How to Transfer Data from Android Sony to Xiaomi: A Complete 2026 Guide

Contents

• Why Data Transfers Between Sony and Xiaomi Need a Special Approach
• Preparation of devices: what to do before the transfer
• Method 1: synchronize through Google account (most universal)
• Method 2: Xiaomi’s official Mi Mover app
• Method 3: Direct cable transfer (without clouds and internet)
• Method 4: Third-party applications for complex cases
• Method 5: manual transfer of individual data types
• Solving typical transfer problems
• Frequent questions and expert answers

The transition from a Sony Xperia smartphone to a Xiaomi device is not just a brand change, but a transition between two fundamentally different approaches to Android. MIUI Xiaomi is a deeply customized shell with its own services, storage formats, and even limitations, which is why standard data transfer methods (like simply copying files) often work incorrectly or lose some information.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of transfer, taking into account the characteristics of both manufacturers: from official Xiaomi tools to workarounds for complex cases (for example, when you need to move). SMS from the old Xperia Z5 New Redmi Note 13 Pro+ We will focus on maintaining folder structure, format compatibility and circumventing restrictions. MIUI, They often block data transfers from other manufacturers.

Important: If you are using a Sony model older than 2018 (e.g. Xperia) XZ1 Xperia XA2), Some methods may require additional actions – we will warn about this in the relevant sections.

Preparation of devices: what to do before the transfer

Before you start the transfer, follow the mandatory preparatory steps, ignoring them can lead to data loss, malfunctioning of applications or even blocking the account. MI (When it comes to Chinese versions of Xiaomi).

On a Sony device:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to minimum. 50% — Data transfer can take up to 1-2 hours.
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → System system → Update: Older versions of Android (below 10) may not have modern transfer protocols.
• 📁 Release at least 2-3 GB of memory – temporary transfer files take up a lot of space.
• 🔒 Make sure there is no root access (root) on the device – this can block official transfer methods.

On the Xiaomi device:

• 📱 If the smartphone is new, don't set it up (don't go through the initial setup). Use "Mi Mover" mode immediately after you turn it on.
• 🌐 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (for cloud methods) or prepare a cable OTG (forward-transfer).
• 🔐 Turn off Settings. → Password and security → Lockdown MIUI, If it is enabled, it prevents some applications from being ported.
• 📦 Remove unnecessary pre-installed apps through Settings → Annexes → Remove to make room.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is a Chinese version (with firmware for the market) CN), Before the data pen, be sure to unlock the bootloader and flash the global firmware. Otherwise, many Google services (including synchronization) will not work.

Method 1: synchronize through Google account (most universal)

This method is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes, mail, some application settings and some media (photo in Google Photos), its main advantage is independence from the model and manufacturer, and the disadvantage is that not all data is portable (for example, not all data is portable, SMS Call history requires additional action).

Instructions for Sony:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Choose your account (or add a new one if you don’t have one).
3. Activate synchronization for all items: Contacts, Calendar, Google Drive, Google Photos, Gmail.
4. To transfer photos and videos, open the Google Photos app, click on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization → turn on the option.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. When you first turn on, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google account.
2. If the device is already configured, go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google and enable synchronization.
3. For a photo, go to Google Photos → tap on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.

What's transferable:

• ✅ Contacts (including groups and tags)
• ✅ Calendars and events
• ✅ Notes from Google Keep
• ✅ Photo and video (if backup was enabled)
• ✅ Settings of some applications (for example, Chrome, YouTube)

What's NOT tolerable:

• ❌ SMS and MMS (You need to use separate methods)
• ❌ Call history
• ❌ Local files (music, documents, downloads)
• ❌ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, labels)

⚠️ Note: If Sony used a Sony Entertainment Network account to store media, its data is not synced with Google. SONY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK.

Method 2: Xiaomi’s official Mi Mover app

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for transferring data from other Android devices. It supports most Sony models, but there are nuances: the app may not recognize older versions of Android (below 8.0) or devices with heavily modified software (such as firmware from third-party developers).

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On Xiaomi, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. Select “I am the sender” (on Sony) or “I am the recipient” (on Xiaomi).
3. Download Mi Mover Sender on Sony (link will appear as a link) QR-code on the Xiaomi screen).
4. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use a direct Wi-Fi Direct connection (recommended for large amounts of data).
5. On Sony, select data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

What data is transferred through Mi Mover:

Mi Mover does not carry application data (for example, save in games or configure messengers), this will require the use of separate tools like Swift Backup or Titanium Backup (root rights are required).

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If Mi Mover doesn’t see your Sony device, try turning on the developer mode (Settings) → The phone. → Build number – press 7 times) and activate the Debugging option USB.

Method 3: Direct cable transfer (without clouds and internet)

If you don’t have a stable internet connection or don’t trust cloud services, you can transfer data directly through the cable. USB OTG adapter USB-C to USB-C. This method is suitable for large amounts of data (tens of gigabytes of photo / video) and does not depend on the speed of the Internet.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB OTG (if it's on Xiaomi USB-C, And on Sony, microUSB).
• 📁 File Manager (e.g. Solid Explorer or Mi File Manager).
• 🔋 Charging for Sony (in case of a long process).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Sony to Xiaomi via cable OTG. On Xiaomi, select the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
2. On Xiaomi, open the file manager and go to the section USB-The storage device (it is Sony memory).
3. Copy the right folders: DCIM — Photos and videos Downloads - Music downloads - Music Pictures - images from messengers

contact SMS

• Contacts: Contacts → Settings → Exports/imports → Export to.vcf file
• SMS: use the app SMS Backup & Restore (Save a Backup to a Memory Card).

Advantages of third-party applications:

• 🔄 It works on older versions of Android (even if it is not available). 5.0-6.0).
• 📂 Pass data that Google and Mi Mover ignore (such as Wi-Fi settings).
• 🔗 Support cross-platform portability (for example, from iOS to Android).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ May contain advertising or paid features.
• ⚠️ Some applications (e.g. banking) block the transfer of their data.
• ⚠️ Wi-Fi transmission speed is lower than cable.

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The app side is the best choice if you have an old Sony model (before 2017) or if you need to migrate specific data (e.g. settings). VPN play-saving).

Method 5: manual transfer of individual data types

If you only need to migrate certain types of data (like WhatsApp or just music), the manual method can be faster and more reliable.

1. WhatsApp portability (with correspondence history):

• 📱 On Sony, open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
• 💾 Backup your Google Drive (make sure the place is not over).
• 📲 On Xiaomi, install WhatsApp, log in to the same account and restore chats from backup.

2. Transfer SMS call history:

• 📄 Install the app on Sony SMS Backup & Restore.
• 📥 Create a backup (select the.xml format for the SMS and.csv for calls).
• 📤 Transfer the file to Xiaomi and recover the data through the same app.

3. Music and playlist transfer:

• 🎵 Copy the Music folder with Sony to Xiaomi via cable.
• 🔄 If you used Google Play Music, export playlists through Google Takeout.
• 📱 Install a Poweramp player on Xiaomi or VLC for correct metadata display.

4. Transfer of passwords and browser bookmarks:

• 🔑 If you used Google Chrome, sync will happen automatically after you log in to your account.
• 🌐 For other browsers (such as Firefox), export bookmarks to the file HTML And import it to Xiaomi.
• 🔐 Google Smart Lock passwords will be automatically transferred, for others use LastPass or Bitwarden.

⚠️ Note: When manually transferring, do not copy the entire Android folder – this can lead to conflicts in the Android folder. MIUI You can only carry the subfolders you want (e.g., the subfolders you want, Android/obb play-off).

Solving typical transfer problems

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to solve them.

1. Mi Mover doesn't see Sony's device:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (or use a mobile hotspot).
• 🔧 On Sony, turn on Settings. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 📱 Install the latest version of the Mi Mover Sender with APKPure (if Google Play is in error).

2.The transfer is interrupted in the middle:

• 🔋 Connect both devices to charging.
• 📴 Turn off the power saving mode on both smartphones.
• 📡 If you use Wi-Fi, go to a direct connection (Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🗃️ Break the transfer into parts (for example, first photo, then photo). SMS).

3. Xiaomi does not display the transferred photos:

• 🖼️ Reboot Xiaomi – Sometimes Gallery MIUI Does not update the media library immediately.
• 📁 Check that the files are copied to the folder DCIM/Camera (not in the root of memory).
• 🔍 Use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer) to manually scan folders.
• 📌 If the photo is in.heic (iPhone) format, install the codec. HEIF Image Extensions from Google Play.

4.The applications are not operational after the transfer:

• 📦 Remove the transferred APK-Files and install apps again from Google Play.
• 🔑 For save games, use Google Play Games (synchronization via account).
• 🚫 Do not port system applications (e.g. com.sonyericsson.album) – they are not compatible with the system. MIUI.

The error "Not enough space" during the transfer:

• 🗑️ Clear the cache on Xiaomi through Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Move some of the data to a memory card (if supported).
• 🔄 Use cloud transfer (Google Drive or Mi Cloud) instead of local.
• 📦 Remove unnecessary pre-installed apps on Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music).

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If neither method works, try resetting your Xiaomi settings to factory settings and repeat the port from a clean device.

Frequent questions and expert answers