Mi Share on Xiaomi Redmi: how to wireless file sharing between devices

If you own a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and notice Mi Share in the settings menu, but don’t understand what it is for, this article will help you understand. Mi Share technology (formerly known as Xiaomi Share or Mi Drop) is the company’s proprietary solution for fast file transfer between devices without using the Internet.

Unlike traditional methods of sharing via instant messengers or cloud services, Mi Share uses a combination of Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth to create a direct connection between devices. This means that files can be transferred at up to 20MB/s (under ideal conditions) without the consumption of mobile traffic and without the need to connect to a single network. MIUI.

But many users are asking questions like: Does Mi Share support file transfers to other brands? How to turn on a feature when it's not on the menu? And why does it sometimes drop to ridiculous speeds? In this article, we'll take a look at the nuances of Mi Share's work, compare it to competitors, and give practical tips for fixing typical problems.

What is Mi Share and How Does It Work?

Mi Share is a wireless file transfer protocol developed by Xiaomi for devices based on the MIUI (The technology debuted in 2019 as a replacement for the outdated Mi Drop and was positioned as a universal solution for data exchange between smartphones, tablets, laptops and even the Mi Band smartwatch (with limitations). The main advantage is the absence of the need to connect to the Internet or local network.

When Mi Share is activated, devices create a direct access point via Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth is used to initialize the connection and share service information.

• 📱 Transfer files between two Xiaomi smartphones (e.g. Redmi) 13C and POCO X6 Pro).
• 💻 Send data to laptops with pre-installed MIUI PC (available on some Xiaomi Notebook models).
• 🔄 Share files with other brands’ devices if they support Wi-Fi Direct (with limitations).

It's important to understand that Mi Share is not just a Chinese AirDrop, unlike Apple's solution, which only works in the ecosystem. iOS/macOS, Xiaomi technology is more open, for example, it's compatible with some Android devices. 10+ (Not even Xiaomi, if they have the Mi Share app from Google Play, but full support is only guaranteed within the ecosystem. MIUI/HyperOS.

What devices support Mi Share

Officially, Mi Share is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO,Released after 2019 with version MIUI 11 and newer.This includes models from the budget Redmi. A2 It is also present on Xiaomi Pad tablets and some smart watches (for example, Xiaomi Watch). S3), but with limited functionality.

As for compatibility with devices of other brands, the situation is more complicated:

For devices other than Xiaomi, you will need to install the official Mi Share app from Google Play, but even then, some features may not be available, such as transferring folders or large files (>1GB) is often unstable.It is also worth considering that on Android 13+ Additional permissions may be required to work with local networks.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 10C) Mi Share can be hidden in the Settings menu → Connections and sharing → If it's not there, check the updates. MIUI or install the application manually.

How to Enable and Use Mi Share on Redmi

You can activate Mi Share on Redmi smartphones in two ways: through the Quick Settings Panel or the Settings menu. Let's consider both options.

Method 1: Through the notification panel

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the Mi Share icon, if it's not there, click on "Edit" and add the widget manually.
3. Slap the icon to activate the function. The device will become visible to other gadgets within 2 minutes (timer can be reset).

Method 2: Through settings

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing.
2. Select Mi Share.
3. Activate the switch and adjust visibility (e.g., “Contacts Only” or “All”).

After activation on both devices:

1. On the sending smartphone, select files (photos, videos, documents) in the gallery or file manager.
2. Click Share and select Mi Share.
3. Please indicate the recipient from the list of available devices.
4. On the receiving gadget, confirm the receipt of the file.

Open Mi Share on both devices|

Check that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled|

Make sure the devices are within a 10m radius |

Close background applications that use the network (e.g. downloads)-->

Transfer speed depends on the device model and version MIUI. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ With HyperOS, files are transmitted at speeds up to 15-18 MB / s, whereas on budget models like Redmi. A2+ This figure rarely exceeds 5-7 MB / s.

Mi Share compared to AirDrop and Nearby Share

To see how competitive the Mi Share is, compare it to similar solutions from Apple and Google, which are speed, compatibility and usability.

Mi Share beats Nearby Share in speed, but loses in compatibility. For example, Nearby Share works even on Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel without additional applications, while Mi Share does not work on the same platform.-Xiaomi-With AirDrop is difficult to compare — the Apple ecosystem is closed, but there are no restrictions on the size of files and higher security level.

The main advantage of Mi Share is optimization for Xiaomi devices, for example, when transferring between Redmi Note 11 and Xiaomi. 13T The connection is set up almost instantly, while Nearby Share can “think” 10-15 seconds, and Mi Share is better at transferring large numbers of small files (for example, folders with photos).

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If Mi Share doesn't find the device, try turning off and re-enable Bluetooth on both devices, often solving the problem of initializing the connection.

Typical Mi Share Problems and Solutions

Despite the convenience, Redmi users often encounter errors when using Mi Share. Let's look at the most common problems and ways to fix them.

1. The device is not detected

• 🔹 Make sure that both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled (even if there is no network connection).
• 🔹 Check that the distance between the devices does not exceed 10 meters (optimally - 1-3 meters).
• 🔹 Restart both devices – sometimes resetting network settings helps.
• 🔹 Older models (Redmi 8, Redmi Note 7) may need an update MIUI last-minute.

2. Low transmission speed

• 📶 Move to a place with less interference (for example, away from routers or microwaves).
• 🔋 Close background applications that use the Internet (Torrent, YouTube, downloads).
• 📱 On smartphones with HyperOS, try to turn on the “Fast Transfer” mode in the Mi Share settings.
• 🔄 If you're transferring large files (>500MB), break them into pieces.

3. "Unable to connect" error

• 🔒 Check that the receiving device does not have restrictions on Mi Share (for example, Contacts Only mode").
• 📵 Make sure that the devices do not activate the "Do Not Disturb" or "Energy Saving" mode".
• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.

⚠️ Note: If Mi Share stopped working after the update MIUI, Try clearing the app's cache Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Share → Clear the cache. In rare cases, reinstalling the application through APK (You can download from the official Xiaomi website).

Mi Share Alternatives for Xiaomi Devices

If Mi Share is unstable or you need to transfer files to a device that doesn’t support technology (like an iPhone or MacBook), consider alternative ways to:

1. Nearby Share (Google)

Built-in solution for Android 6+, It works on the same principle as the Mi Share, but with better compatibility. Speed is lower (up to 12 MB / s), but it supports devices Samsung, Google, OnePlus and others:

1. Open Settings → Google → Devices and Sharing → Nearby Share.
2. Activate the function and adjust visibility.

2. Snapdrop

Snapdrop Web service running through a browser. It doesn't require any application installation, but both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi or Hotspot network.

3.Local. FTP-server

Apps like this FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer can be used to create FTP-server on Redmi and connect to it from another device over a local network. Speed depends on the router, but is usually more stable than that of Mi Share.

4.Cable USB (OTG)

For transferring large files (>2 GB) between Redmi and PC is easier to use cable. On your smartphone, select File Transfer Mode (not Charging) Up to 40 MB/s (USB 3.0).

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Mi Share is best for transferring files between Xiaomi devices, but if you need to send data to an iPhone or laptop of another brand, use Nearby Share or Snapdrop.

Mi Share Security: What to Look for

Mi Share Technology Uses Encryption AES-128 to protect the data being transmitted, but there are a few nuances you should know about:

1. Visibility of the device

By default, Mi Share makes your smartphone visible to everyone nearby for 2 minutes.This is convenient, but can be a risk in public places (such as the subway or cafe).

• 🔒 Set Contacts Only in the Mi Share settings.
• 📱 Disable the function immediately after transferring files.
• 🔍 Check the names of connected devices – scammers can disguise themselves as familiar gadgets.

2. Transfer of confidential data

Do not use Mi Share to send passwords, bank documents or other sensitive information. Despite encryption, the protocol is not certified to handle critical data.

• 🔐 Encrypted archives (ZIP password-wise).
• 📧 Encrypted email services (e.g. ProtonMail).
• 💬 Messengers with end-to-end encryption (Signal, Telegram Secret Chat).

3. Security updates

Xiaomi regularly releases patches for Mi Share to close vulnerabilities to minimize the risks:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI HyperOS to the latest version.
• 📋 Check the permissions of the Mi Share application in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Share → Permits).
• 🚫 Turn off the function if you don’t use it constantly.

⚠️ Note: In 2022, researchers discovered a vulnerability in Mi Share that allows them to intercept files when connecting to public networks. MIUI 13.0.4, but if your device hasn't been updated in a long time, the risk remains. → The phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Share on Xiaomi Redmi