How to transfer all the information from the Xiaomi phone to another Xiaomi: the complete guide

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often turns into a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, apps, and even screen settings all need to be saved to keep from starting from scratch. Fortunately, Xiaomi devices have several built-in migration tools, as well as versatile solutions from Google and third-party developers.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to transfer data between Xiaomi smartphones – from the official Mi Mover to manually copying through the cable. OTG. You will learn which method is the fastest, which saves the most data types, and how to avoid common errors (for example, loss of messages from WhatsApp or sync failure). MIUI — There are some things that are not written in the official instructions.

Whether you’re upgrading from the Redmi Note 11 to the Xiaomi 14 or from the POCO X3 to the Redmi K70, the instructions below are suitable for any MIUI 12-14-based model. And if you have any questions about a particular model, check the compatibility table at the end of the article.

1. Mi Mover – official way from Xiaomi (without data loss)

Mi Mover is a proprietary migration app that is installed by default on all Xiaomi smartphones, and it transfers data directly over Wi-Fi Direct, without cloud intermediaries, making the process fast and secure, and the main advantage is support for all types of data, including:

• 📱 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 📷 Photos and videos (folder structure is maintained)
• 💬 Communications (SMS, MMS, WhatsApp and Telegram history)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📥 Installed applications (with settings where possible)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, brightness, sound profiles)

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select the option “Data Import” or find Mi Mover in the settings.
3. On the old device, click "I am the sender" and on the new one, "I am the receiver."
4. Scan it. QR-code from the new phone old (or connect via Wi-Fi Direct manually).
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has data, Mi Mover will suggest resetting it to factory settings before migrating.Don't miss this step - otherwise some of the data may not be transferred or duplicated.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data. For example, 64 GB of photos and videos are copied for about 30-40 minutes. If the process is stalled during the Preparation stage, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge on both phones (should be) ≥ 50%).
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct connectivity stability (don’t stray far from devices).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI (In older versions, bugs are possible).

Charge both phones up to 50%+

Make sure there is enough memory on your new phone

Disable VPNs and Firewalls

Update MIUI to the latest version (if available)

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (for backup)

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2.Mi Cloud - Cloud portability (if phones are not nearby)

If you don’t have physical access to both phones at the same time, use Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud, a cloud storage solution that is convenient when:

• 📦 New phone hasn't been purchased yet, but you want to save data in advance.
• 🌍 The devices are located in different cities (or countries).
• 🔄 You only need to transfer some data (for example, only contacts or photos).

Instructions for transfer via Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired types of data (contacts, notes, photos, etc.).
3. Wait until the download is complete (time depends on the speed of the Internet).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable sync in the Mi Cloud.
5. The data will start to download automatically. Connect to Wi-Fi to speed up.

The limitations of Mi Cloud:

⚠️ Warning: The free Mi Cloud tariff only provides 5GB of storage. If you have more data, you will either have to clean the cloud or buy additional space (from 100GB per unit). ~300 ₽/year).

If after syncing, some of the photo is displayed in low resolution, check the settings of Mi Cloud → Photo → Sync quality. By default, there may be the option “Traffic Savings”, which compresses images.

Mi Mover (direct transmission)

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Google Account

OTG cable or computer

Annex side (SHAREit, Xender)

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3. Google Account – universal method (for all Android)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos), transferring data through a Google account may be easier than through Mi Cloud.

• 🔄 You only need to transfer contacts, calendars, mail and photos.
• 📱 One of the phones is not from Xiaomi (for example, the transition from Samsung to Xiaomi).
• 🔒 You don’t trust the Xiaomi cloud and prefer Google Drive.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable the option “Backup to Google Drive” and select an account.
3. Click on “Create a backup now” and wait until it is completed.
4. On the new phone, select “Copy Data” and log in to the same Google account.
5. Select a backup and confirm the recovery.

What is carried over Google:

• 📇 Contacts, calendars, tasks.
• 📸 Photos and videos (if synced with Google Photos is enabled).
• 📱 Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper, language preferences.
• 🎮 Data from some games (if they support Google Play Games).

What is not in the backup of Google:

• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS) — You need third-party apps like this. SMS Backup & Restore.
• 📁 Download files and documents – they will have to be copied separately.
• 🔧 Settings for specific applications (such as WhatsApp or banking programs).

💡

If the apps didn’t install automatically after you restored your Google account, open Google Play → Library → Installed and click “Update All.”

4. Transfer via OTG cable or computer (for large volumes)

If you have a lot of data (100+GB) or a weak Internet, the most reliable way to do this is to physically copy it through an OTG cable or a computer, and this method ensures that:

• 🚀 Maximum speed (up to 480 Mbit / s at USB 3.0).
• 🔒 Security (data is not transmitted via the Internet).
• 📁 Full control (you choose which files to copy).

Method 1: OTG cable (direct connection)

You'll need a cable. OTG (Type-C → Type-C) or adapter: connect the old phone to the new one and follow the instructions:

1. A notification will appear on the new phone "USB-Connection. Select "File Transfer".
2. Open Explorer and find the Internal Memory folder of the connected phone.
3. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to your new phone.

Method 2: Through a computer (Windows/macOS)

If you don’t have an OTG cable, use your computer as an intermediary:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy the data to a folder on your hard drive.
2. Disable the old phone, connect the new one and transfer the files back.
3. For contacts, export them to.vcf via Contacts → Export.

⚠️ Note: When copying through your computer, do not use the Android folder on your new phone, this can cause app malfunctions, Backup_2026) And move the data there.

If you need to migrate data applications (such as saving in games), use Titanium Backup (root rights required) or the built-in backup function in Settings → System → Backup.

5 Third-party applications: when standard methods do not work

If the built-in tools of Xiaomi or Google failed (for example, messages or app settings did not move), try specialized programs:

How to use Sharet for transfer:

1. Install Sharet on both phones from Google Play.
2. On your old phone, select "Send" and tag files.
3. On the new phone, click "Get" and connect to the access point of the old device.
4. Confirm transmission on both phones.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• 🔄 It works on all Android devices (not just Xiaomi).
• 📶 No Internet connection (wi-fi direct transmission).
• 📁 Only the necessary files can be selectively transferred.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ There is no guarantee of transfer of all types of data (for example, application settings).
• 🛡️ Risk of data leakage (especially in lesser-known applications).
• 📱 You may need to turn off battery optimization to work in the background.

💡

The side of the app is convenient for selective transfer, but for a full migration it is better to use Mi Mover or Google Account.

Comparison of methods: which way to choose?

To determine the best method, answer the questions:

• 📱 Both phones from Xiaomi? → Use the Mi Mover.
• 🌍 Phones in different places? → Mi Cloud or Google Account.
• 💾 We need to move. >100GB? → Cable OTG computer.
• 🔄 Switch from iPhone or other Android? → Google Account or Clone Phone.
• 💬 Messages and chats are important? → Mi Mover + WhatsApp backup in Google Drive.

Table of methods comparison:

If you’re in doubt, start with Mi Mover, which is the most reliable way for Xiaomi devices to work, and if it doesn’t work (for example, because of different versions of MIUI), go to Google Account or OTG cable.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the official tools, users are having problems. TOP-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1. Mi Mover is stuck in the "Data Preparation" phase Reason: MIUI version incompatibility or memory shortage Solution: Upgrade both phones to the latest MIUI and free up ≥ 10% of memory on the new device.
2. No messages from WhatsApp or Telegram are portable Reason: These apps don't support migration via Mi Mover.Solution: Use the built-in backup to Google Drive (for WhatsApp) or export chats manually.
3. Mi Cloud does not sync photos Reason: In the settings included compression or little space in the cloud. Solution: Check Mi Cloud → Photos → Sync quality and clear the place.
4. After the application is moved, the reason is not open: Incompatible versions of Android or lack of data. Solution: Update the applications to Google Play or move their data through Titanium Backup (to root).
5. The new phone doesn't see the old one through OTG Reason: Wrong cable or file transfer mode is disabled Solution: Use the original OTG cable and check the USB settings on the old phone.

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from your phone to your phone MIUI 12 or older on a device with MIUI 14, some system settings may not apply. That's OK -- just adjust them manually after you migrate.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the new phone to the factory settings and repeating the port, which solves compatibility problems in 90% of cases.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions