Transferring accounts from one Xiaomi to another: all methods of 2026

Introduction: Why and when to transfer accounts

Changing Xiaomi to a new model is always an exciting process, and even if you stay in the brand ecosystem, migrating personal data, settings and accounts can be a headache, especially if it’s not just Mi Account, but also tied services like Google, social media, banking apps and instant messengers, and mistakes at this stage threaten to lose access to Mi Store purchases, synchronize notes, or even lock the device due to security triggers.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to transfer accounts between Xiaomi devices, from automatic recovery through the Mi Cloud to manual export / import of data, and pay special attention to hidden nuances that are not written in the official instructions, for example, why the binding to the Mi Account can “fly” after resetting or how to circumvent the restrictions on the number of authorized devices in some banking applications.

Spoiler: If you plan to sell an old smartphone, resetting accounts should be the last step before resetting, or you risk losing access to backups or app licenses, or if the new Xiaomi is already in your hands, start by checking the version of MIUI: it depends on the availability of certain features.

Preparation for the transfer: what to do before buying a new Xiaomi

Many users only start thinking about data portability after they buy a new device, which is a mistake. A few simple steps in advance will save hours of time and eliminate problems:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI on the old smartphone to the latest version. MIUI 14+ improved synchronization via Mi Cloud, and older versions may not have critical features.
• 📱 Check out the new Xiaomi model. some budget models (like Redmi) A2) They do not support full backup to the cloud.
• 🔐 Make sure that Mi Account is available. If the account is blocked or linked to another region, data transfer will not be possible.
• 📡 Prepare a backup channel, USB-Type-C cable – Type-C (for direct transfer) or external drive.

One of the most common questions is, "Can I move accounts if the old Xiaomi is broken?" The answer depends on the nature of the breakdown. If the screen is not working but the device is turning on, use ADB or connecting to your PC via the Mi PC Suite. If the smartphone does not turn on at all, only recovery from the cloud copy (provided that it was created in advance) remains.

Method 1: Automatic transfer via Mi Cloud (most reliable)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's cloud storage that not only backs up files, but also stores account settings tied to the device, and the advantage of this method is that data is synchronized in the background, so you don't have to manually enter logins/passwords on the new smartphone.

• 🚫 Not all applications support cloud sync (e.g., banking or some instant messengers).
• 📶 Requires a stable connection to Wi-Fi – mobile Internet may not cope with large volumes.
• 🔒 In some models (for example, POCO F5) You need to manually enable backup in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.

Step-by-step:

1. On an old smartphone, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select “Mi Cloud Backup” and wait for the process to be completed.
3. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Mi Account.
4. Confirm the data recovery and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).

Contacts and communications

System and application settings

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth data

Annexes (list of established)

Photo and video (optional)-->

Important: If a user profile has already been created on a new device, reset it to factory settings before recovery, otherwise the data may overlap, leading to errors in the application.

Method 2: Direct data transmission over cable (quickly and without cloud)

If you don’t have Wi-Fi or trust cloud services, use direct cable transfer, which works on all Xiaomi models with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13T and others.

• 🔌 Type-C Cable – Type-C (or adapter if one of the devices has a Micro-USB connector).
• 🔋 The charge of both smartphones is at least 50% (process 20-40 minute).
• 📱 The new device must complete the initial setup (before the account login stage).

How to move:

1. On the new Xiaomi, select Data Transfer at the setup stage" → "Transfer from Android".
2. Connect both devices with a cable. On the old smartphone, you'll see a request for confirmation of transmission, allow it.
3. Select data for transfer: accounts, contacts, messages, applications, etc. (we recommend leaving all ticks).
4. Wait until the cable is completed. Do not turn off the cable until the successful transfer notification appears.

This method does not tolerate:

• 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords (they will have to be entered manually).
• 📁 Some app settings (such as themes in Mi Home).
• 💳 Credit card details in Google Pay or Mi Pay (for security reasons).

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If the direct transfer is interrupted, try using the original Xiaomi cable – cheap counterparts may not provide a stable connection.

Method 3: Manual Account Transfer (if Automatic Methods Fail)

Sometimes automatic sync fails, like if you're using a new Xiaomi version of MIUI or you've bought a device in a different region, and you're going to have to move accounts manually, and let's take a step-by-step approach to key services.

1. Mi Account transfer

This is Xiaomi’s primary account, without which Mi Cloud, Mi Home and other services will not work.

1. On the new device, go to Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Mi.
2. Enter the same data (email/phone and password) as on the old smartphone.
3. Confirm the entry via SMS or email.
4. Enable synchronization in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.

2. Transfer of Google Account

Without a Google account, Play Market, Gmail, YouTube and other services will not work.

• 📌 On the new Xiaomi, select “Login to Google Account” and specify the same data as on the old device.
• 🔄 If two-factor authentication was enabled on the old smartphone, prepare backup codes.
• 📱 After entering, check the synchronization in Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.

3. Transfer of social networks and instant messengers

Most apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, VK, Instagram) are tied to a phone number or email.

1. Install the app on the new Xiaomi from the Play Market.
2. Sign in with the same login/password or confirm the login via SMS.
3. For WhatsApp: Before perenosom, back up the chats on your old device in Settings → Chat → Backup.

Attention! Some apps (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may block access when you change your device, and check in advance if your bank supports instant login on your new phone or if you need a support call.

Table: Comparison of Account Transfer Methods

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems.-5 errors and ways of solving them:

1. Mi Account login error Reason: Account is linked to another region or blocked Solution: Check region in Settings → Additional → Region. If the error persists, restore access through the official website.
2. Applications are not portable Reason: Application backup is disabled in the Mi Cloud settings. Solution: On an old device, turn on Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup → Applications.
3. New Xiaomi does not see old cables Reason: Uses unoriginal cable or USB-Solution: Enable Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press) → Developer mode → USB-debugging.
4. After the transfer, notifications don't work Reason: Notification settings don't sync through the cloud. Solution: On the new device, manually configure notifications for each application in Settings → Notifications.
5. Banking applications require re-authorization Reason: IMEI binding or device model Solution: Check in advance for bank support on how to transfer the app to a new phone.

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If a notification “Device not certified” appears on the new Xiaomi after the transfer, it means that the Google profile is not synced. Solution: delete your Google account and add it again.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions