How to transfer all data from Xiaomi Redmi to another phone: the complete guide

Why Standard Copying Methods Don’t Always Work

Transferring data between Xiaomi Redmi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter nuances. Regular copying files through a wire or the cloud often leaves out application settings, call history or messenger data. And if you are talking about switching from Redmi Note 10 to Redmi 13 Pro, the difference in the MIUI version can add to the complexity: new models do not always correctly recognize backups from old devices.

Another trap is binding to a Mi Account. Without authorization in the same Xiaomi profile, some data (such as notes or calendar entries) simply won’t move. And if you use Dual Apps or Second Space, standard tools will ignore them. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of data migration between Xiaomi smartphones, including hidden MIUI functions and workarounds for problem cases.

1.Official method: Mi Mover via OTG cable

The most reliable method from Xiaomi itself is the Mi Mover utility built into MIUI firmware, which works even without the Internet and carries almost everything from contacts to Wi-Fi passwords.

• 🔌 Both phones should be on MIUI 9+ (Use the Mi Cloud on older versions).
• 📱 The receiver must be new or reset to factory settings.
• 🔄 Redmi with a plug. USB-C need to OTG-adapter (for models with Micro-USB – special cable) USB-A → Micro-USB).

How to start the transfer:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On the new device, select I am a new user → Transfer from Android at the first setup.
3. Connect the phones with a cable through OTG-Adapter. Confirmation of connection will be requested on the screen, allow access.
4. Select the data types to transfer (you can mark everything) and wait until it's done. It takes 10 to 40 minutes depending on the volume.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has data, Mi Mover will suggest resetting it to factory settings!

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Download the latest updates MIUI|Prepare. OTG-adaptor|Free up space on a new device (at least 20% free space is required)-->

2. Cloud Transfer via Mi Cloud

If you don't have a cable, and you need to get the data quickly, Mi Cloud is the best option.

• 📇 Contacts, messages and call log.
• 📅 Calendar, notes and entries in Mi Notes.
• 📸 Photo and video (if you have Autoupload enabled in the Gallery).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (only if both phones are linked to the same Xiaomi account).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync. Turn on sliders for all the necessary data and wait for the download to be completed.
2. On the new device, sign in to the same Xiaomi account and enable sync in Mi Cloud.
3. The data will start to download automatically. Connect to Wi-Fi to speed up.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Installed applications are not portable (only their data if the application supports backup).
• 📶 Large files (video in the video) 4K, Game backups may not load due to traffic restriction.
• 🔒 If the old phone had a Secure Gallery Album on, its contents would not sync.

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Before syncing, check if there is enough space in the Mi Cloud. Free is only 5 GB, but you can free up space by deleting old backups in Settings → Mi Cloud → Storage Management.

3. Move through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and mail)

If you use Google services, you can transfer some of the data through them, and this is universal, and it works even when you switch from Redmi to a smartphone of a different brand.

• 📇 Contacts (if stored in a Google account, not in your phone’s memory).
• 📅 Calendar and tasks.
• 📧 Emails and tags from Gmail.
• 📍 Location history (if included in Google Chronology).

How to set up:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync. Enable all the options you need.
2. On the new device, add the same Google account and enable sync.
3. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to an hour with a large amount of data).

⚠️ Note: If contacts on old Redmi are saved to Local Memory (check in Contacts) → Settings → Contact management, you must first export them to your Google account. → ⋮ → Management → Exports/imports → Export to Google account.

4.Alternative methods: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct and third-party applications

If standard methods are not suitable, you can use:

📲 Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

It is suitable for transferring individual files (photos, videos, documents), but not system data.

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones.
2. On the old device, select files in the Gallery or Files, click Share → Bluetooth.
3. Take the files on the new phone.

For large volumes (for example, folders with photos), it is better to use Wi-Fi Direct:

• Activate Wi-Fi Direct in Settings → Wi-Fi → More
• Connect to a network created by another phone and use Explorer to transfer files.

📱 Third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)

These programs create a local network between phones and transmit data without the cloud.

• ⚡ Speed is faster than Bluetooth.
• 📁 You can transfer the entire folder.
• 🔗 There are no restrictions on file sizes.

Cons: Some applications (such as SHAREit) display ads and collect user data.

Mi Mover (cable)|Mi Cloud|Google Account|Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct|Annex side (SHAREit et al.)-->

5. Transfer applications and their data (including games)

Standard methods don’t always correctly port installed applications and their data (for example, progress in games or settings of messengers).

🎮 For games and apps with accounts

Most modern games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) are linked to a Google Play account, Facebook or a developer’s own profile.

1. Make sure the game is linked to your account (check in the game settings).
2. Install the game on a new phone from Google Play.
3. Sign in to the same account – progress will be automatically pulled.

📦 For applications without cloud synchronization

If the app does not support backup (such as some banking programs or local games), use:

• Titanium Backup (requires root rights) – creates a full copy of the application with data.
• Swift Backup (runs without root on some firmware) – similarly saves APK and data.
• ADB Backup (for advanced users) – a command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab Restore can be commanded: adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Backups created through Titanium Backup or ADB, You may not recover on a new version of Android (for example, when switching from Redmi Note 8 to Redmi 13 Pro with Android 13!

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face challenges, and consider typical cases and solutions:

🔄 Mi Mover doesn't see the second phone

Reasons and methods of correction:

• 🔌 The cable problem/OTG — Try another adapter or check the integrity of the wire.
• 📱 Different versions MIUI — Update the firmware on both devices to the latest version.
• 🔒 Lockdown USB-Debugging - include it in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → USB-debugging.

📁 Mi Cloud does not sync photos

What to do:

• Check if autoboot is enabled in Gallery → Settings → Cloud Sync.
• Free up space in the cloud (remove old backups).
• Reboot the phone and re-enable the sync.

🔑 Wi-Fi passwords lost after transfer

If the networks are not connected via Mi Cloud, export them manually:

1. Install WiFi Password Viewer (requires root) or use ADB: adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml
2. Transfer the file to a new phone and import through the same app.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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For the most complete data transfer, combine methods: use Mi Mover for system settings, Mi Cloud for backup, and Google Account or third-party apps for the rest.