How to Transfer Data from One Android to Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction: Why migrating data to Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach

The transition to the new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but many face unexpected difficulties when trying to migrate data from an old Android device. Unlike the iPhone, where the migration process is standardized through Quick Start, the Android ecosystem offers dozens of ways, from Xiaomi’s branded utilities to universal cloud services. However, not all methods are equally effective: some lose data, others work only with certain versions of MIUI, and still others require additional accessories.

The main problem is the variety of firmware and Android versions. For example, on Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14 and Android 13, the Mi Mover brand tool may not recognize an old Android 9 smartphone due to changes in the data protocol. In addition, many users overlook that contacts, messages and notes are often tied to Google or Mi Account accounts, rather than stored locally, which means that simply copying files through a cable will not be enough for a full transfer.

In this guide, we will look at 5 proven ways to transfer data, from official Xiaomi solutions to universal methods that work on any device, and pay special attention to the nuances that the manufacturer does not say: for example, why the Mi Mover can “hang” 99% or how to avoid loss of quality when transferring photos through the cloud, you will also learn what data can not be transferred by standard means and how to circumvent this limitation.

Method 1: Mi Mover – a proprietary solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in utility in MIUI firmware, designed specifically for data migration between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. It supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, applications (including their data), and even some system settings. The main advantage is that it does not require Internet and works through a direct connection over Wi-Fi.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On the new Xiaomi Redmi, when you first turn on, select “Data Transfer” (if the device is already configured, find the utility in Settings). → The phone. → Data portability).
• 🔄 On an old smartphone, install the Mi Mover app from Google Play (if it is not by default).
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point on the new Redmi.
• 🔗 On the old phone, select the role "Sender"; on the new one, "Receiver." Scan. QR-code PIN pairing.
• 📁 Select data types to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Make sure that both devices have enough charge (minimum 50%)|Turn it off. VPN firewalls|Use a 5GHz stable Wi-Fi network to speed up|Close all background apps on both phones-->

Despite the convenience, the Mi Mover has limitations:

⚠️ Note: If the transfer process is 99% frozen for more than 10 minutes, do not force it to interrupt.This is due to data integrity check. Wait for automatic completion or restart the utility if the wait exceeds 30 minutes.

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Before using Mi Mover, update the firmware on both devices to the latest version of MIUI. This eliminates compatibility errors, especially when migrating between different Redmi generations (for example, from the Redmi Note 8 to the Redmi 13C).

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (the most reliable method)

Syncing through Google Account is a universal method that works on any Android device, including Xiaomi Redmi. Unlike the Mi Mover, this method ensures the safety of data even when changing firmware or resetting the phone.

What can be transferred through Google Account:

• 📇 Contacts (if saved in Google, not in your phone’s memory)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders
• 📧 Gmail mail and settings
• 📁 Photos and videos (via Google Photos with original quality)
• 🎵 Music and books (if downloaded to Google Play)
• 📱 Some system settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, language preferences)

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the right categories.
2. On the new Xiaomi Redmi, when you first turn on, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google Account.
3. Select a backup (if there are several) and wait for the recovery to be completed.
4. For photos and videos, set Google Photos separately and enable autoload.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone used a Mi Account to back up, the data from it is not synced with Google. you will have to export it manually first (for example, contacts to a file). VCF) Or use the Mi Mover.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works on any device, not even Xiaomi.
• ✅ Data is stored in the cloud and accessible from any device.
• ✅ Automatic synchronization of new data (e.g. new contacts or photos).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS, call log and some application data.
• ❌ Requires a stable Internet connection for first synchronization.
• ❌ Free storage in Google Photos is limited to 15 GB (for compressed photos - unlimited).

