The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, but the process of data transfer can turn into a headache if you do not know proven methods. Many users lose hours manually copying contacts, lose photos or face errors in sync. Meanwhile, Xiaomi ecosystem offers several built-in tools for instant migration of all data – from SMS to Wi-Fi settings.
In this article, we will discuss 5 current ways to transfer information between Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), their pros and cons, and give exclusive tips for eliminating typical errors. Particular attention will be paid to transfer speeds, data security and compatibility with the latest versions of MIUI 14/15. If you just unpacked the new Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro + – this guide will save you at least 2-3 hours!
All methods are tested on current firmware and work even when switching between different series (for example, from Xiaomi 12T to POCO F6). The main rule is: do not start the transfer with a discharged battery - the process can take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.
1. Official method: Mi Mover (fast and lossless)
Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary data migration solution that is set by default on all devices with MIUI 9+. This method is recommended by the manufacturer, as it guarantees the safety of folder structure, photo tags and even some system settings.
To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:
- On an old smartphone, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or search through the settings).
- On the new device, run the same app and select the option “I’m a new phone.”
- Scanner. QR-The code on the new device reads the code from the old one - this creates a direct connection over Wi-Fi.
- Select data types to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, apps) and confirm the start of the process.
The speed of the transfer depends on the volume: for example, 60 GB of photos and videos will be transferred in 40-60 minutes, and contacts and SMS - in 2-3 minutes. An important nuance is that when using the Mi Mover on the new phone must be installed the same or newer version of MIUI than on the old one, otherwise the system will suggest to update before migration.
Run Mi Mover on both phones | Connect both devices to charge | Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection |Free ≥15% of memory on your new phone |Disable VPN and firewalls-->
⚠️ Note: If the old phone has data encryption enabled (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Encryption), Mi Mover may not work well. We recommend temporarily disabling encryption before transferring it.
2. Transfer via OTG cable (maximum speed)
For users who do not have time to wait for the transfer over Wi-Fi, a direct connection through the Internet is suitable. OTG-This method is in 3-5 It's faster than wireless alternatives, and it doesn't depend on the quality of the Internet connection:
- 🔌 OTG-adapter (Type-C) → Type-C or MicroUSB → Type-C depending on the phone ports)
- 📱 Two Xiaomi smartphones with mode support USB-drive (available on all models after 2018)
- 🔋 Charging. ≥50% on both devices (large volume transfer drains the battery)
Step instructions:
- Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-Adapter. On the screen of the old device, select "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
- On a new phone, open Explorer (or any file manager) – the old smartphone will appear as an external drive.
- Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, MIUI for system data) to your new phone.
- To transfer contacts and SMS, use export to.vcf and.xml file respectively (via Contacts and Messages app).
The advantage of this method is that you have complete control over the data you're carrying, so you can, for example, just choose the photos from the last year or you can exclude heavy videos.
| Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|
| Speed up to 40 MB/s (vs. 5-10 MB/s on Wi-Fi) | Purchase required OTG-adapter (~300-500₽) |
| It works without the internet. | Does not carry installed applications (only) APK-file) |
| You can selectively copy files | You need to manually set up contacts and SMS |
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If OTG-Adapter not recognized, try restarting both phones or using a support adapter USB 3.1 (Blue connectors - this will accelerate the transfer to the 20-30%.
3. Cloud portability: Xiaomi Cloud and Google Drive
If you have a slow internet or not OTG-Cables, cloud services will be a lifeline. Xiaomi offers its own cloud (Xiaomi Cloud), and also supports integration with Google Drive.
Method 1: Xiaomi Cloud (up to 5GB free)
- ☁️ Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud on an old phone.
- 🔄 Enable synchronization for the desired data (contacts, notes, photos).
- 📱 Sign in with the same account on your new phone and wait for automatic download.
Restriction: the free rate gives only 5 GB, and the photos are stored in a compressed format. To transfer 100 GB you will have to buy a premium subscription (from 99 GB).₽/month).
Method 2: Google Drive (15GB free)
- ☁️ Install Google Photos and Google Contacts on your old phone.
- 🔄 Upload data to the cloud (the original photos will take up disk space).
- 📱 On your new phone, log in to the same Google account and download files.
⚠️ Note: When using Google Photos, photos in resolution above 16 MP will be compressed to 16 MP if you have an unpaid tariff. To maintain original quality, change the settings in Google Photos before downloading. → Settings → Backup and synchronization → Quality of loading.
Xiaomi Cloud|Google Drive|Yandex Drive|iCloud|Nothing else |Not using-->
4. Bluetooth and LAN (for small files)
If you need to transfer a few photos, documents or contacts, and there is no cable at hand, you can do with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct local network. These methods are suitable for volumes up to 1-2 GB, since the speed is limited to 1-2 MB / s.
Bluetooth portability:
- Turn on Bluetooth on both phones (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
- Connect the devices (click on the name of the second phone in the list of available).
- Select files in Explorer, click "Share" → "Bluetooth".
Wi-Fi Direct (5-10 times faster than Bluetooth):
- 📶 Activate Wi-Fi Direct in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Direct.
- 🔗 Connect to the network created by the second phone.
- 📁 Use any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) to transfer.
The main advantage of these methods is that they do not require the Internet or additional devices, but they are not suitable for porting applications or system data, and note that Xiaomi limits the size of a single file when transferring over Bluetooth 50 MB.
Why is Bluetooth so slow?
5. Transfer applications and their data (without loss of progress)
One of the most painful moments when changing your phone is the transfer of installed applications and their data (for example, progress in games, settings of messengers). APK-files, so you have to use the workarounds.
Method 1: Backup through ADB (for advanced)
This method allows you to create a full copy of all the data applications and restore them to a new phone. ADB Tools:
adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
adb restore backup.abPlease note: Some applications (e.g. banking) block backups for security reasons.
Method 2: Built-in export function in applications
Many programs support data export:
- 🎮 Games: Link your account to Google Play Games or Facebook.
- 💬 Messengers: Telegram and WhatsApp have a function of exporting chats.
- 📅 Calendars/Notes: Sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud.
⚠️ Note: When transferring WhatsApp data through a local copy (.crypt14) Make sure your phone number is unchanged, otherwise it will be impossible to restore chats without additional manipulation of Google Drive.
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To transfer the game progress, always link your account to a cloud service (Google Play, Game Center, Mi Account) – this is the only way to guarantee the preservation of achievements.
6. Frequent errors and their solutions
Even when you follow instructions, users have problems. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them:
1 Mi Mover doesn't see the second phone
- 🔄 Reboot both devices.
- 📶 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (do not use mobile internet).
- 🔧 Update Mi Mover via Play Market.
Transmission is interrupted OTG
- 🔋 Connect the phones to charging.
- 🔌 Try another one. OTG-Adapter (cheap often warmed and switched off).
- 📂 Move the data in portions over 10-15 GB.
3.There is not enough space in Xiaomi Cloud
- ☁️ Remove old backups in Mi Cloud → Storage management.
- 💰 Buy an extra seat (100GB is worth it) ~300₽/year).
- 📁 Move photos through Google Photos and the rest through Mi Cloud.
4.Apps are not restored after the transfer
- 📱 Check if sync is enabled in the Play Market → Settings → Auto-update.
- 🔍 Make sure the new phone supports the same processor architectures (ARM64/ARMv8).
- 🔧 Reinstall problem apps manually.
5. Contacts disappeared after transfer
- 📇 Check if they are duplicated in the contact → Management → Unite.
- ☁️ Sync with Google Contacts or Mi Cloud again.
- 📄 Import a backup of.vcf from internal memory.
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If photos are missing in the gallery after transfer, but they are in the DCIM folder, clear the Gallery app cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management.