File transfer via an IR port to Xiaomi: Does it work in 2026?

Infrared port (IR) was once the standard way to wirelessly transfer data between devices, from phones to laptops. NFC However, some Xiaomi models (especially budget and 2019 editions) were still equipped with infrared transmitters. If you got such a device or you are trying to restore old equipment, the question "how to transfer a file via an infrared port to Xiaomi" remains relevant.

In this article, we will discuss which models support the function, how to configure the transfer, with which devices it is possible, and why it is easier to use alternative methods 90% of the time, and you will also learn about the hidden limitations of the IrDA protocol (Infrared Data Association), which make transferring files over IR extremely inconvenient compared to modern standards.

If your Xiaomi is released after 2020, it probably doesn’t have an IR port, and you can check by looking at the specifications of the model or looking for a small glass window on the top or side panel of the case (usually next to the front camera or speaker). Even if the port is, its capabilities are severely curtailed – for example, file transfer can only work with certain types of data (contacts, notes) and at low speeds.

Which Xiaomi models support IR port?

Xiaomi’s list of infrared-powered devices is limited and mostly includes budget and mid-range models released before 2020.

• 📱 Redmi 4/4A/4X (2017) — one of the last mass releases with IR.
• 📱 Redmi 5/5A/5 Plus (2017–2018) — Port is present, but drivers often require updates.
• 📱 Redmi Note 4/4X — Popular model with IrDA support.
• 📱 Mi A1 (2017 – the only device on pure Android with an IR port.
• 📱 Redmi 6/6A (2018) — last line with broad support for the function.

Redmi models 7/8/9 and newer and all flagship series (Mi) 8/9/10/11, Mi Mix was no longer equipped with IR transmitters, with the exception of some regional versions for Asian markets, where the technology has been relevant for longer.

To find out if there is an IR port in your device:

1. Check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website (section "Connection").
2. Use the app. CPU-Z (sensors → Infrared).
3. Look at the case: The IR transmitter looks like a small translucent window (usually black or red).

⚠️ Note: The presence of an IR port does not guarantee support for file transfer. Many Xiaomi models use the port only for control equipment (DU remotes), and the IrDA protocol for data exchange is disabled at the firmware level.

What can be transferred through an IR port to Xiaomi?

Even if your device is equipped with an IR transmitter, its functionality is severely limited compared to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct.

• 📇 Contacts (vCard) is the most reliable option, supported by most older phones.
• 📝 Text notes – only in.txt format or through specialized applications.
• 🎵 Melodies and ringtones – if the second phone supports IR reception (for example, old Nokia or Samsung).
• 📁 Small files (up to 1-2 MB) – transfer speed rarely exceeds 115 Kbps.

What I cannot transmit through IR:

• 🚫 High-resolution photos and videos (size and speed limits).
• 🚫 APK-Files and applications (locked by the security system).
• 🚫 Archives (ZIP, RAR) — Most devices do not support unpacking on the fly".
• 🚫 Files larger than 4 MB (IrDA 1.1 has a strict restriction).

For comparison: Bluetooth 4.0 transmits data at speeds up to 24 Mbit / s, and Wi-Fi Direct - up to 250 Mbit / s. the IR port loses to them hundreds of times!

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If you need to transfer a large file (such as a video), use Mi Drop (built-in) MIUI Wi-Fi sharing app or cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).

Step-by-step instructions: how to transfer a file over an IR port

If you do decide to use an IR transmitter, follow this instruction. Before you start, make sure that:

• Both devices support IrDA (not just tech management!).
• The distance between phones does not exceed 1 meter (preferably 30-50 cm).
• There are no obstacles between the devices (glasses, walls, direct sunlight).

Enable the IR port on both devices

Install a compatible application (if required)

Place the phones facing each other

Check the battery charge (transmission drains the battery)

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Step 1: Initiation of the IR port

On most Xiaomi models, the port is activated automatically when the app is launched.

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Infrared Port.
2. Activate the switch (if you have an option).
3. Some firmware requires permission to transfer data by IR.

Step 2: Selecting a file to transfer

Xiaomi’s standard apps (such as Files or Contacts) do not support sending via IR. You will need third-party software:

• IrDA File Transfer (available on APKMirror)
• OBEX File Transfer – a universal solution for old Android devices.
• Mi Remote – only for managing equipment, not for transferring files!

Step 3: Set up the connection

1. Open the application for file transfer.
2. Select a file (such as a contact or text document).
3. Press Send via IR (or similar button).
4. On the second device, confirm acceptance (usually a notification appears).

Step 4: Waiting for completion

Transfers can take anywhere from seconds to minutes, depending on the size of the file. Don't move away from the devices and don't turn them around, the slightest shift will interrupt the connection.

⚠️ Attention: If the transmission is 0% or 100% down, restart the process. A common problem with older IR transmitters is sticking the data buffer, and rebooting both devices helps.

Table of compatibility of IR transmission between devices

Not all phones, even those with an infrared port, can share files, and the following is a compatibility table for popular models:

As you can see from the table, even between supported devices, speed and compatibility vary. For example, Redmi 4 can transfer files to Nokia 3310, but not to iPhone (Apple never had IR transmitters in smartphones).

Common Problems and Their Solutions

File transfers via IR are often accompanied by errors, and the most common ones are the ways to fix them:

• 🔴 "No device found" - check if the IR port is on on on both phones and if there are physical obstacles. Try swapping the devices in places (sometimes helps).
• 🔴 "Transfer Error – Reduce the file size (break it down) or recode it into a simpler format (e.g..txt instead of.docx).
• 🔴 "Connection interrupted" - discharge static electricity (wash the screen with a cloth) and try again. IR port is sensitive to interference.
• 🔴 "Unsupported format – Xiaomi’s IR port often blocks the transfer of executable files (.apk,.exe).

If nothing helps, try alternative methods:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct is 100 times faster and more reliable.
• 📲 Bluetooth – It works even on older phones.
• ☁️ Cloud services – Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Telegram (bot) @FileTransferBot).

Alternatives to the IR port on Xiaomi: what to use instead?

If you want to transfer files, the IR port in 2026 is an anachronism, and here are modern and far more efficient ways to share data between Xiaomi devices:

• 🔗 Mi Drop - built-in in MIUI Wi-Fi application. Speed up to 20 MB/s, no file size restrictions.
• 🔵 Bluetooth 5.0+ — Supported by all Xiaomi smartphones after 2018.Speed up to 2MB/s, low power consumption.
• 🌐 Local area network (FTP/HTTP) — using applications like FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer can be deployed on one phone and connected to it from another.
• ☁️ Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share) – Google’s Android solution that works without the internet.

Comparison of transmission speeds (for example, a 100 MB file):

• IR port: ~15-20 minutes (if not interrupted).
• Bluetooth 4.0: ~1-2 minutes.
• Wi-Fi Direct (Mi Drop): ~10-15 seconds.

For transfer between Xiaomi and the computer, it is convenient to use Mi Phone Manager (official software) or Scrcpy (for advanced users).

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If you need to transfer files between two Xiaomi smartphones, Mi Drop is the best choice: it is preinstalled in the smartphone. MIUI, It does not require Internet and works 1000 times faster than an IR port.

Can I add an IR port to Xiaomi software?

No, you can't software-add IR port, and this technology requires a physical transmitter (infrared LED) and a receiver that must be soldered into the motherboard of the device, but there are a few workarounds for those who want to operate IR equipment:

• 🎛️ External IR blaster – connects through USB-C or audio connector (e.g. BroadLink) RM4 Pro. Works with Mi Remote app.
• 📱 Using another phone – if you have an old IR device, you can set it up as a remote and control the equipment through it.
• 🖥️ PCs with an IR port – some laptops (e.g. Lenovo ThinkPad series) T/X) They are still equipped with IR, but this is rare.

These methods are not suitable for file transfer – they are only for management (TV, air conditioners, audio systems).

⚠️ Attention: Some "craftsmen" offer soldering of the infrared port on the smartphone board. This is extremely risky: first, it requires professional skills, secondly, it can lead to a loss of warranty, thirdly, modern Xiaomi firmware simply do not have drivers for such modifications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring files by IR to Xiaomi