ShareMe on Android Xiaomi: Why do you need this app and can you uninstall it?

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO, You may have noticed a mysterious app called ShareMe (formerly known as Mi Drop) on the installed list, which appears out of the box on most of the brand's devices, but not everyone understands its purpose. Should you use it? Is it safe? And most importantly, can you delete ShareMe without harming the system?

In this article, we’ll go into all aspects of ShareMe’s work, from basic features to hidden features that the manufacturer doesn’t always advertise, how the app is integrated into Xiaomi’s ecosystem, what data it collects, and why some cybersecurity experts are suspicious of it, and also get a step-by-step removal manual (including hidden methods for advanced users) and a list of proven alternatives.

Spoiler: ShareMe is not a critical system component, but deleting it on some models can lead to unexpected bugs with file transfers through the standard Share menu.Read on to understand how to proceed in your particular case.

What is ShareMe and why does Xiaomi install it?

ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop) is a proprietary application from Xiaomi for wireless file transfer between devices. P2P (peer-to-peer, which means that it directly connects two gadgets without intermediaries like cloud services:

• 📱 Fast transfer of photos, videos or documents between Xiaomi smartphones (or other Android devices with ShareMe installed)
• 💻 Sending files from phone to computer via web interface (over local network)
• 🎮 Sharing data with smart devices in the Mi Home ecosystem (e.g., transferring music to a speaker)
• 📁 Backup of contacts and media files to another device without an internet connection

The manufacturer positions ShareMe as an alternative to Apple’s AirDrop, but with one key difference: it doesn’t just work within the same ecosystem. In theory, you can send a file to a Samsung or Huawei smartphone if it’s running the app.

Why Xiaomi pre-installes ShareMe on all its devices? Here are three main reasons:

1. Ecosystem-based: The company aims to create a closed environment where users interact only with brand services (similar to Apple or Google).
2. Traffic savings: Bypassing cloud services like Google Drive or Mi Cloud reduces the burden on Xiaomi servers.
3. Data collection: The application has access to the file system and can analyze the types of data transmitted (for more details in the section on security).

How ShareMe Works: Technical Details and Limitations

ShareMe uses a combination of technologies to transfer files:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: Creates a direct network between devices without a router (main mode of operation).
• 🌐 Local area network (LAN): If both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi hotspot.
• 📡 Hotspot: One device distributes the Internet, the second connects to it to exchange data.

The transmission speed depends on the chosen method:

It’s important to understand that ShareMe doesn’t encrypt the data you send by default, which means that in theory, an attacker on the same network can intercept your files (especially for public Wi-Fi). TLS, Google’s Nearby Share – WebRTC protocol with encryption.

Another nuance: ShareMe often conflicts with other file sharing services, such as if your Xiaomi has both ShareMe and Nearby Share (from Google) activated at the same time, the transfer may be interrupted or slow, because both services are trying to use the same network resources.

💡

Before transferring confidential files via ShareMe, turn on VPN This will create an additional layer of encryption, although it will reduce the speed of transmission.

ShareMe Security: What Permissions Does the App Request and Why Is It Risk?

When you first start, ShareMe asks for the following permissions:

• 📁 Access to files and media (to "see" your photos, videos, documents)
• 📡 Wi-Fi and location (to find nearby devices)
• 🔋 Background operation (to stay active even when the application is closed)
• 📱 Connection management (to create a direct Wi-Fi connection)
• 👤 Contacts (for simplified exchange with frequently used recipients)

At first glance, these permissions seem justified by the functionality of the application, but there are a few disturbing points:

⚠️ Attention: B 2022 Researchers at Check Point Lab discovered a vulnerability in ShareMe (CVE-2022-25765), It allows you to remotely execute code on your device through manipulation of transmitted files. Xiaomi has released a patch, but the risk remains for users who do not update the software.

In addition, ShareMe sends analytics data to Xiaomi servers, including:

• Types of files transferred (photos, videos, documents, etc.)
• Frequency of use of the application
• Models of devices between which there is an exchange
• Time and duration of transmission sessions

Officially, this data is used to “improve the user experience,” but in fact, it helps Xiaomi build user profiles for targeted advertising. If you’re concerned, you can turn off analytics collection in the app settings (path: ShareMe). → Settings → Confidentiality → Disable "Improving ShareMe").

Should I remove ShareMe: pros and cons

The decision to remove ShareMe depends on how you use your smartphone. Let's weigh the pros and cons:

If you decide to get rid of ShareMe, there are two ways:

1. Normal removal (for most users):

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management

Find ShareMe in the list and tap it.

Select "Delete" (if the button is active)

Confirm the action.

Restart the device (required!)

-->

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), ShareMe is protected as a system application, and then you will need the second method:

1. Removal via ADB (for advanced users):

This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and using the tool. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on "Developer Mode" on your phone:


- Go to Settings → About the phone




- Tap 7 times on "Version MIUI"




- Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers




- Activate "Debugging by USB"





2. connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux)




3. Enter the commands in turn:




adb devices (to make sure the device is connected)




adb shell




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop





4.Reboot the phone

⚠️ Note: Remove ShareMe through ADB may cause the Quick Transfer function in the Share on some firmware menu to fail. Before executing, back up your data via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

The Best Alternatives to ShareMe in 2026

If you’ve removed ShareMe or are simply looking for more reliable file transfer solutions, here are the proven alternatives:

Xiaomi users are particularly interested in LocalSend, which is open source software with a transparent privacy policy, and can be installed via Google Play or F-Droid, and the main advantage over ShareMe is the lack of analytics collection and encryption support.

If you want top speed, look for Send Anywhere. This app uses its own servers for transfer relays, which speeds up data exchange between devices on different networks (for example, sending a file from phone to computer in another country).

💡

For file transfers between Xiaomi devices on the same network, the best choice is Nearby Share (built into Android) or LocalSend (for maximum privacy).

Hidden ShareMe features that few people know about

ShareMe has more than just transferring files, and here are some hidden features that can be useful:

• 🖥️ Remote File Access: If you enable the Remote Access option in your settings, you can access your phone files from another device via a browser (on a local network). → Settings → Remote access → Turn on.
• 📂 Packet transfer: You can send multiple folders at once, saving their structure (convenient for backup). To do this, hold your finger on the folder in the file manager and select Share via ShareMe".
• 🔄 Auto-accept files: the settings have the option "Automatically receive files from contacts"; this is convenient if you often share data with the same person (for example, a colleague).
• 📊 Transmission statistics: ShareMe keeps a log of all files sent and received. To view it, go to ShareMe → I → Log. You can filter entries by date or file type.

Another little-known feature is the transfer of applications (APK-For example, if you want to transfer a save game to another phone, ShareMe can send both the.apk and the folder. Android/obb with additional files:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Select the desired application and tap "Share"
3. In the list of options, select ShareMe
4. Check the option "Enable application data"

Note: this feature does not work with all applications (for example, system programs will not be transferred).

Frequent problems with ShareMe and how to solve them

Xiaomi users often encounter ShareMe bugs, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Resetting network settings
2. Confirm the action (it will reset all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords)
3. Restart the device and try to start ShareMe again.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) After a network reset, ShareMe may require re-authorization through your Mi Account. If you don't remember your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

If the problem persists, the last option is to reinstall ShareMe:

1. Remove the application (if possible)
2. Download the latest version APK From the official website of Xiaomi (Support section) → PO")
3. Install the file manually, allowing installation from unknown sources

References to official APK ShareMe:

• Page at Mi App Store
• Archive of versions on APKCombo

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about ShareMe