ShareMe on Xiaomi Redmi 8: A Complete Guide to a Standard App MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is still a popular budget smartphone, and its owners regularly encounter pre-installed services MIUI. One of these apps is ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop), which raises a lot of questions: What is it? Is it safe to use? How do you transfer files between devices without the Internet? And why does it consume battery in the background?

In this article, we will take a closer look at all of ShareMe’s features and explain how it works on Redmi. 8 (including versions MIUI 11/12/13), And we'll also give you step-by-step instructions for setting up, solving typical problems, and even removing the app for those who want to free up memory.

If you've ever seen a two-phone icon with an arrow on your smartphone menu, this is it. Let's figure out if ShareMe is worth your attention or if it's better to get rid of.

What is ShareMe and why is it necessary for Xiaomi Redmi 8?

ShareMe is Xiaomi’s proprietary application for wireless file transfer between devices over a local area network (Wi-Fi Direct or hotspot). It replaced Mi Drop and is integrated into firmware. MIUI The main feature is the ability to share photos, videos, documents and even applications without an Internet connection and without using cloud services.

On the Redmi. 8 (and other smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO) ShareMe works on the principle of P2P-Connections: one device creates an access point, and the other connects to it. The speed of the transfer depends on the firmware version and model, but on average it is 5–10 MB/s – this is enough to transfer a pack of photos in a few seconds.

Key features of the application:

• 📱 Cross-platform: works not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also with devices from other brands (if they have ShareMe or Xender installed).
• 🔗 There are no limits on file size (unlike Bluetooth or email).
• 🛡️ Encryption of data during transmission (according to Xiaomi).
• 📦 Transfer of file packets and entire folders.

However, ShareMe has some drawbacks that Redmi 8 users often complain about:

• 🔋 Background battery consumption (the application may remain active after use).
• 📶 Unstable connection on older versions MIUI (low-lying MIUI 12).
• 🗑️ Impossibility of complete removal without root rights (only disable).

How to use ShareMe on Redmi 8: step-by-step instructions

ShareMe is easier than it sounds, and the key is to turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices (even if you don't need the internet).

Step 1 Launching ShareMe

Open the ShareMe app (two phone icon and arrow icon). If it's not on the home screen, search All apps in the menu or search the system (Settings) → Search).

Step 2: Selection of mode

There will be two options on the screen:

• Send to transfer files from your Redmi 8.
• Get it – to receive files on your smartphone.

So, for example, if you want to send a photo to a friend, click Send on your phone, and they have to choose Receive on their device.

Step 3: Connecting devices

ShareMe will automatically start searching for nearby devices, a list of available contacts will appear on the screen (if they have also launched the app), select the desired device and confirm the connection on both phones.

Step 4: Selection and transfer of files

If you send files:

• Click on the icon «+» or “Select files».
• Check the boxes for photos, videos or documents (you can choose several).
• Click "Send" and wait for the transfer to be completed.

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices |

Close background applications that consume the Internet |

Check that the receiving device has enough memory|

Confirm the connection on both phones-->

If the transmission is interrupted, try:

• Restart ShareMe on both devices.
• Turn off/on Wi-Fi.
• Make sure that the distance between the phones is not more than 5-10 meters.

💡

If ShareMe doesn’t find the device, try manually creating an access point on one of the phones and connecting to it from the second. → Create an access point.

ShareMe Security: Can I Trust the App?

One of the most common questions Redmi 8 users have is, “Is ShareMe harmful to my phone?”

Safety benefits:

• 🔐 Local Transfer: Files are not uploaded to the cloud, but are transferred directly between devices.
• 🛡️ Encryption: According to Xiaomi, data is encrypted during transmission (although no independent security audits have been conducted).
• 👤 Confirmation of connection: Before transfer, you need to confirm the connection on both devices.

Potential risks:

• 🕵️ Background activity: ShareMe can remain active in the background, consuming battery and data (especially on the back). MIUI 11 and below).
• 📡 Wi-Fi Direct vulnerabilities: In theory, an attacker on the same network could intercept traffic (though this is unlikely for domestic use).
• 📦 Malware Files Transfer: If You Receive Files From Strangers, You Risk Getting a Virus.

⚠️ Never accept files from unknown devices via ShareMe, even if the device name looks familiar (e.g., ShareMe, "Xiaomi_123"), It could be a fake. Always check with the sender what they're sending you.

To minimize the risks:

• Disable ShareMe after use (close the app through Recent ones) → Close it all down).
• Do not store sensitive data in ShareMe (logins, passwords, bank documents).
• Update. MIUI Up to the latest version – new firmware fixes vulnerabilities.

ShareMe vs. Alternatives: Which is Best for Redmi 8?

ShareMe isn’t the only file transfer app, but let’s compare it to popular alternatives to see if Xiaomi’s standard solution is worth it.

Conclusions:

• 🏆 Xender is faster and more versatile, but eats more battery.
• 🔄 Google’s Nearby Share is more reliable, but it’s slower and requires Android 6+.
• 📱 Bluetooth is only suitable for small files (up to 50 MB).
• 💡 ShareMe is optimal for Xiaomi owners if you do not want to install third-party applications.

💡

If you want speed and cross-platform, go for Xender. If security and stability are important, Nearby Share. For rare small file transfers, a standard ShareMe is enough.

How to Disable or Remove ShareMe on Xiaomi Redmi 8

If you don't use ShareMe, but it consumes battery or takes up space, you can turn it off (you can't completely remove it without root rights).

Method 1. Disabling the application

This will stop the background activity of ShareMe, but the icon will remain on the menu.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find ShareMe in the list and open its settings.
3. Click Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action.

Method 2: Limitation of background activity

If you use ShareMe occasionally but want to cut back on battery consumption:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Find ShareMe and select Limit Background Activity.
3. Also disable AutoRun for this application.

Method 3: Removal through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience working with ADB, You can remove ShareMe completely:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and enable Debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
2. Open the command line on your PC and type: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention! Removing system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI. If you have problems after removing ShareMe (for example, with system updates), restore the application by command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.midrop

Typical ShareMe Problems on Redmi 8 and Their Solutions

Redmi 8 users often experience ShareMe bugs, and here are the most common issues and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: ShareMe is not finding the device

Decision:

• Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• Restart ShareMe on both phones.
• Try to manually create an access point: in ShareMe, click Settings → Create an access point and connect to it from the second device.
• If used MIUI 11 or lower, update the firmware – older versions have bugs with Wi-Fi Direct.

Problem 2: File Transfers are interrupted

Decision:

• Reduce the distance between the devices (maximum 5 meters).
• Turn off the power saving mode in the battery settings.
• Transfer files in smaller parts (for example, 500 MB at a time).
• Check if the transmission is blocked by antivirus or firewall.

Problem 3: ShareMe consumes a lot of battery

Decision:

• Turn off AutoRun for ShareMe in the app settings.
• Limit background activity (see section above).
• After use, close the application through the recent → Close it all down.
• If you are not using ShareMe, turn it off completely.

Problem 4: You can’t send large files (video, archives)

Decision:

• Break the file into pieces using an archiver (such as ZArchiver).
• Use alternatives like Xender or Send Anywhere that are better at handling larger files.
• Transfer the file to the PC and then back to the second phone via cable.

Hidden ShareMe features you didn’t know about

Many Redmi 8 users use ShareMe only to share photos, but the app has hidden features.

Transfer of annexes (APK)

ShareMe can send not only media files, but also installed applications in.apk format. This is convenient if you want to share a game or program with a friend without downloading from the Play Market.

How to do this:

• In ShareMe, select Send.
• Click on the Apps icon (or «APK»).
• Mark the required programs and send them.

2. Group file transfer

ShareMe supports sending files to multiple devices at the same time, for example, you can send a presentation to 5 colleagues at once.

How to do this:

• Select the files to send.
• At the connection stage, tick all the necessary devices.
• Click "Send to all."

3. Transfer of files to PC

Few people know, but ShareMe works with computers.

Instructions:

• Install ShareMe for Windows (you can download from the official Xiaomi website).
• Run the application on PC and phone.
• Connect to a PC via ShareMe on a smartphone (similar to a connection to another phone).

4. Backup of contacts

ShareMe can export contacts to a.vcf file and transfer them to another device, which is convenient when changing phones.

How to do this:

• In ShareMe, select Send. → Contacts.
• Mark the contacts you need or click “Select All”.
• Send the file to another phone and import it.

⚠️ Attention! When you transfer contacts via ShareMe, profile photos and some additional fields (such as birthdays) are not transmitted. → Google → Backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about ShareMe on Xiaomi Redmi 8