How to transfer data from one Xiaomi Redmi to another: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi Redmi 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 has several built-in migration tools, as well as versatile solutions that work on any Android device.

In this article, we will discuss 5 From the official Mi Mover to manually copying via PC, you will learn which method is the fastest, which saves the most information, and how to avoid typical errors (for example, loss of messages from WhatsApp or failure of sync Mi Account). We will pay special attention to the nuances for models with MIUI 14/15 and the new HyperOS.

If you're afraid of losing important files or you're not sure which way to go, don't worry. We'll detail each step, add checklists to prepare and warn you of pitfalls. For example, did you know that when you move your Google Account, you don't save SMS and call history? And when you use a USB-C cable on the Redmi Note 12, you might need an adapter?

1. Preparation for data transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you start migrating, take a few critical steps to save time and prevent data loss.

Mandatory conditions:

• 🔋 Charge both phones to at least 50% (when transferred via cable, the battery goes down faster).
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (for wireless methods).
• 📱 Update. MIUI HyperOS to the latest version on both smartphones (check Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔐 Make sure that the old phone is debugging on USB (If you plan to use a cable, then you can use a cable. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Also check the space available on the new Redmi. If you are transferring more than 30 GB of data (for example, photos in original quality), free up the memory in advance.

1. Remove unnecessary applications through Settings → Apps → App Management.
2. Clear the cache in Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Transfer heavy files (video, games) to SD-map.

⚠️ Warning: If storage encryption is enabled on the old phone (in Settings) → Security → Encryption, some portability techniques may not work. In this case, use Mi Cloud or manual copying via PC.

On Redmi models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips (such as the Redmi K60 Pro), the "Incompatible Device" error may occur when transferring through the cable. Solution: use the original Xiaomi cable or USB-A → USB-C adapter.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in application for migrating data between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. It copies almost everything: contacts, messages, photos, videos, applications (including their data), call history and even some system settings.

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer (or find Mi Mover in Settings → More).
2. On the old phone, open Mi Mover and select I sender.
3. Bring your phones to each other to scan. QR-Code (or connect via Wi-Fi Direct).
4. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data:

What Mi Mover is carrying:

• 📞 Contacts, call history, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums if uploaded to the gallery)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📱 Applications and their data (for example, save games, WhatsApp settings)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sound profiles, screen brightness)

What Mi Mover can't stand:

• ❌ Data from some banking applications (due to security restrictions)
• ❌ Some files from the folder Android/data (Like Netflix cache)
• ❌ Mi Account settings (you will have to re-enter your account)

Charge both phones >50% | Connect to one Wi-Fi | Update MIUI/HyperOS|Enable debugging via USB (if cable) |Free space on a new phone-->

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has data (for example, you started using it), Mi Mover will suggest resetting it to factory settings. This will delete all files! To avoid loss, move the data first, and then set up the phone.

Method 3: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that automatically syncs data between devices, and the main advantage is that you can transfer information remotely, even if the phones are in different locations.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on sync for the desired categories (contacts, notes, photos, etc.).
3. Wait for the download to complete (check in Settings → Mi Cloud → Storage).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable synchronization.

The limitations of Mi Cloud:

• 📉 Free storage – 5 GB (for transferring photos and videos, this is not enough).
• ⏳ Synchronizing large files can take several hours.
• 🔒 Some data (e.g., some data, SMS) They are not automatically synchronized, they must be exported manually.

If you need to move more than 5GB, buy extra space in the Mi Cloud or use another way: Prices for 2026:

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Before using the Mi Cloud, check if the old phone is running traffic savings in the background. Otherwise, the sync may be interrupted. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Saving traffic.

4. Method 3: Transfer through Google Account

If you use Google, this method allows you to migrate basic data without additional applications, suitable for contacts, calendar, photos (via Google Photos), notes (Google Keep), and some settings.

What is carried over Google:

• 📇 Contacts (from Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar)
• 📷 Photos and videos (if synced in Google Photos is enabled)
• 📝 Notes (Google Keep)
• 🎮 Data of certain games (if linked to Google Play Games)

How to move:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google Account and wait for sync.

What's NOT tolerable:

• ❌ SMS Call history (should be exported separately).
• ❌ Local files (music, documents, downloaded videos).
• ❌ Settings MIUI/HyperOS (wallpaper, sounds, gestures).

⚠️ Note: If you used multiple Google Accounts on your old phone, the new device may have duplicated data.

5. Method 4: Cable Transfer (USB OTG or PC)

If you don't have stable Wi-Fi, or if you want to transfer all the data, you can use cable, which is the most reliable, but also the most time-consuming method.

Option 1: Direct connection via USB OTG

This requires a USB-C → USB-C cable (or an adapter if you have one of the Micro-USB phones).

1. Connect the phones with a cable.
2. On your old phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. On the new phone, open Explorer and copy the desired folders (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures, etc.).

Option 2: Transfer over PC

If direct porting doesn’t work (for example, due to different versions of MIUI), use the computer:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy all files to your hard drive.
2. Connect the new phone and transfer the files back.
3. Use ADB to port applications (instruction below).

How to transfer applications through ADB:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC and connect both phones.
2. Follow the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
3. Transfer the backup.ab file to your new phone.
4. Recover the data by command: adb restore backup.ab

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Cable transfer is the only way to save all local files, including hidden folders and application data, but it requires unlocking OEM Unlock in the developer settings (on some Redmi models).

6. Method 5: Third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender, Clone Phone)

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't fit, third-party apps can be used.They are often faster than Mi Mover and support cross-platform portability (e.g., from iPhone to Redmi).

Top.-3 portability:

How to use Sharet:

1. Install Sharet on both phones.
2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new phone, Receive.
3. Connect via Wi-Fi Direct (automatically).
4. Select files and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Xender) request access to the SMS If you're concerned about privacy, deny access and use Mi Mover or Google Account.

7. Transfer of specific data: WhatsApp, games, passwords

Some data require a special approach, and let's look at the most difficult cases.

1. WhatsApp portability:

• 🔄 If both phones are on Android, use the built-in backup in Google Drive: On an old phone: WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup. On your new phone, install WhatsApp, log in to the same account and restore chats.

WhatsApp

same number

enough room

2. Transfer of game saves:

• 🎮 If the game is linked to Google Play Games or Mi Account, just log in to your account on your new phone.
• 💾 For local saves (e.g., in Genshin Impact), copy the folder Android/obb and Android/data cable.

3. Password and login transfer:

• 🔑 If you use Google Smart Lock, your passwords are automatically synced.
• 🔐 For Mi Browser or Xiaomi Password Manager, export data to file and import on a new phone.

1. Open Mi Fit on your old phone.

2. Export data to Settings → Account Management → Data Export.

3. On a new phone, import the file through the same section.

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8. Frequent errors and how to fix them

Even with proper transfer, there can be problems, and here are the most common solutions.

If neither method worked, try resetting the new phone to the factory settings and repeating the transfer, sometimes conflicting with data from previous migration attempts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions