For most of us, WhatsApp seems to be one of the most viable solutions despite its limitations, which means you have to be connected to a good Internet connection.
Secondly, if you transfer using the conventional method, you could lose quality, especially if it is an image or a video. In such situations, a file transfer app is an ideal solution if you have both phones nearby.
With over one hundred million downloads, Xiaomi’s ShareMe app (formerly known as Mi Drop) is one of the most popular file transfer apps on the Play Store.
This app uses Wi-Fi Direct to share files between phones and the good thing is that the functionality also extends to laptops and computers. Moreover, this fantastic app is not limited to Xiaomi phones only. You can use ShareMe to move files even between phones of other brands.
So it can be used with a Samsung or OnePlus phone and others. So, in this post today, we’ll see how to use Xiaomi’s ShareMe app to transfer files and data between Android phones. Let’s begin.
ShareMe, how to use the Xiaomi app to transfer files and data on Android
When it comes to the interface, Xiaomi’s ShareMe app has a clean, minimalist design. All options are present right on the homepage, which means that you don’t have to search for a particular type of file. Furthermore, there is a nice search box to search for file names or types.
ShareMe should also be installed on the receiving phone.
Step 1: if this is the first time you use the ShareMe app, you will need to give it access to photos, files and other multimedia content on your phone. Then, you will have to choose your avatar and your name. Although ShareMe assigns a name to your device by default, it is best to add a personal touch to the name that facilitates the device search process later.
Step 2: Once all the permissions are in place, tap the Send button and select the files you want to transfer. By default, ShareMe only displays installed apps and packages. However, you can also send songs, documents, and other audio files. All you need to do is browse the top ribbon.
After selecting the files, tap Send. Meanwhile, on the other phone set the mode to Receive, after following the same installation.
Alternatively, you can also touch the Scan QR Code button to scan a unique QR code. This step is usually useful in scenarios where there are too many phones around. Moreover, it takes less time. When finished, the phone will set up a local hotspot, with files ready to be transferred.
Step 3: Once everything is set up, the phone will start searching for the receiving phone. If the phone is nearby, you will see the receiver’s avatar on the “radar”. Just select it and the transfer will start at the speed of light. Ok, I went a little further, but let me tell you it’s fast.
Once the transfer is complete, just click on the small Cross / Cancel icon in the top left corner to finish the transfer, and you’re done.
Small note: Although ShareMe allows you to transfer complete folders and multiple files, it does not allow you to share files and documents with multiple people simultaneously.
ShareMe, extra functionality
1. Transfer the files to your PC
ShareMe is not just about sending and sharing files between Android devices. If you browse the app, you will see that you can also move files between the phone and the PC. All you need to do is connect to the same Wi-Fi network before proceeding with it.
Then, open the menu on the left of the ShareMe app and select Connect to a computer. The next one will show the power of Wi-Fi and the option to start the hotspot. Tap Start, select Portable from the list and you will see the FTP server at the bottom of the page.
On your Windows 10 PC or laptop, open File Explorer and type in the address. Press Enter and you will see all the files on your phone on your PC.
Next, you are free to copy data between devices and remove unwanted folders from your phone.
The only problem with this method is that if someone gains access to the FTP address, they will be able to access the contents of the phone. Obviously, this means that ShareMe must also be opened on the phone, but it is always better to proceed with a little caution.
So when starting an FTP connection, be sure to select the second option (password protection). This involves a second step to establish a network and assign it a name and password. So anyone who connects to this network will be asked the same.
On your PC, all you have to do is enter the user name and password to start the file transfer.
2. Transfer files to iOS devices
Another positive aspect of the ShareMe app is that it facilitates the transfer of files with other devices such as the iPhone, without the use of the Internet. The use of this feature is as easy as a cake.
Open the menu to the left of the app and select WebShare. By selecting, you will see the username and password of a hotspot.
Now, open the Wi-Fi settings on the receiver device and connect to the displayed network. Once done, ShareMe will display an FTP address or QR code, which you must open (and scan) to complete the transfer. Clean, right?
The only problem with this process is that the speed can be a bit slow, which can be a problem with heavy files.