How to Transfer Data from the Old Xiaomi to the New: The Complete 2026 Guide

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often turns into a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, app settings – all of this needs to be saved so as not to start from scratch. Fortunately, Xiaomi device owners have several convenient ways to migrate, from the Mi Mover branded tool to universal solutions like Google Account or physical connection through the Internet. OTG-cable.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of data transfer between Xiaomi smartphones, including the nuances for different versions. MIUI (12 to 14), features of working with models on HyperOS, and also give recommendations on choosing the best way depending on the amount of data and technical capabilities of the devices.

Now, let's just say, not all methods are equally effective. For example, Mi Mover is great at handling contacts and using them. SMS, But it might skip settings for some apps, and Google Photos will migrate media files, but not saved passwords, so we'll go through the pros and cons of each option in detail, and we'll also give you checklists to prepare the devices.

1. Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before migrating, there are several critical steps that need to be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, disruptions in the new smartphone or incomplete transfer of information, especially for users who are moving from a new smartphone to a new one. MIUI 12/13 HyperOS – in this case, it is recommended to update the firmware on the old device to the latest version.

First, check the space available on both smartphones. If the old Xiaomi has less than 10% of the memory left, some methods (such as the Mi Mover) may not work smoothly. Also make sure that both devices are at least 50% charged - the long transfer process drains the battery faster than usual.

The second key is version compatibility. MIUI. If your old smartphone is working on MIUI 10 or lower, and the new one is on HyperOS, some features may not be available, in which case it is better to use universal methods like Google Account or Google Account. OTG-cable.

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50% on both devices (optimum 70%+).
• 📱 Free space: at least 1 GB on internal storage.
• 🔄 Updates: Check the relevance of firmware in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔌 Cables and adapters: prepare the original USB-cable (for Mi Mover) or OTG-adapter.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from Xiaomi to a HyperOS model (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), upgrade your old device to the latest version. MIUI 14.Otherwise, the Mi Mover may not recognize the new device.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s proprietary tool

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official app designed specifically for data migration between the brand’s devices, which supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio files, notes, calendars and even some application settings, the main advantage of which is that you do not need the Internet (data is transmitted over a direct Wi-Fi Direct connection).

However, the method has limitations:

1. It works only between Xiaomi devices (not suitable for porting to Samsung, iPhone, etc.).
2. Not all apps support data transfer (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram will have to be configured separately).
3. On models with HyperOS, the application interface may differ.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Mi Mover on both devices (usually pre-installed).
2. On the new smartphone, select This is a new phone, on the old one, This is an old phone.
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use Wi-Fi Direct (automatically offer an option).
4. On the old phone, select data to transfer (you can select individual categories).
5. Confirm the start of the process and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the volume).

⚠️ Note: If the connection is interrupted during the transfer through Mi Mover, the re-start may lead to data duplication, in which case, before retrying, clear the memory of the new device or selectively delete duplicates.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you use Google, it's the easiest and most reliable way to do this, and it works not just between Xiaomi devices, but also when you switch to Samsung, Pixel, or even iPhone (with limitations), and the key is that you have to enable sync on your old smartphone in advance.

What is automatically transferred:

• 📇 Contacts (via Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendars (Google Calendar).
• 📎 Notes (if you use Google Keep).
• 📷 Photo and video (via Google Photos if Autoupload was enabled).
• 🔑 Passwords (via Google Password Manager).
• 🎮 Data of certain games (if linked to Google Play Games).

How to transfer data:

1. On the old Xiaomi, open Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the right categories.
2. On the new device, when you first turn on, select Copy Data from your old device and log in to the same Google Account.
3. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → System → Backup and start recovery.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 SMS and call logs are not automatically synchronized (you need to use third-party applications such as: SMS Backup & Restore).
• 🚫 Local files (downloads, documents) are not transferred – they will have to be copied separately.
• 🚫 Application settings (such as WhatsApp or Viber) are not saved.

💡

If you haven’t cleaned your contacts in years, export them to a file before syncing with your Google Account. VCF (Contacts → Management → Export) and manually remove duplicates, which will save time on the new device.

Method 3: Direct connection via OTG-cable

If you don’t have access to the internet or want to transfer a lot of data (tens of gigabytes of photos or videos), the most reliable way is to physically connect through the Internet. OTG-This method works 100% of the time, regardless of the version. MIUI or a smartphone model, but requires additional accessories.

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-cable USB-C → USB-C new-model).
• 📁 File Manager (e.g. Standard Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• ⏳ Time – Copying 50 GB of data can take 1-2 hours.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-cable to the new smartphone, and connect the old smartphone to it through USB-cable.
2. A notification will appear on the new device USB-Drive is connected – click on it and select Transfer Files (or File Manager).
3. Open the file manager and copy the folders you want from your old phone (usually this is the file manager). DCIM For photo, Downloads for downloads, WhatsApp/Media messenger-media).
4. To transfer contacts, export them to.vcf (Contacts) → Management → Export) and copy to a new device.

⚠️ Note: When copying files through OTG Do not remove the cable until the process is complete, and interruption can cause file damage, especially if large video files are involved (4K Slow Motion).

Pros of the method:

• ✅ It works without the Internet and on any device.
• ✅ Transfers all types of files, including hidden application folders.
• ✅ Maximum transmission speed (up to 40 MB/s per USB 3.0).

Cons:

• ❌ Requires a purchase OTG-cable (cost from 200) ₽).
• ❌ I can't stand it. SMS, Log of calls and application settings automatically.
• ❌ Long-term copying of large amounts of data.

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

If you have a stable Internet connection and not too much data (up to 10-15 GB), you can use cloud storage. Xiaomi offers its own service - Mi Cloud, but it has a limit of 5 GB of free space. Alternatives: Google Drive (15 GB), Yandex.Disk (10 GB) or Mega (20 GB).

Comparison of cloud services for data transfer:

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On the old Xiaomi go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, SMS, notes, photos).
3. On the new device, log in to the same Xiaomi account and wait for the sync to complete.

How to transfer data via Google Drive:

1. Install Google Drive on your old smartphone.
2. Download files manually or back up (Settings) → System system → Backup).
3. On the new device, download files or restore a backup.

⚠️ Note: When you upload a large number of small files (for example, thousands of photos), Mi Cloud can block synchronization with the error "Too many operations". In this case, split the files into folders of 200-300 pieces.

💡

Cloud services are convenient for transferring contacts, notes and small media files, but are not suitable for large archives (for example, WhatsApp backups or videos in the Internet). 4K).

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

If none of the previous methods work for you (e.g., you need to move WhatsApp backup or set up specific applications), you can use your computer as an intermediary, which takes longer, but gives you maximum control over the process.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Two. USB-cables (preferably original).
• 📂 File Manager (e.g. Total Commander or Finder on Mac).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the old Xiaomi to your computer in File Transfer mode (select this option in the phone notification).
2. Copy the necessary folders to the computer: DCIM — Photos and videos. Downloads - downloads. WhatsApp/Databases — backup copies of chats (file) msgstore.db.crypt14). Android/data — data.

Turn off the old phone and connect the new one.

Transfer the copied files to the corresponding folders on the new device.

WhatsApp

• Install WhatsApp on your new phone.
• At the first start, confirm the phone number.
• When the application offers to restore chats, agree – it will find a backup copy in the folder. WhatsApp/Databases.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Transfers any files, including hidden and system files.
• ✅ Only the necessary data can be selectively copied.
• ✅ Suitable for restoring WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It requires a computer and two cables.
• ❌ Long process with large amounts of data.
• ❌ Some applications (for example, Viber) need additional manipulations to recover.

💡

If you are porting a WhatsApp backup, make sure the file name is formatted. msgstore.db.crypt14 (For the latest versions, old backups (crypt12) may not recover.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often have problems with data transfer, and let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.

1 Mi Mover does not find a new device

• 🔹 Make sure that both phones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• 🔹 Restart the Mi Mover app on both devices.
• 🔹 If you are using HyperOS, upgrade Mi Mover to the latest version on Google Play.

2. Not tolerable. SMS contact

• 🔹 Check if synchronization is included in Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google/Mi Account.
• 🔹 For SMS Use third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🔹 If the contacts are not transferred, export them to the.vcf file and import them manually.

3.Photos and videos moved in low quality

• 🔹 When using Google Photos, check the compression settings: Settings → Backup and synchronization → Download quality (select Original Quality).
• 🔹 If you were transferred via Mi Mover, try repeating the process – sometimes files “hang” when transferring them.

4.Apps have not recovered or are flying out

• 🔹 Make sure the new device has the same version of Android (or newer) as the old one.
• 🔹 Some applications (such as banking) require re-authorization.
• 🔹 If the app crashes, clear its cache: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Clear the cache.

5. There is not enough space on the new device

• 🔹 Before transferring, clear the cache and unnecessary files on the new smartphone: Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔹 Transfer data in parts (for example, first photo, then video).
• 🔹 Use it. SD-card (if supported) for temporary storage of files.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions