Cloning Android Phone on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways to Transfer Data

Transferring data from an old Android smartphone to a new Xiaomi is a challenge that every user faces when changing devices. However, the term “cloning” is often misleading: full copying of the 1:1 system at the firmware level is impossible without root rights and deep technical knowledge. In practice, “cloning” is understood to mean transferring user data, applications, settings and media files so that the new Xiaomi becomes as similar as possible to the previous device.

In this article, we will look at all the current migration methods, from standard Mi Mover tools to advanced solutions like ADB Backup or cloud services, and pay special attention to the nuances that arise when you move between different manufacturers (for example, from Samsung to Redmi Note 12), and also look at how to avoid data loss when you reset. If you need not just copy files, but restore the work environment with all passwords and application settings, read further.

What exactly can be cloned on Xiaomi and what can not be cloned

Before proceeding with the transfer, it is important to understand the limitations:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS, Call logs – transferred entirely through Google Account or Mi Cloud.
• 📁 Photos, videos, music – copied without loss, but can take up a lot of space on a new device.
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness) – partially transferred via Mi Mover or Smart Switch (for Samsung).
• 📱 Installed applications are carried over by the list, but the data inside them (for example, saving in games) require a separate backup.
• 🚫 System files and firmware -- you can't clone without root, and even with root access, it's a very common error because of the differences in the hardware.

Critical information: DRM-enabled applications (such as banking or some games) may be blocked after being transferred to a new device, and will have to be reinstalled manually.

⚠️ Note: If you used Mi Account on your old phone and you log in under a different account on the new one, some data (such as notes or calendar) may not sync. Before transferring, check that both devices are linked to the same Xiaomi profile.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for data migration between devices, pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand (starting with MIUI 9) and supports porting from most Android devices of other manufacturers, the main advantage is simplicity: you do not need to connect to a PC or use the cloud.

How Mi Mover works:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select the Data Portability option (or find the Mi Mover app in the menu).
2. On your old phone, install Mi Mover from Google Play (if it is not the default).
3. Create a Wi-Fi hotspot on an old device or connect both phones to the same network.
4. Scan it. QR-The code from the new Xiaomi on the old phone.
5. Select data for transfer (contacts, SMS, applications, media) and confirm the transfer.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the stability of the connection. For example, transferring 30 GB of photos over Wi-Fi 5 can take 20-30 minutes. If the process is interrupted, Mi Mover will suggest restarting the transfer from the last successful point.

Charging both phones > 50%|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Free up space on the new Xiaomi (at least 20% free space)|Check the compatibility of versions MIUI (There may be errors in older versions)-->

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has custom firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS), Mi Mover may not recognize it as a compatible device).

Method 2: Google Backup – Universal Cloud Transfer

Syncing through Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer, if you do not want to depend on proprietary tools Xiaomi.This method works on any Android device (including Samsung, Huawei, OnePlus) and ensures the safety of data even when resetting the phone.

What exactly is synced through Google:

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and tags)
• 📅 Calendar and events
• 📧 Gmail mail and settings
• 📁 Photos and videos (via Google Photos if backup is enabled)
• 🔑 Passwords from Google Smart Lock
• 📱 List of installed applications (without data)
• 📡 Wi-Fi settings (if backup is encrypted)

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable the option “Backup Google Drive” and click “Create Backup Now”.
3. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Google Account when you first start up.
4. In the settings menu, select "Recover Data" and specify the last backup.

Limitations of the method:

• Free storage Google Drive – only 15 GB (for photos in original quality this is not enough).
• Not all system settings are portable (e.g. gestures or sound profiles).
• Applications are restored without data (for example, game progress will be lost).

Mi Mover|Google Backup| Manual Cable Transfer |Cloud Services (Dropbox, Yandex Drive) |Another way-->

Method 3: Cloning through PC (ADB Backup and Alternatives)

If you need to migrate application data (such as saving games, settings for messengers or working files for specialized programs), standard methods will not work. In this case, ADB Backup, a tool for creating a full backup through a computer, works without root, but requires debugging over USB.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Stores app data (unlike Google Backup).
• 🖥️ It doesn’t depend on the phone manufacturer.
• 📦 Only the necessary applications can be selectively restored.

Instructions for creating a backup:

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
2. On your phone, turn on Settings → About Phone → Build Number (tap 7 times), then go back to Settings → System → For Developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and execute: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (where backup.ab is the name of the backup file).
5. On the phone will be a request for confirmation of the backup – set the password (required!) and wait for completion.

To recover on the new Xiaomi, use the command:

adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as WhatsApp or bank customers) block backups through the service. ADB In this case, you'll have to use their built-in export tools.

Method 4: Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Dropbox)

If the data volume is small (up to 50 GB), and the speed of the Internet allows - cloud services will be an easy solution for cloning. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud with 5 GB of free space, but for a full backup it is better to combine several services.

Comparison of cloud solutions:

Recommended cloud transfer scheme:

1. Upload your photos/video to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
2. Export contacts to VCF-file and upload it to Google Drive.
3. Use Backup & Restore SMS to save messages in XML and upload the file to the cloud.
4. On the new Xiaomi, download all files and restore them through the appropriate applications.

💡

If you’re transferring data between phones with different screens (like the Samsung Galaxy S21 to the Xiaomi 13T), check the resolution of the wallpaper and the adaptability of the widgets. Some interface elements may not display correctly on the new device.

Method 5: Manual transfer via OTG cable or memory card

If you don't have access to Wi-Fi or the cloud, and you have data that's over 100 GB, manually transferring it over physical media is the only reliable option.

• 🔌 Cable USB OTG (plug-in).
• 💾 MicroSD card (if both phones support slots).
• 🖥️ Computer (for intermediate copying if direct transfer is not possible).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the memory card or OTG-flash-drive.
2. Copy the necessary files (DCIM, Downloads, Documents folders) to the media.
3. Use the application transfer APK Extractor (extracts) APK-files) and Swift Backup (will save application data if there is root).
4. Connect the media to the new Xiaomi and copy the files to the appropriate folders.
5. Install. APK-files manually (in Settings) → Special facilities → Install unknown applications allow installation from the file manager).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Maximum confidentiality (data is not transmitted over the network).
• 📦 No volume restrictions (depends only on the size of the flash drive).
• ⚡ Faster cloud services (speed is limited only) USB-port).

⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data (where the application data is stored) without root rights, you will only receive a portion of the files. ADB Backup.

Solving the problems of cloning

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and let's look at the typical scenarios and how to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try a combination approach:

1. Move your contacts and calendar through your Google Account.
2. Copy the media files to the memory card.
3. Use ADB Backup for applications.
4. Set up the new Xiaomi manually (wallpaper, sounds, widgets).

💡

The most reliable way is a combination of Google Backup (for system data) + Mi Mover (for media and applications) + manual transfer of critical files, which minimizes the risk of data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloning Android on Xiaomi