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

Why data transfer between Xiaomi requires a special approach

Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when it comes to moving within the same ecosystem. Xiaomi offers users unique migration tools, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly. Unlike moving from Android to iOS or vice versa, where application settings and account data are often lost, almost perfect synchronization can be arranged between Xiaomi devices - provided you take into account the nuances of MIUI.

The main problem lies in the variety of firmware versions: MIUI 12, MIUI 14 and the fresh MIUI 15 (based on Android 14) have different backup algorithms. For example, in older versions, the “Cloning of the device” function worked through Mi Mover, and now it was replaced by a built-in portability wizard. In addition, many users are faced with the fact that applications with data (such as WhatsApp or Viber) are not automatically transferred through standard tools, they need separate manipulations.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current portability methods, from official Xiaomi solutions to workarounds for complex cases (for example, when one of the devices is locked or not turned on), and learn how to save even Wi-Fi settings, call history and game data, which are usually lost during standard synchronization.

Method 1: Official transfer wizard to MIUI (fastest)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use a built-in portability wizard that starts automatically when a new smartphone is first turned on, which works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13T and POCO F5. The main advantage is that the transfer takes place over Wi-Fi Direct (without dependence on the Internet) and takes 10–30 minutes depending on the amount of data.

To take advantage of the master:

• 📱 Turn on your new smartphone and select a language. At the Data Transfer stage, click on Move from Android".
• 🔗 On your old phone, open Settings. → The phone. → Data transfer (or use) QR-code that will appear on the new device).
• 🔄 Confirm the connection on both devices. The system automatically determines which data can be transferred.
• ✅ Select categories: contacts, messages, photos/video, applications (without data!), system settings.

⚠️ Note: The portability wizard does not copy data from some applications (e.g. Telegram or banking programs) due to security limitations).

If the transfer master does not start automatically, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge on both devices (should be) ≥50%).
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN Mobile data – it can block the Wi-Fi Direct connection.
• 🔄 Update the firmware on both smartphones to the latest version (via Settings) → Updating the system).

Method 2: Backup through Xiaomi Cloud

Xiaomi Cloud is a cloud storage company that offers 5GB for free (for China and the global version of MIUI) and is ideal if you want to move data in advance or if you don’t have physical access to an old phone (for example, it broke).

• 📁 The cloud stores: contacts, messages, notes, call history, system settings, some application data (e.g. Mi Fit).
• ❌ Does not save: high-resolution photo/video (preview only), data from most third-party applications, files in the Download folder.
• 🔒 Requires a Xiaomi account binding (if not, register in advance!).

Backup instructions:

1. On the old phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the categories to copy and click "Create a backup".
3. On a new phone: Log in to the same Xiaomi account and recover data from the cloud (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore).

⚠️ Note: If you are using the global version MIUI, A new phone -- with firmware for China or vice versa -- you can't recover a backup from the cloud because of regional constraints.

Connect to Wi-Fi | Check free space in the cloud (5GB for free) |Update the Mi Cloud |Update the battery optimization application for Mi Cloud |Sync contacts with your Xiaomi--> account

Method 3: Transfer over OTG cable (for large data volumes)

If you have dozens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music files, the best option is to transfer directly through an OTG cable (or USB-C to USB-C adapter).

• 📵 Old phone has broken glass, but screen responds to touch.
• 🔋 Battery discharged (can be connected to charging during transfer).
• 🌐 No access to Wi-Fi or mobile internet.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the OTG cable to the new phone and the old phone to the cable (via a USB-C or Micro-USB port, depending on the model).
2. A notification will appear on the new device "USB-Device is connected" - open it and select "Send files (or MTP).
3. Use any file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Total Commander) to copy data from the internal memory of the old phone to the new one.

Where to look for key folders on the old Xiaomi:

• 📸 Photo/video: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera and /Pictures
• 🎵 Music: /Music
• 📄 Documents: /Documents or /Download
• 💬 Messages (if backups are needed): /Android/data/com.android.providers.telephony

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If the OTG cable is not detected, try to enable the developer mode on both phones (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times) and activate the “Debug by USB” option.

Method 4: Application Data Transfer (WhatsApp, Telegram, Games)

Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t carry data from most applications — they need separate solutions.

📱 WhatsApp and other messengers

For WhatsApp, there is an official way to transfer chats:

1. Create a backup on your old phone: WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Install WhatsApp on your new phone and sign in to the same account.
3. When you offer to restore chats, confirm (the backup file must be in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases folder).

For Telegram and Viber, you just need to log in to your account on a new device — cloud sync will do everything automatically, but local files (such as downloaded stickers or media) will have to be manually transferred over the cable.

🎮 Call of Duty (Genshin Impact, PUBG)

Most mobile games are linked to Google Play accounts, Facebook accounts, or their own servers (e.g. miHoYo for Genshin Impact).

• 🔑 Make sure the game is linked to your account (check in the game settings).
• 📲 Install the game on a new phone and log in to the same account.
• ⚠️ For offline games (such as Minecraft), copy the folder with saves (/Android/obb or /Android/data) cable OTG.

🏦 Banking applications and 2FA

Banking programs (e.g., SberBank Online, Tinkoff) and two-factor authentication applications (Google Authenticator) cannot be ported through backups for security reasons.

• 🔐 For banks: re-tied cards through SMS or.
• 🔑 For Google Authenticator: export codes in advance (in the app settings) or use alternatives like Authy that sync between devices.

Method 5: Third-party applications (for complex cases)

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of different versions of MIUI or a damaged system), you can use third-party tools, and we tested several solutions and selected the most reliable ones:

📲 ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop)

Xiaomi’s official Wi-Fi file transfer app is suitable for transferring photos, videos and documents, but not system data.

• 📥 Speed: Up to 20 MB/s (depending on the phone model).
• ⚠️ Restriction: does not carry applications and settings.

🔄 Clone Phone (from Huawei but works with Xiaomi)

Huawei's app is surprisingly good at transferring data across brands, and it replicates:

• 📞 Contacts, messages, call history.
• 📷 Photos and videos (without loss of quality).
• 📱 Installed applications (but without data!).

Cons: requires installation on both devices and sometimes “hangs” on large files (>1 GB).

🖥️ Programs for PC (Mi) PC Suite, Moborobo)

If your phone doesn’t want to connect directly, use your computer as an intermediary.

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via Mi PC Suite and back up.
2. Connect a new phone and recover data from the backup.

Advantage: you can selectively transfer only the necessary data (for example, only contacts or only photos).

⚠️ Note: Do not use unknown Chinese backup software (e.g, MTK Droid Tools – they can contain malicious code or damage data. Stop choosing official utilities or proven applications from Google Play.

What to do if the transfer fails

Sometimes the transfer process is interrupted or the data is not restored.

If none of the methods worked, try manual transfer:

1. Copy all important files (photos, documents) to your PC or external drive.
2. Save contacts to a.vcf file and export it.
3. Take screenshots of Wi-Fi settings and other important settings.
4. Install apps on your new phone manually and log in to your accounts.

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If the data transfer is interrupted, don’t panic: most files (photos, videos, documents) can be copied manually through an OTG cable or cloud service, and don’t format your old phone until you make sure all data is saved.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi