android service. The new Redmi Note 12, 13, Xiaomi 13, 14 and newer smartphones prioritize the system solution.
Here are the main differences that should be considered:
- 🔄 Integration: Sharing with the environment is built into the context menu of any gallery or file manager without installing add-ons.
- 📱 Compatibility: New standard works better with other Android-based devices, while classic Mi Share is optimized for Xiaomi ecosystem.
- ⚙️ Stability: System service crashes less often and does not require a separate application to start receiving files.
What should I do if Mi Share is missing?
Setting up visibility and transferring files between devices
It's not enough to turn on the feature to be successful, you have to set up your visibility settings correctly, and if your phone is hidden, other devices won't be able to "see" it when scanning, even if the Wi-Fi module is active.
Go to the feature menu and make sure that the check box is in front of the item "Visible to all" or "Visible to contacts." If you select a contact restriction, make sure that your Mi Cloud or Google contacts are synced and your phone numbers are saved in the address book of both devices.
The transfer process is simple: select the file in the gallery, click the "Send" button or icon_share_, You can select the recipient from the list and confirm the reception on the second phone. The speed of the transfer depends on distance and interference, but usually is the same as the speed of the transmission. 20 before 100 MB/s.
| Parameter | Old Mi Share | Interchange with environment |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of work | Mi Drop appendix | Android System Service |
| Requirements | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth + Geolocation |
| Compatibility | Mainly Xiaomi | All Android devices |
| Location. | Tools folder | Notifications curtain / Settings |
⚠️ Note: Some versions of Android require enabled geolocation to work with "Ambient Sharing (GPS), Because the protocol uses it to determine the proximity of devices.
☑️ Checklist before file transfer
Problem Solving: The function is not working or has disappeared
Mi Share is often caused by software failures or network configuration conflicts. First, try rebooting your smartphone. This simple action clears the cache of network services and often returns functionality without additional intervention.
If the problem persists, check if you have a third-party antivirus or firewall that can block local connections. It's also worth resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
In rare cases, cleaning system application data helps. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find in the list “Exchange with environment” or “Mi Share” (may need to enable the display of system processes) and select “Clear data”.
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Resetting your network settings does not delete your personal files, but saved Wi-Fi passwords will have to be re-entered.