How to transfer data from Xiaomi smartphone to POCO: the complete guide

Why Xiaomi and POCO need a special approach

Xiaomi smartphones and POCO, despite the common ecosystem MIUI, They often have nuances when it comes to data sharing. POCO-devices (especially the F or X series) can use modified firmware versions with stripped-down functionality of proprietary utilities. POCO Launcher lacks built-in Mi Mover tool, which is on the “clean” Xiaomi.

Another trap is different versions of Android. If your old Redmi Note 8 Pro runs Android 11 and the new one runs Android 11. POCO X6 Pro – on Android 14, direct transmission via cable can end in error due to incompatibility of protocols MTP. In addition, POCO-telephones with global firmware often block access to system folders through the Internet. USB-Debugging, which complicates manual file transfer.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods – from the official Mi Mover to workarounds through cloud services and ADB. Particular attention will be paid to saving applications with data (for example, the history of chats in Telegram or progress in games), since standard tools do not tolerate them.

Method 1: Official Mi Mover Tool (fastest way)

Mi Mover is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi that should theoretically work on POCO. However, there are pitfalls: the application may not be on the menu of new devices or require manual installation.

1. On the old Xiaomi: Open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or search through the settings).

⚠️ Attention: If POCO If you have custom firmware (like the Pixel Experience), Mi Mover won't work. In this case, use methods 3 or 4.

Contacts and call log

Photos and videos (except hidden folders)

SMS and MMS-Messages (not all models)

System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness)

Applications (APK only, no data!)

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Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Application data (such as game saves or WhatsApp chats) is not transferred).
• 🚫 Some of them. POCO (for example, POCO F5) need to be switched off MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings.
• 🚫 Maximum transmission size – 4 GB (for large volumes use cable).

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts and basic data)

If you only need to move your contacts, calendars, notes, and some settings, sync through Google Account is the most reliable option, and this method works even if one of the phones is discharged or damaged (just log in to a new device).

Step-by-step:

1. On the old Xiaomi, go to Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all the data you need.
2. On the new POCO, when you first turn on, select Copy Data from Android and log in to the same Google account.
3. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes with a large volume of contacts).

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If contacts don't show up on POCO, check to see if the sync in your Google account settings is disabled, and sometimes it's reset after you change your device.

What's not going to happen:

• 📁 Photos and videos (use Google Photos separately).
• 🎵 Music and downloads (must be copied manually).
• 📱 Applications and their data (only list of installed programs).

⚠️ Note: If the old Xiaomi used Mi Account for backup, the data from it is not synced with Google. you will have to export it manually first (see method 4).

Method 3: Direct transmission over cable (for large amounts of data)

If you need to transfer tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, cable USB-C — USB-C (or USB-A — USB-C It's the best choice, but there's some nuances to it. POCO:

1. Connect both phones to your computer (or directly to each other) OTG-cable).
2. On POCO, in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Xiaomi may need to be unlocked. USB-debugging → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers.

Challenges and solutions:

⚠️ Attention: If POCO It is worth firmware with a lock of recording in internal memory (for example, some versions). POCO X3 NFC), You will have to copy the files to the SD-map, and then move them to the right folders through the file manager.

Method 4: Cloud Services (for backup)

If you don’t have cable or phones are in different places, cloud services are a good alternative. Xiaomi and POCO support several options:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, but requires authorization in Mi Account. Suitable for contacts, notes and photos (not for apps!).
• ☁️ Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud: 10-32 GB is free, but there may be problems with Chinese firmware (blocking) IP).

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On the old Xiaomi: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup → Select data and click Create Backup.
2. On the new POCO: Log in to the same Mi Account, go to Mi Cloud → Restore and select the latest copy.

⚠️ Attention: If POCO If you have global firmware, and Xiaomi has Chinese firmware, you can restore it through Mi Cloud by making an error called Unsupported region.

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Cloud services are convenient for backup, but not suitable for porting applications with data. For games and instant messengers, use specialized tools (for example, Swift Backup for root devices).

Method 5: ADB and specialized utilities (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to custom firmware or damaged) USB-port, you can use it for ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to migrate all data, including apps with settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and drivers on your computer (you can download from the official Android website).
2. On both phones, turn on. USB-debugging (see method 3).
3. Connect the old Xiaomi and run the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (do not set the password, otherwise the recovery will not work!)
4. Disable Xiaomi, connect POCO and restore data: adb restore backup.ab

Limitations and risks:

• 🔧 Not all applications support backup through ADB (WhatsApp requires a separate backup).
• 🔧 Some of them. POCO loader-locked (POCO F3 GT) may need to be unlocked OEM Unlock.
• 🔧 Restoring system settings can cause crashes (it is better to transfer only user data).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If, after the transfer to POCO notifications in messengers stopped working, check the battery settings: → Annexes → Battery management → Choice of applications → Turn off optimization for the right programs.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions