How to transfer all data from one Xiaomi phone to another: full instructions

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to storing all the data stored. Unlike the iPhone, where Apple’s ecosystem offers a single algorithm for migrating over iCloud, Android devices — and Xiaomi in particular — require a more flexible approach. The manufacturer has integrated into MIUI own synchronization tools that work in parallel with standard Google features.

The main problem with users is that when using Google’s standard data copying tool, some of Xiaomi’s system settings (such as the themes of design, Second Space settings or Mi Fit data) may not be transferred. In addition, many people experience errors when trying to transfer data through the Mi Cloud due to restrictions on free storage or regional locks. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from official to alternative ones, so that you can choose the best option depending on the phone model, data volume and availability of additional devices.

Preparing phones before data transfer

Before you start migrating, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to loss of data or failures in the transmission process. MIUI. To do this, go to the Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and check for updates, especially for Redmi Note models. 10/11 and POCO X3/X4, where in the old versions of the firmware were bugs with the work of Mi Mover.

Second, free up enough space on both devices. 20-30% free space on the internal drive. if there is a lot of data (for example, more data) 50 GB photos and videos), consider the option with pre-cleaning the app cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clean up, don't forget, too:

• 🔋 Charge both phones to a minimum 50% (optimally — 80%). The transfer process may take up to 1-2 clocks with a lot of data.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. To transfer via Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the Internet speed must be at least 10 Mbit / s.
• 🔐 Disable screen lock (PIN, A pattern lock on an old phone. Some transfer methods require unlocked access.
• 📱 Make sure the new phone has started initially (language selection, network connection) and if the device is brand new, go to the home screen.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (like LineageOS), the official data porting tools may not work. ADB Third-party apps like Clone Phone.

Method 1: Official Mi Mover Tool (for new phones)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution that allows you to transfer almost all data from one device to another wirelessly, which is optimal if both phones support the function (available on models starting with the first one). MIUI 9) The main advantage is to keep Xiaomi-specific settings, such as:

• 🎨 Themes and wallpapers from Mi Theme Store
• 🔑 Second Space Data (if used)
• 📊 Mi Account settings and related services (Mi Fit, Mi Home)
• 📱 Configuration of gestures and navigation buttons

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On the new phone, select Data Portability during the initial setup (or find it later in Settings). → Additionally. → Data portability).
2. On your old phone, open Settings. → The phone. → Data portability and select "I am the source".
3. Scan the scanner on your new phone QR-code that will appear on the old device.
4. Select the data types to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, etc.) and confirm the beginning of the process.

The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data and the stability of Wi-Fi. 20-30 GB carried over to 30-60 If the process is interrupted, try restarting both phones and trying again.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO F3) Mi Mover can be hidden. To activate it, go to Settings. → Special facilities → Functions MIUI → Data portability.

Method 2: Transfer over Mi Cloud (cloud storage)

If you don’t have physical access to both phones at the same time (e.g., an old phone is lost or in another city), the best option is to use Mi Cloud.This method is also suitable for backing up before resetting. Note that a free Mi Account only provides 5GB of storage, so large amounts of data will require:

• 💾 Buy an additional seat (from 100 GB per ~300 rubles per year)
• 📁 Transfer data in parts (for example, first contacts and messages, then photos)
• 🔄 Use Google Photos for Media Files in Parallel

Instructions for transfer via Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on sync for all necessary categories (contacts, notes, photos, etc.).
3. Wait until the data is uploaded to the cloud (it can take several hours with a large volume).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync in Mi Cloud.
5. Select categories to download and wait for the process to be completed.

An important nuance: if you have previously used Google services (for example, Google Photos with the function "Backup"), data from Mi Cloud can be duplicated. → Google accounts → Synchronization on the new phone.

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If you have a slow Internet, before uploading photos to Mi Cloud, reduce their resolution through the Gallery app: highlight files → More. → Resize. It'll speed up the process of 2-3 once.

Method 3: Using a cable OTG or adapter (for large volumes)

For users who want to move tens of gigabytes of data (e.g. video to video) 4K, RAW-Photos or local backups of applications, the best solution will be a direct connection through the USB-OTG a special adapter or cable Xiaomi Type-C to Type-C. 5-10 faster than wireless alternatives and does not depend on the speed of the Internet.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C (for new models; or USB-A — USB-C s OTG-Adapter (for older ones)
• 📱 Both phones with support OTG (checked in the settings → The phone. → Specifications)
• 🔋 Charging at least 70% (transferring large files consumes a lot of energy)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the cable to both phones. The old device will display a notification "USB-Connection - select "File Transfer".
2. On the new phone, open Explorer (or Files) and select a partition "USB-storage".
3. Copy the required folders (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) for internal memory of the new device.
4. Use the application transfer APK Extractor (available on Google Play) to save APK-Files from an old phone and then install them manually.

⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data (where application data is stored) some programs may not work on a new phone due to differences in Android versions or processor architecture. DRM (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile will require re-authorization.

Method 4: Alternative applications (SHAREit, Xender, Clone Phone)

If standard methods don’t work for some reason (for example, the phone has custom firmware or no access to Mi Account), third-party apps will come to the rescue.

• 📲 SHAREit – transfer at speeds up to 20 MB / s over Wi-Fi Direct, supports files of any type.
• ⚡ Xender is similar to SHAREit, but with a simpler interface and a “Cloning Phone” feature".
• 📱 Clone Phone (from Huawei) – despite the brand, works great with Xiaomi and even carries the history of calls.
• 🔄 Send Anywhere – generates one-time code for transfer without registration.

General algorithm of use:

1. Install the app on both phones (only download from Google Play to avoid viruses).
2. On the old phone, select Send mode, on the new one, Receive.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or use the Hotspot feature on your old phone.
4. Select the files to transfer and confirm the beginning of the process.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• ✅ There are no limits on the amount of data (unlike the Mi Cloud).
• ✅ Work on any version of Android and custom firmware.
• ✅ Support cross-platform transfer (for example, from Xiaomi to Samsung).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Transfer speed depends on the quality of Wi-Fi Direct (can be slower). OTG-cable).
• ❌ Some apps (such as Clone Phone) don’t carry Mi Account data.
• ❌ Risk of installing malware when downloaded from unverified sources.

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For maximum transfer speed through third-party applications, turn off the Adaptive Battery function on both phones in Settings → Battery.This will prevent the application from automatically limiting the background.

Method 5: Manual transfer via computer (for advanced users)

If you have to migrate sample data or create a full backup before selling an old phone, the best control is a PC connection, which takes longer, but allows you to:

• 📁 Choose which files to copy and which ones not to copy.
• 🔍 View hidden folders (for example, with Mi Fit settings).
• 🛠 Recover data even after resetting the phone.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via the USB- cable and select File Transfer Mode.
2. Open this computer, your phone will appear as a removable disk.
3. Copy the required folders (DCIM, Pictures, Download, etc.) on a PC hard drive.
4. Connect the new phone and transfer the files to the appropriate folders.

To transfer applications and their data, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab


adb restore backup.ab

This command creates a complete backup of all the applications and their data into a backup.ab file, which can then be restored to a new phone.

• 🔧 Included Debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 💻 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot on PC.
• 📦 Enough disk space (backup can weigh) 10-50 GB).

⚠️ Note: When restoring the backup through ADB On a phone with a different version of Android, some apps may not install. For example, if you port data from the Internet. MIUI 12 (Android 10) on MIUI 14 (Android 13), system APK-files may conflict.

What to do if the data is not transferred or lost

Even with all the instructions, sometimes there are problems, and here are the typical scenarios and their solutions.

If you lost data after a failed transfer, try to recover it with specialized utilities:

• 📱 DiskDigger – to restore deleted photos and videos.
• 📞 GT Recovery – to return contacts and messages.
• 💾 7-Data Recovery (for PC) – if the phone is defined as a removable disk.

Important: Do not write new data to your phone after losing files, which reduces the chances of a successful recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi