How to transfer data from your old phone to the new Xiaomi: the complete guide

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, apps and settings need to be saved to keep things from scratch. Fortunately, MIUI has built-in tools for rapid migration, and alternative methods will help even in difficult cases.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to transfer data between Xiaomi phones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), take into account the nuances of different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), and show you how to avoid typical errors. Whether you upgrade from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 or switch from iPhone, there is a solution for your case.

1.Official method: MIUI Transfer (quick and lossless)

The built-in MIUI Transfer app is the most reliable method for Xiaomi owners, and it supports transferring almost all types of data: contacts, SMS, photos, videos, audio, documents, applications (including their data), and even system settings, the main advantage of which is that folder structure and file metadata are preserved, which third-party utilities do not guarantee.

To use MIUI Transfer, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Install the Mi Mover app (it is) MIUI Transfer for both phones from Google Play or App Store (if portable from iPhone) on new Xiaomi it is preinstalled.
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or create an access point on an old phone).
• 📲 On the new Xiaomi, select the “Data Transfer” option in the settings wizard, and on the old one, “Send Data».
• 🔄 Confirm the connection by selecting the code on the screen of the old phone, which will appear on the new one.
• 📋 Select data types to transfer (you can mark everything or select selectively).
• ⏳ Wait until the process is complete. Time depends on the amount of data (for example, 64 GB of photos and videos can be transmitted up to 1-2 hours).

Both phones have ≥20 percent battery charge |

Both devices are connected to stable Wi-Fi (not mobile data) |

The new Xiaomi has enough free space (at least 10% more than the amount of data transferred)|

Disabled. VPN Firewalls (they can block transmission)-->

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from your iPhone, pre-disable iCloud and Find My iPhone in Apple settings ID. Otherwise, MIUI Transfer will not be able to access photos and contacts.

2.Move over the Xiaomi cloud (for backups)

Xiaomi Cloud is a convenient way to sync data between devices, especially if you already have a Mi Account, which is suitable for transferring contacts, notes, calendar entries, photos (if autoload is enabled), and certain settings.

• 🚫 Not tolerated. SMS/MMS Application data (except system data).
• 📸 Photos and videos are synced only if the Autoboot function in the cloud was previously enabled.
• 📱 Internet connection is required (preferably Wi-Fi to avoid wasting mobile traffic).

Instructions for transfer through the cloud:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for the data you need (contacts, notes, etc.).
3. On the new Xiaomi, sign in to the same Mi Account.
4. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Synchronization and enable the necessary items.
5. Wait for the sync to complete (it can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the internet speed).

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If the photos aren't displayed in the gallery of the new phone, check the Mi Cloud/Photos folder in the file manager. Sometimes the files are downloaded there instead of to the main gallery.

⚠️ Note: Free tariff Xiaomi Cloud provides only 5 GB of space. If you have more data, you will either have to clean the cloud or buy additional space (from 200 rubles / month for 50 GB).

3. Use of OTG cable or adapter (for large volumes)

If you don’t have Wi-Fi access or data takes up tens of gigabytes (e.g., video collection) 4K), The fastest way is to connect directly through OTG-This method works even between Xiaomi and other brands’ phones (Samsung, Huawei, etc.).

You'll need:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (e.g. Xiaomi) USB-C to USB-C OTG) cable USB-C — USB-C (If both phones are modern).
• 📱 The screen should be unlocked on the old phone (PIN or the pattern lock is no hindrance).
• 🔋 Battery Charging on Both Devices ≥30% (transferring large files consumes a lot of energy).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-The old device will have a notification on the screen «USB-Connection – Select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. On the new Xiaomi, open File Manager (Files app).
3. In the Devices section, select a connected phone (it will appear as an external drive).
4. Copy the files you need (DCIM folders for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) into the internal memory of your new phone.
5. To transfer applications, copy the Android/data folder, but note that not all programs will work after manual transfer (you need root rights or re-install from Google Play).

MIUI Transfer (built-in application)|

Xiaomi Cloud (cloud) |

OTG-cable|

Google Account (synchronization) |

Third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender)|

Another way.-->

4.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi (features and life hacks)

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi requires a separate approach due to the closedness of the Apple ecosystem.

• 🍎 iCloud blocks the export of certain data (such as notes or voice memos).
• 📱 Apps from the App Store are not portable – they will have to be installed again from Google Play.
• 🔒 iMessage and FaceTime data remain in Apple’s ecosystem and are not exported.

To transfer as much data as possible, follow this algorithm:

1. Contacts: 📱 On iPhone, open Settings → Contacts → Accounts. → iCloud and enable contact sync. 🌐 Go to iCloud.com, log in to your account and export your contacts to.vcf. 📲 On Xiaomi, import this file through Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
2. Photographs and videos: 📸 Use Google Photos: Install it on your iPhone, enable autoload, then log in to the same account on Xiaomi. 🔗 Alternative: Connect your iPhone to your computer, copy the photos to your folder, and then transfer them to Xiaomi via the phone. OTG.
3. SMS call history: 📞 For transfer SMS Use third-party applications, for example iSMS2droid (Export messages to.xml file, then import to Xiaomi via SMS Backup & Restore).

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If you don’t receive SMS from banks or services after transfer to Xiaomi, check if they are blocked as spam. In Settings → Applications → SMS, add numbers to the whitelist.

5. Third-party applications: when embedded methods do not work

If MIUI Transfer refuses to see an old device or Xiaomi cloud does not sync data, third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

• 📲 SHAREit – transfers files over Wi-Fi Direct (without the Internet), supports cross-platform transfer (Android) ↔ iOS ↔ Windows).
• ⚡ Xender is similar to Shareit, but with less advertising.
• 🔄 Send Anywhere – generates 6-digit code for fast file transfer between devices.
• 📂 Google Drive/Dropbox — Upload data to the cloud from one phone and download it to another.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• ✅ It works even if it works. MIUI Transfer does not support your model.
• ✅ You can transfer data between Xiaomi and other brands.
• ✅ Some utilities (such as Send Anywhere) do not require registration.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ In free versions, advertising is often found.
• ❌ Transfer speed depends on the stability of Wi-Fi Direct.
• ❌ Not all apps are portable SMS application data.

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Before using SHAREit or Xender, disable battery optimization for these applications in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Battery Optimization. Otherwise, the transfer may be interrupted.

6.Shareless Data Transfer: What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Even with official methods, there are sometimes problems, and let's look at typical scenarios and their solutions.

• 🔄 MIUI Transfer freezes 99%: Restart both phones and try again. VPN If it doesn't work, move the data in parts (for example, contacts first, then photos).
• 📱 New Xiaomi doesn’t show photos: Check folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the thumbnails don't get updated. Delete it (folder will recover automatically). Open the gallery. → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 🔋 Phone discharges during transfer: Connect both devices to charge (preferably via original power supplies).Close all background apps except for MIUI Transfer.

⚠️ Note: If some applications (e.g. banking) have stopped working after the transfer to Xiaomi, check:

1. Have you installed the latest updates for these apps on Google Play?
2. Are they locked in Settings → Apps → Permissions?
3. Is the energy saving mode on for them (this may interfere with notifications)?

7. data transfer to Xiaomi from another brand’s phone (Samsung, Huawei, etc.)

If you are switching to Xiaomi from a Samsung, Huawei, Realme or other Android device, you can use:

• 🔄 MIUI Transfer – supports most Android phones.
• 📁 Smart Switch (Samsung) → Export data to a file, then import it to Xiaomi.
• 🌐 Google Account – sync contacts, calendar and email.
• 🔌 OTG-cable - for manual copying of files.

Features of the transfer from Huawei:

• 📱 Use Huawei Backup to create a backup, then unpack it to Xiaomi via file manager.
• 🔒 If the data is encrypted (for example, in PrivateSpace), it will have to be transferred manually after decryption.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi