How to transfer data from one Xiaomi phone to another (Redmi Note): all ways with nuances

Data transfer between Xiaomi smartphones: what you need to know before you start

Shifting data from the old Xiaomi to the new Redmi Note is a challenge that every brand owner faces when upgrading a device. Even if both phones are from the same manufacturer, the process has nuances, from compatibility of MIUI versions to limitations on the amount of files transferred. For example, when using Mi Mover over Wi-Fi Direct, the transfer speed can drop by 30-40% with data volumes over 10 GB, and cloud services (such as Xiaomi Cloud) limit free storage to 5 GB.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transfer — from the official Mi Mover tool to manual copying via ADB — with regard to their speed, reliability and limitations. Particular attention will be paid to the Redmi Note series (including Note 12/13 Pro models), since their firmware often has unique security settings that affect data transfer. For example, Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 14 requires manual confirmation of a trusted device when first connected via cable.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an integrated data migration app that automatically installs on all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, and supports contact, message, photos, videos, apps (including their data), and even some system settings, with the main advantage of being simple: no cables or cloud login.

However, there are limitations:

• 📱 It only works between devices on MIUI 9 and newer. If the older phone has a lower version, update the firmware first.
• 🚫 Does not transfer data from some third-party applications (for example, WhatsApp or Viber – they need separate backups).
• ⚡ Speed depends on the version of Wi-Fi: on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Wi-Fi 6 transfer 20 GB will take ~20 minutes, and on the Note 8 with Wi-Fi 4 - up to 1.5 hours.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or find the app through search).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old phone (or connect via Bluetooth if you have a new phone on your old phone) QR misspelled).
4. Select the data types to be transferred and confirm the start of the process.

Battery charge >50% on both phones|Same version MIUI (or new on the recipient)|Power saving mode is off.|Free space on the new phone > volume of data transmitted-->

⚠️ Warning: If you see a "Disconnected" error during transmission, restart both phones and try again. On Redmi Note 10 and later, sometimes disabling the dual Wi-Fi connection function in network settings helps.

Method 2: Transmission via OTG cable (fastest method)

Using a USB OTG cable (or adapter) is the best option for carrying large amounts of data (from 30 GB or more). Transfer speeds over USB 3.0 can reach 40-50 MB / s, which is 5-10 times faster than Wi-Fi. This method is suitable for all Redmi Note models, including the Note 9 Pro and Note 11S, but requires an additional accessory.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C → USB-C (or micro-USB → USB-C, If you have an old phone with a micro USB connector).
• 📱 adapter OTG (If the cable does not support direct host-mode).
• 🔋 Charging a new phone (the process can drain the battery on the phone) 10-15%).

Instructions:

1. Connect the cable to both phones. On the new Redmi Note, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
2. On an old phone, open Explorer (or File Manager), find folders with data (for example, DCIM for photos, Download for downloads).
3. Select files, click Copy, then go to the folder of the new phone (it will appear as an external drive) and paste.

💡

If the phone doesn’t recognize the connected cable, try enabling USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).

Method 3: Xiaomi Cloud (for backup)

Xiaomi Cloud allows you to back up your data on Xiaomi servers and restore it to a new phone, which is convenient if you don’t have a cable or the phones are in different places. However, the free tariff is limited to 5 GB, and you will have to subscribe to increase the volume (from 99). ₽/month).

How to move data through the cloud:

• ☁️ On an old phone: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup. Select data and click Create backup.
• 📱 On the new Redmi Note: Sign in to the same Xiaomi account, go to Mi Cloud → Restore from backup copy.
• ⏳ Wait until it is completed (time depends on internet speed).

Please note:

• 🔒 Backups are encrypted, but Wi-Fi passwords and some banking application data are not saved.
• 📅 Copies are kept for 30 days, and if you don't restore them in time, they're deleted.
• 🌍 Use Wi-Fi, not mobile internet (50GB by speed) 4G It can eat up to 10 GB of traffic).

Mi Mover|Cable OTG|Xiaomi Cloud|Bluetooth/SD-map|Other-->

Method 4: Bluetooth and SD-map (for small volumes)

If you only need to transfer contacts, a few photos or documents, you can do without the Internet and cables. Bluetooth is suitable for files up to 500 MB, and SD-The card is for volumes up to 256 GB (depending on the format supported), which are universal and work even on the oldest Redmi models (e.g. Note). 4X).

Transmission via Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
2. Connect the devices (confirm the connection code on the new phone).
3. On your old phone, select files in Explorer, click Share → Bluetooth and select the new Redmi Note.

Transfer through SD-map:

1. Put the card in an old phone, copy the data to it.
2. Remove the card and paste it into the new Redmi Note (or use a MicroSD adapter if the slot is hybrid).
3. Transfer files to internal memory through Explorer.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 11 and Newer SD-The cards are formatted in exFAT by default. FAT32, file-size >4GB not copied.Reformat the card to exFAT via PC before use.

Method 5: ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to corrupted firmware or lack of access to Mi Mover), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and basic command-line knowledge, but allows you to transfer all data, including hidden files and application settings.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 Cable USB-C/USB-A (Original to avoid connection problems).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB both phones.

Transfer commands (executed in cmd or terminal):

adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\ # Copy data from old phone to PC


adb push C:\Xiaomi_Backup\ /sdcard/ # Upload data to new phone

To copy specific folders (for example, only photos):

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Photos\

💡

ADB is the only way to transfer data from a phone that has a broken screen but has a sensor running: plug the phone into a PC, unlock it, and use ADB commands to create a backup.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when using official tools, users are facing problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

1 Mi Mover doesn't see new phone

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN Check that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Redmi Note 9 with the MIUI 12.5 were compatibility bugs).

2. When transmitted via cable, files are not copied

• 🔌 Try another cable (cheap cables often don't support data transfers).
• 📁 Check that the new phone has enough space (on the Redmi Note 12 with 128 GB of memory should be free at least 10% of the volume).
• 🔒 Unlock access to folders in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Warehouse.

3. Xiaomi Cloud does not recover data

• 🔑 Make sure you’re logged in to the same Xiaomi account from which the backup was made.
• 📡 Check your internet connection (sometimes switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data helps).
• ⏳ Wait. 10-15 Sometimes recovery doesn’t start immediately.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions