How to transfer data from phone to Android phone: a complete guide for Xiaomi Redmi

Why standard copying methods don’t always work for Xiaomi

Shifting data between Xiaomi Redmi smartphones only seems like a simple task — as long as you don’t run into typical issues. For example, the Mi Mover feature (built-in migration app) often refuses to work on devices older than 2020 due to outdated versions of MIUI. And when you try to use Google Account to sync contacts, users are faced with the fact that not all fields (for example, additional phone numbers or birthdays) are ported correctly.

Another trap is different versions of Android. If you switch from Redmi Note 8 (Android 10) to Redmi Note 12 Pro (Android 13), direct transmission via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct can be interrupted due to incompatibility of exchange protocols. Even cloud services like Xiaomi Cloud have a limitation: you can download only 5 GB of data for free, while photos and videos from a modern smartphone easily take up 30-50 GB.

In this article, we will look at 7 proven ways to transfer data, from official Xiaomi tools to workarounds for complex cases, you will learn which method is the fastest, which keeps the folder structure, and how to avoid loss of quality when transferring media files.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for migrating data between devices on MIUI, pre-installed on all Redmi and POCO smartphones, but only works under three conditions:

• 📱 Both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or create an access point on one of them).
• 🔄 There must be a version on both devices. MIUI 9 or newer (check in Settings) → The phone).
• 📶 Battery level – at least 20% (otherwise the process will be interrupted).

How to start the transfer:

1. Open Settings → More → Mi Mover on both phones.
2. Select the role: "Sender" (old phone) and "Receiver" (new).
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new phone old.
4. Select data types to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, apps) and confirm.

Make sure that both phones have enough space (at least 10% free space)|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Connect both devices to charging|Close all background applications-->

⚠️ Note: If the new phone already has data (for example, you started using it), Mi Mover will prompt you to erase it before transferring it. Create a backup of the new device before confirming, otherwise all files will be deleted without the possibility of recovery.

The transmission speed depends on the data volume and the version of MIUI:

2. Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar, notes)

If you only need to migrate contacts, calendar events or notes, syncing through Google Account is the most reliable way, it works even between devices of different brands and does not require additional applications.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync → turn on the switches for Contacts, Calendar and Notes (if you use Google Keep).
2. Click on "Sync Now" and wait until it's finished.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account and enable synchronization of the same data.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatic Update: Changes to one device will immediately show up on another.
• 🌍 Cross-platform: works with iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, etc.
• 🔒 Security: Data is stored in encrypted form on Google servers.

⚠️ Note: If you used local contacts on your old phone (retained in memory, not in Google), you need to export them first. → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports/imports → Export to.vcf file, then import this file to Google Contacts.

Google Account|Mi Account.|Local storage.|Other services (iCloud, Yandex, etc.)-->

3. File transfer via OTG cable (for large volumes)

If you need to move tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, wireless methods will be too slow, and an OTG (On-The-Go) cable and a USB-C to USB-C adapter (or Micro-USB to USB-C, depending on your phone ports) will help.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-adapter.
2. Connect your old phone to your adapter via cable (as if you were connecting to your computer).
3. A notification will appear on the new phone "USB-Drive is connected" - click on it and select "File Transfer" (MTP).
4. Open Explorer (or Google Files) on your new phone and a folder with the old device will appear.
5. Copy the files you need to store your new phone.

The OTG transmission speed is 40-60 MB/s (5-10 times faster than Wi-Fi).

• 🔌 Not all adapters support fast charging – if the phone runs out during transmission, the process will be interrupted.
• 📁 Folder structure (e.g., folder structure, DCIM/Camera) The file is saved, but the file creation dates may be lost.
• 🚫 Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) supportive OTG In Host Mode – Check compatibility in advance.

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If the OTG cable is not recognized, try enabling Developer Mode and activating the USB Debugging option in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).

4. Wireless transmission via LocalSend or Snapdrop

If you don't have an OTG cable and Mi Mover doesn't work, you can use third-party apps to transmit over the LAN.

• 📤 LocalSend – open source software with encryption, works without the Internet (only over Wi-Fi or mobile access point).
• 🌐 Snapdrop – web service, does not require installation (it is enough to open the site in the browser).

How to transfer files through LocalSend:

1. Install the app on both phones from the official website or Google Play.
2. On the old phone, select files and click "Send".
3. On the new phone, click "Get" and confirm acceptance.
4. The files will be saved to the Download/LocalSend folder.

Comparison of LocalSend and Snapdrop:

⚠️ Note: When transmitting via Snapdrop, do not send sensitive files (such as document scans) to public Wi-Fi networks – traffic is not encrypted and data can be intercepted.

5. Transfer applications and their data (including games)

Standard methods like Mi Mover or Google Account only carry lists of installed apps, not their data. For example, if you play Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings, the progress will not be saved. To migrate apps with settings and saves, use:

• 🔄 Titanium Backup (requires root rights – not suitable for most users).
• ☁️ Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware) MIUI).
• 📲 APK Extractor + manual transfer (for individual applications).

The most reliable way to play games is to link to a developer account:

1. Open the game on your old phone.
2. Find the “Access Account” option in the settings (usually Google Play, Facebook or the game server).
3. Log in and synchronize the data.
4. On the new phone, install the game, log in to the same account and download saves.

6.Cloud Storage: Xiaomi Cloud vs Google Drive vs Yandex Disk

If you have slow Internet or you can't use cable, cloud services are the answer, but there are limitations to each of them.

How to transfer data through Xiaomi Cloud:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup → Select data and click “Create a backup”.
2. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and restore the data from the copy.

For Google Drive or Yandex Disk:

1. Upload files to the drive from your old phone (via app or browser).
2. On the new phone, download files to the device memory.

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If you are transferring your photos in their original quality, use Google Photos with the setting “High Quality” (unlimited storage) or “Original Quality” (considered to be in the 15 GB quota).

7. Alternative methods: SD-map, NFC

If none of the above methods are suitable, consider these options:

• 📱 SD-Map: Copy files to a memory card on an old phone, then paste it into a new one. Suitable for Redmi with MicroSD support (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro).
• 💻 Computer as a mediator: Connect both phones to a PC and transfer files via Windows Explorer or Android File Transfer (for Mac).
• 🔗 NFC: Only for small files (business cards, links) - enable NFC On both phones and touch them with the back covers.

Transferring through a computer is the most universal method, but requires:

• 🔌 USB-TypeC or USB-MicroUSB cables.
• 🛠️ Installed drivers (if Windows does not recognize the phone, download Mi) PC Suite).
• ⏳ Time is copying 50 GB can take up 1-2 hour.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions