How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide 2026

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, but the process of migrating data can turn into a headache if you do not know the nuances. Unlike other Android devices, Xiaomi devices use a proprietary MIUI shell, which imposes its limitations on standard transmission methods. For example, Samsung’s Smart Switch feature will not work here, and standard Bluetooth may refuse to transfer large files due to power optimizations in MIUI.

Another trap is access permissions. Starting with MIUI 14, the system actively blocks application background activity, which can interrupt data transfer through cloud services. And if you transfer data from the old Xiaomi to the new one, you will encounter the features of Mi Account, which can duplicate contacts or photos when synchronized. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer data with all these nuances, including hidden MIUI settings, which are not written in the official instructions.

Before you start, answer the key question: what data do you need to transfer?

• 📱 Contact and SMS — Cloud synchronization or Mi Mover.
• 📷 Video/Photo – Optimal use of cable OTG or Google Photos.
• 🎮 Applications and their data – only Mi Mover or manual backup via ADB.
• 📄 Documents and music – any method will work, but the fastest way is through the Explorer over the local network.

Method 1: Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool, which is installed by default on all new devices with MIUI 9 and above, and allows you to migrate almost everything from contacts to call history and even some system settings, the main advantage is the preservation of folder structure and metadata files (for example, the date of creation of photos).

However, there are pitfalls:

• ⚠️ It only works between Xiaomi devices (or smartphones on the phone). MIUI, for example, Redmi or POCO).
• ⚠️ On older models, before MIUI 12) can freeze when transferring large volumes (more than 10 GB).
• ⚠️ Does not transfer data of certain applications (for example, WhatsApp or banking programs).

Step-by-step:

1. On both smartphones, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or search by settings).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or create an access point on the new Xiaomi).
4. Scan on your old phone. QR-code that will appear on the new.
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Make sure the new Xiaomi has enough memory | Turn off battery optimization for Mi Mover in settings |Plug both phones into charging |Don't use mobile internet - only Wi-Fi

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The transmission speed depends on the data volume and the version of MIUI:

⚠️ Warning: If the process is stalled during the Preparation phase, restart Mi Mover on both phones and reconnect. If the error is repeated, try another method (e.g., a cable). OTG).

Method 2: Google Account is universal, but not perfect

Syncing through Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer contacts, calendars and parts of applications. It works on any Android device, but Xiaomi has its own peculiarities: by default, the system limits background synchronization to save battery, which means that without additional settings, data can be synchronized with latency or not completely.

What exactly is carried through Google:

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and contact notes).
• 📅 Calendars and reminders.
• 📱 Some system settings (language, date/time, Wi-Fi network).
• 🎮 Game data if they support Google Play Games.

What's NOT tolerable:

• 📷 Photos and videos (you need to use Google Photos separately).
• 💬 SMS Call history (third party software required).
• 📁 Files and documents (only if they are stored in Google Drive).

Instructions for setting:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all the data you need.
2. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Google account.
3. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync and manually run the update.

To transfer photos and videos, use Google Photos:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On your old phone, turn on Backup in Google Photos settings.
3. Wait for the download to complete (check in the Photo → Devices section).
4. On the new Xiaomi, open Google Photos and download the files back.

⚠️ Note: If you have more than 15GB of photos, use Original Quality in your backup settings, otherwise Google will compress the images. Also note that free cloud storage is limited to 15GB per account.

Method 3: OTG Cable is the Fastest Way to Sell Large Volumes

If you need to move tens of gigabytes of data (like a video collection or app backups), an OTG cable is the best option, and it works 10 times faster than wireless methods, and it doesn't depend on the MIUI version or Xiaomi's limitations.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Type-C → Type-C or Type-C → Micro-USB, depending on the phone connectors).
• 📱 File Manager (e.g., standard Explorer in the MIUI or FX File Explorer).
• ⚡ Charging – the process can take a long time and the battery will run out.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the OTG cable to the new Xiaomi.
2. Connect your old phone to the other end of the cable (if the connectors don’t match, use an adapter).
3. The new Xiaomi will be notified USB-Device is connected – click on it and select File Transfer (MTP).
4. Open Explorer on your new phone, go to section USB-storage (this is the memory of an old phone).
5. Copy the files into internal memory or SD-Map of the new Xiaomi.

The transfer speed depends on the USB version:

1. Reconnect the cable.

2. On an old phone, in the USB settings, select File Transfer (MTP) rather than Charging.

3. Install a third-party file manager (such as Solid Explorer) that works better with the file manager. OTG.-->

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the cable while copying! on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) this can cause file system damage on the X-ray. SD-If the copy is stuck, press Cancel in Explorer first, and then turn off the cable.

Method 4: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct – when there is no cable

If you don’t have an OTG cable or Wi-Fi, you can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which is suitable for transferring small files (up to 1-2 GB), but have serious limitations:

• 🐢 Low speed: Bluetooth transmits data at speed ~2–3 MB/s, Wi-Fi Direct – up to 10 MB/s.
• 🔋 High battery consumption – both methods actively use communication modules.
• 📵 Limitations MIUI — On newer versions, Bluetooth can automatically shut down after 10 minutes of inactivity.

How to transfer data over Wi-Fi Direct (faster than Bluetooth):

1. On both phones, turn on Wi-Fi Direct in your Wi-Fi settings.
2. On your old phone, select a new Xiaomi from the list of available devices and confirm your connection.
3. Open Explorer, select files and click Send → Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Accept files on the new Xiaomi.

For Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair them.
2. In Explorer, select files, click Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select a new Xiaomi from the list and confirm the transfer.

💡

Wi-Fi Direct only works between devices that support this technology, and older Xiaomi models (until 2018) may not have one.

Transmission speed comparison:

Method 5: Cloud Services for Backup

If you prefer to store backups in the cloud, you can use Google Drive, Yandex Drive, Mail.ru Cloud or even Mi Cloud (branded cloud from Xiaomi), which is convenient because data is available from any device, but there are nuances:

• 💾 Limited space – free usually give 5-15 GB.
• 🔒 Security – Do not upload sensitive data to the cloud (e.g., document scans).
• ⏳ Download time – depends on internet speed.

Instructions for Mi Cloud (if both phones are Xiaomi):

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable backup for the data you need (contacts, SMS, photos, etc.).
3. Wait for the download to complete (you can check in the Storage Management section).
4. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Account and recover data from the cloud.

For other cloud services (e.g. Yandex Drive):

1. Install the cloud app on both phones.
2. On an old phone, upload files to the cloud.
3. On the new Xiaomi, download the files back.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud, make sure the new phone has the same version installed. MIUI, Otherwise, there may be compatibility errors when you restore backup.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with proven methods, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

1.Mi Mover doesn't see old device

• 🔹 Make sure that both phones are switched off. VPN and Wi-Fi on.
• 🔹 Reboot both devices.
• 🔹 On the old phone in the developer settings, turn on Debugging by USB (sometimes).

2. Google Photos do not upload photos

• 🔹 Check if there is enough space in the cloud (only 15GB is free).
• 🔹 In Google Photos settings, select Quality Original if you want to save the original resolution.
• 🔹 Turn off battery optimization for Google Photos in settings MIUI.

3. When copying through OTG, errors occur

• 🔹 Use a support cable USB 3.0 (usually blue).
• 🔹 Format. SD-card in exFAT (not a card in exFAT) FAT32), If you copy files larger than 4 GB.
• 🔹 Do not copy files directly to the folder DCIM — It could disrupt the gallery.

4. Bluetooth breaks the connection

• 🔹 In Bluetooth settings on the new Xiaomi, turn off Auto-Switching.
• 🔹 Reduce the distance between phones (maximum 1-2 meters).
• 🔹 Restart both devices before transfer.

1. Connect both phones to the computer.

2. Copy files from an old phone to a PC.

3. Move them to the new Xiaomi.

This is the most reliable way, but requires a computer.-->

FAQ: Answers to popular questions