How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all methods with instructions

Transferring data between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or resetting an old one. MIUI, This process can cause complications, from loss of contacts to errors in the transfer of photos. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer data, from built-in tools Xiaomi to universal solutions that work on any Android device.

Xiaomi smartphones are a feature of close integration with the Mi Account ecosystem and branded services like Mi Mover. However, not all users are aware that some methods (for example, through Settings). → Additionally. → Data transfers only work when you first turn on a new phone, and we will tell you how to get around this limitation and what alternatives to use if standard tools fail to work.

Important: if you are switching from Xiaomi to a model of another brand (for example, Redmi to the new model). POCO), Some of the methods will remain relevant, but nuances may arise with version compatibility. MIUI. All instructions in the article are tested on devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS (2026).

1.Mi Mover built-in tool: fast transfer without a computer

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official data migration app, pre-installed on all of the brand’s smartphones, and allows you to transfer:

• 📱 Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS) call-book
• 📷 Photos, video and audio files
• 📁 Documents and APK-file
• 🎮 Data from certain games (if supported)

To use the Mi Mover, both phones must have Wi-Fi Direct on and enough battery life (minimum 20%) to run, taking 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data.

Install Mi Mover on both devices (if removed)

Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network

Charge devices to a minimum of 20%

Free up space on your new smartphone (at least 10% of the data you transmit)-->

On an old phone:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Transfer data (or find Mi Mover through Settings search).
2. Select the role "Sender" and confirm permission to access the files.
3. Scan the scanner. QR-code that will appear on the new phone.

On the new phone:

1. When you first turn on, select "Data Transfer" in the settings menu.
2. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Additionally. → Transfer of data.
3. Select the Recipient role and wait for the generation QR-code.

Once the devices are connected, select the data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process. If the transfer is interrupted, try again - Mi Mover will automatically resume the transfer from the moment of the cliff, but only for 24 hours.

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If Mi Mover does not find the device, check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled in Settings. → Connections → On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) this option is hidden - use the search by settings.

2.Move over Mi Account: Cloud Backup

If you have a Mi Account, you can back up your old phone and restore it to a new one.

• 📇 Contacts, notes and calendar (synchronized automatically)
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, network parameters)
• 🔧 List of installed applications (without data)
• 📂 Files from the folder MIUI/Backup (if the option is on)

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ No messages are transmitted (SMS/MMS) call-book.
• ❌ Mi Cloud only provides 5GB for free – you will need a paid subscription for large amounts of data.
• ❌ Some settings (such as fingerprints) are not portable for security reasons.

Backup instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup your device.
2. Select the data to save and click "Start backup".
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and restore data from the backup in the same menu.

The advantage of this method is that it can be selectively restored, for example, you can only transfer contacts and notes without having to adjust.

3.Using a Google Account: The Universal Way for Android

If you don’t want to depend on Xiaomi services, you can use Google’s standard tools, which work on any Android device and allows you to transfer:

• 📇 Contacts, calendar and email (via Google Contacts and Gmail)
• 📱 Apps and their data (if the developer supports backup in Google Drive)
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos)
• 🔑 Passwords (if sync is enabled in Google Smart Lock)

How to transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Google → Backup and enable the option “Backup in Google Drive".
2. Select a Google account and confirm the synchronization of the data.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account when you first turn on or in settings.
4. Restore data from the backup in the Settings menu → Google → Recovery.

Important: Google Photos by default downloads media files in High Quality (compressed) rather than Original. If you need to save the original resolution, change the settings in the app before you start downloading.

Mi Mover (Integrated Xiaomi Tool)

Google Account (Sync)

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

OTG cable or adapter

Another way.-->

Direct transmission by cable: maximum speed

To transfer large amounts of data (e.g., 100)+ GB photos) the most reliable way - connecting phones through a cable OTG This method is independent of the Internet connection and works 5-10 times faster than wireless alternatives.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (if both phones are modern, or OTG-adapter + standard cable.
• 📱 File management application (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your new phone via cable/adapter.
2. On the new phone in the notification panel, select the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
3. Open the file manager and copy the folders you want (for example, DCIM for photos or downloads from one device to another.

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When connecting via cable, do not use cheap OTG-Adapters – they may not provide enough transfer speed or cause reading errors.Optimum: original Xiaomi cable with support USB 3.0 (blue connector).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Transfer speeds up to 40 MB/s (versus 2-5 MB/s over Wi-Fi).
• 🔒 No risk of data loss due to connection breakdown.
• 📂 Only the necessary files can be selectively copied.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Additional equipment (cable/adapter) is required).
• ❌ On some Xiaomi models, for example, POCO F5) You need to manually allow access to files at each connection.

5. Alternative applications: ShareMe, Xender and others

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work, you can use third-party data transfer apps.

How to use ShareMe (we recommend it for Xiaomi devices):

1. Install the app on both phones (you can download it from the Mi App Store or Google Play).
2. On the old phone, select "Send", on the new one - "Get".
3. Scan it. QR-code or connect via the Wi-Fi hotspot created by the application.
4. Select the files and confirm the transfer.

1. Disconnect. VPN firewall.

2.Reboot both phones.

3. Use another Wi-Fi network (not 5 GHz).-->

Warning: Some apps (like Xender) may request excessive permissions. Check Google Play reviews and privacy settings before installing.

6. Transportation of messages and contacts: separate instructions

Communications (SMS/MMS) And the contacts are often lost when they're pumped through standard tools.

Method 1: Export/import through VCF-file (for contacts)

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → Settings → Exports/imports → Export to file.
2. Save the.vcf file to your phone or card SD.
3. Transfer the file to a new phone (e.g., via Mi Mover or cable).
4. Import contacts through the same menu.

Method 2: Backup SMS via

For messages, use specialized utilities:

• 📱 SMS Backup & Restore – Retains SMS/MMS into XML-Google Drive.
• 📱 Super Backup & Restore – also supports call magazine.

Instructions for SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on your old phone.
2. Select Backup and save the file to Google Drive or locally.
3. On the new phone, install the same app and recover the data from the file.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you move data between Xiaomi smartphones, users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn't find the device

• 🔹 Check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both phones.
• 🔹 Reboot both devices.
• 🔹 Make sure that the latest version is installed on the phones. MIUI.
• 🔹 Try connecting via a mobile hotspot (if Wi-Fi is not working).

Problem 2: There is not enough space on the new phone

• 🔹 Free up space by deleting unnecessary files or transferring them to a map SD.
• 🔹 Use the settings. → Warehouse → Cleaning to remove cache.
• 🔹 Transfer data in parts (for example, first photo, then video).

Problem 3: Cable transmission is interrupted

• 🔹 Try another cable or port. USB.
• 🔹 Disable Battery Optimization for File Manager in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🔹 Do not lock the screen during the transfer.

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If none of the methods work, check if the phones are not enabled with debugging mode. USB. Sometimes this prevents correct data transmission via Mi Mover or cable.

Problem 4: Applications are not restored

When you transfer through Mi Mover or Google, your account may not be restored:

• 📱 Apps installed from.apk (not from Google Play).
• 📱 Data Games that Don’t Support Cloud Save.
• 📱 System utilities (e.g. Mi Remote or Mi Fit).

Solution: Manually install missing apps from Google Play or saved.apk files.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions