Xiaomi Mi Share: What is it and how to use it in 2026

Mi Share is one of those Xiaomi chips that many users don’t even know about until they are faced with the need to quickly transfer a file between devices. In the era of cloud services and instant messengers, it may seem that wireless data transfer is a thing of the past, but in practice Mi Share is often faster and more convenient than uploading to the cloud or sending via Telegram. 4K, archives or photo packages.

This technology, developed by Xiaomi as an alternative to Apple’s AirDrop and Google’s Nearby Share, works on a combination of Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth, allowing data to be exchanged at speeds of up to 10 to 20 MB/s (depending on the device model), without requiring an Internet connection, and the process takes literally seconds. But how does it work, which devices are supported and are there pitfalls? Let’s get into order.

What is Mi Share and How it Came

The Mi Share feature debuted in 2019 along with the release MIUI 11 and was positioned as a universal solution for fast file sharing between Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO. In fact, it is an analogue of AirDrop, but with support not only for smartphones, but also for other gadgets of the ecosystem – for example, Xiaomi Mi Notebook laptops or Mi Pad tablets.

Technically, Mi Share uses Wi-Fi Direct protocol and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) It's for detecting devices:

• 🔄 No Internet dependency – files are transferred directly between devices.
• 🚀 High speed – up to 10-20 MB / s (in theory up to 40 MB / s on new models).
• 🔒 Encryption – data is transmitted in a secure form (although the level of security is inferior to AirDrop).
• 📱 Cross-platform – works not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also with some devices from other brands (more on this below).

It is interesting that the function was originally called Mi Drop, but after rebranding in the MIUI 12 was renamed Mi Share, but the essence remained the same: fast file sharing without loss of quality and without size restrictions.

What devices support Mi Share

Officially, Mi Share is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO, steerable MIUI 11 and newer. There are nuances, however:

Important: Even if your device officially supports Mi Share, the feature can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Mi Share and turn on the slider.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 Redmi Note 10 Pro after upgrading to MIUI 14 may disappear from the menu, in which case try resetting the network settings or updating the firmware to the latest version.

How to use Mi Share: step-by-step instructions

Transferring files via Mi Share takes just a few clicks. Here is a universal guide for Xiaomi smartphones:

1. Open Explorer (Files) and select the desired file (photo, video, document).
2. Click Share (arrow icon up) and select Mi Share from the options list.
3. On the second device, activate Mi Share via the notification panel or in settings (Settings) → Mi Share).
4. The first device will automatically find the second one. Click on its name in the list of available devices.
5. On the second device, confirm the file's acceptance. The transfer will start automatically.

If there are several files, you can:

• 📁 Select them in the Explorer and send them in a package.
• 🖼️ In the gallery, select a few photos and click Share → Mi Share.
• 📄 In some applications (e.g, WPS Office feature built into the export menu.

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices|

Open Mi Share in the notification bar|

Make sure the devices are up to 10 meters away|

Check that the receiving device has enough memory-->

Transfer speed depends on the device model. for example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with Wi-Fi 6E The files are transferred almost instantly, while on Redmi. 9A process.

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If Mi Share doesn’t find a second device, try restarting Bluetooth on both smartphones or temporarily disabling it. VPN (It can block the local connection).

Mi Share vs AirDrop vs Nearby Share: Which is Faster and More Convenient

Many users compare Mi Share to similar solutions from Apple and Google.

Mi Share beats Nearby Share in speed, but loses AirDrop in security and connection stability, such as transferring a 1GB file between Xiaomi 12T redmi K50 The process takes about 1-2 minutes, while through Telegram or the cloud - up to 5-10 minutes (including download and download).

However, Mi Share has its downsides:

• 🔌 Instability on older models – on the Redmi Note 8 or Mi A3 connection may be interrupted.
• 📵 Limited range – maximum 10-15 meters (unlike AirDrop, which operates at a distance of up to 30 meters).
• 🔄 Problems with some files, for example, APK-Files are sometimes blocked by a security system.

⚠️ Note: If you are sharing sensitive data (such as document scans), it is recommended to disable the feature in the settings after the Mi Share session is over. In rare cases, attackers can exploit Wi-Fi Direct vulnerabilities to attack the device.

Common Mi Share Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite the convenience, users often encounter errors when working with Mi Share, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

1.The device is not on the list

Reasons:

• 📱 Mi Share is disabled on one of the devices.
• 🔄 Incompatible versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 and MIUI 14).
• 🛜 VPN or firewall blocks the connection.

Solution: Check network settings, update firmware, or reboot both devices.

2. the transmission is interrupted or is too slow

Reasons:

• 📶 Weak Wi-Fi signal (for example, if devices are in different rooms).
• 🔋 Low battery charge (below 15%).
• 🗑️ Insufficient memory on the receiving device.

Solution: Bring the devices closer together, close the background apps and free up space.

3. Files are not opened after transfer

Reasons:

• 📄 Damage to the file during transfer (rarely, but it happens).
• 🔍 Incompatible format (e.g,.HEIC old Android).

Solution: Try to transfer the file again or convert it before sending it.

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to use alternative methods of transmission (described below).

Mi Share Alternatives: What to Use When the Function Fails

If Mi Share is unavailable or unstable for some reason, you can use other ways:

1. Nearby Share (Google)

Built-in feature in Android 10+, It's similar to the Mi Share, but it's also supported by other brands, and it's slower, but it's more reliable.

2. Snapdrop

Web service (snapdrop.net) running through a browser. It does not require installation, but depends on the Internet.

3. LocalSend

Open source software (localsend.org) works on the AirDrop principle, but cross-platform (including iOS and Windows).

4. FTP-server ES Conductor

Old but proven method: run FTP-server on one device and connect to it from the second through a browser or conductor.

Each of these methods has its pros and cons: for example, Nearby Share is versatile, but slower, and LocalSend requires installing an app, but it works even with an iPhone.

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If you need to transfer files between Xiaomi and iPhone, the best option is to use LocalSend or cloud services (Google Drive, iCloud). Mi Share with AirDrop is not directly compatible.

Mi Share Security: Can you trust the function?

Many users are wary of using Mi Share because of potential vulnerabilities, so let's see if it's justified.

Safety benefits:

• 🔐 Encryption – Data is transmitted in encrypted form (although not as securely as in AirDrop).
• 👤 Acceptance confirmation – the file is not sent until the recipient agrees.
• 🕒 Temporary connection – after transmission, communication between devices is broken.

Safety disadvantages:

• 🕵️ Wi-Fi Direct vulnerabilities – bugs that allow you to intercept traffic were discovered in 2021 (fixed in new versions) MIUI).
• 📡 Lack of authentication – In theory, an attacker can substitute a receiving device (unlikely but possible).
• 📱 Access to the file system - when transferring APK or EXE-Files are at risk of infection with viruses.

Safety recommendations:

1. Do not transfer sensitive data (passwords, bank documents) through Mi Share.
2. After transfer, turn off the function in the settings.
3. Update the firmware to the latest version (in) MIUI 14 Most vulnerabilities are eliminated).

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring files in a public place (cafe, airport), turn on Contacts Only in the Mi Share settings to avoid unauthorized connections.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Share