Method 3: Use of OTG cable and adapter (for large data volumes)

If you need to move tens of gigabytes of data (like movies, games, or backups), the best way to do this is to connect directly via cable. OTG and USB-This is 5 to 10 times faster than wireless alternatives and does not depend on Internet speed:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Type-C → Type-C or Type-C → MicroUSB, depending on the old phone's connector).
• 💾 flash drive or external SSD (If the data volume exceeds 64 GB).
• 📱 File Manager (e.g., built-in in the MIUI Or Solid Explorer).

Instructions for transfer:

1. Connect the flash drive to the old phone via OTG-cable.
2. Copy all the files you need (DCIM, Download, WhatsApp, etc.) onto a flash drive. Use archiving (ZIP format) to speed up.
3. Turn off the flash drive and connect it to the new Xiaomi Redmi.
4. Copy the data into internal memory or SD-card (if supported).

Less than 5GB|5-30 GB|30–100 GB|More than 100GB-->

Warnings and advice:

• 🔋 Charge both phones to 100% – copying large files drains the battery.
• 🚫 Do not remove the flash drive during copying, even if the process is “hanging".
• 🔍 For hidden files (such as saving games), enable the display of hidden folders in the file manager.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or Redmi 9C) The built-in file manager does not support OTG. In this case, install a third-party manager, for example. FX File Explorer or Total Commander.

Method 4: Cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, Dropbox)

If you don't. OTG-If you're a cable or you prefer wireless, cloud storage is a good alternative, and it's good for document, photo and small video transfer, but it's not efficient for large volumes (due to speed and traffic constraints:

• 🌐 Google Drive – 15 GB free, Android integration.
• 🇷🇺 Yandex.Disk – 10 GB free, high speed in Russia.
• 🗄️ Dropbox – 2 GB free, user-friendly interface.

The following is a step-by-step instruction on Google Drive:

1. On your old phone, install Google Drive.
2. Upload files to the cloud: Open the app → click + → Download. Select files or folders (e.g. DCIM/Camera for photos).

Xiaomi Redmi

Google Drive

Files.

Comparison of services:

⚠️ Note: When uploading photos to Google Photos in High Quality (not Original) mode, they are compressed to 16 MP. If you want to maintain original quality, select the option “Original Quality” (but it takes up space in your Google storage).

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Cloud services are ideal for porting documents, contacts, and small media files, but are not suitable for migration applications or system settings.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for advanced users)

If you prefer full control of the process, porting over a PC (Windows, Mac or Linux) is the most flexible option.

• 📂 Selectively copy any files, including hidden files.
• 🔧 Recover data from backup copies (for example, TWRP or ADB Backup).
• 🛠️ Use specialized programs like Syncios or MobileTrans.

Instructions for porting via PC:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode (MTP)).
2. Copy the folders you want (e.g., Internal Storage/DCIM for photos) to your PC hard drive.
3. Turn off your old phone and connect the new Xiaomi Redmi.
4. Move the files back to the new smartphone.

To transfer applications and their data, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab


adb restore backup.ab

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Full control of the process.
• ✅ Ability to edit files before transferring.
• ✅ It works even with damaged or locked phones (if you have access to memory).

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Backup does not support all applications to back up their data (such as banking or encrypted messengers), and in such cases, you will have to manually reconfigure them.

What to do if the data is not transferred or lost

Even with all the instructions, sometimes there are problems: contacts are not transferred, photos are lost or applications are not restored.

• 📞 Contacts not transferred: Check if they are saved in Google Account or in phone memory.Export contacts to.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Exports.
• 📷 Photos and videos not displayed: Check the folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes thumbnails don't get updated. Use the Gallery Doctor app to restore the library.
• 📱 Applications not installed: Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications. APK-Files are damaged, download them again from APKMirror.

If the data is lost during the transfer:

• 🔍 Use recovery software: DiskDigger (for photos), Recuva (for PC files).
• 📱 Check the cart in Google Photos or Gallery MIUI (files are stored for 30-60 days).
• 💾 If Mi Cloud was enabled, check backups in Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi Redmi