How to transfer data to a Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the data transfer process often turns into a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, apps and settings all need to be saved and moved correctly to avoid losing important information. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several built-in tools and third-party solutions that make this task easier.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to transfer data to Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphones. POCO — From the official Mi Mover app to manual copying through your computer, you'll learn what's right for your case, how to avoid common errors, and what to do if the transfer is interrupted, and we'll also go into detail on the nuances of working with different versions. MIUI and smartphone models.

Whether you upgrade from Xiaomi Mi 9 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra or upgrade from iPhone to Redmi Note 13 Pro+, here you will find the most relevant instructions for any situation.

1.Official method: Mi Mover (MIUI Transfer)

Mi Mover (formerly MIUI Transfer) is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for wireless data transfer between devices, pre-installed on all smartphones with MIUI 9 and later, and available for download on Google Play, with the main advantage of cross-platform portability (from Android, iOS or even the old Xiaomi to the new).

How does it work? It's transmitted over Wi-Fi Direct, so you don't need an Internet connection. It's a function of the size of the files, but it takes 10 to 40 minutes on average. It's important that both devices have to be at least 50 percent charged, otherwise the transfer might be interrupted.

• 📱 Supported data: contacts, messages (SMS/MMS), Photos, video, audio, calendars, notes, applications (only) APK, data-free).
• ⚡ Restrictions: Wi-Fi passwords, account settings, and some application data (such as WhatsApp or banking programs) are not portable).
• 🔄 Compatibility: Works between Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, and other brands on Android 5.0+.

To begin the transfer:

1. Open Mi Mover on both smartphones (on the old device it may be called "Transfer Data").
2. On the new Xiaomi, select “I am a new user” and on the old one, “Send data”.
3. Scanner. QR-code on an old phone scan the code from the screen of the new.
4. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone is installed MIUI 12.5 or newer, and newer — MIUI 14+, Update Mi Mover to the latest version via Google Play before penos. Otherwise, there will be a sync error.

Charge both devices by at least 50% | Update Mi Mover in Google Play | Connect to the same Wi-Fi network (not necessary, but speeds up the process) | Free up space on the new Xiaomi (needs at least 10% free space) | Disable VPNs and firewalls

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2. Move through Google Account (for contacts, calendars and photos)

If you used Google services on an old phone, most of the data is already synced to the cloud, a method that is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, Google Keep notes, photos (Google Photos) and some settings, the main advantage is that the data is automatically updated on the new device if you log in to the same account.

How to check that synchronization is enabled:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and check what data is synchronized (checks next to Contacts, Calendar, etc.).
3. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, log in to the same Google Account or add it to Settings → Accounts.

For photos and videos:

• 📸 Install Google Photos on both devices.
• 🖥️ On an old phone, enable backup in the app settings.
• ⏳ Wait for the download to be completed (may take several hours with a large volume).
• 📱 Xiaomi’s new photos will appear automatically on Google Photos.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone used a Mi Account (Xiaomi Account) rather than Google, then contacts and notes could sync with the Xiaomi Cloud.

Mi Mover (official Xiaomi app)|Google Account (cloud sync)| OTG cable or computer | App side (e.g. SHAREit)|Did not yet port data

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3. Transfer via OTG cable or computer (for large volumes)

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, wireless methods can take too long, and in this case, you'd better use a direct cable connection.

1. OTG cable (to connect an old phone like a flash drive to a new Xiaomi)
2. Computer (copying files on a PC and then on a new smartphone).

For the OTG cable method:

• 🔌 Buy it. OTG-Adapter (if you have a Xiaomi with a USB-C, A new phone with Micro-USB).
• 📁 Connect your old phone to your new phone via an adapter.
• 🖱️ On the new Xiaomi, open Explorer and copy the desired files.

For the computer method:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer or MTP mode).
2. Copy the data into a folder on the computer.
3. Connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the files back.

The advantage of this method is the maximum speed (up to 40 MB / s using USB 3.0) and the absence of volume restrictions.

• ❌ Applications and their data are not transferred (only media files and documents).
• ❌ Additional equipment (cable) is required OTG computer).

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

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi is a separate story, and Apple doesn't provide easy tools for exporting data, so you'll have to use workarounds.

• 🍎 iMessage and FaceTime are not portable (you will have to manually save important messages).
• 📱 Apps from the App Store will not be installed on Android (you need to look for analogues in Google Play).
• 🔒 Encrypted iTunes backups don’t read on Xiaomi.

What can be transferred:

• 📞 Contacts: Export through iCloud → Settings → Export vCard and import to Xiaomi.
• 📸 Photos: Use Google Photos or iCloud for Windows (download photos on PC and then on Xiaomi).
• 💬 Messages: Apps like iMazing or Backuptrans can export SMS in a format readable on Android.

To transfer music from Apple Music:

1. Download songs to your computer via iTunes (unless they are DRM protected).
2. Transfer files to Xiaomi via cable.
3. Use Google Play Music or VLC to play.

⚠️ Note: If you used iCloud to store photos, don't turn it off on your iPhone until you make sure all files are copied.Apple deletes photos from the device if you turn off "iCloud Photos" if there's a space shortage.

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Before the iPhone penos, disable iMessage in the settings (Messages → Send/Receive), otherwise SMS may not come to the new Xiaomi.

5. porting applications and their data (including WhatsApp)

One of the most difficult aspects is the transfer of installed applications and their data. Standard methods (like Mi Mover) only copy the data. APK-files, but not save games, WhatsApp chats, or program settings:

• 📦 For most apps: Use Google Account (app list will be restored from Play Store, but no data).
• 💬 For WhatsApp: Backup your Settings → chat → Backup and restore it to your new phone when you first start.
• 🎮 For games: check if the game supports cloud-based saves (e.g., through Google Play Games or a developer account).

To transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android:

1. On your old phone, back up to WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Copy /sdcard/WhatsApp/ to the new Xiaomi (via cable or cloud).
3. Install WhatsApp on your new phone and restore chats from your local copy.

To transfer game saves:

• 🎮 Use Helium (old but works for some games).
• 🖥️ For cloud-enabled games (such as Clash of Clans), link your account to Google Play Games or Supercell. ID.
• 📁 For other games, copy folders with saves (usually in the game). /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/).

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Backups of WhatsApp created on your iPhone cannot be restored on Android (and vice versa). Use third-party tools like Backuptrans or iCareFone to transfer chats between platforms.

6. Transfer data from damaged or blocked Xiaomi

If the old Xiaomi is not turned on, locked or damaged, but the data on it is critical, there are several ways to save it, and the main rule is not to try to unlock the device by force, so as not to aggravate the situation.

Options for action:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode: If the phone is powered on but not booting the system, try logging into Recovery Mode (click Power) + Volume up) and connect to the PC via ADB.
• 💻 Fastboot: for experienced users - you can flash custom recovery (TWRP) And backup through it.
• 🛠️ Service center: if data is extremely important (for example, photos of a deceased relative), contact a specialized data recovery service.

To retrieve data via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled):

adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\

This command will copy all files from the phone’s internal memory to the computer’s C:\ drive.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled data encryption (in the security settings), then without a password or PIN-It will be almost impossible to extract information from the code, in which case only professional equipment (for example, the equipment) will help, UFED from Cellebrite).

7. Post-transfer validation and optimization

Once the data transfer is complete, take your time to format your old phone.

• 🔍 Check File Integrity: Open up a few photos, videos, and documents to make sure they are not corrupted.
• 📱 Set up sync: Enable automatic backup in Settings → Accounts. → Google and Xiaomi Cloud.
• 🗑️ Clean up garbage: After transferring, delete unnecessary files (such as duplicate photos) using Files by Google or Optimizer in the Internet. MIUI.

Pay particular attention to:

• 🔒 Security: If you’ve been transferring data from your iPhone, untie it from iCloud and Find My iPhone to avoid locking it.
• 📶 Networks: Check that all Wi-Fi networks and passwords are moved (if not, use Mi Mover or enter them manually).
• 🎵 Multimedia: Some audio files (such as those purchased from iTunes) may not play on Android due to the fact that they are not available. DRM.

If something went wrong:

• 🔄 Repeat the transfer by selecting another method (for example, if the Mi Mover failed, try the cable). OTG).
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support via Mi Community or live chat in the Mi Support app.

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After transferring data from your iPhone to Xiaomi, be sure to turn off iMessage in the Apple ID settings, otherwise SMS will only come to your old phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi