Shareit on Xiaomi smartphones: why you need this application and how to use it

If you own an Android-based Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably noticed SHAREit on your installed list, it's coming out of the box on many of the brand's devices, but not everyone understands its purpose, some even suspect it's a virus or spyware because of aggressive file transfer notifications, and SHAREit is actually a legal tool for sharing data between devices, but with a few nuances to be aware of.

In this article, we will look at what SHAREit is on Xiaomi, how it works, what features it offers and why it raises so many questions, and learn whether it can be trusted, how it can be used correctly to transfer photos, videos or documents, and how to completely remove it from your phone if you don’t need it.

The material will be useful for both newcomers who have just become familiar with the Xiaomi ecosystem and for experienced users who want to optimize the performance of their smartphone. We will also compare SHAREit with alternative methods of file transfer – from standard Bluetooth to cloud services Mi Cloud and Google Drive, so you can choose the most convenient option.

What is Shareit and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

SHAREit is a cross-platform application for fast file transfer between devices via Wi-Fi Direct or through the creation of a local network. Media4U Technology Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), but originally created by Chinese engineers, the application supports the exchange of data between smartphones on Android and iOS, as well as with computers running Windows and macOS.

On Xiaomi devices, SHAREit is often preinstalled as part of proprietary software MIUI. This is due to the partnership agreements between Xiaomi and the developers of the application, the main tasks for which SHAREit is intended:

• 📱 Transfer files without the Internet – photos, videos, music or documents can be sent to another device without wasting mobile traffic.
• 🔄 Cross-platform exchange – working with iPhone, iPad, Windows PC even smart TV (on some models).
• 🎮 Media streaming – watching movies or listening to music from one device to another in real time.
• 📂 Backup – Create backups of contacts, messages and multimedia.

The main advantage of SHAREit over classic Bluetooth is the high transfer speed (up to 20 MB / s in ideal conditions) and the absence of restrictions on file size. 4K Or an archive with photos weighing 1-2 GB will go in seconds, whereas via Bluetooth this process would take tens of minutes.

But there’s a downside to the app: it uses file, contact, and location permissions, raising privacy concerns, and SHAREit is known for intrusive advertising and offering to install additional programs (especially in the free version).

How SHAREit works on Android: the principle of data transfer

Unlike cloud services like Google Drive or Mi Cloud, SHAREit doesn’t require files to be uploaded to remote servers, but instead creates a direct connection between devices over Wi-Fi Direct or over a local Wi-Fi network.

1. Activation of hotspot. One device (like your Xiaomi) creates a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot that connects the second device.
2. Connection setup: Applications on both devices “see” each other and establish a secure connection (although SHAREit’s encryption level is often criticized by experts).
3. File transfers. Data is sent directly, without intermediaries. Speed depends on supported Wi-Fi standards (on Xiaomi with Wi-Fi 6, the process is faster).
4. Session termination. After transmission, the connection is broken and the access point is disconnected.

It is important to understand that SHAREit does not use mobile Internet - no traffic is consumed, but the following permissions are required to operate the application:

• 📁 Accessing files and media to “see” the contents of the device’s memory.
• 📍 Location – to search for nearby devices (you can turn off in settings).
• 📞 Contacts – if you are handing over business cards.
• 🔋 Auto Start – to work in the background.

On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI 12/13/14 SHAREit can be integrated with the system menu "Fast Transfer" (Settings) → Connection and sharing → This allows you to send files directly from the gallery or file manager without opening the application itself.

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If the transmission speed over SHAREit is too low, try turning off the power saving mode on both devices, and make sure that they are on Wi-Fi (even if the Internet is not connected).

Is Sharet Safe: Risks and Scandals

SHAREit is one of the most controversial security issues, with millions of installs on the one hand, and it has been the subject of a lot of scandals on the other, and here are the key points to consider:

Google temporarily removed SHAREit from the Play Market in 2021 due to privacy violations, but the app was later reinstated after revisions.

⚠️ Note: Do not use SHAREit to transfer sensitive data (passwords, bank documents, passport scans). For such files, it is better to use encrypted messengers (Telegram, Signal) or cloud storage with two-factor authentication.

If you do decide to use Shareit, follow these rules:

• 🔒 Install the app only from the official Google Play (link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lenovo.anyshare.gps).
• 🚫 Do not agree to install additional programs that SHAREit offers.

How to use Shareit on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Using SHAREit on Xiaomi is easy, but newcomers may have questions. Consider the file transfer process by sending photos from the Redmi Note 12 to a Windows 10 laptop.

Step 1: Installation and configuration

1. Download SHAREit on both devices (unless it is pre-installed on Xiaomi).
2. Open the app and allow access to files, contacts and location (optional).
3. Click Skip in the registration window (account is not required).

Step 2: Connecting devices

• On Xiaomi, tap the avatar in the upper right corner and select Connect to a PC.
• On your laptop in SHAREit, click Connect to your phone and scan. QR-smartphone-screen.
• Wait for the connection to be installed (confirmation may be required on both devices).

Step 3: File transfer

• On Xiaomi, select files in the gallery or file manager, click Share → SHAREit.
• Select the target device (laptop) from the list.
• Confirm the sending – the files will start to be transferred.

For transfer between two smartphones (for example, Xiaomi and iPhone) the algorithm is similar, but instead of using the same algorithm. QR-You can use the code to search for devices via Wi-Fi Direct.

If Shareit does not find the device, check:

• 📶 Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or one creates an access point).
• 🔄 Xiaomi has enabled Visibility for everyone in the SHAREit settings.
• 🔋 Devices are not overheated - at high temperature MIUI It can block the transmission of data.

How to remove SHAREit completely from Xiaomi

If you don't plan on using SHAREit, it can be removed — especially for users who are annoyed by ads or have security concerns. However, on Xiaomi, it is often a system app, so standard removal may not work. Here are all the possible ways:

Method 1: Normal removal (if permitted)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Shareit in the list and tap it.
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

Method 2. Disconnect (if deletion is blocked)

• In the same application management menu, select Disable.
• Confirm the action – the application will stop working and disappear from the menu.
• 🔄 To return it, you will need to reset settings or manually activate in Settings. → Annexes → Disconnected.

Method 3: Removal through ADB (power-user)

⚠️ Warning: This method requires unlocking the bootloader and can cause unstable system operation. Use it only if you understand the risks.

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Install. ADB Tools to your computer and run the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.lenovo.anyshare.gps
3. Reboot your smartphone.

After removing SHAREit, you may find that some features MIUI (For example, "Fast Transfer" will stop working, in which case it is recommended to use alternative applications for file sharing.

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Even after removing SHAREit, its data can remain in the device's memory. To completely clear it, use the Cleanup function in Settings. → Memory or specialized utilities such as SD Maid.

Xiaomi’s Shareit Alternatives: What’s Best to Use

If you don’t like SHAREit, there are many alternatives to transfer files to Xiaomi, and we compared the most popular options by key criteria:

For most Xiaomi users, the best options are:

• 📱 Mi Drop – if you need a simple transfer between devices MIUI.
• 🌐 LocalSend – for open source cross-platform sharing.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – if you need to save files to the cloud (5 GB for free).

If you want to speed up, look at Xender or Send Anywhere, which use the same protocols as SHAREit, but with better optimization. APK Extractor + any file manager.

Frequent Shareit Problems on Xiaomi and Their Solutions

When using SHAREit on Xiaomi, users often encounter common errors, and we have collected the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Shareit does not find the device

• 🔹 Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi enabled (not necessarily a network connection).
• 🔹 Restart the application on both devices.
• 🔹 In SHAREit settings, enable the option to Show devices nearby.
• 🔹 If you use VPN, Turn it off – it can block the local connection.

Problem 2: File Transfers are interrupted

• 🔋 Check the battery power if it is below 15%, MIUI Can limit background processes.
• 📶 Go to a place with less interference to your Wi-Fi signal.
• 🗑️ Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → SHAREit → Memory. → Clear the cache).

Problem 3: Shareit is constantly showing ads

• 🛡️ Install an ad blocker, such as AdGuard.
• 💰 Buy it. PREMIUM-Version (disables advertising).
• 🔄 Turn off mobile internet while using SHAREit – some of the ads are downloaded via 3G/4G.

Problem 4: The app is slowing down or flying off

• 📲 Update Shareit to the latest version on Google Play.
• 🧹 Clean the memory of the device – for stable operation you need at least 500 MB of free space.
• 🔄 Reinstall the app (remove and install again).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI SHAREit stopped working, check if the permissions for the application have reset. → Annexes → SHAREit → Permissions and enable all necessary options.

If none of these methods worked, try using the alternative apps in the previous section, and check if SHAREit blocks antivirus or the built-in Firewall. MIUI (Settings → PapaSSWORD safety → firewall).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Shareit on Xiaomi