How to use ShareMe on Xiaomi: a complete guide to file transfer

Xiaomi’s ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop) application has become an indispensable tool for smartphone users, allowing them to quickly share files between devices without using mobile Internet or cloud services. The technology works on the basis of direct data transfer over Wi-Fi Direct, which guarantees high speed (up to 20 MB / s) and the safety of personal information – files are not downloaded to third-party servers.

Despite the simplicity of the interface, beginners often have questions about how to enable ShareMe on new Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), why devices can’t see each other, or how to transfer large files without a connection break. In this article, we’ll break down all the nuances from basic configuration to solving rare bugs, and compare ShareMe with alternatives like Google’s Nearby Share.

We will pay special attention to hidden features of the application, which are not written in the official instructions: for example, how to transfer files to devices of other brands (including iPhone and Samsung) or use ShareMe to back up photos to a second smartphone. All instructions are valid for MIUI 14 and later.

What is ShareMe and how does it work?

ShareMe is Xiaomi’s proprietary wireless file transfer app that replaced Mi Drop in 2020, and unlike classic Bluetooth, it uses Wi-Fi Direct, which allows you to achieve transfer speeds of up to 10-20 MB/s (depending on the smartphone model and interference).

• 📱 One device creates an access point (host), the second connects to it.
• 🔄 Data is transmitted directly, without the involvement of a router or mobile internet.
• 🔒 All files are encrypted, which prevents third-party interception.
• 🌍 Supports not only Xiaomi smartphones, but also devices from other brands (with limitations).

The main advantage over Nearby Share or AirDrop is that it's not ecosystem-based, so you can send photos from Redmi 10 to iPhone 13, for example, whereas AirDrop only works between Apple devices.

• ⚠️ Non-Xiaomi devices require additional software installation (e.g., ShareMe Lite from Google Play).
• ⚠️ When transferring large files (>1 GB), connection breaks on weak smartphones are possible.

ShareMe’s internal mechanics are optimized for MIUI: the application is integrated into the system and consumes minimal energy. For example, when transferring a file with a volume of 500 MB, the battery consumption will not exceed 2-3%, while Bluetooth in a similar situation will “eat” up to 10%.

How to Enable and Configure ShareMe on Xiaomi

ShareMe is pre-installed by default on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12 and above. If the app is not available (for example, after resetting), it can be downloaded from Google Play or App Gallery (for models without Google services).

1. Open the ShareMe app from the menu or through search (Swipe down the screen → type “ShareMe”).
2. When you first start, grant permissions to access Files and Media, Camera (for QR- code) and Location (for device search).
3. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – they are essential to create a connection.

For optimal work, we recommend setting the following parameters:

• 🔧 Device name: Go to Profile → Change the name to make it easier to identify your smartphone in the list of available devices.
• 📂 Folder to save: By default, files are saved to Internal Memory → Download → ShareMe. You can change the path to Settings → Receive folder.
• 🛡️ Security: Enable the "Contacts Only" option in the visibility settings if you want to restrict access to third-party devices.

On new models (for example, Xiaomi 13T or POCO F5), ShareMe has a “Fast Send” feature – it allows you to transfer files directly from the gallery or file manager without opening the application itself.

1. Select files in the gallery or explorer.
2. Press "ShareMe" →.
3. Select the target device from the list.

Step-by-step: how to transfer files through ShareMe

The file transfer process through ShareMe takes no more than a minute if both devices are properly configured. Consider two scenarios: sending from Xiaomi to Xiaomi and to another brand’s device (such as Samsung or iPhone).

Method 1: Transfer between Xiaomi smartphones

This is the easiest option, as it does not require the installation of additional applications:

1. On the sending device: Open ShareMe and click "Send." Select files (photos, videos, documents) or folder. Maximum size per file is 2 GB. Click "Next" and wait for the device to be found.
2. On the receiving device: Open ShareMe and click "Receive." The list will show the name of the sending smartphone — tap it. Confirm the file acceptance (both devices will request).

The transfer speed depends on the model of the smartphone. For example, on Xiaomi 12 Pro with Wi-Fi 6, a file size of 1 GB is transferred in 40-60 seconds, whereas on Redmi 9A this process will take 2-3 minutes.

Method 2: Transfer to devices of other brands

To transfer files to iPhone, Samsung or other Android devices, you will need to install the ShareMe Lite app (available from the App Store and Google Play).

1. Install ShareMe Lite on the target device and open it.
2. On Xiaomi’s smartphone in ShareMe, click “Send” → “Connect to another device.”
3. Generate the QR- code on the receiving device and scan it with a Xiaomi smartphone.
4. After connecting, select the files and confirm the transfer.

Note: when transferring to the iPhone, the speed will be limited to 5-8 MB / s due to the peculiarities of Wi-Fi Direct in iOS.

Solving Common Problems with ShareMe

Even with the right setup, users experience errors when using ShareMe. Below we have collected the most common problems and ways to fix them, based on feedback from Xiaomi owners and service centers.

If ShareMe doesn’t open at all or if it gives an error called “Unable to connect,” follow these steps:

1. Clear the app cache: go to Settings → Apps → ShareMe → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Update the app via Google Play or App Gallery.
3. Reset network settings: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Network reset.

⚠️ Warning: If ShareMe disappeared from the menu after the MIUI update, check the Systems folder in the application list. In some regions (e.g., the EU), the application may be hidden due to GDPR restrictions.

💡

If ShareMe is permanently disabled during transmission, add it to the power saving mode exception list: Settings → Battery → Energy Saving Mode → Applications without restrictions.

Hidden ShareMe features you didn’t know about

Besides basic file transfer, ShareMe has a few useful features that are rarely mentioned in official guides.

• 📱 Application Transfer (APK): You can send installed applications (including their data) to another smartphone. To do this, select "Apps" in the list of file types in ShareMe. Please note that some APK (e.g., banking) may not install due to security restrictions.
• 🔄 Group Transfer: Send files to up to 5 devices at the same time, and select several of the target smartphones in the list in the send mode.
• 📋 Transmission history: All files sent and received are stored in a log (Profile → History) and can be resent or deleted from here.
• 🌐 PC Transfer: ShareMe for Windows (available on Xiaomi’s official website) allows you to share files between your smartphone and your computer using the same Wi-Fi Direct technology.

One of the most useful "secret" features is backup contacts.

1. Export contacts to the.vcf file via the Contacts app.
2. Send the file via ShareMe to the second smartphone.
3. Import contacts on the target device.

This method works faster than syncing through a Google Account and does not require an internet connection.

💡

ShareMe can transfer not only files, but also text notes, links and even geolocation – for this, use the “Send Another” function in the app menu.

ShareMe Comparison with Alternatives: Which Is Better

There are several ShareMe analogues on the market, each with its own pros and cons, and below we have compared the key parameters to help you choose the best tool.

ShareMe beats Nearby Share in speed and stability, but loses AirDrop in integration with the ecosystem. The main advantage over Bluetooth is that there are no limits on file size and 10-20 times faster speed.

If you often have to transfer files between Xiaomi and iPhone, the best solution is a combination of ShareMe (for Android devices) and AirDrop (for iOS).

Security and privacy when using ShareMe

One of the key benefits of ShareMe is that it can transfer data locally without downloading to servers, but there are a few things to be aware of:

• 🔐 Encryption: All files are transmitted in encrypted form over the WPA2-PSK protocol, which excludes third-party interception.
• 👁️ Device Visibility: By default, your smartphone is visible to all ShareMe users within a 100-meter radius. To restrict access, turn on Contact Only mode in the settings.
• 📍 Geolocation: The app requests location access to speed up device search, but this data is not shared with Xiaomi or other users.

For maximum safety:

1. Disable ShareMe after file transfer is complete.
2. Do not accept files from unknown devices – this may be an attempt to spread malware.
3. Clean up your transmission history regularly (Profile → History → Clean up).

⚠️ Warning: In some countries (e.g. China), the ShareMe version may contain additional modules to collect statistics. If you use global firmware (MIUI Global), this problem is not present.

If you are transferring sensitive data (such as scans of documents), we recommend that you delete the files from the sending device after receiving them and clear the ShareMe cache. You can also use archive with a password before sending them (for example, via 7-Zip or RAR).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about ShareMe