How to quickly and safely transfer data from one Xiaomi Redmi to another Android phone

Why data transfer between Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are one of the most popular Android devices in Russia, but their firmware MIUI It has features that make standard data portability difficult, and unlike pure Android, it has its own synchronization services, and some system files are stored in non-obvious folders, such as backups of messages. SMS In Redmi, the default is not /sdcard/Backup, a in a hidden catalogue /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup.

Another trap is linking to your Mi Account. If you use the Mi Cloud to sync but forget your password, you can only restore access to the backup through the official Xiaomi website with the phone number attached. USB-debugging in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times to activate the developer mode).

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer data between Xiaomi Redmi and other Android devices, including little-known nuances for models with MIUI 14/15 and new HyperOS. Particular attention will be paid to saving the settings of MIUI themes that are not portable by standard Android tools.

Method 1: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Official Xiaomi Method)

The most reliable way for Xiaomi Redmi owners to use the Mi Cloud service, which automatically syncs contacts, notes, calendars, SMS and even call history, the main advantage is that data is available on any device after logging into your Mi Account.

To move the data:

• 📱 On the old Redmi, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• ☁️ Enable synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, SMS, note-book).
• 🔄 On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for sync to complete.
• ⚡ Connect to Wi-Fi to speed up the process – transferring photos/video over the mobile Internet can take hours.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ No installed apps (only a list of them for Google Play) are portable).
• ❌ Photos are synced only if you have previously enabled the option to boot in Mi Cloud.
• ❌ Theme and wallpaper settings MIUI persist.

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If Mi Cloud does not see a backup, check the region of the account. For Russia, the servers are located in Singapore - you can change the region in Account Settings → Country / Region (SMS confirmation is required).

Method 2: Direct Cable Transfer (Mi Mover)

For Redmi models on MIUI 10+ and HyperOS, the proprietary Mi Mover application is available, which copies data directly through a USB-OTG adapter or Type-C cable - Type-C. This method is 3-5 times faster than cloud synchronization and even saves alarm settings.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Mover from Google Play on both phones (unless installed by default).
2. In the old Redmi, choose I as the source, in the new one, I as the receiver.
3. Connect your phones with a cable (when you request, select File Transfer (MTP) mode).
4. Select categories for transfer: contacts, SMS, photos, video, audio, documents.
5. Confirm the start of the transfer – the process will take from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the volume.

Important nuances:

• 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable – cheap analogues may not support the protocol MTP.
• 📶 Turn off mobile internet on both phones during transmission to avoid interruption.
• 🔋 The battery should be charged. ≥30% – If the Mi Mover is below 15%, it automatically stops the process.

Install Mi Mover on both phones|Check the battery charge (≥30%)|Prepare original USB-cable|Turn off mobile internet|Unlock. USB-debugging (if required)-->

Mi Cloud|Mi Mover (cable)|Google Account|Third-party applications (SHAREit)|Manual transfer (flash drive, PC)|Other-->

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you don’t want to depend on Xiaomi services, use standard sync through Google Account, which is suitable for transfer to any Android device, including Samsung, Huawei or Realme.

What's synchronizing:

• 📇 Contacts (from the Google Contacts app).
• 📅 Calendars and reminders.
• 📝 Notes (if you used the Google Keep app).
• 🎮 Data from games and certain applications (via Google Play Games).
• 📱 List of installed applications (by themselves) APK-files are not portable!).

How to set up:

1. On the old Redmi, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and enable sync for the right categories.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account – the data will be automatically pulled up.

⚠️ Note: If your old Redmi contacts are stored in local memory (not Google), you must export them first. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to.vcf file, then transfer the file to a new phone and import.

Method 4: Transfer through third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender)

If standard methods are not suitable (for example, when migrating to a non-Xiaomi device), use third-party wireless applications.

• 📲 SHAREit – Up to 20 Mbps, supports files of any type.
• 🔄 Xender – does not require a connection to a single Wi-Fi network.
• 📎 Send Anywhere – 6-digit code generation for fast transfer.

How to transfer data via SHAREit:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play.
2. On the old Redmi, select Send, on the new one, Receive.
3. Select files for transfer (photo, video, APK, documents).
4. Connect to the access point created by the application, or scan. QR-code.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works without the Internet (creates a local network).
• ✅ Keeps the folder structure.
• ✅ Supports files >4GB (unlike Bluetooth).

⚠️ Note: When transmitting via SHAREit or Xender, turn off battery optimization for these applications in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Battery optimization, otherwise the connection may break.

Method 5: Manual transfer via PC or flash drive

For users who prefer full control of the process, manual transfer via computer or memory card is the longest, but allows you to choose the exact location of files on the new device.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the old Redmi to the PC via USB-cable.
2. Enable File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
3. Copy the required folders from internal memory: DCIM — Photos and videos. Download - uploaded files. MIUI/Backup — backup MIUI. Android/obb — game-play.

Connect a new phone and paste the copied files into the corresponding folders.

For application transfer (APK + data):

• Use it. APK Extractor for extraction APK-file.
• To save these applications, you need root rights or Titanium Backup.
• On your new phone, install APK and recover data via ADB: adb restore backup.ab

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Manual portability is the only way to save the MIUI launcher settings (location of icons, folders on the desktop). To do this, copy the file /data/system/launcher2.db (root rights required).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When transferring data between Xiaomi Redmi, users face typical preventable problems:

1.There's not enough space on the new phone

• 📉 Before transferring, clear the application cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicate photos with Google Photos or Gallery Doctor.
• 🔍 Check the backup size in Mi Cloud – sometimes it exceeds 10GB due to unnecessary data.

2. data is not synchronized with Mi Cloud

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes Xiaomi services “hang” in the background.
• 🌐 Check your internet connection: Mi Cloud doesn’t work through some VPN.
• 📅 Update. MIUI up to the latest version - in old firmware there are bugs with synchronization.

3 Mi Mover doesn't see the second phone

• 🔌 Try another cable – cheap cables often don’t support it. MTP.
• 🔄 Switch the mode. USB Transfer of files in the notification curtain.
• 📱 HyperOS models may need to be included USB-debugging → For developers.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions