Xiaomi Connects to Your Computer via USB: What to Do If You Don’t Have a Mode Selection Window

You connected your Xiaomi smartphone to your computer through USB-cable, but instead of the expected window with the choice of connection mode ("Charging", "File Transfer", "Photos (PTP)» Silence? The phone screen doesn't respond, and the PC doesn't recognize the device as a drive? This problem is familiar to many users, and the causes can lie in the settings of the smartphone, in the Windows drivers, or even in the physical state of the cable.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from basic checks (cable, port, screen unlock) to deep developer settings and manual driver installations. We’ll focus on hidden MIUI parameters that often block connectivity, and we’ll look at alternative ways to transfer data — for example, through ADB or wireless protocols. If you’ve tried standard methods and failed, here you’ll find solutions for complex cases, including problems with Xiaomi Redmi, POCO and the flagship Mi 11/12/13 series.

Why does not appear window to select USB mode Xiaomi

Before you move on to fixing, it's important to understand the root of the problem (USB-menus may not appear for several reasons:

• 🔌 Cable or port problems: Uses a non-original cable (only for charging) or is damaged USB-port.
• 🔒 Screen locked: On new versions MIUI The window will not appear if the phone is locked with a password or pattern lock.
• 🛠️ Lack of drivers: Windows does not recognize the device due to the lack of drivers ADB, MTP qualcomm.
• ⚙️ Developer settings: Debugging mode is disabled USB or activated option to disable file transfer.
• 📱 Programmatic limitations MIUI: In some regional firmware (for example, China), the file transfer function is disabled by default.
• 🔄 Failure of the system after updating or incorrectly turning off the device.

Statistically, 60 percent of the time, the problem is solved by changing the cable or unlocking the screen, and the other 40 percent is done by drivers and settings, and we'll look at each case separately below.

Step 1: Checking the physical connection

Start with the simplest one: make sure that the problem isn't hardware. Often users miss the obvious:

• 🔌 Use the original cable: Many cheap cables only support charging, but not data transmission. Try a kit cable or a certified cable. USB-C/Micro-USB (model-wise).
• 🖥️ Try another one. USB-Port: There may be ports on the computer USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 (blue connectors). Connect to USB 2.0 – It is more compatible with mobile devices.
• 📱 Restart both devices: Sometimes a port or controller malfunction USB It is solved by a simple reboot of the smartphone and PC.

If after these manipulations the window did not appear, go to the software settings.

💡

To check if the cable is transmitting data, connect it to another device (like a camera or tablet) and try to copy the file. If you can't, the cable is only for charging.

Step 2: Unlock the screen and USB settings

MIUI (especially in versions 12-14) blocks the USB mode selection window when the phone screen is locked, a security measure, but it often confuses users.

1. Unlock the smartphone screen (enter PIN, password or use a face/fingerprint).
2. Once the cable is connected, swipe down the notification bar – sometimes the USB connection message is hidden among other notifications.
3. If the window does not appear, tap the Charge notification via USB (if any).

If there is no notification, check the connection settings:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → USB.
2. Turn on the File Transfer switch (if any) on some models (POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro, this item may be called MTP-regime.

Step 3: Activate Developer Mode and Debug via USB

If standard settings don't work, you'll have to dive deeper into developer mode, which is hidden by default, but activating it often solves connectivity problems.

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row. You will see a message.
3. Return to the main Settings menu – there will be a new section Additional → For developers.

Now, turn on the key options:

• 🔧 Debugging by USB — Allows interaction with the PC through ADB.
• 🔄 Configuration USB By default, select File Transfer (MTP).
• 🚫 Withdraw debugging permits USB — Click if you have previously connected to other computers.

Once debugging is activated, reconnect your phone to your PC. A window should appear on your smartphone screen requesting debugging permission — confirm it by ticking the Always Allow box from that computer.

Developer mode is on|Debugging activated USB|Configuration selected USB "MTP"|All requests for PC are allowed-->

Step 4: Install and update drivers on PC

If Windows doesn’t recognize Xiaomi as a media device, the problem is likely to be the drivers. Even if the Device Manager displays the phone as Unknown Device or Android, it doesn’t guarantee that MTP will work properly.

Methods of installing drivers:

If Xiaomi is still not defined as a drive after installing the drivers, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the device to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🖥️ Reboot the computer.
• 📱 Turn on/off File transfer in the notification curtain.

💡

If Xiaomi Device Manager shows up as Android or ADB Interface but not Media Device (MTP), then the MTP driver is not installed.

Step 5: Alternative ways to transfer files

If the standard USB connection never worked, don’t despair – there are a few alternative methods:

1. Wireless transmission via Mi Drop or FTP

Xiaomi offers its own wireless file sharing solution, the Mi Drop app (formerly Mi Share), which runs on Wi-Fi Direct and does not require an Internet connection.

1. Install Mi Drop on both devices (phone and PC via emulator or web version).
2. On the phone, select files and click Send → Mi Drop.
3. On PC, accept the file through a browser or application.

It is suitable for advanced users. FTP-server FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer:

1. Enable FTP- server in the application settings.


2. Connect to it from the PC via the Explorer (enter the address of the form ftp://192.168.x.x).




3. Use the login/password from the FTP settings.

2. Connection via ADB (for power users)

If USB debugging is enabled but MTP is not working, you can transfer files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Install Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
2. Connect the phone and type in the command line: adb devices If the device is displayed, continue.
3. Copy the file from PC to phone: adb push C:\path\to file /sdcard/folder on phone/
4. Or from phone to PC: Adb pull /sdcard/file C:\path/PC\

💡

For convenience, create an adb folder at the root of the C disk: and add it to the environment variables, and then the adb commands will run from any directory.

Step 6: Solving problems with specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi models have unique features when connecting to a PC, and here are the most common cases:

Chinese firmware models (e.g. Mi 10 Ultra, Redmi K40) may require unlocking the bootloader and installing an international version of MIUI. This is a complex procedure requiring a Mi Account and waiting for permissions from Xiaomi.

💡

If your Xiaomi is bought in China, there is a good chance that USB file transfer is disabled in the firmware. Check the MIUI version in Settings → About phone. If it ends in CN (for example, MIUI 14.0.3 CN), you will have to refashion the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's PC connection

If none of the methods worked, it is worth considering the hardware causes: damage. USB-If you have a port on your phone or a controller on your PC motherboard, you can only use a service center to diagnose the port, try connecting another phone or flash drive -- if you don't see them, you're having a problem with your computer.

Important: Xiaomi models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 9, POCO M3) sometimes require additional installation of MediaTek Preloader drivers. Without them, the PC will not be able to correctly recognize the device even in charging mode.