How to quickly and safely transfer all files from Android to Xiaomi: The Complete Guide 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to saving all the important data from the old device. Contacts, photos, videos, messages and even app settings all need to be transferred without loss and with minimal time. But how do you do it right if both devices are running Android, but one of them is a product of the Xiaomi ecosystem with its unique features?

In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to transfer files between Android devices, focusing on the nuances of working with Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO. You will learn which method is suitable for large data volumes (for example, transferring 100 data).+ How to avoid losing quality media files, and why standard Bluetooth might be the worst choice. We will also reveal the secrets of the Mi Mover branded tool, which many Xiaomi users underestimate, and show how to circumvent restrictions when transferring through cloud services.

Special attention will be paid to the problem of duplicate contacts when syncing through a Google account – this is one of the most common mistakes that users face when switching to Xiaomi. And for those who like automation, we have prepared instructions for configuring seamless data transfer through Mi Account, saving the call history and the user experience. SMS.

1. Preparing devices for data transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you start moving files, there are a few critical steps to follow: neglecting them can lead to data loss, slowing down the process, or even corrupting files, starting with the most obvious but often ignored point:

Clean up garbage on both devices. On an old smartphone, delete unnecessary files (app cache, duplicate photos, uploaded memes), and on the new Xiaomi, check the free space. For example, to transfer 50 GB of data to the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 256 GB of memory will require at least 60-70 GB of free space (the system reserves some memory for your needs).

Delete unnecessary files on your old device

Check the space available on the new Xiaomi (minimum) +20% of the volume of data transferred)

Update both devices to the latest version

Connect both phones to charge (the process can take several hours)

Disable VPN and energy saving modes

Backup of critical data (contacts, passwords)

-->

Updating your firmware is another mandatory step. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches. This is important because in older versions, MIUI (for example, before MIUI (13) the Mi Mover instrument was not operating smoothly, and in MIUI 14+ Support for data transfer via Wi-Fi Direct without connecting to the router.

⚠️ Note: If your old device has data encryption enabled (e.g., Samsung with Knox), some transmission methods may not work. OTG.

Just as important is synchronizing accounts. Make sure that both devices share the same Google account (for contacts, calendar, email) and, if necessary, one Mi Account (for Xiaomi branded features), which will save you from duplicate data after porting. For example, if you sync contacts through Google on an old phone, and on a new Xiaomi enable sync via Mi Account, there may be a conflict of versions.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for painless transfer

Mi Mover is built into the MIUI An app that allows you to transfer data directly between Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices POCO. Its main advantage is support for system data transfer: call history, SMS, Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper and even some app settings (such as those on WhatsApp:

• 📱 It only works between devices on MIUI (On pure Android or smartphones of other brands is not supported).
• 🔌 Requires a connection to a single Wi-Fi network or a direct Wi-Fi Direct connection.
• ⏳ Transfer speed depends on the version MIUI: on MIUI 14+ up to 10 MB / s, on older versions - up to 5 MB / s.
• 🚫 Does not transmit certain protected data (for example, Wi-Fi passwords if stored in Google Smart Lock).

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select the option “Data Transfer” (if the phone is already configured, find the Mi Mover app in the menu).
2. On an older device, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not from Xiaomi) or open the built-in app.
3. Select a role: the new device is the Recipient, the old one is the Sender.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, multimedia, applications) and confirm the beginning.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has Android 10 or older, and the new Xiaomi — MIUI 14 based on Android 13, some apps may not be portable due to security policy changes, in which case they will have to be installed manually.

The Mi Mover has the advantage of being able to move system settings over its peers (such as Samsung Smart Switch), for example, if you had a raise-to-wake feature on your old phone or navigation gestures set up, it will automatically be used on the new Xiaomi, but alternative methods are better for transferring files larger than 50 GB, since the Mi Mover can hover over large volumes.

Method 2: Transmission via cable OTG — maximum speed and reliability

Cable use USB OTG (It's one of the fastest and most reliable ways to transfer data, especially if you're talking about tens of gigabytes of photos and videos. USB 3.0 can reach 40-60 MB/s (versus 5-10 MB/s over Wi-Fi), and the risk of data loss is minimal:

• 🔌 Cable required USB-C — USB-C (For modern Xiaomi or adapter USB-A — USB-C (If you have a microUSB connector on your old phone).
• 📱 On the old device must be enabled mode "File transfer" (MTP), Not "Only charging".
• 🔋 Both phones must be charged at least 50% – long-term transfer of large files consumes a lot of energy.
• 🛑 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) when connected OTG A warning about overheating may appear – in this case, use an active powered hub.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the cable. OTG New Xiaomi (if you use an adapter, connect it to the cable first).
2. Connect the old device to the adapter. On the screen of the old phone, select File Transfer Mode (if you request it).
3. On the new Xiaomi, open the Explorer (built-in Files app).
4. In the Devices section, you'll see a folder with an old phone, open it and copy the files you want (like a folder). DCIM (c) photo) in internal memory or on SD-map.

To speed up the process, you can use a file manager with support for dual-panel mode, for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer: You can open both folders (old and new) at the same time and drag and drop files with your mouse (if connected to a PC) or gestures on the screen.

💡

If you are copying large files (>4GB) an error appears, break them into pieces using an archiver (e.g., ZArchiver) or use the exFAT format for a computer. SD-map.

Method 3: Cloud services – convenient but limited

The use of cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Disk) is the most versatile way, but it is not suitable for all cases. The main advantages are that you do not need to physically connect devices, files are available from any gadget, and you can selectively download only the right ones.

• ☁️ Volume limit: free Google Drive only gives 15 GB, Mi Cloud – 5 GB.
• ⏳ Download/download speed depends on the Internet connection (on the mobile Internet). 4G 10GB transfers can take hours).
• 🔒 Some files may not be downloaded due to service policies (e.g. Google Drive blocks the service). APK-Files as potentially dangerous).
• 📱 On Xiaomi, when downloading through Mi Cloud, files are saved to a folder /MIUI/CloudBackup, not always convenient to find.

Optimal algorithm for cloud transfer:

1. On an old phone, upload files to the cloud (e.g., Google Drive through the Backup folder).
2. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same account and download files. Connect to Wi-Fi 5 GHz to speed up.
3. For media files, use Google Photos: enable autosynchronization on your old phone, and on a new one, wait until the download is completed (it can take up to a day for large libraries).

An important nuance for Xiaomi: if you are using Mi Cloud, make sure that the new device has enabled the option “Sync through mobile data” (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud, otherwise files will only be downloaded over Wi-Fi, which will slow down the process.

⚠️ Note: When transferring contacts via Google Account to Xiaomi, there may be duplication if the contacts in Mi Account have already been saved on the device. Before synchronization, export the contacts to the.vcf file and import them manually through Contacts. → Settings → Imports/Exports".

5. Method 4: Local area network (Wi-Fi Direct, FTP, SAMBA) — cableless

If you don't. OTG-It's a cable, but you have access to a single Wi-Fi network, you can organize file transfer over a local network, which is faster than cloud services (up to 15-20 MB / s) and does not require Internet:

Option 1: Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection)

Suitable for transfer between Xiaomi and other Android devices, on both phones:

1. Activate Wi-Fi Direct in Wi-Fi settings.
2. Create an access point on one device, connect to it on the other.
3. Use a file manager with Wi-Fi support (e.g., file manager, ES Conductor or X-Plore).

Option 2: FTP-server

Install the application on the old device FTP Server (e.g. WiFi) FTP Server, start the server and connect to it from the new Xiaomi via "Conductor" → Network storage → FTP". The address will be like ftp://192.168.x.x:2221.

Option 3: SAMBA (for advanced users)

If both devices are connected to the same router, you can configure SAMBA-It's going to take a server on Xiaomi:

Install MiXplorer (with support for SAMBA).


2 In the router settings, enable SMB (usually under "USB- drive").




3. Connect to the network folder via smb://192.168.1.1 (IP router).

Warning for Xiaomi: on some models (e.g., on some models, POCO F5) Mobile Internet may be disabled when transmitted over Wi-Fi Direct. To avoid this, turn on the option "Support for Wi-Fi and Mobile Network at the same time" in Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additionally.

6. Method 5: Transfer over PCs – When nothing helps

If none of the previous methods work (e.g. you have an old Xiaomi without Mi Mover support or a damaged connector). USB), You can use a computer as an intermediary, and this is universal, but it requires an additional device:

1. Connect the old device to the PC via USB and copy the files to the hard drive.
2. Turn off the old device and connect the new Xiaomi.
3. Move your files from your PC to your smartphone. Use it to speed up. USB 3.0 port (blue connector).

To send contacts and messages via PC:

• 📇 Export contacts to.vcf via Google Contacts on your old phone.
• 💬 For SMS use the app SMS Backup & Restore (Saves Conversations in the XML).
• 📥 On the new Xiaomi, import files through the same apps.

Important for Xiaomi: when connecting to a PC in mode MTP some folders (e.g, MIUI Or Android can be hidden. To see them, turn on the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer (View) → Hidden elements).

💡

Use a PC to port if you need to filter files (e.g., leave only photos for the last year) or if other methods don't work due to hardware limitations.

7. Method 6: Transfer via messengers and mail - for small files

If you only need to transfer a few files (like documents or individual photos), you can use messengers or email, which is not suitable for large volumes, but is convenient for transferring:

• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX) — via Telegram (limit 2 GB per file).
• 📷 Individual photos via WhatsApp (up to 16MB compression) or Viber.
• 🔑 Passwords and notes – via Google Keep or Mi Notes (synchronized with your account).

For Xiaomi, there is a nuance: when you send files through Mi Drop (built-in sharing app), they are saved to a folder. /MIUI/Drop, which you will have to carry to the right place (for example, in the DCIM photo).

Limitations:

• 🚫 WhatsApp compresses the photo to 1920px on the long side, video - up to 16 MB.
• ⏱️ Telegram files >1.5GB loaded as "large" and cannot be viewed without downloading.
• 📧 Email services (Gmail, Yandex) limit investments of 25-50 MB.

8. Method 7: Backup and Restore with Mi Account

The Mi Account allows you to back up your settings, apps, and some user data, a method that is useful if you are switching from one Xiaomi to another, but has limitations:

What persists:

• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, gestures).
• 📱 List of installed applications (but not their data!).
• 📞 Call history and SMS (Only if synchronization is enabled).
• 📁 Some files from the folder MIUI/Backup.

What is NOT saved:

• 🚫 Photo and video from the gallery.
• 🚫 Music and documents.
• 🚫 Application data (e.g. saves in games).

How to make a backup copy:

1. Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Backup.
2. Select the data to save and click "Create backup".
3. On the new device, log in to the same Mi Account and restore the data.

This is a quick way to move settings, but it won’t replace full file transfer, for example, if you restore a backup on Xiaomi 14, you’ll get the same wallpaper and notification sounds as you did on your old phone, but you’ll have to transfer photos and videos separately.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions