Wirelessly connecting a Xiaomi smartphone to a laptop via Wi-Fi opens up a lot of possibilities, from fast file transfer to remote control of the device’s screen. However, many users face difficulties in setting up such a connection — the network is not detected, the transfer speed leaves much to be desired, the required functions simply do not work. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of connecting (including hidden MIUI chips), explain why standard methods sometimes fail, and give a checklist to diagnose problems.
It is important to understand that the technology of connection is evolving: if previously for the transfer of files had to use Bluetooth or other devices. USB-Now, Xiaomi is offering its own solutions like Mi Drop or Nearby Share, and Windows 11 supports Wi-Fi Direct out of the box, but even with modern tools, users often miss key nuances — for example, do not include debugging on the Internet. USB for some functions or not verifying version compatibility MIUI. We have compiled universal instructions that work on all Xiaomi models (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and flagships of the 14 series, and also added sections for rare cases - when the laptop does not see the phone or the connection is constantly broken.
1. Connect via Mi Drop (official solution from Xiaomi)
Mi Drop is a proprietary application from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer files between devices over a local network without Internet.It is pre-installed on all smartphones with a MIUI shell (since version 8) and supports not only phones, but also laptops via the web interface.
To use Mi Drop, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Open the Mi Drop app on your smartphone (if not, download it from Google Play).
- 💻 On your laptop, go to drop.mi.com in any browser (Chrome or Edge is recommended).
- 🔄 On the phone, click Send files. → Connect to your computer and scan it. QR-laptop-screen.
- 📁 Select files to transfer and confirm the shipment. Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (on Wi-Fi 6 up to 90 MB/s).
Make sure your phone and laptop are connected to the same Wi-Fi network|Turn it off. VPN both-device|Update. MIUI last-minute|Check that the laptop allows JavaScript in the browser-->
Limitations of the method:
It only works in the browser (there is no desktop client for Windows/macOS).
The maximum size of one file is 1 GB (for file packets the limit is higher).
On some corporate networks, Mi Drop is blocked by a firewall.
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If Mi Drop doesn’t see a laptop, try temporarily disabling a Windows firewall or antivirus (for example, Kaspersky often blocks a laptop). P2P-linkage).
2.Using Nearby Share (AirDrop Alternative for Android)
Nearby Share is an analogue of Google’s AirDrop, which works on all Android devices (including Xiaomi) and supports file transfer to Windows 10/11 laptops via the browser. The main advantage over Mi Drop is cross-platform and faster speed on modern Wi-Fi standards.
Instructions for setting:
- On a Xiaomi smartphone, turn on Nearby Share: Go to Settings → Google → Devices and Sharing → Nearby Share. Activate the slider and select visibility All Contacts or All Devices.
- On your laptop: Open your browser and go to nearby.share. Click Receive Files and select your device from the list.
Share.
Nearby Share
Comparison with Mi Drop:
| Parameter | Mi Drop | Nearby Share |
|---|---|---|
| Max, speed. | ~90MB/s | ~150MB/s (on Wi-Fi 6) |
| Windows Support | Only through the browser | Browser + desktop software (beta) |
| File size limitation | 1GB | 2GB |
| Internet is required | No. | No. |
Mi Drop|Nearby Share|USB-cable|Bluetooth|Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)-->
3 Remote screen control Xiaomi from a laptop (Screen Mirroring)
If you need to transfer files and control your smartphone from your laptop (for example, for presentations or games), use Screen Mirroring (or the Infinite Screen in MIUI) feature, which works via Wi-Fi Direct and allows you to duplicate the phone screen on your PC with minimal latency.
Step-by-step:
- On your smartphone: Open Settings → Connect and Sharing → Limitless screen. Select Start streaming and wait for the device to be searched.
- On your laptop: Make sure Wi-Fi is on. In Windows 10/11, press Win + K and select your Xiaomi from the list of available devices.
Confirm the connection on the phone (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code).
Important nuances:
- 🔋 Broadcasting the screen severely drains the battery - connect the phone to charging.
- 🎮 For games, use the Low Latency mode in the Limitless Screen settings.
- 🔒 Some apps (e.g. banking) block the broadcast for security reasons.
Why isn't the phone screen displayed on your laptop?If the laptop doesn't see Xiaomi in the list of devices to stream, check out
4. Connection through FTP-server (for advanced users)
If you need to share large files regularly (such as backups or videos in the Internet) 4K), setup FTP-Xiaomi servers will be the best solution, requiring minimal technical knowledge, but providing stable speed and no restrictions on file size.
How to set up FTP-server:
- Install a file manager with FTP support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- In the manager settings, find the section FTP-server and activate it.
- Remember the server address (usually in ftp://192.168.x.x: port) and login details (logs/password).
- On your laptop, open the Explorer (or any other device). FTP-client, such as FileZilla, and connect to the server.
Advantages of FTP:
- 📥 There are no limits on file size (you can transfer movies to the 4K disk-image).
- 🔄 Ability to configure automatic folder synchronization.
- 🔒 Encryption support (if used) SFTP instead FTP).
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FTP-Xiaomi server is the best choice for transferring large amounts of data (for example, backups or video projects), but requires a stable Wi-Fi connection and basic knowledge of network protocols.
Common errors in setting up FTP:
⚠️ Note: If the laptop is not connected to FTP-To a server on Xiaomi, check that both devices are on the same subnet (the first three octets) IP-The addresses must be the same, for example, 192.168.1.x). Also turn off the phone mode Save traffic in Wi-Fi settings – it can block FTP-linkage.
5. Connect via ADB over Wi-Fi (for developers)
Protocol ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to control Xiaomi from a laptop at the system level – install applications, execute commands and even browse logs. Although this method is designed for developers, it is useful for ordinary users (for example, for installing a computer). APK without USB-cable).
How to connect via ADB via Wi-Fi:
- Activate Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
adb tcpip 5555Then turn off the cable.
adb connect 192.168.x.x:5555Examples of useful ADB-team:
- 📱 Installation APK: adb install path/to/file.apk
- 🔄 Reboot: adb reboot
- 📁 Copying files from your phone: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/.
Warning:
⚠️ Attention: Do not follow ADB-commands from unreliable sources — they can damage the system or erase data. -rf /data Delete user files without recovery.
6.The solution to the problems: the laptop does not see Xiaomi on Wi-Fi
If none of these methods work, it could be network settings, software conflicts, or hardware constraints, and we put together a checklist to diagnose the most common problems:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Devices can't see each other. | Different Wi-Fi subnets | Connect both devices to the same network (not through guest access) |
| Low transmission speed | Old Wi-Fi standard (802.11n) | Switch to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 |
| Permanent connection breaks | Saving energy on the phone | Turn off the adaptive battery in the MIUI settings |
| Mi Drop is not working. | Firewall lockdown | Add an exception for ports 5800-5810 in the Windows firewall |
Additional steps to troubleshoot:
- 🔄 Restart your router (sometimes) DHCP-server "forgets" devices).
- 📱 Reset your network settings on Xiaomi: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
- 💻 Update your Wi-Fi adapter drivers on your laptop (especially relevant for older models with Intel Centrino).