How to transfer data from phone to phone Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Transferring data from an old Xiaomi smartphone to a new one is a challenge that every brand user faces, even if both devices are powered by a new one. MIUI, This can cause complications, from losing contacts to incomplete synchronization of photos. In this article, we will discuss 7 current ways to transfer data, from standard Mi Mover tools to hidden Mi Cloud functions that work even on locked devices.

The main mistake users make is trying to copy files through Explorer manually, which leads to loss of folder structure, loss of metadata photos (dates, geotags) and malfunctions in applications. We will show how to avoid these problems and transfer all data to the user. 10-30 minutes without loss, including:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS and call log (including hidden numbers)
• 📷 Photos and videos in original quality (without compression)
• 🎵 Music, documents and downloads
• 📥 Installed applications with settings (for select programs)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and account data

We'll focus on the hidden limitations of each method, like Mi Mover, which doesn't port data to some banking apps, and Google's account compresses video to the point where it's not available. 1080p. You will learn how to circumvent these restrictions in legal ways.

1.Mi Mover is Xiaomi's official tool for fast transfer

Mi Mover is an integrated application on all Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the MIUI 9), which allows you to transfer data over Wi-Fi Direct without connecting to the Internet, the main advantage is to preserve the structure of folders and metadata files:

First, the app only works between devices. Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco. Second, if the old phone has custom firmware installed (e.g., Pixel Experience), the Mi Mover may not recognize it as a compatible device. 20-40 minutes with more data than 30 GB.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone has already set up Mi Account, before using Mi Mover, log out of it to Settings → Xiaomi account. otherwise data may be duplicated or overwritten.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or search by settings).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone with an old device.
4. Select data types to transfer (you can mark everything or select selectively).
5. Confirm the start of transmission. Don't interrupt the process even if the screen goes out.

Battery charge >50% on both phones|

Same version MIUI (or differs from no more than 1 version)|

Unplugged. VPN and energy-saving regimes|

The free space on the new phone exceeds the amount of data transferred-->

After completion, check the folder. MIUI/Backup/AllBackup on a new device, you should have an archive with a date of transfer. If the files are not displayed in the gallery, restart your phone or update the media base through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the media cache.

2.Moving over Mi Cloud: Pros and Cons of Cloud Method

Mi Cloud – Cloud storage from Xiaomi, which offers 5 GB for free (expands to 100 GB for 199)₽/This method is suitable if:

• 🔄 You don’t have physical access to both phones at the same time;
• 🌍 You need to transfer the data to a device with another firmware (for example, with a MIUI HyperOS);
• 🔒 Old phone locked but tied to Mi Account.

However, the method has critical shortcomings:

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
2. Turn on sync for all the necessary categories (contacts, notes, photos).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the synchronization to complete.
4. For photo/video check the folder MiCloud/Backup gallery.

💡

If sync is 99% down, clear the Mi Cloud cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Cloud → Warehouse.

To speed up the process, connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network. 5 GHz – This will reduce the synchronization time 30-40%. If the data does not appear on the new device, check if the mode is not turned on Save traffic in the settings of the mobile network.

3. Local area network (FTP/HTTP-server: for advanced users

If you have a router with support FTP or SMB, You can actually stream data over a local network, and this is a method that works for large volumes (from 50 GB) and avoids file compression.

The easiest way is to use the built-in HTTP-server MIUI:

1. On the old phone, open the Explorer. → Three points. → HTTP-server.
2. Click Launch and write down the address of the view http://192.168.x.x:8080.
3. On the new phone, enter this address in the browser and download the necessary files.

To automate the process, use applications such as FX File Explorer (with support) FTP/SMB):

Transmission speed over the local network reaches 10-15 MB/s (depends on router) for maximum speed:

• 📶 Use a router with Wi-Fi 6 support (standard) 802.11ax);
• 🔌 Connect both phones to the router via cable (via the router) USB-OTG);
• 🔒 Turn off the firewall on the router for local connections.

4.Cable OTG + Adapter: Direct exchange without the Internet

If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or mobile internet, the most reliable way to do this is to use it. USB-cable OTG It also works on a Type-C to Type-C adapter (or MicroUSB to Type-C, depending on the ports), even on dead phones (if charged). >15%) and guarantees 100% data security.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB OTG (for example, Xiaomi USB-C to USB-C);
• 📱 Adapter for connecting two phones (or cable with two connectors);
• 🔋 Charger (for recharging during transmission).

Instructions:

1. Connect both phones with a cable. A notification will appear on the screen. USB-connection.
2. On your old phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. On the new phone, open the Explorer → USB-storage.
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures, etc.) for internal memory of the new device.

⚠️ Warning: Don't copy the entire Android folder, it can lead to a conflict of these applications. Android/data For specific applications (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).

To speed up the process, use Total Commander or Solid Explorer, which supports batch copying and shows the transfer speed: 20-30 MB/s (in) 2-3 Time faster than Wi-Fi).

5. Google Account Transfer: Universal but limited

If you use Google services (Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive), you can transfer most of the data through your account.

• 📇 Contacts and calendars;
• 📷 Photo/video (without compression when using Google Photos in original quality);
• 🎮 Data of certain games (via Google Play Games);
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (if sync is enabled in Google Settings).

However, there are critical limitations:

• ❌ Google Contacts does not carry the call history and SMS;
• ❌ Google Photos compresses video to 1080p free-storage;
• ❌ Applications are ported without data (for example, saves in games).

How to transfer data:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account
2. Make sure that all the data you need (contacts, photos) is uploaded to the cloud.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google Account and wait for sync.
4. For photos, open Google Photos and click Photos → Three points. → Download.

If the data is not synchronized, check:

• 🔄 Autosynchronization is enabled in account settings;
• 📶 Is the signal level sufficient (for mobile Internet);
• 🔋 Is there enough space in Google Drive (free – 15 GB).

Mi Mover|

Mi Cloud|

Local area network (FTP/Wi-Fi)|

OTG| cable

Google Account|

Another option-->

6. Data Applications: root and no root

Standard methods (Mi Mover, Google Account) are only transferable APK-Application files, but not their data (e.g. save in games or chat in Telegram:

No root rights:

• 📲 Use App Cloner to duplicate data applications;
• 🔄 For messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) make a backup manually: App settings → chat → Backup
• 🎮 For games, use Google Play Games (synchronization of saves).

With root rights:

• 🛠️ Install Titanium Backup and Build a Full Backup;
• 📂 Move the folder. /data/app and /data/data via Root Explorer;
• 🔧 Restore the backup on your new phone (root required).

⚠️ Note: Transferring application data from root may disrupt their operation due to differences in the Android version or processor architecture (e.g., with the use of a mobile app). ARMv7 on ARMv8). Before the quilt check the compatibility in CPU-Z.

For most users, the best option is to selectively transfer only critical data (such as WhatsApp chats or saves in Genshin Impact), the rest of the applications are easier to reinstall through Google Play.

7. Alternative methods: for specific cases

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., a broken screen or phone doesn’t turn on), consider these options:

Retrieving data from a faulty phone through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Command Prompt in the platform-tools folder.
2. Enter the command to copy files: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM C:\Backup\Photos
3. To access the application data, use: adb backup -f C:\backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all

If the phone is not identified by the PC, try:

• 🔌 Use a different cable (original Xiaomi);
• 🔄 Switch the connection mode to Settings → Additionally. → Developer mode → Configuration USB;
• 🔋 Connect to another USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi