How to Flip Data from Xiaomi to Another Xiaomi: The Complete Guide 2026

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to saving all the important data from the old device. Contacts, photos, messages, notes and even app settings can all be lost if you approach the process without preparation. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several reliable ways of migration, each of which is suitable for different scenarios, from full synchronization through the cloud to direct transmission over cable.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including the Mi Mover proprietary solution, the use of a Google account, Mi Cloud and Xiaomi Cloud cloud services, as well as classic methods via Bluetooth and other technologies. OTG-We'll focus on the nuances of what's being transmitted and what's being lost, how to avoid synchronization errors, and what to do if the process is stalled. 12 Xiaomi 14 Or just want to copy files between devices – here you will find the latest updates. MIUI 14/15.

1. Mi Mover – official data transfer tool

Mi Mover is a built-in application from Xiaomi, specifically designed to migrate data between the brand’s devices. It supports the transfer of almost all types of information: contacts, SMS/MMS, Photos, video, audio, documents, calendars, notes, and even some system application settings (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music) are the main advantage of not requiring an Internet or computer: data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi Direct.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Make sure that both smartphones are installed MIUI 9 or newer (older versions may not work).
• 🔋 Battery charge on both devices – at least 50% (the process can take up to 30 minutes).
• 📶 Disable mobile data and connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (or leave without a network if you use Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🚫 Close all background apps, especially instant messengers and cloud services, to avoid conflict.

Instructions for transmission:

1. On the new smartphone, when you first turn on, select the option “Data Transfer” (or find Mi Mover in Settings → Additional).
2. On the old device, open Mi Mover and select the role "Sender".
3. Scan the scanner on your new phone QR-code that will appear on the old.
4. Select the data types to transmit (you can mark everything or select selectively).
5. Confirm the start of the process and wait until the connection is completed (don’t interrupt!).

Charge both phones up to 50%+

Update MIUI to the latest version

Disable VPNs and Firewalls

Free up 1-2 GB of memory on a new device

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network-->

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data: for example, 10 GB of photos and videos can be copied up to 20-25 minutes. If the process is frozen by 99%, try restarting the Mi Mover or reconnecting to the network.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has data encryption enabled (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Encryption, Mi Mover may not see some files, in which case decrypt the device first or use alternative methods.

2. sync through Google account (for contacts, mail, calendar)

If you only need to migrate contacts, calendar events, Google Keep notes, and Gmail, the easiest way is to use a Google account. This is universal and works on any Android device, including Xiaomi, and the main advantage is that the data is automatically updated on all connected gadgets.

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and make sure that the switches next to Contacts, Calendar and other options are enabled.
3. Click on "Sync Now" (or wait for automatic sync).
4. On the new smartphone, add the same Google account and enable sync for the same categories.

After a few minutes (sometimes up to 10-15 minutes on a large volume), all the data will appear on the new device, which is not suitable for sending photos, videos, messages or applications, they will require other methods.

Mi Mover

Google account

Xiaomi Cloud

OTG cable

Bluetooth/Direct Share

Another option-->

⚠️ Note: If you used your Mi Account to back up your old phone, link it to your new device before you start setting up. Otherwise, the data from Mi Cloud may not be automatically downloaded.

3. Xiaomi Cloud – Backup and Recovery

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that offers 5GB of free space (with the option of expanding to 100GB for a fee) and can back up your old smartphone and restore it to a new one, a method that works if you don’t have physical access to both devices at the same time (for example, an old phone broke but backup is in the cloud).

How to make a backup and restore data:

• 📁 On an old phone: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device → Select categories (e.g. System Settings, Applications) and click Create a Backup".
• ☁️ Wait until it is completed (time depends on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet).
• 📱 On a new phone: when you first turn on, select Restore from Backup and log in to the same Mi Account. Or manually: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Restore from backup copy.

Please note:

• 🔄 Backups in Mi Cloud are stored for 30 days from the moment of creation (after expiration they are deleted automatically).
• 📵 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords or fingerprint settings) are not backed up for security reasons.
• 📡 To speed up the process, connect to Wi-Fi 5 GHz or use mobile Internet with unlimited traffic.

4. File transfer via OTG-cable

If you only need to transfer photos, videos, music or documents (without apps and settings), the most reliable way is to use the app. OTG-This is a method that is suitable for large amounts of data (e.g. 50).+ GB) and does not depend on Internet speed.

Option 1: OTG-cable (direct connection)

1. Buy it. OTG-Adapter (e.g. Xiaomi) USB-C to USB-C or USB-C Micro-USB, depending on your phone ports).
2. Connect the old phone to the new one via an adapter (some models will require you to select File Transfer mode in the notification curtain).
3. On the new phone, open Explorer (or Files) and copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.).

Option 2: Computer-assisted

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB-Cable and select File Transfer Mode (or MTP).
2. Copy all the necessary files to your computer (for example, in a folder on your desktop).
3. Disable the old phone, connect the new one and transfer the files back.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s when used) USB 3.0).
• 📁 You can selectively copy only the right folders.
• 🔒 No risk of data loss due to synchronization failure.

1. Cable – it must support data transfer (not all charging cables are suitable).

Connection Mode: In the notification curtain when you connect to USB, select File Transfer (MTP).

3. Drivers: Windows PCs may need to install Mi PC Suite (download from the official website of Xiaomi).-->

5. Bluetooth and Direct Share for small files

If you need to transfer multiple photos, contacts or small documents (up to 500 MB), you can use Bluetooth or Direct Share (an Android Beam built-in MIUI alternative), which is slower than others, but does not require the Internet or additional accessories.

How to transfer files via Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
2. Make the devices visible to everyone (the “Visibility” or “Detection” option).
3. On an old phone, select files (for example, in the gallery, click Share → Bluetooth).
4. Select a new phone from the list and confirm acceptance on it.

For Direct Share:

1. Open the file you want to send and click "Share".
2. In the options list, select Direct Share (or Quick Transfer in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Select your target device from the list (it should be near and with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth enabled).

Limitations of the method:

• 🐢 Low speed: transmission 1 GB can take up to 10-15 minute.
• 📵 Not all file types are supported (e.g., you can’t transfer applications or system settings).
• 🔋 High battery consumption on both devices.

💡

Bluetooth and Direct Share are only suitable for one-time transfer of small files. For full data migration, use Mi Mover or cloud services.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of the data transfer method depends on three key factors:

1. Volume of data: for 10+ GB is better used OTG-cable or Mi Mover; for 1-2 GB is suitable for Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Type of data: Contacts and calendars are more convenient to sync through Google, and apps and SMS are more convenient to sync through Mi Mover.
3. Internet availability: If there is no network, there is Bluetooth, OTG or Mi Mover (via Wi-Fi Direct).

If you are not sure which method to choose, answer the following questions:

• 🔹 Do I need to transfer applications and their data? → Mi Mover or Xiaomi Cloud.
• 🔹 Can you access both devices at the same time? → OTG Mi Mover.
• 🔹 Does speed matter? → OTG-cable.
• 🔹 Do I need to save the system settings (wallpaper, themes, shortcuts)? → Xiaomi Cloud.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

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

1 Mi Mover does not find the device

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (older versions of the Mi Mover may not work).
• 🔌 Try connecting through a hot spot: on the old phone, turn on “Modem Modem”, and on the new one, connect to its Wi-Fi.

2. data from Xiaomi Cloud is not recovered

• ☁️ Check if there is enough space in the cloud (free only 5GB).
• 🔑 Make sure you log in to the same Mi Account as your old phone.
• 📡 Try to recover a copy via mobile internet (sometimes Wi-Fi blocks large files from downloading).

3. When transmitted via OTG, files are not copied

• 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable (cheap adapters may not support data transfer).
• 📂 Check if files are hidden (in Explorer, enable the display of hidden folders).
• 🛠️ On the old phone in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, include "Debugging by USB".

4. Bluetooth breaks the connection

• 🔋 Charge both phones (at low charge, Bluetooth may shut down).
• 📱 Remove the pairing of devices and connect them again.
• 📡 Turn off Wi-Fi during transmission (sometimes interferes with the transmission).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions