How to transfer data from your old phone to the new Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide with a guarantee of file safety

The transition to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to the safety of valuable data: photos, correspondence, contacts and applications. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi (be it Redmi Note 12, Redmi 13C or flagship Redmi K70) face a typical dilemma: how to transfer information from an old device quickly, without loss and without having to manually configure everything again. Fortunately, Xiaomi has its own tools for migration, but they do not always work perfectly – especially if the old phone from another manufacturer or uses an outdated version of MIUI.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to transfer data – from the official Mi Mover app to universal solutions like Google Account or physical connection through the Internet. OTG-You will learn which method is suitable for your situation, how to avoid typical errors (for example, data loss when you interrupt transmission via Mi Mover on models with a different mode). MIUI 14+) And what do you do when the new Redmi doesn't see the old device — FAQ Answering the most common questions, including transferring data from iPhone or phones to Android 10 and below.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that automatically transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, apps and even some system settings.The app is pre-installed on all Redmi smartphones (starting with MIUI 9), but it can be downloaded to other brands’ devices via Google Play.

How it works:

• 🔄 Two-way transmission: data is sent directly from the old phone to the new one via Wi-Fi (no cloud).
• 📱 Android Support: Works with most Android devices 5.0+, But best of all, with phones. Xiaomi/Poco/Redmi.
• ⚡ Speed: up to 10 MB/s (depending on model and version) MIUI).
• ❌ Restrictions: Does not carry Wi-Fi passwords, data from some applications (for example, WhatsApp requires a separate backup).

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → Mi Mover. If your phone is already configured, open the Mi Mover app manually.
2. On the old phone, install Mi Mover (if not) and select I sender.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the new Redmi or connect via Hotspot.
4. Select data types to transfer (we recommend unchecking System Settings if the old phone is not from Xiaomi).
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

Charging both phones > 50%|Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.|On the old phone enough free space (at least 10% of the amount of data transmitted)|Disabled. VPN and energy-saving regimes-->

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 14+ If you interrupt the transmission via Mi Mover, you may fail to transfer (Error 1002). In this case, restart both phones and try again, previously turning off Adaptive Brightness in the settings.

2. Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you have a Google Account synced to an old phone, it's the easiest and most reliable way to do this, and it's the easiest way to transfer contacts, calendars, mail, notes, photos (via Google Photos) and parts of apps, and the main advantage is that data is stored in the cloud and available on any device.

How to move:

• 📱 On your old phone: go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for all the categories you need (contacts, calendar, drive, etc.).
• 🖼️ Photo and Video: Install Google Photos and enable Autoupload (Settings) → Backup and synchronization).
• 🆕 On the new Redmi: when you first turn on, log in to the same Google Account and wait for the sync to complete.

Important: If your old phone has enabled Data Encryption (such as on Samsung or Huawei), it may be necessary to temporarily disable it in security settings before syncing with your Google Account.

3. Physical transfer through OTG-cable

If you don't have Wi-Fi or you have more than 100GB of data, physical connectivity is the fastest solution.

• 🔌 OTG-cable (for direct connection of telephones) or USB-cable + computer.
• 💻 PC Windows/macOS (If you use a computer as an intermediary).
• 📁 File Manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Total Commander).

Method 1: Direct connection via OTG

1. Connect your old phone to your new Redmi OTG-adapter (need cable) USB-C → USB-C or micro-USB → USB-C connector-dependent).
2. On the new Redmi, select File Transfer (MTP) in the notification bar.
3. Open Mi File Manager and go to the section USB-Driver and copy the necessary files.

Method 2: Through the computer

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy the data to a folder on the drive.
2. Disable the old device, connect the new Redmi and transfer the files back.
3. For contacts and SMS, use export in.vcf (contacts) or.xml (SMS) format through specialized applications.

💡

If the new Redmi doesn’t recognize the old device through OTG, try using the developer mode: turn on USB debugging in the settings (About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock).

4. Cloud services: Dropbox, Yandex Drive, Telegram

Cloud storage is convenient if you have slow internet or only need to transfer some data (such as photos or documents), the main disadvantage is limited free space (usually 5-15 GB).

Instructions for Yandex Disk:

1. On an old phone, install Yandex Drive and upload files to the cloud.
2. On the new Redmi, log in to the same account and download the data.
3. To automatically upload photos, enable the Autoboot option in the application settings.

⚠️ Note: When loading a large amount of data (e.g., 50)+ GB photos) via Yandex mobile Internet Drive can block an account for 24 hours due to suspicion of automated activity.

5. Data transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi

Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach, since iOS and Android use different storage formats.

Step 1: Exporting data from iPhone

• 📱 Contacts: Export through iCloud → Contacts → Settings (cogs) → Exports vCard.
• 🖼️ Photo/Video: Use Google Photos or iCloud for Windows (if you have a PC).
• 💬 Messages: Apps like iMazing or Backuptrans will help save SMS.csv.

Step 2: Transfer to Redmi

• 📥 Contacts: import the.vcf file through Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 📲 Apps: install analogues from Google Play (for example, WhatsApp will transfer chats when verifying the same number).
• 🎵 Music: Copy files via iTunes (export to folder) → then on to the Redmi.

6. Transfer of applications and their data

The hardest part is to transfer not only the apps themselves, but also their data (e.g., game saves, chat history, settings).

Important for WhatsApp: If you migrate chats from your iPhone to Android, there is no official way. The alternative is to use paid tools like Backuptrans or iCareFone, but they don't guarantee 100% success.

💡

For most applications, it is enough to log in to the same account on the new Redmi. the exception is messengers (for example, Viber or WhatsApp), where you need to manually transfer the backup.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

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

• 🔴 Mi Mover freezes 99%: reboot both phones, disable Btarea optimization for Mi Mover app in battery settings.
• 🔴 Lack of space on the new Redmi: before penos clear the cache of applications (Settings) → Warehouse → Cleaning) or use SD-card (if supported).
• 🔴 Photos moved but not displayed in the gallery: check the folder DCIM via Mi File Manager and update the media base (Settings) → Additionally. → Update the media storage).
• 🔴 Apps are not restored from Google Account: check if AutoRestore is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of applications.

Tips for Redmi owners with MIUI 14+: If data doesn’t show after transfer, try resetting the Gallery or Contacts app settings through Settings → Apps → Application Management → Reset.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions