How to transfer data from one Xiaomi Redmi to another: from contacts to applications

The transition to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache. Even if both devices run on MIUI, the nuances of the firmware versions, differences in models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi 10C) or the lack of cable can complicate the process. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of migration, from the official MIUI Transfer tool to manual methods for power users.

The main problem with portability is that not all data is copied equally efficiently, for example, messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) require a separate backup, and the settings of some applications (for example, banking) are not automatically transferred at all, we tested each method on real devices and identified the pros/cons of each so that you can choose the best option for your situation.

1.Official method: MIUI Transfer (fastest)

MIUI Transfer is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for migrating data between devices on MIUI 12 and later, and works on a point-to-point (no cloud) principle and supports porting:

• 📱 Contacts, including groups and notes thereto
• 📷 Photos and videos (including albums and metadata)
• 💬 SMS/MMS call history
• 🎵 Music and documents (except DRM-secure files)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi network)

To use MIUI Transfer, both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or via a hotspot). On an old device, open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Data Transfer. On the new Redmi, run the Initial Setup Wizard and select Import from Another Device.

Charge both phones at least 50% | Connect to the same Wi-Fi network |Delete unnecessary files from your old device |Disable VPN on both phones

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An important nuance: if the new Redmi has already been performed initial setup, you will have to make a reset to the factory (via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset), otherwise the option of data transfer will disappear from the menu.

⚠️ Note: When transferring through MIUI Transfer is not copied: 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords (network names only) 💳 Data of banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) 🎮 Save games (if not synced to your account)

2. Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If both of your Xiaomi Redmis are linked to the same Google Account, most of the data is synced automatically.

• 🔄 You change your phone often and want to keep your story alive.
• ☁️ You have a stable Internet (data is loaded from the cloud)
• 📱 New device is already configured (no use is possible) MIUI Transfer)

To enable sync on your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and activate the switches for:

• 📇 Contacts
• 📅 calendar
• 📎 Notes (if you use Google Keep)
• 📷 Photos (via Google Photos with original quality)

On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select the Restore from Backup option and log in to the same account, which can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on data volume and Internet speed.

MIUI Transfer|Google Account|Manual Cable Transfer |Cloud Services (Yandex.Disk, Dropbox)|Another way

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⚠️ Note: Google Photos compresses images for free storage (High Quality) To transfer photos at the original resolution, make sure you have enough space in the cloud or use alternative methods (see Section 4).

3. Transfer via OTG cable or computer (for large volumes)

If you have a lot of media (e.g. 100+GB of photos and videos), cloud services or MIUI Transfer may be too slow.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (direct-to-phone connection)
• 💻 Computer as an intermediate link

Method 1: Direct connection via OTG

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (Type-C) → Type-C or MicroUSB → Type-C, depending on your Redmi ports).
2. Connect your old phone to your new phone via an adapter.
3. On the new device, open the MIUI File Manager and select the connected phone as an external drive.
4. Copy the folders you need (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures, etc.) to your new device.

Method 2: Using a computer (Windows/Mac)

1. Connect the old Redmi to the PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode in the Notification Curtain).
2. Copy all the data to the hard drive of the computer.
3. Connect the new phone and transfer the files back.

The advantage of this method is 100% control over the files being transferred, and the disadvantage is that it takes time and additional devices (OTG-adaptor).

4. Transfer of messages and chats (WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS)

Standard methods (MIUI Transfer or Google Account) do not keep the history of messengers completely.

Instructions for WhatsApp:

1. On your old phone, open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Create a local backup (the file will be in /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases).
3. Copy the msgstore.db.crypt14 file to a new phone (to the same folder).
4. Install WhatsApp on your new device and restore chats when you first start.

• 📌 The file name should start with msgstore.
• 📌 folder WhatsApp/Databases It should be in the root directory.
• 📌 The new phone should have the same number as the old one.

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5. Transfer applications and their data (without loss of progress)

Move it yourself. APK-Application files are simple (you can copy from the /data/app), But application data (saves, settings, cache) often stays on the old device:

Method 1: Built-in MIUI Backup

Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. Select the apps you want to save and create a backup. The file will be in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup. Copy it to a new phone and restore it through the same menu.

Method 2: Backup applications (root rights not needed)

• 📦 Swift Backup - Keeps the Backup APK + data (requires included data) ADB Backup).
• 🔄 App Backup & Restore is a simple interface, but not all apps are supported.
• ☁️ Titanium Backup is a powerful tool, but requires root rights.

Method 3: Synchronize through application accounts

Many apps (such as games from Gameloft or Supercell) are linked to Google Play accounts, Facebook or their own system (such as Mi Account for Xiaomi games).

1. Open the game/application settings.
2. Find the "Account" or "Sync" section.
3. Link your profile to a social network or email.
4. Sign in to the same account on the new phone.

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6. Transfer system settings and personalization

MIUI allows you to save and restore personal settings, such as:

• 🎨 Wallpaper and themes (including animated ones)
• 🔔 Notification and alarm clock sounds
• 📶 Mobile network settings (APN, regime 4G/5G)
• ⚡ Gestures and navigation buttons

To move these settings:

1. On an old phone, back up via Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select "System settings" and start the backup.
3. Copy the file. backup_*.mtz from the folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup new phone.
4. On the new device, restore the backup through the same menu.

Note that some settings (such as fingerprints or facial recognition) are not portable for security reasons. They will have to be reconfigured.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face problems. Consider the most common ones:

Problem 1: MIUI Transfer can't see an old device

• 🔌 Make sure both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 On your old phone, check that the “Visibility for other devices” mode is enabled in the settings. MIUI Transfer.

Problem 2: Google Photos don’t upload photos in their original quality

• ☁️ Check out Google One’s plan (free only “High Quality").
• 📸 In Google Photos settings, select “Original Quality” to download.
• 🔄 If the photos are already compressed, remove them from the cloud and upload them again.

Problem 3: Apps are not recoverable from the backup

• 📦 Make sure the new phone has enabled the "Application Recovery" option in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔒 Some apps (such as Netflix or banking) block data recovery.
• 🔄 Try to recover the backup with Swift Backup or Titanium Backup.

1. Reset the device.
2. Clean the cache in Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
3. Turn off the autoload of unnecessary applications in Settings → Battery → Autostart.

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions