How to transfer data from one Xiaomi to another: all the ways of 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but moving data from an old device can become a real headache if you don’t know the nuances. Even within the same ecosystem (for example, when switching from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14), users face lost contacts, untransferred messages or app failures. In this article, we will examine all the current ways of migrating data, from official Mi Cloud tools to manual methods using cable or third-party services.

Xiaomi devices offer several built-in mechanisms for transfer, from automatic synchronization through the cloud to the Mi Mover feature, which works even without the Internet. However, each method has limitations. APK-And we tested all the options on 2023-2026 devices, and we identified the pros, cons and critical errors that can lead to data loss.

Importantly, if you move from Xiaomi to POCO or Black Shark (also the ecosystem brands), all of the methods described will work unchanged, but when you migrate to devices from other manufacturers (such as Samsung or iPhone), some of the features will become unavailable, as we will also mention in the relevant sections.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow the mandatory preparatory steps to save time and prevent the loss of important data, starting with the most obvious but often ignored item: vacant checks.

The new Xiaomi should have at least 15-20% free space from the amount of data being transferred, for example, if you plan to move 50 GB of photos and videos, the device should have at least 10-15 GB free. Otherwise, the system may interrupt the process or start deleting temporary files, which will lead to errors. → Warehouse.

• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50 percent. Data transfer is a resource-intensive process, and if one of the devices runs out in the middle, you'll have to start over.
• 🔒 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, A pattern lock or fingerprint on both smartphones. Some methods (such as Mi Mover) require unlocked access.
• 📶 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use wireless methods). For stability, it is better to choose a 5 GHz network.
• 🗑️ Clear the app cache on the old device through Settings → Annexes → Clear the cache. It'll reduce the amount of data that's being transmitted.

⚠️ Note: If old Xiaomi has data encryption enabled (Settings menu) → Additionally. → Encryption, some transfer methods (e.g., via cable) may not work, in which case use Mi Cloud or third-party services.

It’s also worth checking the MIUI version on both devices. If the difference between the versions is more than 2-3 updates (e.g. MIUI 13 → MIUI 16), there may be compatibility issues. Update the firmware on your old smartphone via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

2. Method 1: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's official cloud storage that allows you to synchronize contacts, notes, photos, call recordings, and even some system settings, and it's the most reliable method, because the data is stored on the company's servers and does not depend on the devices connecting to each other.

• 📁 Not all types of data are transferred (for example, installed data are not transmitted). APK-files and some application settings).
• 🕒 Speed depends on the speed of the Internet (with a large amount of data can take several hours).
• 💾 Free tariff provides only 5 GB, to transfer photos and videos you will need to buy additional space (from 149 GB). ₽/month).

To move data through Mi Cloud, follow the following steps:

1. On your old device: go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and enable sync for all the right categories (contacts, notes, gallery, etc.).
2. On the new device: log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable sync in the same menu.

⚠️ Note: If the old device was enabled Developer Mode with debugging USB, Before using Mi Cloud, disable it. In some cases, this leads to sync failures.

To speed up the process, you can manually select priority data for synchronization, for example, if you urgently need contacts, turn off the synchronization gallery and turn it on later, and check that the new device has enabled the option of Autosynchronization of data in the account settings.

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If you have slow internet, connect your old device to Wi-Fi before transferring over Mi Cloud and your new device to your mobile network (or vice versa), which sometimes speeds up load sharing.

Method 2: Wireless transfer via Mi Mover

Mi Mover is a built-in application from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer data directly between two devices over Wi-Fi Direct. SIM-The main advantages:

• 🚀 High speed (up to 10-15 MB/s) compared to cloud services.
• 📱 Installed applications and their data are transferred (for example, saved in games).
• 🔄 It works on devices with MIUI 9 and newer (including POCO and Black Shark).

But there are drawbacks: both devices must be close by (within a radius of 5-10 meters), and the process can be interrupted if one of them goes into sleep mode.

1. On both devices, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. On the old phone, select I am the old phone, on the new phone, I am the new phone.
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new device on an old one (or enter it) PIN-manually).
4. Select data for transfer (contacts, messages, applications, multimedia) and confirm the beginning of the process.

Important: Don't interrupt the connection or block the screens of the devices. If the transfer freezes, restart the Mi Mover on both phones and start again. On average, transfer 20-30 GB takes 30-60 minutes.

Charge both devices to 100% |Disable Power Saving mode |Connect to the same Wi-Fi network (optional, but recommended) |Close all background applications-->

⚠️ Note: If the new device already has data (for example, you started using it before the transfer), Mi Mover may suggest resetting it to factory settings. In this case, all existing data will be deleted.

If Mi Mover doesn’t find the device, try:

• Reboot both smartphones.
• Enable Flight Mode and disable it (reset network settings).
• Use another application to transmit (e.g. Xender or SHAREit).

Method 3: Cable transfer (USB OTG or adapter)

If you don't have Wi-Fi access or if the data is too big for wireless transmission, you can use a direct cable connection.

• 🔌 USB-C-to-C cable (if both devices have a connector) USB-C).
• 🔄 adapter OTG (If one of the devices has a micro USB).
• 💻 Computer (optional, for backup).

The method works on all Xiaomi devices, but requires the inclusion of Developer Mode and USB Debugging.

1. On the old device, turn on Developer Mode (go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect both devices with a cable (or via a cable) OTG-Adapter. The old phone will have a debugging permission request on it, confirm it.
4. On the new device, open File Manager and select USB-Copy the files you want manually.

This method is suitable for transferring photos, videos, documents and music, but does not transfer applications and their data. APK-File files use applications like APK Extractor (available on Google Play).

⚠️ Note: When connected via cable, do not remove the plug until the copy is completed.Abruptly shutting down can damage the file system (especially on devices with a file system). UFS 3.1 and newer).

If your computer does not recognize the connected device, install Mi drivers. PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) or use it ADB-commands for forced installation of storage:

adb devices


adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true

5. Method 4: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar, mail)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Calendar, Contacts), most of the data is already synced to the cloud automatically, a method that is not suitable for media or applications, but is ideal for:

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and labels).
• 📅 Calendar events and reminders.
• ✉️ Emails and tags from Gmail.
• 📍 Data from Google Maps (saved places, history of visits).

To transfer data through Google Account:

1. On your old device, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On the new device, log in to the same Google account when you first start or through settings.
3. Wait for automatic synchronization (it can take up to 10-15 minutes).

If the data is not transferred, check:

• Internet access on both devices.
• No background activity restrictions for Google Play Services (Settings menu → Apps → Permissions → AutoRun).
• Date and time on devices (if they are downed, sync may not work).

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Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer contacts and calendars, but it does not replace backup of media and applications.

6.Method 5: Third-Party Applications (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work for some reason, you can use third-party data transfer apps.

The general principle of operation for all applications is the same:

1. Install the app on both devices.
2. On your old phone, select files to transfer.
3. On your new phone, connect to the old device’s “access point” or scan. QR-code.
4. Confirm the transmission and wait for completion.

The advantage of third-party apps is that they often run faster than Mi Mover and support cross-platform transfer (e.g. from Xiaomi to iPhone).However, beware: some apps (e.g., SHAREit) have privacy issues and may collect data about your files.

⚠️ Note: When using Send Anywhere, do not transfer PIN-code for downloading files via messengers or social networks, which can lead to data leakage if the code is intercepted by third parties.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common errors and ways to correct them:

• 🔄 "Mi Mover can't find the device": Check if Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on on both phones. Restart the Mi Mover app. Turn off VPN proxy-server.
• ❌ "Not enough space on your new device: Delete unnecessary files through Settings → Warehouse → Clean up. Move some of the data to a microSD (if supported). Use the cloud for temporary storage.
• 🚫 "Applications are not portable": Mi Mover only portable system applications. APK Extractor: Some applications (e.g. banking) block the transfer for security reasons.

If none of the methods worked, try manual backup:

1. Copy all files from your old phone to your computer.
2. Transfer them to your new device via Mi PC Suite or ADB.
3. Restore contacts and messages via export/import in.vcf and.xml formats.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions