How to Transfer Data from Old Android to Xiaomi Redmi 7: Complete Guide 2026

Transferring data to a new smartphone is a daunting task for many users, especially when it comes to switching between different brands or from outdated models. 7, released 2019 It's still a popular choice because of its price and functionality. MIUI 10/11 Android-based 9 Pie has features to consider when migrating data.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transfer – from the official Mi Mover tool to manual methods using cable. OTG And you'll learn how to keep your contacts, SMS, Photos, videos, apps and even Wi-Fi settings, avoiding data loss, and focus on the nuances of working with Redmi 7, including the limitations of the old version. MIUI avoiding possible errors.

If you're switching from another Xiaomi, the process is simplified by the Mi Account ecosystem. But what if your old smartphone from Samsung, Huawei or even Nokia is on pure Android? We've tested all the methods on real devices and highlighted the pros and cons of each so you can choose the best option without unnecessary experimentation.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating data, follow a few critical steps that will save time and prevent information loss.

1. Check the version. MIUI Redmi 7

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If you have an older firmware MIUI 11.0.5.0, update it via Settings → Update: Older versions may not support Mi Mover or may have cloud bugs.

2. Make room on both devices

On the Redmi. 7 s 32 GB of free space memory should be at least 10-15% The amount of data that's being transferred, for example, 20 GB photos and videos require a minimum of 2-3 GB of free space on the target device. Use the built-in cleaner (Settings) → Memory. → Cleaning) or Files by Google.

3. Charge both smartphones to 50% or more

The transfer process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours (depending on the amount of data) and if the battery runs below 15% during transmission, the device will automatically shut down, resulting in the loss of unsaved data.

4. Prepare cables and adapters

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C → MicroUSB (if old smartphone with MicroUSB) or Type-C → Type-C (for modern models).
• 🔄 adapter OTG (If you are planning to use the flash drive as an intermediary).
• 📶 Stable Wi-Fi Connection (for cloud-based methods).

⚠️ Warning: Don't use cheap uncertified cables! They may not support the mode MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, required for file transfers: Original Xiaomi cables or certified Anker/Baseus Ensure a stable transmission speed.

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

Mi Mover is a built-in application from Xiaomi designed to quickly transfer data between the brand’s devices.

• 📞 Contacts and call logs
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS)
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Audio files and melodies
• 📱 Annexes (APK-files, but no data)
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

How to use Mi Mover on Redmi 7:

1. On Redmi 7, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from the Play Market).
2. Select I am a new user.
3. On your old phone, install Mi Mover (available for most Android devices).
4. Run the app on both smartphones and select Send (old phone) and Receive (Redmi 7).
5. Scan it. QR-code or connect via Hotspot (recommended for large volumes).
6. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

The limitations of the Mi Mover on Redmi 7:

⚠️ Note: If the old phone is installed Android 12+, on the Redmi 7 — MIUI 10, there may be a compatibility error, in which case use alternative methods (see section 3 or 4).

Install Mi Mover on both devices|Charge phones to 60%+|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Free up 10% of memory on Redmi 7|Shut down. VPN firewalls-->

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (most universal)

This method works on any Android device, regardless of brand, and the main advantage is that the data syncs to the cloud, and you can restore it even after a few months.

What can be transferred:

• 📇 Contacts (via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📎 Notes (Google Keep)
• 📷 Photos and videos (Google Photos with original quality)
• 🎮 Application data (if the games/apps support Google Play Games)
• 🔑 Passwords (via Google Smart Lock)

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Enable sync for all the categories you need (contacts, calendar, Google Photos, etc.).
3. Wait for the download to complete (check in Google Drive that the files have appeared).
4. On Redmi 7, when you first turn on, select Recover Data and log in to the same Google Account.
5. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize and enable the necessary options.

Nuances for Redmi 7:

• 🔄 Photos in original quality take up space in Google Photos. Free rate (15GB) may not have enough space. Use the "Saving Place" Quality or clear the cloud after you move.
• 📱 Apps are not automatically ported, but their list is saved in Google Play. → Library and install the required programs manually.
• 🔒 SMS and call logs are not synced through Google, for which you can use Mi Mover or specialized applications (see section 5).

💡

If you have slow internet, upload photos to Google Photos at night or use a mobile hotspot with unlimited rates. On Redmi 7, turn off background sync to save traffic: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of data → Autosynchronization (offline).

Method 3: Cable Transfer (without the Internet)

If you don't have stable Wi-Fi, or if you want to move data as quickly as possible, use a direct cable. This method is suitable for large volumes (movies, archives, RAW-photo).

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB OTG (If you have an old phone with MicroUSB or Type-C → Type-C.
• 📱 On Redmi 7, turn on File Transfer Mode (MTP) notice-curtain.
• 🛠 Files Appendix (built-in to MIUI) Or Solid Explorer.

Instructions:

1. Connect both phones with a cable. On Redmi 7, in the notification curtain, select File Transfer.
2. On your old phone, open My File Manager (or Files by Google).
3. Select the folders DCIM (Photo/video, Downloads, Pictures and copy them.
4. Insert files into the corresponding folders on Redmi 7 (for example, /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera).

Challenges and solutions:

⚠️ Note: When you copy the Android folder (where the application data is stored), some files may not open on the new device due to differences in architecture!

5. Method 4: Cloud Services (Yandex Drive, Dropbox, Telegram)

If you don't have a cable on hand and Google Account doesn't fit (for example, due to space shortages), use alternative cloud storage.We tested the 3 fastest options for Redmi 7.

Comparison of services:

@SaveAsBot

Instructions for Yandex Disk (recommended for Redmi 7):

1. Install Yandex Drive on both phones.
2. On the old device, upload files to the Disk folder (you can turn on autoload photos in the settings).
3. On Redmi 7, open the app and download files to local storage.
4. To save traffic, use only over Wi-Fi in the download settings.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌍 Access to files from any device.
• 🔄 Selective uploading (for example, only photos from the last year).
• 🛡 Backups remain in the cloud in case of data loss.

💡

For Redmi 7 with 32 GB of memory, the best option is Yandex Drive (10 GB free) or a combination of Google Photos (for media) + Telegram (for documents).

Method 5: Transfer SMS, call logs and applications

Standard methods (Mi Mover, Google Account) are not always correctly transferred SMS, Call history and application data, and that's going to require specialized tools.

1. Transfer SMS call:

Use the SMS Backup & Restore app:

1. Put it on both phones.
2. On the old device, create a backup (Backup).
3. Transfer the backup file to Redmi 7 (via cable, cloud, or email).
4. On the new phone, restore the data (Restore).

2. Transfer of data applications:

Titanium Backup (requires root) or Helium (no root, but less stable) is suitable for this — APK Extractor for extraction APK-file-setting.

3. Transfer of game saves:

If the game supports Google Play Games, the data is synced automatically. For others, use:

• 🎮 Manual backup: copy the folder /Android/obb/[game-name].
• 🖥 Titanium Backup (Routed Devices Only).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7 s MIUI 10/11 The function may not work ADB Backup (a standard Android backup tool) In this case, use Helium or manually transfer data.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you migrate data to Redmi 7, you're going to have a typical problem. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them.

1 Mi Mover doesn't find old device

Reason: Different versions MIUI firewall.

Decision:

• Update the Mi Mover to the latest version.
• Turn it off. VPN Antivirus on both phones.
• Use Hotspot instead of Hotspot QR-code.

2.Photos moved but not displayed in gallery

Reason: Folder DCIM not scanned by the system.

Decision:

1. Reboot Redmi 7.
2. Open the gallery. → Settings → Update media files.
3. If it doesn’t work, use QuickPic or Google Photos to force the scan.

3. Annexes shall not be installed after transfer

Reason: Incompatibility of versions APK lack of rights.

Decision:

• Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications.
• Update your apps through the Play Market.

4. There's not enough space for the Redmi 7.

Reason: System files are taken up by 8-10 GB 32-gigabyte.

Decision:

• Move the files to SD-card (if supported).
• Use Google Photos in Save Place mode.
• Remove the app cache: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

5.The data has been moved but is not displayed correctly

Reason: Different encoding or file corruption.

Decision:

• Check the files on another device (PC).
• Use it. 7-Zip to verify the integrity of the archives.

💡

If after transfer Redmi 7 began to brake, clear the cache system: turn off the phone, then pinch the power + Volume up before the Mi logo appears. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Cache.

8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions