How to transfer data from Xiaomi phone to Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Why Standard Copying Methods Don’t Always Work

Transferring data between Xiaomi smartphones only seems like a simple task – in practice, users face unexpected problems. For example, the Mi Mover feature (built-in migration solution) can fail if one of the devices has custom firmware or a version of MIUI older than 2 years. and cloud services like Xiaomi Cloud limit free storage to 5 GB, which is enough only for forwarding contacts.

Another trap is different OS versions. If you switch from MIUI 12 to HyperOS, some system files (such as widget settings or Mi Fit data) may not migrate correctly. And when using a USB-C cable, not all models support OTG mode for direct transfer, especially for the Redmi Note and POCO M budget lines.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to transfer data, from official tools to workarounds for complex cases, each method tested on current firmware in 2026 and works even when you change your Mi Account.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in migration app that automatically installs on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 9 and later.

• 📱 Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS) call-book
• 📷 Photos, video and audio files (including hidden folders)
• 🎮 Installed applications (without data, unless otherwise indicated)
• 📊 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

To use Mi Mover, follow the steps:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Migration (or find Mi Mover through Settings Search).
2. Select the role of "Sender" and wait for the generation QR-code.
3. On the new phone, run the same section and select Receiver, then scan the QR.
4. Confirm your connection to the same Wi-Fi network (or use hotspot if the devices can’t see each other).
5. Select data types to transfer and click "Start".

Charge both phones at least to the 50%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (5 GHz is preferable)|Release. 10-15% memory on the new device|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Make sure both phones have the same Mi Mover version (update if needed)-->

Important: If the new phone has HyperOS installed and the old one has MIUI 13 or older, Mi Mover may not port application data (e.g. save in games or chat in Telegram).

⚠️ Note: if the migration process is interrupted during the file transfer stage, re-starting may result in duplicate data. /MIUI/backup/AllBackup on a new phone via a file manager.

Method 2: Xiaomi Cloud – Cloud Transfer

Xiaomi Cloud Cloud storage is suitable for transferring contacts, notes, photos and some settings, the main advantage is that you do not need to connect devices to each other.

• 📉 Free rate – only 5 GB (enough for the ~1500 photos in compressed format).
• ⏳ Download speed depends on the Internet connection (on mobile). 4G 10 GB can load up to 2 hours).
• 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords) are not synced for security reasons.

Instructions for transfer through the cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired categories (e.g., Contacts and Gallery).
3. Wait until the download is complete (progress is displayed in the same section).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync of the same categories.

💡

If you only need to transfer contacts, export them to the VCF file: open the Contacts app → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to Storage. The file can be sent via Bluetooth or messenger.

Method 3: Direct Cable Transmission (USB OTG)

If you don't have access to Wi-Fi or the cloud, the most reliable method is to connect directly through a cable.

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C (adapter USB-A → USB-C, If you have a Micro-USB connector on one of the phones).
• 📱 Both phones with support OTG (Check in the settings → Connections → USB).
• 🔋 Charge not less than 30% (when transferring large files, the phone may run out of power).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phones with a cable. The screen will show a notification "USB-connection".
2. On your old phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. On your new phone, open the file manager and go to the section "USB-device".
4. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) to the internal memory of your new phone.

⚠️ Note: when you copy the Android folder (where the application data is stored), some files may not be transferred due to access restrictions, FX File Explorer or method with ADB (Method 5).

Mi Mover (official instrument)|Xiaomi Cloud (Cloud)|Cable USB/OTG|Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Another way.-->

Method 4: Messengers and Third-Party Services

If the data volume is less than 1-2 GB, you can use messengers or file sharing devices, which is suitable for transferring:

• 📸 Individual photos or short videos (up to 50MB per file in Telegram).
• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX) and archives (ZIP, RAR).
• 🎵 Music and audio recordings (on WhatsApp the limit is 100 MB per file).

The best services for transmission:

How to transfer data via Telegram:

1. Open the chat "Saved Messages".
2. Press the paper clip (📎) and select "File" or "Gallery".
3. Mark the files you need and send them to chat.
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Telegram account and download files from Saved Messages.

Method 5: ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods fail (for example, due to corrupted firmware or Root rights), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to transfer all data, including system files and application settings.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 🔌 Cable USB-C (preferably original).
• 📱 Included "Debugging by" USB" on both phones (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Transfer commands (executed in Command Prompt or Terminal):

Connecting devices (checking)


adb devices




Copying the DCIM folder (photo/video) from an old phone to a PC



adb -s [ID_ old phone] pull /sdcard/DCIM C:\Xiaomi_Backup\DCIM




Copying a DCIM folder from a PC to a new phone



adb -s [ID_ new phone] push C:\Xiaomi_Backup\DCIM /sdcard/DCIM




Transfer all applications (APK only, no data)



adb -s [ID_ old telephone] shell pm list packages -f | sed 's/package://g' | awk '{print $2}' | xargs -I '{}' adb pull '{}'

⚠️ Attention: when used ADB don't copy the folders /data/data or /system — To transfer application data (for example, saves in games), use Titanium Backup (root rights are required).

💡

ADB — The only way to transfer data from the phone that is not turned on (if the screen is broken, but the phone is not turned on). USB-debugging was included earlier).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face typical problems, and here are the most common solutions.

If none of these methods worked, check:

• 🔄 Firmware compatibility: check on Xiaomi Firmware to see if your HyperOS model supports or not. MIUI.
• 🛡️ Antivirus/firewall: temporarily disable them on PC if you use them ADB.
• 📡 Wi-Fi network: for Mi Mover and clouds, use 5 GHz network (less interference).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions