Mi Link in Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Rapid Data Transfer Technology

Have you ever tried to quickly send a photo from your phone to your laptop or share a video with a friend, but standard methods - instant messengers, email or cloud services - seemed too slow? Xiaomi offers its own solution to this problem: Mi Link technology. It is a proprietary wireless file transfer protocol that works between devices of the Xiaomi ecosystem (and some other brands) without an Internet connection.

Unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, the Mi Link combines high speeds (up to 20MB/s in ideal conditions) with ease of use: just turn on the function on both devices and select a file. But how does it work? Which devices support the technology? And how does the Mi Link differ from Mi Share or Quick Share from Samsung? In this guide, we will examine all the nuances from basic principles to solving typical problems.

What is Mi Link and how does it work?

Mi Link is a proprietary wireless data protocol developed by Xiaomi for sharing files between devices without intermediaries. The technology debuted in 2021 as an alternative to AirDrop (for Apple) and Quick Share (for Samsung), but with a focus on interoperability within the Xiaomi ecosystem (BLE), permitting:

• 🔄 Sharing files of any type (photos, videos, APK, documents) without size restrictions.
• 📶 Create a direct connection between devices without a router or mobile Internet.
• 🔒 Encrypt the transmitted data to protect against interception.
• ⚡ Reach speeds of up to 10-20 MB/s (in theory; in practice depends on the device model).

It is important to understand that Mi Link is not a separate application, but a built-in feature in firmware. MIUI (It is integrated into Quick Settings and Explorer, so you do not need to install additional software. However, to work, it is necessary that both devices support the technology and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

How does it work in practice? Imagine you want to send a folder of photos from Xiaomi 13 Pro to Redmi Pad SE:

1. On both devices, activate Mi Link in the notification curtain.
2. Select files in Explorer and click "Send".
3. The system automatically finds nearby devices with Mi Link enabled.
4. Confirm receipt on the second device - transfer begins.

Mi Link Differences from Mi Share, AirDrop and Quick Share

Many users confuse Mi Link with other file transfer technologies, and let’s look at the key differences:

Mi Share is the previous generation of Xiaomi technology, which was replaced by Mi Link in the new model. MIUI The main improvement is the increased speed and stability of the connection, while AirDrop and Quick Share remain closed ecosystems: the first works only on Apple devices, and the second mainly on Samsung (although Google is trying to make it cross-platform).

The advantage of Mi Link over standard Wi-Fi Direct is in a simplified interface: you do not need to manually connect to the network of another device, just select a file and confirm the transfer. POCO Black Shark, which also works on the MIUI).

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If you need to transfer files to a device other than Xiaomi (such as Samsung or iPhone), use standard Wi-Fi Direct or apps like Send Anywhere or Snapdrop.

What devices support Mi Link

Mi Link is available on most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices POCO, steerable MIUI 12.5 and newer. But there are nuances:

• 📱 Smartphones: All models released after 2021 year (Xiaomi) 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5 etc.).
• 🖥️ Tablets: Xiaomi Pad 5/6, Redmi Pad/Pad SE.
• 💻 Laptops: only models with pre-installed MIUI for PC (for example, Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro with special firmware).
• ❌ Not supported: Old devices on MIUI 11 and below, and other brands’ gadgets (even if they’re on Android).

To check the support on your device:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → version of MIUI.
2. Make sure you have version 12.5 or higher.
3. Pull down the notification curtain and look for the Mi Link icon (two arrows in a circle).

If there is no badge, but version MIUI appropriate, try updating the firmware through Settings → System update: In rare cases, the feature may be disabled in regional firmware (e.g., for Europe or India).

Next PostNext How to Use Mi Link

Transferring files via Mi Link takes less than a minute if you know the algorithm. Consider the process of sending photos from a Xiaomi 13 smartphone to a Redmi Pad tablet. SE:

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices|Open the notification curtain and activate Mi Link|Make sure that the devices are within 10 meters|Charge the battery by at least 20% (transmission consumes a lot of energy)-->

Step 1: Activation of Mi Link

1. On both devices, swipe down the screen to open the Control Panel.
2. Find the Mi Link icon and click on it. If there's no icon, tap it. ⚙️ Edit and add it manually.
3. Wait for the devices to detect each other (it can take up to 30 seconds).

Step 2: Selection of files

1. On the sender device, open the Explorer (or the Gallery for photo / video).
2. Select the files you want (you can select several at the same time).
3. Click the “Send” button (usually at the bottom of the screen) and select Mi Link.

Step 3: Confirmation of transfer

1. The receiver will receive a notification requesting file acceptance. Click Accept.
2. Wait until the transfer is complete. Progress is displayed in the notification curtain.
3. Files will be saved in the MiLink folder in internal memory (or in the directory you choose).

If the transmission is interrupted, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (below 15%, the device can turn off Wi-Fi to save energy).
• 📶 Distance between devices (maximum 10 meters without obstacles).
• 🔄 Reboot Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices.

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Mi Link automatically compresses large files (e.g. video in the video) 4K) If you want to send a file without loss of quality, use a cable. USB-C or OTG.

Typical problems and their solutions

Despite the simplicity, users often encounter errors when working with Mi Link, and here are the most common scenarios and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Link is not enabled after the update MIUI, Reset your network settings. Go to Settings for that. → System and device → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth, which will delete all the saved networks, but will return the functionality to work.

Problem 1: Devices can't see each other

• 🔄 Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• 📱 Check that the Mi Link is activated in the notification curtain (the icon must be blue).
• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Mi Link and enable the device visibility option.
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.

Problem 2: Transmission is interrupted or slow.

• 📶 Reduce the distance between devices (optimally 1-2 meters).
• 🚫 Turn it off. VPN Proxies that can block a local connection.
• 🔋 Connect devices to charge (at low battery level, the system limits Wi-Fi performance).
• 📁 Break up large files (such as videos) >1 GB) by parts by means of an archiver.

Problem 3: Files are not saved to the receiving device

• 📂 Check the MiLink folder in your internal memory (sometimes hidden).
• 🔧 In Mi Link settings, change the default save path.
• 📱 Make sure there is enough free space on the device.

If none of these methods worked, try upgrading to the latest version of the firmware or resetting the network settings (as mentioned above). FTP-server via Mi File Manager.

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To transfer files between Xiaomi and MacBook or Windows-PC, use the official Mi Phone Manager app (you can download it on the Xiaomi website). USB.

Mi Link Security: How Secure is Data Transfer

One of the key advantages of Mi Link over Bluetooth or open Wi-Fi networks is built-in encryption. Xiaomi claims that all transmitted files are protected by protocol. AES-128, And that makes them inaccessible to third parties, but there are a few nuances:

• 🔐 Local encryption: data is only encrypted during transmission, and once stored on the receiving device, it is stored in an open form (unless additionally protected).
• 👥 User Confirmation: Manual confirmation is required on both devices before transfer, which eliminates accidental data exchange.
• 📡 Limited range: the connection only works within 10 meters, which reduces the risk of interception.
• 🚫 No cloud storage: Unlike AirDrop, files don’t pass through Xiaomi servers, which eliminates data leakage.

However, Mi Link is not a completely anonymous solution, and the devices are exchanged in the process:

• Model names (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+).
• Versions. MIUI.
• Locally. IP-Addresses (within Wi-Fi Direct).

If you are critical to privacy, consider alternatives:

• 🔗 Crypto messengers: Signal or Session with file transfer function.
• 💾 Physical carriers: OTG-flash-drive SD-cryptograph.
• 🌐 Encrypted clouds: Proton Drive or Tresorit.

⚠️ Note: Do not use Mi Link to transmit sensitive documents (passports, bank data) in public places. Despite encryption, it is theoretically possible to intercept traffic using specialized equipment (for example, Wi-Fi sniffers).

Mi Link Alternatives: What to Choose When the Function Fails

If your device doesn't support Mi Link or you've encountered errors, there are several alternative ways to transfer files.

For maximum speed and reliability, we recommend:

• 🔌 USB-OTG + flash drive: ideal for transferring large amounts of data (for example, backups or videos to the Internet) 4K).
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: If both devices support Wi-Fi 5/6.
• 🌍 Snapdrop: for transfer between Android and Android PC/Mac software-free.

If you need to share files regularly between Xiaomi and iPhone, consider Feem, which creates a local network and works without the Internet, supporting cross-platform transfer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Link