How to Transfer All Data From Old Xiaomi Redmi to New: A Step-by-Step Guide

Switching to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can become a real headache if you don’t know the nuances. Even within the same MIUI ecosystem, users face problems: app settings are lost somewhere, SMS is not tolerated, and sometimes the process is interrupted altogether due to lack of space or incompatibility of firmware versions. This article will help you avoid typical errors and choose the best way to migrate depending on your tasks.

We'll look at all the current methods of 2026, from the official MIUI Clone tool to manually transferring over the OTG cable, comparing them in speed, reliability and data volume. We'll focus on the hidden traps: why sometimes Wi-Fi passwords don't move, how to save your call history and what to do if the new Redmi can't see the old device. If you go from the Redmi Note 10 to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or from the POCO X3 to the Redmi K70, here's the solution to your situation.

Preparation for the transfer: what to do before the migration begins

Before you start the transfer, follow the mandatory preparatory steps, which will save hours of time and prevent data loss, starting with cleaning up the garbage on the old device:

• 🧹 Remove the app cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache, it'll free up until 5-10 GB space and speed up the process.
• 📁 Transfer rarely used files (films, archives) to your computer or cloud – they can be downloaded later.
• 🔋 Charge both phones to a minimum. 50%. Transfer through MIUI Clone can drain the battery on the 20-30% hourly.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (preferably) 5 GHz) or prepare a quality cable USB-C/OTG.

It is critical to check the compatibility of MIUI versions. If the old Redmi is MIUI 12 and the new one is MIUI 14, some settings may not be transferred, in which case you should use a Google Account or manual transfer through Xiaomi Cloud.

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If the new phone isn't there yet SIM-cards, temporarily insert it from the old device - this will simplify authorization in accounts and confirmation of the old device SMS.

⚠️ Warning: Do not update the firmware on your old phone immediately before transfer! this can reset settings MIUI Clone and lead to an error "Device is not supported".

Check out the free space on the new Redmi:

• 📱 Transferring via cable requires at least 10% of the free space from the volume of data transmitted.
• ☁️ When using the cloud (Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive), make sure there is enough space (free 5GB and 15GB, respectively).

Clear cache on old phone | Charge both devices >50%| Connect to the same Wi-Fi | Check the MIUI version on both phones | Free up space on the new device-->

2. Method 1: MIUI Clone is the official tool of Xiaomi

MIUI Clone is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for wirelessly transferring data between devices on MIUI. The method works on all Redmi devices since MIUI 10 and supports transfer of:

• 📞 Contacts, call history and SMS
• 📸 Photos, videos and audio files
• 📱 Installed applications (without data)
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi passwords)
• 📅 Calendars and notes

How to start the transfer:

1. On the new phone, select Data Portability when you first turn on (or find the MIUI Clone app in the menu).
2. On your old phone, open Settings → About phone → Data Transfer.
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new device or select "Connect via Wi-Fi Direct".
4. Select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data:

MIUI Clone|Google Account|OTG|Cable |Xiaomi Cloud, Google Drive |Another way-->

Important feature: MIUI Clone does not transfer data from some applications (for example, game saves or Telegram chats).

⚠️ Warning: If the process is stalled in the Preparation phase, restart both phones and reconnect. MIUI memory deficit.

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendars and apps)

If you use Google services, this method allows you to migrate basic data without additional applications, suitable for switching not only between Xiaomi, but also to devices of other brands.

• 📇 Contacts (synchronized via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📱 List of installed applications (without user data)
• 📍 Location history (if included)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords (Android 10 only)+)

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for Contacts, Calendar, and Application Data.
3. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select “Copy Data” and log in to the same Google account.
4. Select “Restore from backup” and specify the latest copy from the old device.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS, Call history and multimedia files.
• ❌ Application data (e.g. game progress) is not stored.
• ❌ On the phones with MIUI Sometimes the lock screen settings are not restored.

The advantage of this method is automatic data update, and if you add a new contact on your old phone before the transfer is complete, it will appear on the new device after synchronization.

Method 3: OTG Cable – Rapid transfer of large volumes

If you have a USB-C/OTG cable (or an adapter for Micro-USB), this method will be the fastest for transferring photos, videos and documents, the speed of transmission through the cable is 2-3 times faster than over Wi-Fi, and the risk of connection breakdown is minimal.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C (or USB-A — USB-C adapter-wise OTG)
• 📱 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)
• 🔋 Charging for a new phone (the cable consumes a lot of power)

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-cable.
2. On the new phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the file manager and copy the folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM (photos and videos) /storage/emulated/0/Download (downloads) /storage/emulated/0/WhastApp (Whatsapp backups)
4. Use ADB (PC required) or APK Extractor to port applications.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Not all folders with settings (Android/data) You can copy without root rights.
• ⚠️ When copying WhatsApp, remember to move the Databases folder – otherwise chat history will not recover.

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OTG cable is the best choice for transferring files over 30 GB. The main advantage is that there is no dependence on Internet speed and the limitations of cloud services.

5. Method 4: Xiaomi Cloud – Backup and Restore

Xiaomi Cloud is a proprietary cloud storage that offers 5GB for free (up to 1TB for a fee), a method that is convenient for partial porting or if you don't have a cable.

• 📞 Contacts, SMS call history
• 📸 Photo and video (in original quality)
• 📝 Notes and notes
• 🔧 System settings (sounds, wallpaper, labels)
• 📱 List of applications (without data)

How to make a backup and restore:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the data to copy and click "Start backup".
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and select Restore from backup.

Limitations:

• ❌ Free tariff - only 5 GB (for high-quality photos this is not enough).
• ❌ Recovery takes a long time (up to a few hours for 20 years)+ GB).
• ❌ Some settings (such as Always On Display) may not be restored.

Tip: Before backup, check what data is already synced to the cloud, for example, contacts could be duplicated in a Google Account and you don't need to copy them again.

Method 5: Manual transfer for advanced users (ADB, Titanium Backup)

If you need to migrate all the application data (e.g. game saves, Nova Launcher settings, or Tasker databases), standard methods won’t work.

• 🖥️ ADB Backup (requires PC and debugging by USB)
• 📦 Titanium Backup (Root Needed)
• 🔄 Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware)

Instructions for ADB Backup:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your old phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
3. On the new phone, restore the backup: adb restore backup.ab

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Not all apps support backup through ADB (For example, WhatsApp or banking applications).
• ⚠️ On the new versions of Android 12+ ADB Backup may not work without additional manipulation.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users are faced with errors.

If after transfer on the new Redmi appeared lags or overheating, follow the following steps:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Clear the cache in Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Turn off automatic sync for unnecessary data (Settings → Accounts).

8.What to do after the transfer: Optimizing the new phone

Data portability is just the first step, so that the new Xiaomi Redmi works quickly and stably.

• 🔄 Update all apps on Google Play.
• 🛠️ Check your battery settings: disable Optimization for critical applications (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 📡 Set up a dual space (if you want to separate personal and work data).
• 🔒 Enable Security Application Blocking (Settings) → Confidentiality).

For models with Amoled screen (Redmi K70, Redmi Note 13 Pro+) it is recommended:

• 🎨 Enable Always On Display (Settings) → Screen. → AOD).
• 🔄 Adaptive refresh rate to save battery.

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After transferring the data, reset the cache to Recovery Mode (Volume Up + Power → Wipe Cache) to eliminate possible lags and speed up the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi Redmi