How to transfer data from one Xiaomi to another: all the ways of 2026

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment: how to save all the important data, not lose photos, contacts or app settings? Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem offers several convenient ways to migrate data between devices. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, from standard tools to alternative solutions for complex cases.

It’s important to understand that the choice of method depends on the amount of data, Internet speed and even the model of your Xiaomi. For example, flagship devices (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) support wireless transmission over Wi-Fi Direct at speeds up to 100 Mbps, whereas budget models can be limited to classic Bluetooth or cloud backup. We will consider the pros and cons of each option, and will give recommendations for optimizing the process.

If you're in a hurry, use the quick checklist at the end of the first section, and for those who want to get to the bottom of it, there are step-by-step instructions with screenshots (available by clicking on spoilers) and a method comparison table.

1. Standard migration via Mi Mover (Wi-Fi Direct)

The easiest and most recommended way Xiaomi uses is the built-in Mi Mover tool, which works on all devices with MIUI 9 and newer (this is almost all smartphones released after 2017) and allows you to transfer:

• 📱 Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS) call-book
• 📸 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums, if synced)
• 🎵 Music and audio files (except DRM-track-protected)
• 📁 Documents from Download folders, Documents and Root Directory
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, sound profiles)

The advantage of the method is that it is not necessary on the Internet or a computer: data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi Direct (similar to Apple’s AirDrop), the speed depends on the model, but on average it is 20-30 Mbps (for example, 10 GB photos will be transferred in 30-40 minutes).

Charge both smartphones at least 50% |

Make sure the new device has enough memory |

Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (optional, but will speed up search)|

Turn off VPN and power saving modes |

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

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Step-by-step:

1. On an old smartphone, open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Transfer data.
2. Select I sender and wait for generation QR-code.
3. On the new device, in the initial setup process, select Data Transfer from another device → Android → scan QR.
4. Confirm the connection on both phones and select the data types to transfer.
5. Wait until the process is completed (don't interrupt!) and a report of the transferred files will appear on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: If the new smartphone has already been performed initial setting, reset it to the factory (Settings) → Reset settings) or use alternative methods from the following sections. Mi Mover only works when you first turn on!

2. Transfer over Mi Cloud (cloud storage)

If you have slow Wi-Fi or want to transfer data in advance (for example, before buying a new phone), use Mi Cloud, a cloud storage from Xiaomi.

• 📇 Contacts, Notes (Mi Notes) and Calendars
• 📱 Messages (only if synchronization is enabled in Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud)
• 📸 Photo and video (when manually uploaded to the Gallery) → Mi Cloud)
• ⚙️ Settings of some system applications (e.g. Topics or Security)

The main disadvantage is the restriction of free storage (5 GB). To transfer a large amount of data, you will have to buy additional space (from 100 GB per device). ~300 ₽/year) or use methods from the following sections.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On old phone: Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Sync Turn on switches for the desired data (contacts, notes, etc.) Wait for the sync to complete (cloud icon will turn green)
2. On new phone: Sign in to the same Mi Account during settings Or: Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Restore

3. Data transmission via OTG cable or adapter

If you don't have Wi-Fi or Mi Cloud access and you have more than 10GB of data, use a direct cable connection.

• 🔌 adapter OTG (for example, Xiaomi USB-C to USB-A OTG) cable USB-C to USB-C (new-model).
• 📱 File Manager (Embedded Files or Solid Explorer).

This method allows you to transfer any files (including APK applications), but does not transfer:

• ❌ System settings and accounts
• ❌ Application data (e.g. saves in games)
• ❌ SMS call-book

Instructions:

1. Connect the OTG adapter to the new smartphone and the old phone to the adapter via cable.
2. On the new device, open Files and select USB-storage (this is the memory of an old phone).
3. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photo, download, etc.) to internal memory or SD-map.
4. To transfer applications, copy files with the.apk extension from the /data/app/ folder (root access is required!).

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If the new smartphone does not recognize the old as USB-drive, turn on the old phone file transfer mode (MTP) plug-in.

4.Use of computer and MIUI Suite

For users who prefer full control of the process, the official utility MIUI Suite (formerly Mi PC Suite) is suitable.

• 🖥️ Create full backups (including applications and their data).
• 🔄 Restore backups to a new phone.
• 📂 Manage files through a conductor.

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ It does not work with all models (for example, POCO F5 and newer may not be supported).
• ⚠️ Requires the installation of Xiaomi drivers on PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Download MIUI Suite from the official website pcsuite.mi.com.
2. Connect your old smartphone to your PC via USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version).
3. In the program, select Backup and tick the necessary data.
4. After creating a backup, plug in a new phone and select Restore.

⚠️ Attention: If MIUI Suite doesn't see the phone, try: Reinstall drivers via Mi Flash Tool. USB-port USB Disable the antivirus (it can block the connection).

5. Alternative ways: Google Account and third-party apps

If you use Google services, data transfer can be done through a Google account, which is suitable for:

• 📇 Contacts, calendars and mail (Gmail).
• 📸 Photos and videos (via Google Photos with unlimited storage for "high quality").
• 🎮 Data of certain games (if linked to Google Play Games).

How to move:

1. On old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Synchronization Enable all the necessary items
2. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account – the data is synced automatically.

To transfer the rest of the data (music, documents, messages) use third-party applications:

• 📲 ShareMe (Mi Drop) – wireless file transfer between Xiaomi devices (speeds up to 20 MB / s).
• 📲 Send Anywhere – a cross-platform service for transferring large files (up to 10 GB at a time).
• 📲 Titanium Backup (requires root) – to port data applications.

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Google Photos automatically compresses video when downloading in "high quality." To transfer the originals, use Mi Mover or OTG cable.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔴 Mi Mover does not find the device: Make sure both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even if you use Wi-Fi Direct).Reboot both devices. Turn off Responsive Wi-Fi in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally.
• 🔴 Lack of space in Mi Cloud: Clear unnecessary backups in Settings → Mi Cloud → Storage management. Use Google Photos to transfer media files.

Applications are not restored:

1. Check if the new device supports the old CPU architecture (e.g., the Redmi Note 8 on the Snapdragon 665 is not compatible with the POCO X5 on the Snapdragon 695 over the APK).
2. Download the apps again from Google Play – the data will be restored if they are synced with the account.

If none of the methods worked, try manual transfer:

1. Copy all files to your computer via MTP.
2. Install the same apps from Google Play on your new phone.
3. Move the files back by placing them in the same folders (e.g. DCIM/Camera for photo).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions