How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Switching to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old Android device can become a headache if you don’t know the nuances. Even with the obvious simplicity of the process, users often encounter lost contacts, “broken” photos or applications that refuse to recover. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of migration, from the branded Mi Mover to manual transfer through the cloud, taking into account the features of MIUI firmware and the limitations of different versions of Android.

Xiaomi Redmi (as opposed to the naked Android devices) has Mi Account and Mi Cloud preinstalled services that can make things easier and harder, such as migrating through a Google Account, and some MIUI settings (such as design or gestures) don’t automatically recover, and if you use Chinese firmware (without Google Services), some of the methods won’t be available at all, and we’ve taken these nuances into account and prepared instructions for any scenarios, from Redmi Note 12 to Redmi 10A.

Before you start, check two key points: the version of MIUI on the new device (relevant data - in Settings → About phone) and free space on both smartphones. For example, to transfer 50 GB of photos through the cable will require at least 60 GB of free space on Redmi (due to temporary files).

1.Move over Mi Mover: a proprietary solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is the official Xiaomi utility that automatically copies contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, documents and even some system settings. The advantage of the method is to preserve the folder structure and support data transfer between devices with different versions of Android (for example, from Android 9 to Redmi with MIUI 14).

• 📱 It only works between Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. Transferring from Samsung, Huawei or “pure” Android is possible, but with errors.
• 🔌 Requires original USB-cable (cheap analogues may not be recognized).
• 📁 Does not transfer installed applications (only their data, if the application is already installed on Redmi).
• 🔄 On devices with MIUI 12+ You may need to disable Data Protection in Settings → Special opportunities → For developers.

To begin the transfer:

1. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer (or find Mi Mover in Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer).
2. On an old phone, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not there) and run it.
3. Connect devices with a cable (use a USB-C port on both ends or an adapter for Micro-USB).
4. On the old phone, choose I am the source, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
5. Wait for the data scan and select what to transfer (we recommend unchecking System Settings if you go from non-Xiaomi).

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is interrupted during the Preparation stage, check if the developer mode is turned on on on the old phone. → Debugging by USB. On some models of Samsung and OnePlus, this blocks the transmission.

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Make sure there is enough space on Redmi (data) + 20% of the stock)|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Use the original cable USB|Turn off battery optimization for Mi Mover-->

2.Move over Google Account: Universal Method

If Mi Mover doesn’t work (for example, you’re switching from an iPhone or non-Xiaomi Android), the most reliable way to do this is to sync through your Google Account.

• 📇 Contacts (from Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendars (Google Calendar)
• 📧 Letters and settings Gmail
• 📸 Photos and videos (if synced with Google Photos is enabled)
• 🎮 Data from some games (via Google Play Games)
• 🔧 Wi-Fi and device settings (if previously saved to your account)

How to set up:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the data you need.
2. On Redmi, when you first turn on, select Restore from a backup and log in to the same Google Account.
3. Select a backup (usually the latest) and wait until it is completed.

Important nuances:

• 🔄 Applications are not automatically transferred, but their list is saved in Google Play – after logging in to your account, you will see the Restore button in the My apps and games section.
• 📁 Photos and videos are synced only if backup in Google Photos was enabled on the old phone (check Settings). → Backup and synchronization).
• ⏳ Recovery can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours (depending on data volume and internet speed).

⚠️ Note: If Redmi has Chinese firmware installed without Google Services (e.g. Redmi) K50i For the domestic market, this method will not work. In this case, use Mi Cloud (section 4) or manual transfer.

3. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter: for large data volumes

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos/video or don't have a stable Internet for cloud transfer, the best option is a direct connection via cable.

• 🔌 USB-OTG cable (if on the old Micro-USB phone, and on the Redmi — USB-C) adapter.
• 📱 On the old phone, the option of File Transfer should be enabled (in the notification when connecting).
• 🔋 Charge of both devices is not less than 30% (when transferring large files, the battery dies quickly).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to Redmi via OTG-The Redmi screen will have a notification. USB-Device is connected – click on it and select File Transfer.
2. Open Explorer (or Files) on Redmi – the old phone folder will appear in the Devices section.
3. Copy the files you need (usually DCIM folders for photos, Download for downloads, WhatsApp/Media for messengers).
4. To speed up the process, use Transfer Mode in the Explorer settings (disables preview).

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s with USB 3.0).
• 🔒 There is no risk of loss of quality (unlike cloud services that compress photos).
• 📁 You can selectively transfer only the necessary folders.

⚠️ Note: If there is an error in memory when copying files, check the file system format on Redmi. some older phones (e.g. Samsung Galaxy) S7) formatting memory cards in FAT32, which does not support files larger than 4 GB. In this case, transfer data in parts or convert the card to exFAT.

💡

If you don't. OTG-And you have a cable, but you have a computer, and you can use it as an intermediary, you can connect both phones to a PC, you can copy the data from the old one to the hard drive, and then you can copy it to Redmi. It's longer, but it's more reliable at larger volumes.

4.Move over Mi Cloud: Cloud from Xiaomi

Mi Cloud is an alternative to Google Drive for Xiaomi owners. the service provides 5 GB (you can expand to 200 GB for a fee) and syncs:

• 📇 Contacts
• 📅 Notes (Mi Notes)
• 📸 Photo and video (in original quality)
• 📱 Backup copies of settings MIUI (topics, gestures, screen settings)
• 📍 The Mi Browser browser bookmarks

How to transfer data:

1. On your old phone, install Mi Cloud (available on Google Play) and sign in to your Mi Account (create if not).
2. Enable synchronization for the desired data in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
3. On Redmi, when you first turn on, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Mi Account.
4. Select the last backup and wait until it is completed.

The limitations of Mi Cloud:

• 🌐 It works only with a stable Internet connection (when the synchronization is reset).
• 📱 I can't stand it. SMS, call log and third-party applications.
• 🔄 On devices with MIUI Global and MIUI China may have different options available.

5. Transfer of applications and their data: a separate history

None of these methods can carry installed applications (APKs) in the ready form, but you can save application data (for example, game progress, instant messenger settings) and a list of installed programs for quick recovery.

Methods of transferring applications:

• 📱 List of apps via Google Play: On your old phone, open Google Play → My apps and games. → On Redmi, after logging in to the same account, click Installed → Restore.

Backup of application data:

• Use Swift Backup (root rights required) or Titanium Backup to create APK+ data backup.
• Move the backup to Redmi and restore through the same app.

Game saves:

Google Play Games

Mi Game Center

Important nuances:

• 🔒 Some applications (e.g. banking) prohibit backups for security reasons.
• 📱 On Redmi with a blocked bootloader, backup recovery APK may not work.
• ⚠️ When transferring data from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), first install the application on Redmi, then copy the folder with the backup (for example, /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases) and restore through the messenger settings.

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If you want to save data from a particular application (such as game progress or chat history), check if it supports cloud sync. Many popular services (Spotify, Netflix, Viber) link data to an account rather than a device.

6. Transfer data from corrupted or blocked Android

If your old phone doesn’t turn on, lock or break the screen, but you need to save the data, try these methods:

• 🔌 Connect to PC in Recovery Mode: Turn off phone, pinch Volume up + Power to enter Recovery Mode. select Mount → Mount USB Storage (on some Advanced firmware) → ADB Sideload. Connect to your PC and copy the data through Explorer.

Use of ADB (for advanced users):

adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Backup\

This command will copy all the data from the phone’s internal memory to the disk. C:\Backup\.

Removal of the memory card:

MicroSD

Redmi

If the phone is locked with a pattern lock, but turns on:

• Try logging in via Find My Device – if your phone is linked to a Google Account, you can reset the lock.
• For Xiaomi, use Find Device in Mi Account (link).

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on the locked phone (in Settings) → Security, it is almost impossible to extract files without unlocking, in which case only a complete reset (but the data will be lost) will help).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face typical problems, and here are the most common solutions.

A few more tips to avoid problems:

• 🔋 Always charge both phones before transferring – an interrupt due to battery discharge can damage files.
• 📡 When using cloud services, connect to stable Wi-Fi (non-mobile Internet).
• 📁 Before transferring, clear the cache on your old phone (in Settings) → Storage) to avoid copying unnecessary files.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions