How to Transfer Data from One Xiaomi Phone to Another: A Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction: Why Data Transfers to Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the joy of updating the gadget can be overshadowed by the problem of data transfer. Unlike the iPhone, where everything is synchronized through iCloud, or Samsung with the Smart Switch service, Xiaomi has its own nuances. The main difficulty lies in the corporate shell MIUI, Updated regularly (current versions — MIUI 14/15), Changing the location of functions and backup algorithms.

For example, the owners of the Redmi Note 12 or Poco F5 The standard Mi Mover tool may not see an old phone through Wi-Fi Direct, and cloud backup in Mi Cloud is limited to 5GB of free space. In addition, some models (such as Black Shark) have modified firmware, where standard portability methods may not work, and this article will help you avoid common errors and choose the best way to migrate data based on your model and version. MIUI.

We will look at 5 proven methods – from official Xiaomi tools to universal solutions that work even on devices with an unlocked bootloader. Particular attention will be paid to porting applications with data storage (for example, progress in games or WhatsApp settings), as this is the most problematic moment for most users.

1.Official method: Mi Mover - fast, but with limitations

Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for transferring data between devices MIUI. It supports Wi-Fi Direct transmission (without connecting to the router) and works on most models, starting with the Redmi 5 and Mi 8. The main advantage is the preservation of folder structure and file metadata, which is important for photos and videos.

However, the Mi Mover has some critical limitations:

• 📱 It only works between Xiaomi phones (not suitable for migrating from Samsung or iPhone).
• 🔌 Demands. MIUI 9 and higher on both devices (old firmware may not be available on old firmware).
• 📁 Cannot tolerate some system settings (e.g., Fingerprints or Unlock Face).
• 🎮 Applications are transferred without data (game progress or Telegram cache will have to be restored separately).

To use Mi Mover, follow the steps:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On the new phone, select I am a new user. → Transfer from Android during the first setup or find Mi Mover in the settings.
3. On the old device, click Send, on the new one, Receive.
4. Confirm the connection through QR-PIN code or code (will appear on the screen of the new phone).
5. Select the data types to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, etc.) and wait until it is completed.

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (not necessarily, but speeds up the process)|Make room on your new phone (at least 1.5 required)× portable)|Turn it off. VPN Firewalls (they can block the connection)-->

The transfer time depends on the amount of data:

⚠️ Note: If the new phone already has a Mi Account different from the old one, contact and note data may be duplicated. Before transferring, check that both devices are using the same account or disable sync in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization.

2. Cloud transfer via Mi Cloud – reliable, but not for all files

Mi Cloud – Xiaomi’s cloud storage integrated into the MIUI. It allows you to back up your old phone and restore it to a new phone, and the main advantage is that you don't need to physically connect the devices:

• ☁️ Free tariff is limited to 5 GB (for photos in original quality this is not enough).
• 🔒 Backup is encrypted, but it can only be restored on devices with the same Mi Account.
• 📱 Not all data is reserved: for example, lock screen settings or Wi-Fi passwords may not be saved.
• ⏳ Recovery takes longer than direct transfer via Mi Mover.

Instructions for transfer via Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select Backup in Mi Cloud and select the categories you want (contacts, messages, apps, etc.).
3. Click Start Backup and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and during the first setup, select Restore from backup.
5. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Recovery from Mi Cloud.

Important: If you are using two-factor authentication in Mi Account, make sure you have access to a backup email or phone number before restoring your backup, otherwise the process may be blocked at the verification stage.

⚠️ Warning: If storage encryption is enabled on the old phone (in Settings) → Security → Encryption, backup in Mi Cloud can create an incomplete copy. Before backing up, it is recommended to temporarily disable encryption (but this will require resetting the phone!).

3. Cable transfer OTG — big-data

If you need to transfer tens of gigabytes (for example, a collection of photos in the Internet) RAW video 4K), The best way to use USB OTG-This method works on all Xiaomi models, including Poco. X5 redmi K60, and it doesn't depend on the version MIUI.

Advantages of transfer via cable:

• ⚡ Transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps (5-10 times faster than Wi-Fi).
• 📁 All files are transferred, including hidden folders (.thumbnails, Android/data).
• 🔧 No Internet or cloud sync required.

Step-by-step:

1. Buy it. OTG-Type-C cable (for newer models) or Micro-USB cable (for older models, for example, Redmi) 4X).
2. Connect the cable to the new phone and connect the old phone to the cable (it will determine how to use it). USB-accumulator).
3. On your new phone, open the File Manager app and go to the section. USB-accumulator.
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, WhatsApp for chats) in internal memory or on SD-map.
5. To transfer applications, use the Settings menu → Annexes → Application management → Archive (not available on all models).

If the phone is not defined as a drive, check:

• 🔌 Cable: Some cheap OTG-cables only support charging, not data transmission.
• 📱 Connection mode: on the old phone in Settings → Additionally. → Developer mode → Configuration USB Select File Transfer (MTP).
• 🔄 Rebooting: Sometimes it helps to reconnect the cable after rebooting both devices.

💡

If you transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi through OTG, Use the Clone Phone feature in the File Manager app, which will automatically find backups and prompt you to restore them to the correct folders (for example, photos in the file manager app). DCIM/Camera, Not Download).

4.Moving over Google Account is universal, but not for everything

If you use Google services (Gmail, Contacts, Photos), some of the data can be transferred through a Google Account.

• 📇 Contacts and calendars (synchronized automatically).
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos with compression or in original quality when paying the tariff).
• 🎵 Music and documents (via Google Drive).
• 📱 Some app settings (such as Chrome or YouTube).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not tolerated. SMS/MMS (This requires third-party applications).
• 🎮 Game data and most apps are not synchronized.
• 📁 The folder structure is not saved (all photos are merged into one folder in Google Photos).

How to transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for the right categories.
2. For photos, set Google Photos and enable Backup and Sync.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google Account and wait for the sync to complete (may take up to a day for large libraries).
4. To restore applications, open Google Play → Library → Previously established.

If you are using Google Photos in High Quality (with compression) mode, remember that:

• 📸 Photos are compressed to 16 MP, video - up to 1080p.
• 🆓 Free storage is limited to 15GB (common for Gmail, Drive and Photos).
• 🔍 To save the originals, select the original quality tariff (from 1.99)$ 100GB/month).

💡

Google Account is the best option for moving contacts and photos, but it is not suitable for full migration of all data. + Google Photo).

5 Third-party applications: when standard methods do not work

If Mi Mover can’t see your phone and Mi Cloud doesn’t back up the data, third-party apps will come to the rescue. We recommend 3 proven tools that are compatible with Xiaomi:

Instructions for Xender (recommended for Xiaomi):

1. Install Xender on both phones from Google Play or APKMirror (if you don't have access to Play).
2. On the old phone, click Send, on the new one, Receive.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create a hotspot on an old phone.
4. Select files to transfer and confirm the transfer.

To port applications with data (for example, save games), use App Cloner & Backup or Swift Backup (require root rights on an old phone). APK-file.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications for portability SMS Check permissions or call logs: some programs (such as Super Backup) request access to Notices and SMS, which may not be secure. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

6. Data transfer to Xiaomi with unlocked bootloader

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), standard portability methods may not work.

• 📁 Manual copying through TWRP: if you have been installed TWRP Recovery, you can create a full backup partition /data Restore it on a new phone (the same model is required!).
• 🔧 ADB Pull/Push: Connect your phone to your PC and use the commands: adb pull /sdcard/ ~/xiaomi_backup/ # Copy data from your phone to PC adb push ~/xiaomi_backup/DCIM /sdcard/ # Bring the data back.
• ☁️ Titanium Backup: works with root only, but allows you to transfer application data (including system backup).

For transfer through TWRP:

1. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Choose Backup → Select Partitions and Check Data.
3. Save the backup on SD-map USB-accumulator.
4. On the new phone, repeat the steps, but select Restore.

If you use ADB, Make sure that the PC has installed Xiaomi drivers and enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users face typical problems.

If after the transfer on the new phone Xiaomi problems:

• 📵 No network: check the settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → IMEI. If IMEI Reset, restore it through the engineering menu (#4636##).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: after transferring data, perform Settings → Battery → Optimization.
• 📱 Lags and brakes: clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions