How to completely clone Xiaomi on a new smartphone: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but it’s also troublesome, especially if the old device has accumulated years of photos, important correspondence, unique settings and dozens of save apps. Many users mistakenly think that Xiaomi’s cloning is just copying files to a flash drive, but in practice you need to transfer not only media files, but also system settings, application data, accounts and even call history – so that the new phone becomes an exact copy of the old one.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of cloning Xiaomi to the new Xiaomi (including the Redmi models and the new Xiaomi model). POCO), The pros and cons, and the common bugs that can make it a nightmare, you'll learn how to move data without loss, even if you have different versions of your devices. MIUI Spoiler: Using the official Mi Mover tool doesn't always guarantee 100% success - especially when switching from a smartphone to a mobile phone. MIUI 12 on MIUI 14.

It may seem easier for beginners to set up a new phone from scratch, but practice shows that manually restore all settings (from wallpaper to alarm clock schedules) takes 3-5 hours, while competent cloning reduces this time to 20-40 minutes, the main thing is to choose the right method and prepare in advance.

Preparation for cloning: what to do before data transfer

The first step is not the transfer itself, but the careful preparation of both devices, which often leads to data loss or failures in the process.

✅ Version compatibility MIUI. If you are on an old smartphone MIUI 13, and on the new one — MIUI 14, some of the settings may not be overdue, in which case it's best to upgrade the old device to the current version before cloning.

✅ Make sure both phones have at least 50 percent charge, and the cloning process can take up to an hour, and discharging in the middle will lead to errors.

✅ Free space: A new device should have at least 20 percent more free space than the data on the old one, for example, if an old phone is 32 GB, a new one should have 38-40 GB free.

✅ Delete unnecessary files. Clear the app cache before cloning (Settings) → Warehouse → Clear the cache and remove duplicate photos, which will speed up the process and save space.

⚠️ Note: If old Xiaomi has data encryption enabled (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Encryption, some cloning techniques (e.g., Mi Mover) may not work. In this case, use backup in Mi Cloud.

Also check if important data is linked to SIM-For example, some operators keep contact with the SIM, To keep them safe, export your contacts to a.vcf file:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to device.
3. Save the file to the Download folder.

2.Official method: cloning through Mi Mover

Mi Mover is a built-in tool from Xiaomi designed to transfer data between the brand’s devices.

• 📱 Contacts, messages and call history
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sound circuits, brightness)
• 📱 Applications (without data, unless otherwise stated)

However, the Mi Mover has limitations:

• ❌ Does not transfer data of certain applications (for example, save in games or WhatsApp settings)
• ❌ It may not work between devices with a large variation in versions. MIUI
• ❌ Requires a connection to a single Wi-Fi network (or an access point)

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer. If the phone is already configured, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer.
2. On your old phone, download Mi Mover from the Play Market (if it’s not in the system) and open the app.
3. Click I send on the old phone and I receive on the new one.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait until it is completed (may take up to 1 hour).

If the Mi Mover is stuck in the connection phase, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Use a mobile access point instead of Wi-Fi.
• 🔌 Connecting phones through OTG-cable (if supported).

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi already has data, Mi Mover will suggest erasing it before the penos!

3. Alternative method: backup in Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage device from Xiaomi that allows you to create a full backup of your phone and restore it to a new device, and the main advantage of the method is that you don't need to connect the phones to each other.

• ❌ Only 5GB is available for free (a full backup usually requires 10–50GB).
• ❌ Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords) are not restored.
• ❌ The process can take several hours with slow internet.

How to make a backup in Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for all the necessary data (contacts, notes, photos).
3. Click Backup and select Create Backup.
4. Wait until it is completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours).

To recover on the new phone:

1. Sign in to the same Xiaomi account.
2. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Recovery.
3. Select the latest backup and confirm the recovery.

If there is not enough space in the Mi Cloud, you can:

• 💰 Buy an additional seat (from 100 GB per ~300 rubles per year).
• 🗑️ Remove old backups in Mi Cloud → Storage management.
• 📁 Transfer photos to Google Photos (up to 15 GB free).

4. Computer-assisted cloning: reliable but longer

If you have a computer (Windows/Mac), You can transfer data through USB-cable or special programs. This method is suitable if:

• 🔌 Phones have different versions. MIUI And the Mi Mover is not working.
• 💾 You need to transfer large files (video, game backups).
• 🔒 One of the devices is locked (but Mi Account unlock is possible).

Method 1: Manual copying of files

1. Connect the old Xiaomi to your computer via USB (Select the File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy the folders: DCIM (Photo/video) Download (downloads) Pictures (images) Music (music) Documents (documents)
3. Connect a new phone and paste files into the same folders.

Method 2: Using the Xiaomi program PC Suite

The official utility Xiaomi PC Suite allows you to create backups and restore them on new devices. Download it from the official website and follow the instructions:

• 🖥️ Connect your old phone and create a backup.
• 📲 Connect a new phone and recover data from the backup.

Method 3: Transfer through ADB (advanced)

If you need to transfer application data (for example, save games), you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method requires enabling Debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → For developers → Debugging by USB).

The backup team:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

For recovery:

adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Do not interrupt the process, this can cause data corruption, and some applications (for example, banking) block the work on devices with debugging enabled.

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If the phone is not detected when connecting to the computer, try changing it. USB-cable (better to use the original) or install Mi drivers PC Suite.

5. Data portability of specific applications

Some apps (like WhatsApp, Viber, games) store data locally, and standard cloning methods don't. Here's how to save important information:

📱 WhatsApp and other messengers:

• Make a backup chat in Settings → chat → Backup (save to Google Drive or locally).
• On your new phone, install WhatsApp and restore chats when you first start.

🎮 Games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG):

• Use the built-in account binding (Google Play Games, Mi Account, Facebook).
• For local saves, copy the folder /Android/obb/[Game name: new phone.

🏦 Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff):

• Most banks block data transfer, so you'll have to reinstall the application and re-authenticate.
• Copy only screenshots of important documents (passport, TIN) to a safe place.

📅 Calendar and notes:

• If you use Mi Calendar or Mi Notes, they are automatically synced to Mi Cloud.
• For Google Calendar, check sync in Settings → Accounts. → Google.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

❌ Mistake: Mi Mover can't see old device

• 🔹 Check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both phones.
• 🔹 Reboot both devices.
• 🔹 Try connecting through QR-code instead of automated search.

❌ Mistake: There is not enough space in the Mi Cloud

• 🔹 Remove old backups in Mi Cloud → Storage management.
• 🔹 Transfer photos to Google Photos (free up to 15GB).
• 🔹 Buy an extra seat (from 100 GB per ~300 rubles per year).

❌ Mistake: Apps failed to recover after cloning

• 🔹 Open Play Market → Library → Installed and updated all.
• 🔹 For games, check the binding to the account.
• 🔹 If the application is not installed, download it. APK official website.

❌ Mistake: New phone after cloning is slowing down

• 🔹 Remove unnecessary applications (Settings) → Annexes → Removal).
• 🔹 Clear the cache (Settings) → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔹 Reboot the phone.

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If photos are missing after cloning, check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the thumbnails are saved and the originals are not, and you can restore them through programs like DiskDigger).

7.Cloning a blocked Xiaomi

If the old Xiaomi is locked (forgot the password, pattern lock or Mi Account), the standard cloning methods will not work.

🔓 Method 1: Unlock with Mi Account

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot your password.
2. Enter the linked email or phone number.
3. Follow the instructions for resetting your password.

🔓 Method 2: Fastboot reset (data loss!)

If you can't unlock your account, you'll have to do a full reset.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and use the command: fastboot erase userdata
4. Reboot your phone (fastboot reboot).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot reset will delete ALL data on your phone, including photos and messages.If your device had important files, try extracting them first. TWRP (requires an unlocked loader).

Once unlocked, cloning can be started by one of the methods described above.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cloning