How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Redmi: everything from Mi Mover to cloud redundancy

Transferring data from Xiaomi’s old smartphone to the new Redmi is a challenge that every user faces when upgrading their device. Even if both devices are powered by MIUI, the nuances of transferring photos, contacts, messages and applications can be challenging. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including the branded Mi Mover, cloud services and manual methods, taking into account the features of different versions of MIUI and smartphone models.

The main difference between Redmi and classic Xiaomi is optimization for the budget segment, which sometimes affects pre-installed utilities. For example, on some models Redmi Note may not be Mi Mover out of the box, and in older versions may be missing Mi Mover out of the box. MIUI 12 And below, sync problems with Xiaomi Cloud, and we've taken these nuances into account and prepared instructions that will work even if you have different versions of Android. 9 before 14) chipsets (Snapdragon/Mediatek).

1. Official method: Mi Mover (without loss of data)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for migrating data between devices to MIUI.

• 📱 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 📷 Photos and videos (folder structure is maintained)
• 💬 Communications (SMS and chats from Mi Messages)
• 🎵 Music and documents (except for music and documents) DRM-secure files)
• 📥 Installed applications (without data, if there is no backup copy)

To use the Mi Mover, both smartphones must have a version of MIUI 9 or later. On Redmi with pure Android (like the Redmi A2 or Redmi Go), this method does not work, you will have to use alternative methods.

Charge both smartphones at least on 50%|Connect to one Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz)|Release me. 1-2 GB of memory on the target device|Turn it off. VPN firewalls|Make sure that both phones have one Xiaomi account.-->

Step-by-step:

1. On Redmi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer. If the phone is already configured, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer.
2. On Xiaomi (old phone) run Mi Mover (download from Google Play if not available).
3. Click I send on the old phone and I receive on the new one.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the Redmi screen with Xiaomi camera.
5. Select the data types to be transferred and confirm the start of the process.

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is suspended during the “Data Preparation” stage, check whether the mode is enabled on Xiaomi “Saving traffic in Wi-Fi settings.” MIUI).

2. Cloud Transfer via Xiaomi Cloud

If Mi Mover doesn't work for some reason, the alternative is to back up to the cloud and then restore it, which is suitable for sending contacts, notes, calendars and some settings, but has limitations:

• 🚫 Does not transmit applications and their data (except for some system ones, for example, Mi Browser).
• 📁 Photos and videos are only copied if the synchronization of the Gallery is enabled.
• 🔒 Requires a Xiaomi account (both devices must have one account).

How to make a backup copy:

1. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select data to save (we recommend to note System settings, Contacts, Messages).
3. Click Start Reservation and wait until it is completed (can take up to 30 minutes depending on the volume).
4. On Redmi, log in to the same Xiaomi account and recover data from the cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.

⚠️ Attention: If the Redmi is standing MIUI for another region (e.g. Chinese firmware on global phone), recovery from the cloud may reset the language settings to Chinese. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

3. Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you don’t want to depend on the Xiaomi ecosystem, the most reliable way is to sync through Google Account, which works on any Android device, including Redmi with pure Android Go.

• 🔄 Synchronizes contacts, calendars, mail, notes (Google Keep).
• 📱 It works even if Redmi is a custom firmware.
• 🔒 Data is stored in Google Drive (15 GB free).

How to transfer data:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for the right categories.
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Google Contacts or Google Drive).
3. On Redmi, add the same Google Account and enable sync.
4. Use Google Photos to transfer photos (turn on autoload on your old phone).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not transmitting. SMS, Call history, Wi-Fi settings.
• 📱 Applications will have to be installed manually through Google Play.
• 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords) may not sync due to limitations. MIUI.

💡

If Redmi doesn’t show synced contacts, go to Contacts → Settings → Accounts and select to display contacts from Google, not Xiaomi.

4. Manual transfer via OTG or PC cable

If you need to transfer large files (4K video, game backups, archives) and wireless methods are too slow, use a direct connection via cable.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (If Redmi has support, USB Host).
• 💻 Computer as an intermediary (through the MTP or ADB).
• 🔄 adapter USB-C → USB-A (modern-model).

Instructions for connecting via PC:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folders you need (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures) on your PC.
3. Disable Xiaomi, connect Redmi and transfer files back.
4. To transfer applications, use ADB: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data (The access rights may be lost through the PC, which will cause errors in the applications on the new phone. ADB backup or specialized utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root).

💡

Direct cable copying is the only way to transfer files larger than 4GB (like 8K video or game backups).

5. Transfer through third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities, and they're useful for:

• 🎮 Transferring game data (e.g. saving to Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
• 📱 Cloning all settings (including wallpaper, notification sounds, launcher settings).
• 🔒 Bypassing restrictions MIUI (For example, if Mi Mover is disabled on corporate devices).

Top.-3 portability:

How to use Clone Phone:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On Xiaomi, choose the Old Phone, on Redmi, the New Phone.
3. Scan it. QR-link-code.
4. Select the data to be transmitted (you can note System Settings for full cloning).

6. Transfer data from broken or faulty Xiaomi

If the screen on Xiaomi is broken or the phone doesn’t turn on but reacts to a PC connection, try the following methods:

Method 1: Retrieving data via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Command Prompt in the ADB folder.
2. Check the connection: Adb devices
3. Copy the files you need: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Photos

Method 2: Use of Mi PC Suite (official utility)

• 🖥️ Download Mi. PC Suite from the official website.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC (even if the screen is not working, but the phone is defined as a device).
• 📁 The program will automatically prompt you to create a backup copy.

Method 3: Removal of memory card (if data is on SD)

• 📱 Turn off your phone and remove the microSD card.
• 💻 Connect it to Redmi via adapter or card reader.
• 🔍 Use it. FX File Explorer to find hidden folders (e.g.,.data with game saves).

⚠️ Note: If data encryption has been enabled on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Security, file extraction without a password will be impossible, in which case only unlocking the bootloader and flashing will help, but this will lead to complete data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer