How to transfer all data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, app settings – all of this must be saved to not start from scratch. Fortunately, owners of Xiaomi devices have several convenient ways to completely migrate data, including proprietary tools and universal methods. In this article, we will analyze all the current options, their pros, cons and nuances that will help to avoid loss of information.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to copy files to a flash drive or send them via a messenger, in practice this approach leads to chaos: photo timestamps are lost, notes from a notebook are lost, and applications require re-authorization. The right data porting involves saving file structure, system settings, and even call history, especially if you’re switching from the Redmi Note 11 to Poco. F5 Mi 11 on Xiaomi 14 – the difference in version MIUI may complicate the process.

In the article you will find:

• 🔄 The official way through Mi Mover is fast, but with limitations
• ☁️ Cloud Transfer via Mi Cloud and Google Account – Reliable but Requires Internet
• 🖥️ Manual copying via PC or OTG-Cables are for those who like control.
• ⚙️ Backup and restore – if you want to save all system settings, including wallpaper and widgets
• ⚠️ Typical errors and how to avoid them (for example, why some applications are not portable)

Regardless of the method chosen, preparation is half the success. Make sure that both devices have enough charge (at least 50%), and the new smartphone has enough memory to receive data. 13T), Check the compatibility of versions MIUI — Sometimes you need to update your old device.

1.Mi Mover - Official tool for quick transfer

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi, designed to migrate data between the devices of the brand. It is pre-installed on all smartphones with a mobile phone. MIUI 9 And it's newer, so you don't need any additional downloads, and the main advantage of this method is that you keep the data structure: photos stay in the gallery, contacts stay in the phone book, and messages stay in the phone book. SMS/MMS.

How it works:

1. On both smartphones, open the settings. → The phone. → Mi Mover (newer versions may have different paths): Settings → Additionally. → Mi Mover).
2. On the old phone, select “I am the sender” and on the new one, “I am the receiver.”
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new device or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, video, audio, applications).
5. Confirm the start of the transfer and wait for the completion.

Transfer speed depends on the amount of data and version MIUI. For example, transfer 30 GB of photos from Redmi Note 10 Pro to Xiaomi 12T It takes about 40 to 60 minutes, and it's important that you don't interrupt the connection or lock the screen, because it can slow down or stop.

Both devices are connected to charging or have ≥50% battery |

On the new smartphone, there is enough memory to receive data|

Versions MIUI Both phones are compatible (not lower) MIUI 9)|

Power saving mode is disabled (may interrupt transmission)-->

Limitations of Mi Mover:

• 🚫 System settings are not transferred (wallpaper, widgets, split application window).
• 🚫 Some apps (e.g. banking) do not support portability due to security policies.
• 🚫 If the old phone has custom firmware installed, Mi Mover may not work.

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If the Mi Mover is “hanging” during the connection phase, try restarting both devices and repeating the process. VPN or switching Wi-Fi networks.

2.Transfer over Mi Cloud – reliable, but not without nuances

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that allows you to back up your data and restore it to a new device, a method that works if you have stable internet and enough cloud space (free 5GB is provided, but a full backup usually requires more).

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old smartphone, go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select data for saving (contacts, notes, SMS, system settings, photos) and click "Create backup copy".
3. On the new device, log in to the same Xiaomi account and recover data from the cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Restore.

Advantages of the method:

• ☑️ Data is stored in the cloud and available at any time.
• ☑️ Only the desired categories can be selectively restored (e.g., only contacts).
• ☑️ It works even if the old device broke, but the backup was created in advance.

There are, however, downsides:

• ❌ Photos and videos take up a lot of space – a paid subscription (from 2 GB) will be required to transfer 50 GB.$ monthly).
• ❌ Some data (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) is not backed up in the Mi Cloud.
• ❌ Recovery can take several hours if the internet connection is slow.

If you use Google Account to sync your contacts and calendar, you can transfer them separately:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync (enable all the options you need).
2. On a new phone: log in to the same Google account and wait for automatic sync.

Manual transfer via cable OTG computer

If you only need to transfer files (photos, videos, music, documents) rather than system settings, you can do without special tools. This method is universal and works even between devices of different brands.

Method 1: Cable OTG + flash-drive

• 🔌 Connect. OTG-Adapter to an old smartphone and insert a flash drive.
• 📁 Copy the files you need (for example, a folder) DCIM photo-drive.
• 🔄 Connect the flash drive to the new phone and transfer the data back.

Method 2: Computer as a mediator

1. Connect your old smartphone to your PC through USB (Select the "File Transfer" mode").
2. Copy data (e.g. Pictures, Downloads, Music) to your computer.
3. Connect a new smartphone and transfer the files to it.

Advantages of the manual method:

• ✅ Full control over which files are transferred.
• ✅ No Internet or special applications required.
• ✅ You can sort files before copying (delete duplicates, unnecessary screenshots).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ No application settings are transferred, SMS, call-in.
• ❌ Additional equipment is required (OTG-adapter, flash drive or PC).
• ❌ With a lot of data, the process can take a long time.

Mi Mover|

Mi Cloud / Google Account|

Manual copying via PC/OTG|

Another method-->

4. Complete backup and recovery through TWRP

For advanced users who want to transfer absolutely everything, including system settings, wallpaper, widgets and even game data, the method through the use of the Internet is suitable. TWRP (Custom recovery. This method requires unlocking the bootloader and installing it. TWRP, It allows for the most complete migration.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader on both devices (instructions are available on the 4PDA or XDA Developers).
2. Install TWRP via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot reboot recovery
3. On an old phone in TWRP Select "Backup" and mark all the sections (System, Data, Boot).
4. Copy the backup file to a PC or flash drive.
5. On the new phone in TWRP Select "Restore" and download the saved backup.

This method is only suitable for devices with the same processor architecture (e.g. Snapdragon 865). → Snapdragon 870: Transferring the backup from MediaTek to Snapdragon will lead to errors.

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method TWRP — the only way to transfer game data (e.g., progress to Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) without being linked to your account.

Risks of the method:

• ⚠️ In case of incorrect recovery, it is possible to loop the load (bootloop).
• ⚠️ On new devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13/14) Unlocking the bootloader resets all data.
• ⚠️ Some banking applications may stop working due to modified system partitions.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is saving these apps, for example, in WhatsApp or Viber you need to create a backup chat separately, and in games you need to link an account to Google Play Games or Facebook.

How to transfer data from popular applications:

For transfer APK-Application files (without data) can be used:

• 📱 APK Extractor (extracts installed equipment) APK old-phone).
• 🖥️ ADB (Adb pull /data/app copy-in).

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If the application is not recovering from the backup, try manually copying the folder. /Android/data/[name of the package to a new device, which will work for some games and programs.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when using official tools, users are facing problems, and here are the most common ones:

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn’t see one of the devices

• 🔹 Check whether Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth are enabled on both phones.
• 🔹 Reboot both devices.
• 🔹 Make sure that they have one version installed. MIUI (or at least compatible).

Problem 2: No photos or videos are tolerated

• 🔹 In Mi Mover, check that the tick is opposite Multimedia".
• 🔹 If the files are stored on SD-Connect it to the new phone manually.
• 🔹 Check if files are hidden (sometimes the.nomedia folder interferes with the display).

Problem 3: Apps are not recoverable from the backup

• 🔹 Make sure the new phone has enabled Application Recovery in Mi Cloud.
• 🔹 Some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) block the transfer because DRM-defense.
• 🔹 Try installing apps manually from Google Play and then recovering data.

Problem 4: New device brakes after data transfer

⚠️ Attention: If after the migration, the smartphone became slower to work, the reason may be the transfer of the cache of applications or fragmented files:

• 🔹 Reset the device.
• 🔹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔹 If the problem persists, reset to factory settings and transfer the data selectively.

7. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If standard methods don’t work, third-party utilities can be used, which often offer more flexibility but require caution (especially root-based ones).

Popular applications for data transfer:

• 📲 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi) – an alternative to Mi Mover with advanced settings.
• 📲 Send Anywhere – transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct without limiting the scope.
• 📲 Titanium Backup (requires root) – for full backup of applications and their data.
• 📲 Swift Backup is a Titanium Backup, but with a simpler interface.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• ☑️ Cross-platform portability is often supported (e.g. from Xiaomi to Samsung).
• ☑️ Offer additional options (backup compression, encryption).
• ☑️ You can transfer data selectively (for example, only WhatsApp or games).

Risks:

• ❌ Some apps require root rights, which voids the warranty.
• ❌ Possible data leaks when using little-known utilities.
• ❌ Not all apps work correctly with the latest versions. MIUI.

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The side of the application is convenient for selective transfer, but for a full migration it is better to use official tools (Mi Mover or Mi Cloud).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions