How to clone Xiaomi phone: all ways to transfer data and settings

What is a Smartphone Cloning and Why It Is Necessary

Cloning a Xiaomi phone is the process of completely transferring data, apps and settings from one device to another, most often required when buying a new smartphone of the same brand or if necessary, backing up for quick recovery. Unlike a simple backup, cloning involves an exact copy of all system parameters, including accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, call history and even the location of icons on the desktop.

The main reasons why users resort to cloning are:

• 📱 Switching to a new Xiaomi model (e.g., from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14) without data loss
• 🔄 Recovery of the system after a reset or breakdown
• 👥 Create an identical device for a family member with the same settings
• 🛠️ Testing firmware or modifications on a “cloned” device

It is important to understand that cloning is not the same as synchronizing through Mi Account. Synchronization transfers only a part of the data (contacts, notes, photos in the cloud), whereas cloning copies the entire user environment, including installed ones. APK-But there is a downside to this process: improper cloning can lead to application conflicts, system errors, or even loss of warranty if informal methods are used.

Official cloning methods from Xiaomi

Xiaomi offers two main ways to transfer data between devices that are considered secure and do not violate the warranty terms, both using proprietary tools and do not require root rights or unlock the downloader.

1. Mi Mover - built-in migration application

This is the standard solution for users updating their smartphone. Mi Mover allows you to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts, call log and SMS
• 📷 Photos, video and audio files
• 📱 Installed applications (without data)
• 📋 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On both phones, go to Settings. → The phone. → Data migration.
2. Select a role: on the old phone - "Send", on the new - "Get".
3. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use an access point.
4. On the old phone, mark the data for transfer and confirm the transfer.

Charge both phones at least to the minimum. 50%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network|Release me. 10-15 GB of memory on a new device|Turn it off. VPN firewalls

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Limitations of the method:

• Application data (for example, saves in games or chats in messengers) are not transferred.
• In some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) You may need to update your Mi Mover to the latest version.
• The process takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the amount of data.

2. backup through Mi Cloud

The Mi Cloud cloud service allows you to create a backup and restore it to another device, and the advantage of this method is the ability to transfer data remotely, without physical access to the old phone, but a free account provides only 5 GB of space, which is enough only for contacts and some photos.

Instructions for creating a backup:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, notes, photos).
3. For a full backup, go to Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
4. Save the backup file to a memory card or cloud.

To recover on the new phone:

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery from backup.
3. Select the last backup and confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Note: When you restore from the backup of the Mi Cloud, all current data on the new phone will be deleted. If the device already has important information, first create a separate backup.

Alternative cloning methods (with risks)

If official methods are not suitable (for example, due to data limitations or lack of access to Mi Account), users resort to alternative solutions, which require more technical knowledge and can violate the warranty or lead to unstable operation of the system.

1. Cloning through ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

Tool. ADB Allows you to create complete images of the section /data, This method is suitable for advanced users, because it requires a command line and an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC.
2. Put the debugging on. USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
4. On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (a password may be required).
5. To recover on a new device, use: adb restore backup.ab

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Complete data portability, including application settings
• 🔹 Works without root rights (but requires unlocking the bootloader on some models)

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not all applications are restored correctly (especially with the DRM-protection, for example, of banking)
• ❌ On new phones (Xiaomi) 13/14) It may be blocked due to security policy

2.Use of custom recovery (TWRP)

Installation TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project allows you to create and restore complete system images, this method requires an unlocked bootloader and is only suitable for models that support custom firmware.

Algorithm of action:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 720 hours to wait on new accounts).
2. Install TWRP for your model via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. V TWRP Select Backup and select Data, System (optional).
4. Copy the backup to a PC or external drive.
5. On the new phone, repeat the steps. 1-2, Then restore the backup through Restore.

⚠️ Note: Recovering a Data image on another device (even the same model) can lead to bootloop (locked boot) due to differences in hardware identifiers.

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Before unlocking the bootloader, check the support of your model on the forum XDA Developers: Some devices, for example, POCO X5 Pro) have limitations on custom recovery.

Third-party cloning applications

There are several apps on Google Play that promise to “clon” the phone:

• 📲 Clone Phone (from SHAREit)
• 📲 Phone Clone (from Huawei, but it also works on Xiaomi)
• 📲 Samsung Smart Switch (partially supported by Xiaomi)

How they work:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. Select the role of "Old Phone" and "New Phone".
3. Connect devices via Wi-Fi Direct or OTG cable.
4. Mark the data for transfer and wait for completion.

Limitations:

• System settings (e.g. screen settings or gestures) are not portable
• Some apps (like Clone Phone) contain ads and collect data.
• On the phones with MIUI 14+ Access to certain sections may be blocked

Comparison of cloning methods: what to choose

To determine the best way, we evaluate each method according to the key criteria:

For most Xiaomi users, the best solution is the Mi Mover, which is simple, secure and covers 80% of the needs. If you need to transfer all data without exception (for example, to test or create a duplicate device), it is worth considering. ADB Backup, but with an understanding of the risks.

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For Xiaomi models on MIUI 14+ Official methods (Mi Mover and Mi Cloud) are becoming a priority as alternative methods are often blocked by new security measures.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when using official tools, users face problems, and consider common mistakes and their solutions:

1 Mi Mover does not find the device

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Wi-Fi problem: Switch to an access point from your phone or use a cable OTG (supported-model).
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI: Update both phones to the latest firmware via Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔒 firewall/VPN: Disable all network restrictions and antiviruses.

2.ADB does not see the device

A common problem with the command line.

• 🖥️ Are Xiaomi drivers installed on the PC (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB Supports data transmission (not all charging cables are suitable).
• 📱 Is debugging on-line USB and whether the connection to this PC is allowed (a request will appear on the phone).

If the device is still not defined, execute in the command line:

adb kill-server


adb start-server




adb devices

3.Recovery from backup leads to errors

Typical symptoms: apps fly out, phone overheats or discharges quickly.

• 🧹 Clean installation: Instead of restoring backup, transfer only critical data (contacts, photos) and install applications manually.
• 🔄 Resetting: After recovery, reset through Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings (without deleting data).
• 🛠️ Manual setting: For system parameters (sound, display) it is better to configure again, not to transfer.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to reboot on its own after cloning, it's a sign of a conflict of system files.

Security and privacy in cloning

Transferring data between devices always carries the risk of leakage of personal information, especially when using third-party applications or custom tools.

1.Backup protection

If you are creating a local backup (through a ADB or TWRP):

• 🔐 Encrypt the backup file with a password (in TWRP There's an encryption option).
• 💾 Store a copy on an encrypted external drive or in a secure cloud (e.g. Proton Drive).
• 🗑️ After recovery, delete temporary backup files from your PC.

2. Verification of third-party applications

Before using cloning programs:

• 🕵️ Check the reviews on 4PDA or XDA Developers.
• 📋 Check the permissions of the application (if it requests access to the app) SMS or call for no reason - refuse).
• 🛡️ Use VirusTotal to check out APK-virus-file.

Example of dangerous permissions for cloner applications:

• ❌ READ_SMS or SEND_SMS (If the application does not work with messages)
• ❌ ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE (It can be used to steal data)
• ❌ REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES (installation of software without your knowledge)

3. Cleaning up the old phone

After successful cloning, be sure to delete all data from the old device:

1. Perform reset through Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings → Delete all data.
2. If the phone is sold or transferred to another person, untie Mi Account in Settings → Mi Account → Get out.
3. For complete cleaning (e.g. before disposal), use the Cleanup and Lock function in Find Device on i.mi.com.

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Before resetting the old phone, remove it. SIM-card and memory card. Formatting through settings doesn't always completely clean external drives.

Cloning for specific tasks

Sometimes cloning is not used to transfer data, but to solve highly specialized problems. Let's look at these scenarios.

1. Cloning for firmware testing

If you are testing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), a full backup is available through the TWRP It's going to quickly revert back to the original system:

• Create separate backups for Boot, System and Data.
• Before installing custom firmware, check compatibility with your model on the XDA.
• Use OrangeFox Recovery instead TWRP for new devices (Xiaomi) 12/13/14), It works better with dynamic partitions.

2. Data transfer between different brands

If you are switching from Xiaomi to another brand (like Samsung or Google Pixel), official methods (Mi Mover) won't work.

• 📱 Google Account: Sync your contacts, calendar and photos with Google Photos.
• 📎 Smart Switch (Samsung): Portable to most data, but may not support some files MIUI.
• 📂 Manual transfer: Copy files through MTP (Connection as a flash drive or cloud services.

3.Cloning for business tasks

Companies sometimes clone corporate phones for employees, in which case:

• Use Android Enterprise or Mi Enterprise Mode for centralized management.
• Set up Knox (for Samsung) or Mi Security for data protection.
• Avoid transferring personal accounts (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).

⚠️ Cloning of corporate phones with installed MDM-solutions (e.g. MobileIron or VMware Workspace) ONE) This may violate the company's security policies. IT-department.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions