How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: Full Guide 2026

Transferring data to a new smartphone is a task that seems easy only at first glance, especially when it comes to switching between devices of the same brand, but different lines: from the old Xiaomi (or any other Android device) to the Poco X3 Pro. The latter, despite belonging to the Xiaomi ecosystem, has its own nuances: custom firmware MIUI for POCO, a different set of preinstalled applications and even modified synchronization settings.

Many users face typical problems: not all files are copied through standard tools, contacts are duplicated, and some applications refuse to recover from backup. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for transferring data — from the official Mi Mover to manual copying via ADB — taking into account the specifics of the Poco X3 Pro. Particular attention will be paid to preserving MIUI settings, which are often “lost” when switching between different Xiaomi lines.

If you are switching from the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T, some features (such as the Game Turbo or Second Space) may require additional customization, we will explain how to avoid losing such data and why using an OTG cable with a USB-C → USB-A adapter gives 30% more stable results than wireless transmission via Mi Mover.

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you start copying data, follow a few critical steps that ignore can cause you to lose some files or crash your new device.

First, update the firmware on both smartphones to the latest version. On the Poco X3 Pro, check the relevance of MIUI in the Settings menu → About Phone → System Update. If your old device is not Xiaomi, install the latest version of Android through the manufacturer's settings. The difference in OS versions can block the transfer of certain types of data (for example, Wi-Fi settings or application passwords).

Second, clear the cache on both devices, which will speed up the copying process and reduce the risk of errors.

• 📱 On an old phone: Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📱 On Poco. X3 Pro: Settings → Annexes → Application management → (three-point) → Clear the cache of all applications.

Finally, prepare a backup in case of failure. Create a backup of critical data (contacts, SMS, photos) manually:

• 📧 Contacts: export to.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 📸 Photo: Copy the folder DCIM PC or cloud.
• 🔑 Passwords: Check if they are saved in Google Smart Lock (Settings) → Google → Managing a Google Account → Security → Passwords).

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has data encryption enabled (Settings) → Security → Encryption, disable it 24 hours before transfer. Otherwise, Mi Mover may not see some files, especially multimedia.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution for data transfer between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, preinstalled on the Poco X3 Pro and supports the transfer of almost all types of data, including:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📸 Photo, video, audio files
• 📱 Annexes (APK + data, if maintained)
• 📶 Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper, sound profiles

However, there are some nuances related to the Poco X3 Pro:

• 🚫 Game Turbo and Second Space settings are not transferred (they will have to be reconfigured).
• 🔄 Not in the case of a-Xiaomi Some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may not recover.
• ⚡ Wi-Fi Direct transmission speed is limited ~10 MB/s (against) ~40 MB/s when using cable OTG).

Step-by-step:

1. On Poco X3 Pro, open Mi Mover (you can find it in the Tools folder or search it).
2. Select I get the data → Android.
3. On an old phone, install Mi Mover from Google Play (if not), launch and select I send data.
4. Scan it. QR-Poco screen X3 Pro or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select data types to transfer and wait until it is completed (can take up to 30 minutes for 30+GB of data).

Old device charged at least 50% | Both phones turned off VPN|Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled | Poco X3 Pro enough free space (at least +10% of the volume of data transferred) | Disabled energy-saving modes-->

⚠️ Note: If the process is stuck in the Preparation phase, restart both devices and try again. If the error is repeated, use an alternative method (e.g., Google Account or cable). OTG).

3. Method 2: Google Account – a universal way of synchronization

Google Account Sync is the most reliable method for transferring contacts, calendars, mail, notes and parts of apps, and works on any Android device, including the Poco X3 Pro, but has limitations:

• 📁 Not tolerated: SMS, Call log, multimedia files (except photos in Google Photos).
• 📱 Apps can only be restored from Google Play (without saving data inside them).
• 🔒 Requires a stable Internet connection (better Wi-Fi).

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Make sure sync is enabled for Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos.
3. On Poco X3 Pro, add the same Google Account (Settings → Accounts → Add an account).
4. Turn on synchronization and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 5 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data).

To transfer photos and videos, use Google Photos:

• 📤 On your old phone, open Google Photos → Photo Photo → (three-point) → Backup settings.
• 🔄 Choose High Quality (unlimited storage) or Original Quality (counted from Google Drive quota).
• 📥 On Poco. X3 Log in to the same account and wait for the media files to be downloaded.

💡

If contacts are not displayed on Poco X3 Pro after syncing through Google Account, check the display settings: open Contacts → (three points) → Settings → Accounts to display and select your Google account.

Method 3: OTG + adapter cable is fast and reliable

Using an OTG cable (or USB-C adapter → USB-A) is one of the fastest ways to transfer data, especially if the file size exceeds 20 GB. Copy speeds reach 40-50 MB / s (versus 8-12 MB / s over Wi-Fi), and the risk of data loss is minimal.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C → USB-C (if the old device supports) or an adapter USB-C → USB-A + standard cable USB-A → Micro-USB/Type-C.
• 📂 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• ⚡ Charging for Poco X3 Pro (the process can drain the battery on the 15-20%).

Instructions:

1. Connect the old device to the Poco X3 Pro via the OTG adapter.
2. On Poco. X3 Open Mi File Manager and go to the section USB-storage (will appear after connection).
3. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures, etc.) to internal memory or SD-map.
4. To port applications and their data, use Titanium Backup (root rights required) or Swift Backup.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (in) 3-5 faster than wireless methods).
• 🔒 No loss of quality (photo/video is copied in original resolution).
• 🛠️ Flexibility: Only the right files can be selectively transferred.

⚠️ Note: When you copy the Android folder (where app data is stored), some files may not open on the new device due to differences in OS versions. To avoid problems, only transfer media files and documents, and install the applications again from Google Play.

5. Method 4: Cloud Services – Mi Cloud and Google Drive

Cloud storage is convenient for data transfer if you don’t have cables on hand or both devices don’t support Mi Mover. Xiaomi offers its own service, Mi Cloud, but it has a 5GB limit of free space. Google Drive provides 15GB, but can compress photos/video when downloaded.

Comparison of services:

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for Contacts, Notes, SMS, Galleries.
3. On Poco X3 Pro, log in to the same Mi Cloud account and wait for sync to complete.

For Google Drive:

1. On your old phone, open Google Drive → + → Download.
2. Select files and folders to download (you can archive the DCIM folder to.zip for acceleration).
3. On Poco X3 Pro, download files via Google Drive or Mi File Manager.

💡

Mi Cloud is suitable for transferring system data (SMS, contacts, MIUI settings), and Google Drive is suitable for large files (video, application backups).

6. Method 5: ADB (for power users)

If you need to migrate all the data without exception, including hidden files and system application settings, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires command line skills, but gives you complete control over the process.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on both phones (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press to unlock the developer settings → set up USB).

Data transfer commands:

Connect the old device and do:


adb pull /sdcard/ ~/old_phone_backup/




Connect Poco X3 Pro and do:



adb push ~/old_phone_backup/ /sdcard/

Warnings:

• 🚨 Transfer of system files (/data/data/) This could lead to a breakdown in Poco. X3 Pro.
• 🔐 Some applications (such as banking) block work on a new device after transferring their data through the device. ADB.

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from an Android-based device 10+ Poco X3 Pro (Android 11/12), Some files may not be copied due to changes in the permission system. /storage/emulated/0/ instead /sdcard/.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter common mistakes, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn’t see the old device.

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔧 On your old phone, turn on Developer Mode and activate Debugging over Wi-Fi.

Problem 2: Some applications do not work after the transfer.

• 📱 Remove and reinstall problematic apps from Google Play.
• 🔑 Check if they are linked to an old device account (such as Mi Fit or banking apps).
• 🔄 Update your applications to the latest versions.

Problem 3: Photos and videos are displayed without thumbnails.

• 🖼️ Open the gallery on Poco X3 Pro and wait for indexing (can take up to 10 minutes).
• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📂 Check that the files are copied to the folder DCIM/Camera (not in the root of memory).

Problem 4: Wi-Fi settings are not rescheduled.

This is a typical problem when switching between different Xiaomi lineups.

• 📶 Manually connect to the right networks on Poco X3 Pro.
• 🔧 Use the WiFi Password Viewer app on your old phone to find out passwords if you forgot them.

💡

If you lose wallpaper or notification sounds after porting to the Poco X3 Pro, check the theme settings: Settings → Decoration → My wallpaper. Often these are reset due to differences in MIUI versions.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions