How to clone Xiaomi: a complete guide to transfer data to a new smartphone

Transferring data from the old Xiaomi to the new one is a task that every user faces when upgrading a device. The term “cloning” here does not mean making a physical copy of a phone (which is technically impossible for a typical user), but a full transfer of all settings, applications, contacts and files without loss. In this article, we will analyze the official and alternative methods that work on modern firmware. MIUI 14/15 and the new HyperOS.

The main problem with cloning is incompatibility of versions MIUI Or no backup in the cloud, like if you're switching from Redmi Note 10 (MIUI 13) on Xiaomi 14 (HyperOS), the standard Mi Mover port may not work.We'll look at workarounds including manual copying via PC and using third-party tools.

Important: cloning is not like unlocking a bootloader or running a firmware through Fastboot, it's just about transferring user data, and if you need to duplicate system files for repair or modification, that's a separate topic that requires developer and special software rights.

1. Official ways of cloning Xiaomi

The manufacturer offers two main tools for data portability: Mi Mover (for local copying) and Xiaomi Cloud (for backups), both of which are free but have limitations.

Mi Mover works on a point-to-point principle: data is transmitted directly between devices via Wi-Fi Direct.

• 📱 Both smartphones on MIUI 10+ HyperOS (but not mixed versions!).
• 🔄 The volume of data does not exceed 100 GB (otherwise the process may be interrupted).
• 🔋 Battery Charging on Both Devices >50%.
• 📶 No active VPN or firewall blocking the local network.

Algorithm of action:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. Select the role of “Sender”.
3. On the new device, run the same section and select Receive.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new phone old.
5. Select data for transfer (contacts, SMS, Photos, applications and confirm.

⚠️ Warning: If the process is stuck in the Preparation phase, restart both devices and try again. MIUI. For example, POCO F3 on MIUI 13 doesn’t always work well with Xiaomi 13T HyperOS.

Xiaomi's cloud is convenient for backup, but it has a very tight limit: only 5GB is available for free. To migrate media and applications, this is not enough. To increase the volume, you will have to subscribe to Mi Cloud.+ (100GB for ~300 ₽/year).

2. Cloning through PC: step-by-step instructions

If the official methods didn't work (for example, because of the difference in firmware), manual copying through the computer will be a salvation.

• 🖥️ PC Windows/macOS Linux.
• 🔌 Cables. USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Enough hard disk space (at least 20% more data volume than the phone).

Step 1: Backup your old phone

1. Connect the old Xiaomi to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folders: DCIM (Photo/video) Download (downloads) Pictures (images from apps), Music (audio files) Movies (video)
3. For copying SMS and use the calls SMS Backup & Restore (export to the XML).
4. List of applications export through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Export of the list (file.txt).

Step 2: Recovery on a new phone

1. Connect the new Xiaomi to your PC and move the copied folders to the appropriate directories.
2. Install. SMS Backup & Restore on a new device and import SMS from XML.
3. Install applications manually from Google Play or through APK-files (if they are stored separately).

Disable Battery Optimization for File Manager|

Check the free space on the PC (minimum) +20% to the volume of data)|

Use the original USB-cable|

Remove the screen lock during copying|

Synchronize contacts with Google account (additional insurance)-->

To migrate Wi-Fi settings, accounts and passwords, use Backup and Reset in Settings. Export the backup file to your PC, then import it to your new device via Local Backup.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t copy the entire Android folder, which can lead to conflicts in these applications, it is better to transfer only media files and documents, and install the applications again.

Third-party cloning applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools, which are also cross-platform (even between Xiaomi and Samsung), and negative are the potential security risks, and we tested three robust solutions:

Clone Phone is the official app from Xiaomi, but it often gives off the “failed to connect” error on new models.

1. Turn off the Adaptive Battery in the settings.
2. Turn on Developer Mode and activate Debugging by USB.
3. Restart both devices before starting the transfer.

Send Anywhere is convenient for transferring large files (for example, a Titanium Backup backup), the main advantage is that you do not need to connect to one network: data is transmitted through a temporary server using 6-digit code.

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Before using third-party apps, check their permissions on Google Play. if the app requests access to the app. SMS, Calls or geolocations without an obvious reason are a reason to be wary.

4.Cloning for advanced: ADB Titanium Backup

If you need to migrate your application settings, game data, or system settings, standard methods won't work. ADB (Android Debug Bridge and Titanium Backup (require root rights).

Step 1: Preparation

• 🔧 Install. ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
• 📱 Turn on Developer Mode on both phones (7 times tap on the Version) MIUI customized).
• 🔌 Connect your old phone to your PC and execute the command: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (creates a backup.ab file with all application data).

Step 2: Recovery

• Connect a new phone and do: adb restore backup.ab
• If you only need to transfer data for specific applications, use Titanium Backup (root): Export data. → Choice of applications → Retention on SD-map

⚠️ Note: Transferring system data (com.android.providers.settings) can cause a malfunction of the new phone.Do not restore settings associated with TelephonyProvider or Secure Storage - this can lead to network loss or lockdown SIM.

To transfer messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), use the built-in export functions:

• WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (Google Drive).
• Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Exporting History (.json file).

5. Data transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi

The transition from iOS to Android is complicated by the closedness of the Apple ecosystem, but Xiaomi offers a tool Mi Mover with support for iPhone.

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → The phone. → Data portability.
2. Select “iOS” as the source.
3. On the iPhone, install Mi Mover from the App Store.
4. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions.

What's transferable:

• 📞 Contacts (from iCloud or SIM-map).
• 📷 Photos and videos (except Live Photos).
• 🎵 Music and documents (if not protected) DRM).

What's not tolerable:

• 💬 iMessages (only) SMS).
• 📅 Notes from Apple Notes.
• 🎮 Game data (if not synchronized with the game cloud).

To transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to Xiaomi:

1. Back up your chats in iCloud (Whatsapp Settings) → chat → Backup copy).
2. Install Wutsapper on Xiaomi (requires root or unlocked bootloader).
3. Follow the application’s instructions to extract data from iCloud.

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To transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi, be sure to disable Find My iPhone and two-factor authentication iCloud for the duration of the procedure. Otherwise, Mi Mover will not be able to access the files.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

If notifications on the new phone do not work after transfer:

1. Check permissions for applications in Settings → Annexes → Permit management → Notifications.
2. Turn off Battery Optimization for messengers.
3. Reset the device.

If the photos are displayed without miniatures:

• Open the Gallery and wait until indexing is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).
• Check that folder. DCIM copied in full (including the.nomedia file if it was copied).

7.Cloning for HyperOS devices

New firmware HyperOS (debuted on Xiaomi 14 and Redmi) K70) It's changed the way we move data:

• 🚀 Mi Mover Replaced with Xiaomi Quick Switch (built into Settings) → The phone. → Data portability).
• 🔄 iOS port support improved (now copied Apple Health and Keychain in part).
• ⚡ Increased transmission speed over Wi-Fi Direct (up to 50 MB / s vs 20 MB / s in) MIUI).

How to transfer data to HyperOS:

1. On an old phone (even if it's on the phone) MIUI) Install Xiaomi Quick Switch.
2. On the new device, open Settings → Transfer data and select "Receive data».
3. Connect to the access point created by the new phone or use a cable OTG.

⚠️ Attention: When transferring with MIUI On HyperOS, some settings (like Read Mode or Navigation Gestures) may reset, due to a change in the structure of system files in HyperOS.

For root users: transferring data between MIUI HyperOS is possible through TWRP And backup of Nandroid, but it's risky, because HyperOS uses a different partition format. /data, Recovery can lead to bootloop.

8.Alternative methods: cloud services and physical media

If none of the above methods are suitable, there are universal solutions:

1. Cloud storage

• 🌥️ Google Drive: automatically syncs contacts, calendar, photos (via Google Photos).
• ☁️ Dropbox or Mega: for manually copying large files (up to 2TB free when inviting friends).
• 📦 Yandex Disk: convenient for users from Russia (integration with Yandex.Mail).

Physical carriers

• 💾 MicroSD card: copy the data to the card, then paste it into the new phone.
• 🖥️ Outside SSD/HDD: plug in through USB-C hub OTG-adapter).

3. Synchronization through accounts

• 📱 Xiaomi Account: Backup in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud.
• 🔑 Google Account: synchronize contacts, email, calendar, notes (Google Keep).
• 🎮 Game Accounts: Link Progress to Google Play Games or Facebook.

For the transfer of music:

• Use Spotify or Yandex Music with your account tied.
• If the files are local, copy the Music folder to the memory card.

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The most reliable way to transfer is a combination of cloud synchronization (for contacts and mail) + Manually copying media files through a PC, which ensures that even if one of the methods fails, some of the data will remain available.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cloning