Have you ever noticed a pre-installed ShareMe app (formerly Mi Drop) in your Xiaomi and wondered what it is for? This is not just another βjunkβ service from the manufacturer, but a powerful tool for instant transfer of files between devices β without the Internet, without unnecessary wires and without size restrictions. In an era where messengers limit the weight of investments and cloud services require subscriptions, ShareMe is a real godsend for owners of Redmi smartphones, POCO and other brand lines.
But how does this app work? Is it safe to transfer personal data through it? And why do some users choose to delete it immediately after buying a phone? In this guide, we'll take a look at all the features of ShareMe, compare it to analogues like Xender or Nearby Share from Google, and show you how to configure file transfers so that they are as fast and secure as possible. If you've ever encountered the problem of "how to throw photos from Xiaomi to a laptop," this is the material for you.
What is ShareMe and how did it come about in Xiaomi?
ShareMe (formerly known as Mi Drop) is a Xiaomi-branded service designed to wirelessly transfer files between devices, introduced in 2017 as a response to popular solutions like Xender or SHAREit, but with the key advantage of: deep integration into the shell MIUI. This means that ShareMe is not just installed by default β it is optimized to work on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO.
Interestingly, the app was originally called Mi Drop, but in 2020 it was renamed ShareMe as part of the rebranding of Xiaomi services, a change that affected not only the name, but also the functionality β developers added support for transferring files to devices of other brands (for example, Samsung or Huawei), and also improved data exchange speed through the use of Wi-Fi Direct.
- π Launch year: 2017 (as Mi Drop), ShareMe rebranding - 2020.
- π Technology: Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth (for device search), local area network.
- π± Supported devices: all smartphones on MIUI 9+, including Redmi Note 10, Xiaomi 13, POCO X5 etc.
- π Geography: available in all regions, but some features may be blocked in China.
The main difference between ShareMe and its competitors is the lack of advertising (unlike SHAREit) and minimal battery consumption. 10-15 MB / s is faster than many messengers, and comparable to the USB-connection (but without wire!).
How ShareMe Works: Technology and Principles of Data Transfer
ShareMe uses a combination of three technologies to share files:
- Wi-Fi Direct is the core protocol that creates a direct point of access between devices, and it allows data to be transmitted at close to the speed of the device. USB 2.0, but without wires.
- Bluetooth is used only for finding and pairing devices, and the files themselves are not transmitted over Bluetooth (it is too slow).
- Local area network (LAN) β If both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, ShareMe can use it to transfer data, saving battery life.
The file transfer process looks like this:
- The sender selects files in ShareMe and clicks βSendβ.
- The application creates a temporary Wi-Fi Direct hotspot.
- The recipient is connected to this point (automatically or manually).
- Files are transmitted directly, without the Internet or cloud servers.
- After completion, the access point is turned off.
| Technology | Transmission speed | Battery consumption | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Direct | up to 15 MB/s | Medium (active use of Wi-Fi) | It requires support on both devices. |
| Bluetooth | up to 1 MB/s | Low. | Only to find devices |
| Local area network (LAN) | up to 10MB/s | Minimum | Both devices must be on the same network. |
An important caveat: ShareMe does not encrypt the files you send by default, which means that if someone connects to your temporary access point (for example, through special software to intercept traffic), they will be able to see the data being transmitted, and we will talk about this in more detail in the section on security.
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If file transfers are too slow, try turning off mobile internet on both devices β sometimes background downloads slow down Wi-Fi Direct.
Step-by-step: how to use ShareMe on Xiaomi
ShareMe is easier than it sounds. Here is a detailed guide for beginners:
1. Launch and set up the application
By default, ShareMe is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 9 and newer, to open it:
- Find the ShareMe icon in the app menu (usually in the Tools folder).
- When you first start, allow access to Warehouse, Contacts (optional) and Locations (required to search for Bluetooth devices).
- Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth β they are essential for the job.
2. File sending
To send files:
- Click "Send" in the main ShareMe menu.
- Select files from a gallery, file manager or other applications (you can send photos, videos, documents, APK-file).
- Click βNextβ and wait for ShareMe to find the available devices.
- Select the recipient from the list (the device should be visible within a radius) ~10 meters).
- On the device of the recipient will be a request for confirmation β you need to accept it.
3. Obtaining files
To receive files:
- Open ShareMe and click "Get".
- Wait until the sender starts the transmission.
- Confirm receipt of files (click "Accept").
- Files will be saved to the folder ShareMe/Received inner-memory.
βοΈ Preparation for file transfer
Tip: If ShareMe doesnβt find the device, try:
- π Restart the app on both smartphones.
- πΆ Switch to mobile data (sometimes Wi-Fi interferes with Wi-Fi Direct).
- π Disable Power Saving Mode (it can block ShareMe background work).
ShareMe Security: Risks and How to Avoid Them
Despite its convenience, ShareMe has several potential vulnerabilities worth knowing about:
β οΈ Note: ShareMe does not encrypt the files being transmitted, which means that if someone connects to your temporary access point (for example, via Wireshark or specialized applications to intercept traffic), they will be able to see the contents of the data being transmitted. It is especially dangerous to send passwords, bank documents or personal correspondence via ShareMe.
Main risks:
- π΅οΈ Data interception: When using public networks (such as at a cafe or airport), attackers can connect to your access point.
- π Automatic Save: ShareMe saves all accepted files to an open folder available to other applications by default.
- π Fake devices: In theory, an attack is possible when an attacker disguises his device as a smartphone you know (for example, a smartphone that is not a smartphone, "Xiaomi_12Pro" instead "Xiaomi_12_Pro_Real").
How to defend yourself:
- π Use ShareMe only on trusted networks (at home, at work).
- π After transferring sensitive files, delete them from the folder. ShareMe/Received.
- π Check the recipientβs device name before confirming the transfer.
- π‘οΈ For important files, use password archivers (for example, 7-Zip or RAR) before shipment.
Critical information: In 2022, researchers at Check Point discovered a vulnerability in the Wi-Fi Direct protocol that allowed attackers to swap files when transferring via ShareMe and similar apps. MIUI 13.0.5, but if your smartphone hasnβt been updated in a while, the risk remains.
How do I check the MIUI version?
ShareMe vs. Analogues: What is better for transferring files
ShareMe isn't the only file sharing app, but let's compare it to the main competitors:
| Annex | Speed. | Advertising | Cross-platformity | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShareMe (Xiaomi) | ββββ (up to 15 MB/s) | β No. | β Android, iOS (limited) | β οΈ No encryption. |
| Nearby Share (Google) | βββ (up to 10MB/s) | β No. | β Android, ChromeOS | β Default encryption |
| Xender | βββ (up to 12 MB/s) | β A lot (you can turn it off for money) | β Android, iOS, PC, Mac | β οΈ No encryption. |
| SHAREit | ββ (up to 8MB/s) | β Very much. | β All platforms. | β Known vulnerabilities |
| Snapdrop (web) | βββ (up to 10MB/s) | β No. | β Any browser-based devices | β Encryption (HTTPS) |
Bottom Line: ShareMe beats competitors in speed and lack of advertising, but loses in security. If you need to transfer sensitive data, it is better to use Nearby Share (for Android) or Snapdrop (for cross-platform transfer).
For regular files (photos, videos, music), ShareMe remains one of the best options β especially if both devices are from Xiaomi.
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If you care about speed and you don't care about sensitive data, ShareMe is the best. For security, choose Nearby Share or Snapdrop.
How to remove ShareMe from Xiaomi (and whether to do it)
Many users want to remove ShareMe, considering it a βjunkβ app, but before that, it is worth weighing the pros and cons:
- β Pros of removal: π± Released. ~50-100 MBT memory. π It stops working in the background (saves battery). π« Disappears from the list of applications (less mess).
- β Cons of removal: π You need to find an alternative for fast file transfer. π§ Update MIUI The app could come back. β οΈ Risk of disrupting other system services (rarely, but sometimes).
If you decide to delete ShareMe, there are two ways:
1. Disconnect (no root)
This method does not remove the app completely, but makes it invisible and inactive.
- Go to Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- Find ShareMe on the list.
- Click "Disable" (if the button is inactive, first click "Reset settings").
- Confirm the action.
2. complete removal (root or ADB)
For complete removal, you need superuser rights or a command via ADB:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midropWarning: This will only remove the app for the current user. MIUI It could come back.
β οΈ Attention: If you are using MIUI 14+, Deleting ShareMe can cause the Quick Transfer feature to crash in the public menu, in which case it is better to simply disable the application rather than uninstall it.
Hidden ShareMe features you didnβt know about
ShareMe has more than just transferring files, and here are 5 hidden features that will make it even more useful:
- π₯οΈ Transfer to PC: ShareMe can send files to a computer via a browser. To do this, you need to open web.sharemi.com and scan on a PC. QR-Smartphone code works without installing any additional software!
- π± Group Submission: You can select multiple recipients and send files to all devices at once (useful for sending presentations or photos at events).
- π Auto-accept files: ShareMe has an option to "Automatically receive files from contacts." If you turn it on, you don't have to confirm every transfer.
- π View the history: in the section "I" β "History: All files transmitted and received in the last 30 days are saved.
- π Sharing by link: you can generate a temporary link to a file and send it via messenger, the file will be available for download within 24 hours.
Bonus: if you have Xiaomi with MIUI 13+, ShareMe supports file transfer in the background, so you can turn the app down and continue to use the phone while you're sharing data.
How do you turn on the transmission in the background?
Frequent problems with ShareMe and how to solve them
Even an application that simple sometimes fails.-5 problems and solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Can't find any devices. | Wi-Fi or Bluetooth disabled, interference from other networks | Turn on both modules, restart ShareMe, try elsewhere |
| Slow transmission | Weak Wi-Fi Direct signal, background downloads | Turn off the mobile internet, bring devices closer to each other |
| The "failed to connect" error | Incompatibility of ShareMe versions or MIUI | Update MIUI on both devices to the latest version |
| Files are not saved. | Lack of space on the device or no rights to record | Clear the memory, check permissions for ShareMe in the settings |
| ShareMe is constantly flying out | Damaged cache data or conflict with other applications | Clear ShareMe cache in Settings β Annexes β ShareMe β Warehouse |
If none of the solutions worked, try resetting ShareMe settings:
- Go to Settings. β Annexes β ShareMe.
- Press "Storage" β "Clear the data".
- Restart the app.
β οΈ Note: If after the update MIUI ShareMe stopped working, check if the permissions for the application have reset. Often, after a system update, access to the storage or location is automatically disabled.