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

Transferring data between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or sharing large files. Unlike the iPhone, where sync is standardized through iCloud, the Android ecosystem offers dozens of options, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party applications. But what method to choose if both devices are from Xiaomi? And how to avoid typical errors, such as a transmission interruption or loss of media quality?

In this guide, we will look at 8 proven ways to transfer data, from the official Mi Mover to the hidden features of MIUI 14/15, which work even without the Internet. Particular attention will be paid to the problem of transmitting contacts and SMS via Bluetooth on the new Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 models, where standard methods often fail.

1.Official tool: Mi Mover (without loss of quality)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for transferring data between devices to MIUI. The app is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand (starting with Redmi 5 and Mi 8) and supports transfer of:

• 📁 Files (photos, videos, music, documents)
• 📞 Contacts, SMS and call logs
• 📱 Applications (with data storage, if APK compatible)
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

To use Mi Mover, follow the steps:

1. On an old smartphone, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or search through the settings).
2. On the new device, run the same application and select I receive data.
3. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point on an old smartphone.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new device on an old one (or enter it) PIN-manually).
5. Select data categories for transmission and confirm the beginning of the process.

Charge both devices > 50%|Release. 10-15% memory on a new smartphone|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Check the compatibility of versions MIUI (difference 2 version)-->

Important nuances:

• ⚡ Transfer speed depends on the version MIUI: on MIUI 14+ process 2-3 faster than the protocol optimization.
• 🔌 If the transmission is interrupted, try connecting the devices through USB-OTG (Type-C adapter is required → Type-C).
• 📛 On models POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T Mi Mover may not display app transfer option – this is a restriction of Google Play policy.

2. Fast transmission over Bluetooth (limitations and workarounds)

Bluetooth is the most versatile way, but Xiaomi has 3 key issues with it:

1. File size limit (maximum 50MB per transfer)
2. The inability to transfer folders is only individual files.
3. On MIUI 13+, when you transfer contacts over Bluetooth, they are duplicated in Google Contacts and MI Contacts.

To circumvent these restrictions:

1. For large files, use archive breakdown (for example, via RAR or ZArchiver).
2. To transfer folders, enable Settings on both devices → Additional → Transfer files over Bluetooth in original quality (available on MIUI 12.5+).
3. For contacts, export them to.vcf via Contacts → Management → Export/Import.

Bluetooth|Wi-Fi Direct| USB|Cloud Services |Special applications-->

The speed of Bluetooth transfer on Xiaomi depends on the version of the protocol:

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 When transferring files over Bluetooth, there may be a "failed to send" error. Solution: disable Adaptive Bluetooth in connection settings.

3. Wi-Fi Direct: Transfer without Internet at high speed

Wi-Fi Direct is a technology that allows devices to connect directly without a router. On Xiaomi, it is more stable than Bluetooth, and supports file transfers of up to 1 GB at a time. The main advantage is the speed of up to 25 Mbps (5-10 times faster than Bluetooth).

How to turn on:

1. On both smartphones, open Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. Activate the function and wait for the devices to detect each other.
3. Confirm the connection on both screens.
4. In the file manager (MI File Manager) select files, click Share → Wi-Fi Direct.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔄 If the devices can’t see each other, restart the Wi-Fi module: → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting Wi-Fi.
• 📶 Nana POCO M4 Pro and Redmi. 10C Wi-Fi Direct can shut down after 5 minutes of inactivity – increase the timeout in Developer Settings → Timeout Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔒 If the transmission is interrupted, disable Autoconnection to known networks in Wi-Fi settings.

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To speed up transmission over Wi-Fi Direct, switch both devices to Flight Mode, leaving only Wi-Fi on, which will reduce interference from the mobile network.

4. USB OTG cable: maximum speed and reliability

Transfer of data through USB-cable is the fastest and most stable method, but requires a Type-C adapter. → Type-C (or Micro-USB) → Type-C for older models, speeds up to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0 or 5 Gbit/s (USB 3.0 on Xiaomi 12 Pro and newer).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect both smartphones with a cable through OTG-adapter.
2. On the original device, select File Transfer (MTP) in the connection notification.
3. On the receiving smartphone, open MI File Manager and go to the section USB-device.
4. Copy the files you need to store your new phone.

Important points:

• 🔌 Nana POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T when connected through USB You may have a device not identified error. Solution: turn on Debugging by USB in Developer Settings.
• 📂 To transfer applications (.apk) use App Cloner or APK Extractor is standard. MI File Manager does not copy application data.
• ⚡ If the transmission speed is below 10 MB/s, check the cable: cheap OTG-Adapters often limit bandwidth.

⚠️ Attention: When transmitting through USB Do not remove the cable until the operation is complete – this may cause damage to the file system. F2FS, squatted MIUI 13+.

5. Cloud Services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud and Alternatives

Cloud storage is convenient for data transfer over a distance or if you don’t have physical access to both devices. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud service (5GB for free), but it has limitations:

• 📁 Maximum file size – 2 GB.
• 🔄 Synchronization of contacts and SMS works only MIUI Global. MIUI China needs manual adjustment).
• 📶 Download speed depends on the region: in Russia and Europe it is limited to 10 Mbps.

Alternatives:

• 🌍 Google Drive – 15GB free, but photo compression (can be turned off in settings).
• ☁️ Yandex Drive – 10 GB free, there are no limits on file size for downloaded through the browser.
• 🔗 Telegram – channels or saved messages (limit 2 GB per file).

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On an old smartphone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization (select data to download).
2. On the new device, log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable sync.
3. Wait for the download to be completed (may take up to several hours with a large volume).

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To transfer photos in original quality through Google Drive, turn off the “High Traffic Savings” option in the Google Photos app settings before downloading.

6 Third-party applications: ShareMe, Xender, Snapdrop

If the built-in MIUI tools don't fit, use specialized apps.The best options for Xiaomi are:

Instructions for ShareMe (Mi Drop):

1. Open the app on both devices.
2. On the sending smartphone, select Send, on the receiving one – Receive.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🛑 If ShareMe doesn’t find the device, check if the connection is blocking the Firewall. MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Permits → firewall).
• 📡 Nana POCO X3 Redmi 9 Xender can brake - in the application settings, turn off "Speed up transfer".
• 🔗 For Snapdrop, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or one smartphone gives the Internet away).

7 Contact and SMS Transfer: Hidden MIUI Functions

Transferring contacts and messages is one of the most difficult tasks when switching to a new Xiaomi. Standard methods (Bluetooth, Mi Mover) often work incorrectly, especially if contacts are saved in a Google Account or if they are not used in the same way. SIM-map.

Methods of transferring contacts:

• 📇 Export to.vcf: Open Contacts → Management → Export: Select a storage location (internal memory or storage). SD-Transfer the file to a new smartphone and import via the same path.

Synced through Google:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Synchronization.
2. On the new device, log in to the same account and enable synchronization.
3. 📱 MIUI Backup (Hidden Function): Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local Backup Select Contacts and Messages, create a backup, then restore it to a new device.
4. Application portability: List of installed applications can be exported through App List Backup (Play Market). APK-Remove the files with APK Extractor and transfer to a new smartphone.

Typical problems and solutions:

• 🔄 If the Mi Mover does not see the Samsung device, you need to turn off the Knox (Settings) → Biometrics and safety → Other security parameters → Turn off Knox).
• 📱 On Huawei, turn off before transfer EMUI Optimization in the Developer Settings.
• 📁 If files are not copied via cable, check the file system format: Xiaomi does not support exFAT on external drives (only) FAT32 or NTFS).

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When switching from Huawei to Xiaomi, don’t use Huawei’s Phone Clone – it doesn’t transfer data to devices with MIUI 13+.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer to Xiaomi