How to Move Data Between Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete Guide to 2026

Why data transfer between Xiaomi requires a special approach

Xiaomi’s smartphones, including the Redmi, Poco, Mi and Black Shark lineups, use a unique MIUI ecosystem that offers its own data migration tools. However, many users face challenges ranging from lost contacts to incomplete app portability. Unlike universal solutions like Google Account, Xiaomi’s methods take into account firmware, MIUI version and even the region of the device.

In this article, we will discuss 5 official and alternative ways to transfer data, including nuances for devices with different versions of Android (from Android 10 to Android 14). Particular attention will be paid to transferring between devices with different chipsets (for example, Snapdragon → Mediatek), where standard methods may not work.

1. Official method: MI Mover (built-in application)

The MI Mover app is Xiaomi’s primary data migration tool, pre-installed on all devices with MIUI 9 and later, and the main advantage is that it supports data-based applications (such as game saves or Telegram chats), which most devices can’t.

How it works:

• 🔄 Creates a direct Wi-Fi hotspot between devices (no router required).
• 📱 Supports portability between Android devices of different brands (but with limitations).
• ⚡ Transfer speeds up to 10-15 MB/s (depending on the model).
• ❌ Not transferable: data of some banking applications, DRM-Protected content (such as Netflix movies).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → MI Mover (or search through search).
2. Select the role "Sender" and confirm the creation of the access point.
3. On the new phone, start MI Mover and select Receiver. Connect to the Wi-Fi network created by the first device.
4. On an old phone, tick the data for transfer (contacts, SMS, photos, applications).
5. Confirm transmission on both devices, and it takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on the volume.

Make sure that the new phone has enough memory.|Battery charge for both devices > 50%|Turn it off. VPN firewalls|Check the compatibility of versions MIUI (difference of no more than 2 versions)-->

⚠️ Note: If the new phone is installed MIUI Global, and old — MIUI China, the portability of applications may result in a 2001 error, in which case use alternative methods (see section 3).

2. Transfer via Xiaomi account (Mi Account)

Mi Account sync is suitable for transferring contacts, notes, calendars and certain settings, which does not require direct connection of devices, but has limitations:

• 📁 Maximum cloud storage capacity – 5 GB (free).
• ⏳ Synchronization takes up to 24 hours with a large amount of data.
• 🚫 Not tolerated: SMS, Call history, application files.

How to set up:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, notes, etc.).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the sync to complete.

⚠️ Note: If you change your Xiaomi account region (e.g. from China to Global), previously synchronized data may be lost. MI Mover.

3. Transfer using Google Account (universal method)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos), this method will allow you to transfer:

• 📇 Contacts, calendar, tasks.
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos).
• 🎵 Music and documents (via Google Drive).
• 📱 Settings of some applications (for example, Chrome, YouTube).

Step-by-step action:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for the right categories.
2. Make sure that photos are uploaded to Google Photos (settings → backup).
3. Add the same Google account on your new phone and wait for the sync.
4. To port apps, install them manually from Google Play (app data is not portable!).

💡

For the fullest possible portability, combine methods: use MI Mover for apps and SMS, and Google Account for photos and contacts.

4. Manual transfer via OTG cable or computer

If the automatic methods didn't work (for example, because of different versions of MIUI or corrupted firmware), you can manually transfer data, which takes longer, but guarantees control over the process.

Option 1: via OTG cable (for photos, videos, documents)

1. Buy it. OTG-Adapter (suitable for any with a connector) USB-C Micro-USB, depending on the model).
2. Connect a flash drive or external drive to an old phone.
3. Copy files manually (for example, the DCIM folder with a photo).
4. Connect the drive to the new phone and transfer the data.

Option 2: Through computer (for full backup)

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy folders: Internal Storage/DCIM # Internal Storage/Download Photos and Videos # Internal Storage/MIUI/Backup Downloads # MIUI Backups
3. To transfer SMS, use the SMS Backup & Restore app (save the file to your PC, then restore it to your new phone).

⚠️ Note: When you manually transfer applications (.apk files), their data (for example, save in games) will not be restored. This will require a separate backup via adb backup (see section 5).

💡

If you are transferring data from Xiaomi to a device of another brand (such as Samsung), use Samsung’s Smart Switch app – it supports import from MIUI backups.

5. Transfer of application data via ADB (for advanced users)

If you need to migrate app data (such as saving games, settings WhatsApp or Telegram), standard methods will not help. In this case, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) - a tool to create a full backup.

Requirements:

• 🖥️ Computer installed ADB (You can download from the official website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on both phones (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📦 Enough space on the PC (backup can weigh 10–50 GB).

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and execute the command: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab On the phone, confirm the backup (think up a password if required).
2. Connect your new phone and recover data: adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support recovery through ADB. For example, WhatsApp data will only be restored if the phone number has not changed.

6. Data transfer between Xiaomi and Poco (features)

Poco devices (such as the Poco F5 or Poco X6 Pro) run on a modified version of MIUI for POCO, which can cause problems when transferring data from classic Xiaomi.

• 🔄 MI Mover works, but may not tolerate theme and wallpaper settings.
• 📱 Data applications are only portable if both devices have the same version installed. MIUI (for example, MIUI 14).
• ⚡ For Poco with Android 13+ Additional permission to access files is required when manually transferring.

Solving the problem:

1. If MI Mover issues a 1008 error, update the firmware on both devices to the latest version.
2. To transfer Poco Launcher settings, use backup via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. If photos are not portable, check the permissions for the Gallery app in Settings → Apps → Permissions.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face typical problems.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone has lost an audible alert after transfer SMS, Check the settings in the settings → Sounds and vibrations → Message notifications: This problem is common in devices with MIUI 14 based on Android 13.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions