How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi: a complete guide with proven methods

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, but many users face unexpected difficulties when trying to transfer data from an old Android device. Unlike the iPhone, which has a unified Quick Start, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several alternative solutions - from the branded Mi Mover to hidden MIUI features. The main problem is that not all methods work equally well with different brands (Samsung, Honor, Realme) and Android versions.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods of data transfer – from contacts and photos to messages and application settings, taking into account the features of firmware MIUI 14/15 You'll learn which method to choose based on data volume, PC availability, or Internet speed, and how to avoid common errors (such as a transmission interruption due to a transmission failure). USB-Debugging or incompatibility of Bluetooth versions).

Special attention will be paid to the hidden function of “Cloning device” in MIUI, which allows you to transfer even Wi-Fi passwords and game data without root rights – this method is rarely mentioned in official instructions, but works more stable than the classic Mi Mover on devices older than 2021.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary data migration app, pre-installed on all of the brand’s smartphones (starting with the Redmi Note 5), which supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, calendars, and even some settings of system applications.

• 📱 It only works between devices with Android 5.0+ (Older versions require manual installation APK).
• 🔌 Demands. USB-cable OTG (or adapter) for direct connection to “old telephone” → Xiaomi".
• ⚡ The speed of transmission depends on the firmware version: MIUI 14 process is 2-3 times faster than on MIUI 12.
• 🚫 Does not transfer data of some third-party applications (for example, WhatsApp or Viber – they need a separate backup).

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Xiaomi, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or find the app in the menu).
2. Select “I am a new user” and connect the old phone through the phone. OTG-cable.
3. On an old device, allow access to files (may need to enable) USB-Debugging in Developer Settings).
4. Select data types to transfer and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the cable!).

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Mover is stuck in the Prep phase, check if the old phone is power-saving, blocking the background activity of the app. Also remove all tasks from multitasking on both devices.

2. Cloning of the device (hidden MIUI function)

The least known, but most reliable, method is the built-in Device Cloning feature in MIUI, which allows you to transfer all data, including Wi-Fi passwords, application settings, and even encryption keys for some games, without the need for root access. It works on devices with MIUI 12.5+.

How to activate:

1. On the new Xiaomi go to Settings → Additional → Cloning of the device.
2. Select "Old Phone" and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. On the old device, scan. QR-The code that will appear on the new Xiaomi.
4. Connect to the temporary Wi-Fi network created by the new phone (password will be displayed on the screen).
5. Select the data to transfer and wait until it is completed (the process can take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has Android 10 or older, turn off Data Protection in your Wi-Fi settings before cloning. Otherwise, the process will be interrupted by 80% with the error "Can't connect".

Disable VPN on both phones |

Charge both devices at least 50% |

Make sure the new Xiaomi has enough memory |

Sign out of your Google account on your old phone (if you are using it) 2FA)-->

3. Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, photos and apps)

If you already have sync with a Google Account, this method will allow you to transfer basic data without additional applications. Suitable for contacts, calendars, mail, Google Keep notes and photos (via Google Photos).

• 📧 Communications (SMS) The call log is not synced via Google.
• 🎮 Data from games and some applications (such as Telegram or banking apps) are not portable.
• 📸 Photos and videos are uploaded to Google Photos in compressed quality (free up to 15 GB, then - paid).

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for the data you need.
2. On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts.
3. Wait for automatic synchronization (can take from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data).
4. For photos, set Google Photos on your new phone and turn on autoload.

To port applications (without data!) use Google Play → Library → Installed – all previously installed programs will be displayed here. Click "Install" for the desired ones.

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If contacts don’t show up after syncing, check Settings → Apps → Contacts → Contact Store – your Google account should be selected there, not local storage.

4. Local Wi-Fi transmission (without internet)

If you don't. OTG-If you're using cables, or you don't want to use cloud services, you can move data over your local Wi-Fi network, and you can do that with apps like Send Anywhere, Xender, or LocalSend:

• 🌐 No Internet connection (works through a direct Wi-Fi point).
• 📥 Transfer speeds up to 20MB/s (faster than Bluetooth).
• 🔒 Data encryption (Send Anywhere is used) 256-bit AES).

The following is a step-by-step guide for Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play.
2. On an old phone, select files to send and click "Send".
3. Select the "Connect Directly" method (will appear) QR-code).
4. On the new Xiaomi scan QR-code and confirm receipt.

⚠️ Note: When transferring a large amount of data (more than 4 GB), divide the files into parts of 2-3 GB. Otherwise, Send Anywhere may crash due to RAM limitations on budget Redmi models.

5. Transfer via computer (for large volumes)

If you want to move tens of gigabytes of data (like a RAW photo collection or 4K video), the most reliable way is to use a PC or Mac as an intermediary, which is also suitable if the old phone is broken screen, but it is determined by the computer.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with USB-ports (preferably) USB 3.0 for speed).
• 🔌 Two. USB-cable (one for an old phone, one for Xiaomi).
• 📁 Backup program (optional: Mi) PC Suite for Xiaomi).

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy all the files you need to your hard drive folder.
2. Turn off your old phone and connect a new Xiaomi.
3. Turn on Xiaomi's File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
4. Transfer files from the folder to your PC to Xiaomi memory (e.g., in Internal Storage → DCIM for photo).

To transfer contacts and messages via PC:

• Export your contacts on your old phone to the.vcf file (via Contacts → Export).
• Copy the file on your PC, then on the new Xiaomi.
• Import contacts through Contacts → Import.

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Use the exFAT format for flash drives if you copy files larger than 4GB. Standard FAT32 does not support large files.

6. Data transfer of WhatsApp and other messengers

Messages from WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram are not carried by standard methods (such as Mi Mover), and require special solutions:

WhatsApp

Official method:

1. On your old phone, back up your WhatsApp: ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup.
2. Copy /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases folder on your PC.
3. Install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi and confirm the number.
4. When requested, restore the backup from the Databases folder.

Telegram

All data is stored in the cloud, so it is enough:

1. Install Telegram on the new Xiaomi.
2. Enter under the same number.
3. All chats and media files will be downloaded automatically.

⚠️ Note: If you use WhatsApp Business, you need to create a separate backup copy – it is not compatible with regular WhatsApp. Also note that WhatsApp backups are not encrypted by default – for security, copy the file. msgstore.db.crypt14 securely.

7. Data transfer from the broken screen (emergency methods)

If the screen of the old phone does not respond to touch, but the device turns on, you can try the following methods:

• 🔌 Connecting the mouse to OTG: Buy it. USB-OTG adapter and plug in USB-This will allow you to control the phone through the cursor (works on most Android 6.0 devices).+).
• 🖥️ PC Control: Use TeamViewer QuickSupport or Vysor to remotely access your phone screen.
• 📡 ADB-commands: If included USB-debugging, we can do through ADB Copy data to PC: Adb pull /sdcard/ path

For Xiaomi with a broken screen, there is also a branded Mi Unlock service, but it only works to unlock the bootloader, not to extract data.

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If the broken phone is enabled Smart Lock (location or device recognition), bring it to a trusted device (for example, a smartwatch) – this can unlock the screen without entering a password.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi