How to transfer data from old Android to the new Xiaomi Redmi 9: Full Guide 2026

The transition to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to the budget but functional Xiaomi Redmi 9. The main fear of users is to lose valuable data when transferring. Contacts, photos, correspondence in messengers, saving in games – all this should “move” to the new device without loss. Fortunately, the Redmi 9 has several built-in and third-party tools for migration, but not all of them are equally effective.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to transfer data, from the official Mi Mover to manual copying via PC, you will learn which method is faster, which is more reliable, and how to avoid typical errors (for example, why applications sometimes do not portable or why photos lose quality). We will pay special attention to the nuances associated with the Redmi 9: its version. MIUI, Memory limitations and compatibility with different transmission protocols.

If you've tried to migrate data and you've run into problems, there's a section at the end of this article that addresses 90% of the common bugs, and for those just planning a purchase, we'll compare the Redmi 9 to other Xiaomi models for ease of migration.

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

Before you start the transfer, make sure that both devices are ready for the procedure.Neglecting this step often leads to failures, from a connection break to the loss of some files.

On the old phone you need:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% (with wireless methods – up to 80%). Redmi 9 has a battery of 5020 mAh, but the migration process can take up to 1 hour with a large amount of data.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use cloud services or Mi Mover) Mobile Internet is not suitable due to traffic restrictions.
• 🔒 Delete unnecessary files (cache, duplicate photos, old apps) This will speed up the transfer and save space on the new device. MIUI.

On the new Xiaomi Redmi 9:

• 📱 Complete the initial setup before the stage “Data Transfer” (do not miss this step, otherwise you will have to reset your smartphone!).
• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Update: Up-to-date firmware ensures compatibility with portability tools.
• 📁 Free up at least 10-15 GB of storage (if you are carrying a lot of media files). → Memory.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has data encryption enabled (for example, through Settings) → Security → Encryption, some portability techniques may not work, in which case you can use manual copying via PC or cloud services.

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

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for migrating data between devices to MIUI, which supports transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps (including their data), call records, and even some system settings. The main advantage is that you don’t need an Internet or computer: data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi Direct.

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On the new Redmi 9, when you first set up, select Data Portability → Android. If your phone is already set up, find the Mi Mover app on the menu (or download from Google Play).

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has custom firmware installed (not official) MIUI/Android), Mi Mover may not recognize the device, but use alternative methods.

Charge both phones to 60%+

Install Mi Mover on an old device

Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (not necessary, but recommended)

Free up space on the new Redmi 9 (minimum 5GB free)

Shut down. VPN Firewalls (they can block the connection)-->

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

Syncing with a Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer data, as it is stored in the cloud and does not depend on the physical connection of devices, and this method is suitable if you used Google services on an old phone (Gmail, Google Photos, Contacts, etc.).

What can be transferred:

• 📇 Contacts (if saved in Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendars and events.
• 📎 Notes from Google Keep.
• 📷 Photos and videos (if you have autoloaded in Google Photos).
• 🎮 Data of certain games (if linked to Google Play Games).
• 📱 Device settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, language preferences).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → [your account] → Account Sync Make sure all the categories you need (Contacts, Calendar, etc.) are ticked.
2. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (it can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).
3. On the new Redmi 9, select “Copy Data” → “From the Cloud” → enter the same Google Account when setting up.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No physical connection of devices is required.
• ✅ Data is available on any device with your Google Account.
• ✅ Automatic backup in the future.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not all apps support backups through Google.
• ❌ High-resolution photos and videos can take up space in the cloud (only 15GB is free).
• ❌ Communications SMS/MMS not synchronized (you need to use separate applications, for example) SMS Backup & Restore).

💡

If you don’t have much space in Google Drive, clear the Google Photos Recycle Bin before transferring and delete old backups to drive.google.com → “Storage”.

Method 3: Transfer via OTG cable or adapter (for large volumes)

If you have a lot of data (20+GB) or you don’t have stable Wi-Fi, the best option is to connect directly via cable.

• 🔌 OTG-cable USB-C for Redmi 9 and microUSB/USB-C old-phone).
• 📱 Or adapter. USB-C → USB-A + common USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Connect the old device to the new one through OTG-The Redmi 9 screen will be notified «USB-plug-in».
2. Click on the notification and select File Transfer (MTP).
3. Open Explorer on your new phone (or download Xiaomi’s File Manager).
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, WhatsApp for messenger backups, etc.) for internal memory or SD-Redmi 9 map.

Important nuances:

• 📁 To transfer applications, you need to copy them. APK-files (e.g., via App Backup & Restore) and manually install on the new device. Application data (save, cache) cannot be transferred in this way.
• 🔄 If files are not copied, check if the screen on the old phone is unlocked (some devices block data transmission when the screen is off).
• 🛠️ To speed up the process, use Explorer on your PC: connect both phones to your computer and transfer files through Windows/macOS.

⚠️ Note: When copying photos and videos through a cable, date and geolocation tags may get lost. To avoid this, use specialized programs like Digikam or Google Photos to recover metadata.

5. Method 4: Cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex Drive, Dropbox)

If you don't. OTG-And if you're a cable user or you prefer wireless, cloud storage is a good alternative, and it allows you to move data incrementally, without having to be tied to a single session:

The general algorithm for all services:

1. On the new Redmi 9, log in to the same account and download files.

Optimization tips:

• 📦 For photos and videos, use Google Photos – it automatically compresses media files (free unlimited storage for “high quality” storage»).
• 🔗 If you have a lot of data, download it in parts (e.g. 5GB at a time) to avoid errors.
• 🔒 For sensitive files, enable two-factor authentication in the cloud service.

Cons of the method:

• ❌ Long loading time with a large amount of data.
• ❌ Loss of quality when compressed (especially in Google Photos).
• ❌ Some files (for example, APK) They can be blocked by clouds as suspicious».

💡

Cloud services are ideal for transferring photos, documents and music, but they are not suitable for applications and system data, and Mi Mover or manual copying is better for them.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for advanced users)

If you prefer full control of the process, PC porting is the most flexible option.

• 📂 Selectively copy any files (including hidden files).
• 🔧 Recover data after failures.
• 🖥️ Use backup programs (e.g. Titanium Backup for root users).

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB-Cable. Select "File Transfer" mode» (MTP).
2. Copy the required folders to your computer: This computer → [Name of the telephone] → Internal memory Pay attention to folders: DCIM — Photos and videos. Download - downloads from the browser. WhatsApp or Telegram - backups of messengers. Android/data — Data from some applications (root rights required for full access).

Redmi 9

Transfer the copied files to the new device.

To transfer applications and their data:

• Install them on Redmi 9 manually (allowing installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Rights).

⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data You only see a portion of the files without root rights, and full access requires unlocking the bootloader and superuser rights, which voids the Redmi warranty. 9.

💡

To speed up copying, connect both phones to your PC at the same time (via the same device). USB-Hub) and use two Explorer windows to drag and drop files.

7. Problem Solving: What to Do If Data Is Not Portable

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions.

If none of the methods worked:

• 🔄 Try resetting the network settings on both phones (Settings) → The Internet and the Internet → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).
• 📡 Use a different Wi-Fi router (sometimes the problem is the ISP locking the ports).
• 🛠️ Contact Xiaomi Service Center – they can transfer data through specialized software (for example, Mi). PC Suite).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions