How to Transfer Data to Xiaomi’s New Phone: A Complete Guide to 2026

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but many users face unexpected difficulties when trying to migrate familiar data. Unlike the iPhone, where the Apple ecosystem offers a single migration mechanism, Android devices (especially from Xiaomi) require several nuances to consider: from the version of MIUI to the model of the processor. For example, the flagship series Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13 support wireless transfer via Mi Mover, while budget models like the Poco M6 can be limited to cable connection only.

Another trap is cloud services. Many people rely on Google Account or Mi Cloud, but don't take into account that synchronizing contacts and photos can take hours with slow Internet, and some data (such as SMS or notes) are not automatically transferred at all. According to Xiaomi's internal statistics, up to 30% of users lose some information when they move on their own — most often this is the history of calls and app settings. This article will help avoid typical errors and choose the best method depending on your model and data volume.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow the mandatory preparatory steps, which can lead to data loss if the connection fails or MIUI versions are incompatible.

• 🔋 Charge both phones to at least 50%. The transfer process can take up to 2 hours, and discharging during the operation will interrupt the transmission.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (for wireless methods). Use 5 GHz, which is more stable for transferring large files.
• 🧹 Clear the cache on your old phone: go to Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup. It'll speed up the scanning of files.
• 🔐 Make sure that the new Xiaomi has a screen lock disabled (PIN/pattern lock – some methods require unlocked device.

Pay special attention to compatibility of MIUI versions. If the old phone has MIUI 12 and the new one has MIUI 14, wireless transfer via Mi Mover may not work smoothly. In this case, it is better to use a cable connection or the cloud. Check the versions in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from a phone of another brand (such as Samsung or Huawei), pre-disable factory protection (such as Knox or Huawei). HMS). These systems can block file transfers through third-party utilities.

Method 1: Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in data portability app available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 9 and later.It supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, applications (including their data), and even some system settings. The main advantage is the preservation of folder structure and file metadata (for example, the date of photo creation).

How to use:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (if it is not available, download it from Google Play).
2. On the new phone, select “I am a new user” and on the old phone, “I want to send data.”
3. Connect devices via Wi-Fi Direct (automatically) or USB-C/OTG cable.
4. Select data types to transfer and confirm the operation.

The transmission speed depends on the connection method:

• 🔌 Cable OTG/USB-C: before 40 MB/s (recommended for volumes) >10 GB).
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: 5-15 MB/s (can slow down at low signal).

⚠️ Warning: If you experience a "Disconnected" error during the transfer over Mi Mover, restart both phones and try again. IP-local-network addresses.

Install Mi Mover on both phones

Charge devices >50%

Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (5GHz)

Disable VPN and energy saving modes

Release. >10% of the memory on your new phone-->

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and email)

If you only need to migrate contacts, calendar events, email and some app settings, syncing through Google Account is the easiest way. It works on any Android device, including Xiaomi, and does not require additional software. The main advantage is that the data is automatically updated on the new phone whenever you change the old one.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Enable synchronization for Contacts, Calendar, Gmail and other necessary services.
3. On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google Account to Settings → Accounts.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 30 minutes).

Please note the limitations:

• 📱 SMS and call history is not synced via Google (use Mi Mover or third-party apps).
• 📁 Photos and videos are only transferred if they were uploaded to Google Photos (settings) → "Backup and synchronization").
• 🔄 Applications are not automatically portable – only their settings (for example, bookmarks in Chrome).

To speed up sync, connect the new Xiaomi to charging and Wi-Fi networks. If the data does not appear, check:

Settings → Accounts → Google → [your account] → Sync account

Make sure all switches are active (green).

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If you have two Google accounts, make the one you want to transfer the data to the main one before transferring. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Management and select the profile you want as “Main”.

Method 3: Use of a memory card or OTG-storage

For users who do not have access to stable Wi-Fi or cable, transfer via a memory card (microSD) or USB-storage OTG-The adapter is still a viable method, suitable for transferring large files (movies, backups) and does not depend on the speed of the Internet, SMS or application settings) can be copied manually.

Step-by-step:

1. Insert a memory card into an old phone or plug in OTG-accumulator.
2. Copy the necessary files: 📸 Photo/video: folder DCIM or Pictures. 🎵 Music: folder Music or Media. 📄 Documents: Documents folder or Download folder.

Xiaomi

DCIM/Camera

To transfer applications and their data (for example, saves in games), use specialized utilities:

• 📦 App Backup & Restore (Saves) APK application data).
• 🔄 Swift Backup (requires root rights for full backup).

⚠️ Note: If you copy files to an exFAT memory card, make sure the new Xiaomi supports this format. A2, Poco C50) They only work FAT32, which limits the file size to 4 GB.

Method 4: Computer Transfer (for large amounts of data)

If you need to move tens of gigabytes of data (like a 4K movie collection or game backups), using a computer (Windows/macOS/Linux) is the most reliable option.

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer through USB-cable (select File Transfer mode when requested).
2. Copy all the necessary folders to the hard drive of the PC (it is recommended to create a separate folder, for example, "Xiaomi_Backup").
3. Turn off your old phone and connect a new Xiaomi.
4. Move the data back, keeping the folder structure.

To speed up the process, use:

• 🖥️ Total Commander or Far Manager – This supports multithreaded copying.
• 🔗 Synchronization over a local network (for example, through the FTP-phone-side).
• 🔄 Cloud Drives (upload data to Google Drive or Mega, then download to a new phone).

If your computer can’t see your phone, check:

• 🔌 Cable (use the original cable) USB-C Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Connection mode (in the notification curtain, select "File Transfer").
• 🖥️ Drivers (for Windows download Mi) PC Suite from the official website).

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Transferring over a computer is the only method that guarantees 100% control over data, and is suitable for backing up before resetting your phone or selling an old device.

Method 5: Third-party applications for transfer (alternatives to Mi Mover)

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t fit (for example, due to an outdated version of MIUI or model incompatibility), third-party apps can be used.They often offer additional features, such as data portage between Android and iOS or selective copying (for example, only photos from the last year).

Top.-3 tested applications:

How to use it (for example, Clone Phone):

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On the old phone, select "This is an old device" and on the new one, "This is a new device."
3. Connect via Wi-Fi Direct or create QR-link-code.
4. Select data for transfer and confirm the operation.

Important nuances:

• 🛡️ Some apps (such as Smart Switch) require you to disable the antivirus on your phone.
• 🔄 When transferring WhatsApp through third-party utilities, you may need to re-activate your account.
• 📱 On the phones with MIUI 14 and later, some applications may be blocked by the security system. In this case, allow access to Settings → Annexes → Special access → File transfer.

What to do if the data is not transferred or lost

Even with all the instructions, sometimes there are failures: photos are not copied, contacts are lost or applications are not restored, and in most cases the problem can be solved without losing data.

Common mistakes and their solutions:

• 📵 Phone doesn't see memory card: format it into FAT32 Check the computer or check the adapter OTG.
• ⚠️ Mi Mover gives off a “failed to connect” error: Reboot both phones and turn off VPN/AdGuard.
• 🔄 Contacts are not synced via Google: Check if sync is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📱 Apps are not restored: Install them manually from Google Play, then restore data via Titanium Backup (requires root).

If the data is lost, try to restore it:

1. For photo/video: Use DiskDigger or Recuva (on the memory card).
2. For contacts: Check backups in Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) or Mi Cloud.
3. For SMS: Applications like SMS Backup & Restore can recover messages from local backups.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell or transfer an old phone, be sure to complete a full reset (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings: Simply deleting files is not enough, they can be restored with special programs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi