How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi via computer

Changing your smartphone is often accompanied by a desire to keep photos, contacts and documents intact. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem have several effective ways to migrate, but using a personal computer is often the most reliable method, especially when dealing with large amounts of information. USB-cable avoids compression of media quality, which is sometimes found in cloud synchronization, and does not depend on the speed of the Internet connection.

The process of copying files to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices requires understanding the Android file system and setting the ports correctly. The computer in this bundle acts as a universal clipboard that allows you not only to transfer data, but also to structure it before installing it on a new device, this is especially true when an old phone is unstable or has a damaged screen that makes using the touch interface difficult.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the nuances of working with internal storage and memory card, as well as a special software from the manufacturer. You will learn how to avoid common connection errors and why standard charging mode does not allow you to see files. Ready for the procedure and having a quality cable are the first steps to successfully complete the operation to migrate your personal data.

Preparation of equipment and configuration of USB ports

Before any data transfer operation is initiated, it is necessary to ensure that the physical components are in good working order. USB-The cheap cables that come with some budget accessories often have only two veins to power, making it impossible for a computer to detect the device.

Connect your old Android smartphone to your computer and notice how the system reacts. If the device's connection sounds but nothing appears in My Computer, it's likely that the phone has gone into charging mode. You need to unlock the screen and lower the notification curtain to find the appropriate USB status.

Click on the notification “Charging through” USB» or «USB-Connection" to open the menu of the choice of mode of operation. To access files, you need to select the option "Send files (MTP) or Transfer of photo (PTP). This step is critical, because without it, the Windows or macOS operating system will not get access to the phone file system.

⚠️ Note: When you connect your old device to your new computer, the system may request confirmation of debugging or data access directly on your smartphone screen.

Make sure your computer has the right drivers for your operating system. In modern versions of Windows 10 and 11, MTP drivers are installed automatically, however, older versions of Android may require you to install Google USB Driver or specific drivers from the processor manufacturer. Check the Device Manager if there are unknown hardware with a yellow exclamation mark.

Using the standard MTP mode for copying

MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) is the de facto standard for connecting Android devices to a PC. It allows you to work with your smartphone files like regular folders on your hard drive, which greatly simplifies the transfer process. Once you select the appropriate mode in the notification curtain, a new disk with the name of your model will appear in Windows Explorer.

Open the device and go to the internal storage, and you'll see a lot of folders with application names and system directories, and we're interested in DCIM (where you store photos and videos from the camera), Download (download), Documents and Pictures, and you can copy it by Drag-and-Drop or by clipboard.

When you transfer large amounts of data, such as videos to 4K, the speed of copying can vary. Use USB 3.0 ports (usually blue) on your computer for maximum speed. If you copy thousands of small files, the process can take longer because of the nature of the file system, so be patient and do not interrupt the operation.

Once the data is copied to your computer, disable your old smartphone and connect your new Xiaomi. Repeat the MTP mode selection process. Create a folder structure similar to the old one on the new device, or simply copy the files to the appropriate standard directories. Xiaomi automatically recognizes the media files and adds them to the gallery.

Mi PC Suite for Migration

Xiaomi has developed its own Mi PC Suite software to make it easier to manage your smartphone from a computer. Although official support for the program is limited in some regions, it remains a powerful tool for backing up and recovering data, especially contacts, messages and system settings that are difficult to transfer simply by copying folders.

To get started, you need to download and install the current version of the Mi PC Suite on your computer. Once you start the program, connect your smartphone with a cable. Unlike the standard conductor, this requires a connection confirmation on your phone screen, where you may request debugging over USB or install drivers. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the pairing.

In the program interface, select the Backup tab, where you can select the types of data to save: contacts, messages, call logs, notes and applications. The program will create a single archive on the computer's hard drive, which is especially convenient because it allows you to save a data structure that cannot be reproduced by manually copying files.

To recover data on the new Xiaomi, run the Mi PC Suite, go to the Restore section and point the way to the previously created archive. The program automatically determines the compatibility of the backup and prompts you to restore data. This method ensures that your messages and contacts fall into place without the need for manual sorting.

Transfer of system settings and applications

Simple file copying does not affect the installed applications and their data. To transfer the list of applications and their configuration on Xiaomi devices, you use the Mi Account account and the built-in migration function, which is often activated when you first turn on a new phone.

On your old device, go to the settings and find the About Phone section. Click on the MIUI version several times to activate the extended menu. From the menu that appears, select Security or Advanced Settings, where Backup and Recovery is located. Create a local backup by selecting apps and system data.

The backup file you create is usually stored in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder in the internal storage. Copy the entire folder to your computer, then move it to a similar directory on the new Xiaomi, and then the new device in the same recovery menu will be able to recover data from the local copy.

⚠️ Note: Banking applications and some messengers (such as WhatsApp with encryption enabled) may not be fully restored through the system backup due to security concerns.

It is important to consider the compatibility of operating system versions. If the old phone was Android 10, and the new Xiaomi has Android 13 or 14, some system settings may be ignored when you restore, in such cases, user data is given priority, and the settings are reset to standard values.

Using the ADB command line for advanced users

For those who prefer full control of the process, there is the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, a universal command-line utility that allows you to control an Android device from a computer, and it is especially useful when standard methods do not work or you need to copy specific system files that are not available in normal mode.

To work, ADB must enable the developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About phone and seven times click on the build number. Then, in the Developer menu, activate Debugging via USB. Connect the phone to your PC and confirm the debugging request on the device screen.

Download the SDK Platform Tools package from Google's official website and unpack it. Open the command line in the tool folder. To check the connection, type in the command:

adb devices

If the list displays a serial number of the device, the connection is successfully installed. To copy the entire file system or individual partitions, you can use the adb pull command. For example, to copy all photos, use:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera./Backup_Photos

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Use the adb backup -apk -shared -all -system command to create a complete backup of the device, including system partitions, if the device is not rooted.

This method requires caution, as improper use of commands can lead to the deletion of important system files. However, for advanced users, ADB provides unparalleled capabilities to retrieve data that is hidden from the average user.

Solution and troubleshooting

When transferring data, users often face technical problems, and one of the most common is when a computer sees the phone only as a charger, despite the choice of mode. MTP. In this case, try to replace USB-cable or connect the device to another port, preferably at the back of the system unit, where the power is more stable.

Another problem is that you interrupt the copying in the middle of the process, which can be due to the energy saving of the phone screen, so make sure that the smartphone has a maximum screen delay or the option “Do not turn off the screen when charging” is enabled in the developer menu. Also check if the phone is worth the "Energy Saving" mode, which may limit your work. USB-port.

If files are copied but are corrupted or not opened, there may be a problem with the file system: Check your computer's drive for errors and make sure there's enough free space on your smartphone. Sometimes it helps to format the memory card (if the data is on it) into an exFAT format that is better supported by modern devices.

⚠️ Attention: Never take out USB-This can cause logical errors in the file system and loss of some information. Always use the Safe Device Removal feature on Windows.

In case none of the methods helps, try using safe mode on your smartphone to eliminate the impact of third-party applications on the job. USB-Also make sure that the antivirus software on your computer does not block the connection of an unknown device.

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Connection stability and the right choice of USB mode are key factors in successful data transfer without loss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)