How to Transfer Passwords from One Xiaomi Phone to Another Android: All the Ways to Work

Introduction: Why Password Transfers to Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when it comes to saved passwords. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI firmware, this task is complicated by the integration with Google services and the brand’s own solutions. Unlike the iPhone, where iCloud Keychain syncs data automatically, on Android, the user often has to act manually.

The main problem is that passwords can be stored in several places at once: in Google Password Manager, in the Mi Browser browser, in third-party managers (for example, 1Password or KeePass), and in the MIUI system storage. If you just copy data through Mi Account, some passwords can be lost. This article will help avoid typical errors and transfer all saved credentials without exception, including passwords from Wi-Fi, apps and websites.

Method 1: Sync with Google Password Manager (the most reliable option)

If you’re using autocomplete passwords in Chrome or other Google apps, this method works best, works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the MIUI version (12 to 15) and doesn’t require manual export.

Algorithm of action:

• 🔄 On your old phone, open Settings. → Google → Managing a Google Account → Security.
• 🔑 Scroll to the Passwords section and make sure Autocomplete is enabled.
• ☁️ Turn on password sync if it is disabled (toumber in the upper right corner).
• 📱 On the new phone, log in to the same Google account and wait until sync is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

The advantage of the method is that passwords are automatically transferred, including data from applications that use the Google Smart Lock API. However, there is a caveat: if you previously disabled sync or used Mi Browser instead of Chrome, some passwords may not be available.

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Before transferring, check what passwords are saved in Google Password Manager. To do this, click on passwords.google.com from your old phone.

Method 2: Export passwords from Mi Browser (for users of the standard Xiaomi browser)

Many Xiaomi owners use Mi Browser as their primary browser, and it stores passwords separately from Google.To move them, you will need to manually export to the file and then import to the new device.

Instructions:

1. Open the Mi Browser on your old phone.
2. Go to Settings → Passwords and Forms → Saved Passwords.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Export Passwords".
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
5. File. mi_browser_passwords.csv It will be saved in the Download folder. Move it to a new phone (for example, via Mi Share or Google Drive).
6. On the new device, import the file via the same path to the Mi Browser.

Note that the exported file contains passwords in plain form. After transfer, be sure to delete it from both devices!

Make sure your phone has a PIN or graphical key installed |

Download the file mi_browser_passwords.csv securely|

Transfer the file to a new device via an encrypted channel (not via the SMS!)|

Delete CSV-file after importation

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Method 3: Transfer over Mi Account (limited functionality)

Xiaomi offers its own Mi Account cloud storage, but its password-transfer capabilities are severely curtailed, a method that only works for Wi-Fi passwords and some system data, not for websites or apps.

How it works:

• 🔄 On your old phone, enable sync with Mi Account: Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization.
• ☁️ Make sure that the "Wi-Fi" and "System Settings" are ticked.
• 📱 On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for sync (reboot may be required).

Importantly, it doesn't carry passwords from social networks, banking apps, or email boxes, but it's only useful for fast connections to stored Wi-Fi networks.

Google Password Manager|Mi Browser|Third-party managers (1Password, KeePass, etc.)|I Write in a notebook |I don't save passwords

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Method 4: Use of third-party password managers (1Password, Bitwarden, KeePass)

If you pre-installed a third-party password manager (such as 1Password, Bitwarden, or KeePassDX), the data transfer will take only a few minutes, and these apps sync the password database through their own cloud servers or local files.

Step-by-step instructions for Bitwarden (similar to other managers):

1. Install Bitwarden on both phones from Google Play.
2. On the old device, export the password database to an encrypted file (in the application settings).
3. Transfer the file to a new phone (for example, via Mi Share or Telegram Saved Messages).
4. Import the file to Bitwarden on a new device.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Full security: passwords are stored in encrypted form.
• 🌐 Cross-platform: you can transfer passwords not only to Xiaomi, but also to iPhone or PC.
• 📱 Autocomplete works in any application, not just in the browser.

Method 5: Manual transfer via MIUI backup (for power users)

This method is suitable if you have made a full backup of your old phone through Settings → About Phone → Backup. However, it has significant limitations:

How to move passwords:

1. Create a backup on your old phone (select System Settings and Apps).
2. Transfer the backup file to your new phone (via Mi PC Suite or cloud).
3. Restore data on the new device via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset.

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: Restoration of backup copy MIUI It can lead to conflicts with new firmware versions, for example, if you migrate data from the MIUI 13 on MIUI 15, some system applications may not work properly.

⚠️ Note: Passwords from banking applications (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) are not portable for security reasons.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

1. Passwords are not synced through Google

Check it out.

• 🔄 Is synchronization enabled in the settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
• 🔑 Google Smart Lock is disabled in the security settings.
• 📶 Is the Internet connection stable (synchronization can hang on slow Wi-Fi).

2.The export file from Mi Browser is damaged

Decision:

• 📄 Try to open it. CSV-Excel or Google Sheets – if data is read, import is a problem.
• 🔄 Restore the file in encoding UTF-8.
• 📱 Update the Mi Browser to the latest version.

3. After the transfer, passwords are not suitable

Possible causes:

• 🔑 Some sites store passwords in encrypted form (for example, VKontakte or Ozone.
• 📱 If you have used two-factor authentication, you may need to re-assign the device.

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Before you transfer passwords, always check what data is stored on your old phone. Use a combination of methods: Google Password Manager + Mi Browser + third-party manager.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions