How to transfer data from Xiaomi smartphone to Redmi: a complete guide with instructions and life hacks

Moving from one Xiaomi smartphone to another — for example, from Mi 11 to Redmi Note 12 Pro+ — may seem like a simple task, but in practice users face a lot of nuances. The main question is: how to transfer all the important data — from contacts and messages to photos and app settings — so that nothing gets lost or damaged? In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways of migration, including official MIUI tools and third-party solutions, and also explain how to avoid typical errors.

The peculiarity of transferring between devices of the same ecosystem (Xiaomi → Redmi) is that both smartphones run on the proprietary shell of MIUI, which means that many data are synchronized through Mi Account automatically. However, this does not always work perfectly: some files may not be transferred, and application settings (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) will require manual intervention. We tested all methods on current models of 2023-2026 and identified the only way that is guaranteed to save the history of calls and SMS without loss — read about this in the section about Mi Mover.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, take a few critical steps to save you time and data loss.

Step 1. Check device compatibility. Make sure both smartphones run MIUI 12 and higher (for Mi Mover) or have current versions of apps (Google Drive, Xiaomi Cloud). On older firmware (for example, MIUI 10), some features may not work. To find out the version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

Step 2: Free up space on both devices. Transferring data requires temporary free space — at least 10 to 15 percent of the storage capacity. If Redmi has little space, delete the files that are not needed or transfer them to a memory card. You can check the occupied space in Settings → Memory.

• 🔋 Charging both smartphones by at least 50% – transfer can take up to 1-2 hours.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) for downloading backups.
• 🔐 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock) at the time of transfer - this will speed up the process.
• 📱 Install the latest updates on both devices through Settings → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: If you migrate data from Xiaomi to Redmi with another regional firmware (e.g. global to Chinese), some applications (e.g. Google Play Services) may not work properly, in which case you will have to manually reinstall Google services after the transfer.

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

Mi Mover is an integrated application in the MIUI, specially designed to transfer data between devices Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco. It supports the transmission:

• 📞 Contacts, call history and SMS
• 📸 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📱 Applications and their data (not all, see the restrictions below)
• 📅 Calendars and notes

How to use Mi Mover:

1. Open Mi Mover on both smartphones (if the app is not available, download it from Google Play or the App Store).
2. On the old Xiaomi, choose I’m the sender, on the new Redmi, I’m the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the Redmi screen on Xiaomi (or connect via Wi-Fi Direct).
4. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

⚠️ Note: If Redmi already has data (e.g. you’ve been using it for days), Mi Mover will suggest resetting the device to factory settings before porting.This will delete all existing files.

Install Mi Mover on both devices|Connect both smartphones to charging|Free up at least 5GB of memory on Redmi|Shut down. VPN firewall|Check the stability of Wi-Fi-->

3. Method 2: Xiaomi Cloud – Backup and Restore

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically syncs some data between devices, and the advantage of the method is that you can restore data to the new Redmi at any time, even if the old smartphone has already been sold or dropped.

What is synced with Mi Cloud:

• 📞 Contacts, notes, call history
• 📅 Calendar and reminders
• 📸 Photo and video (if option is enabled)
• 🔧 Some system settings (wallpaper, sounds)

How to transfer data:

1. On the old Xiaomi go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on sync for all the categories you need (contacts, notes, etc.).
3. Wait until the download is complete (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours).
4. On the new Redmi, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync in Settings → Mi Cloud.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No transfer of applications and their data (for example, saves in games).
• 📉 Volume limit: only 5 GB is available for free (for a photo this is not enough).
• ⏳ Long synchronization with a large number of files.

💡

If you don’t have much space in Mi Cloud, delete old backups in Mi Cloud → Storage Management before synchronizing. This will free up space for new data.

4. Method 3: Google Account – a universal method for Android

If you use Google services (Gmail, Contacts, Photos, Drive), data porting is easier, which is suitable if you want to save your call history, SMS and app settings in the Google ecosystem, not Xiaomi.

What's transferable:

• 📞 Contacts (via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar)
• 📸 Photo and video (Google Photo)
• 📱 Settings for some apps (if they support backup in Google Drive)
• 🔑 Passwords (via Google Smart Lock)

Instructions:

1. On the old Xiaomi, open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable Backup in Google Drive and select an account.
3. Click Create a backup now and wait until it is completed.
4. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select Restore Data from a backup and log in to the same Google account.

⚠️ Note: Google backups do not include SMS, Call history and some system settings. Use additional applications to transfer them, such as, SMS Backup & Restore.

5. Method 4: Transfer over an OTG cable or computer

If you don't have Wi-Fi, or if you want to transfer data as quickly and without compression as possible, use a physical cable connection, which is suitable for transferring large amounts of files (for example, video recordings to a computer). 4K or RAW-photo).

Option 1: Direct connection via OTG-adapter

• 🔌 Buy it. OTG-adapter (Type-C) → Type-C or MicroUSB → Type-C, depending on your smartphone ports).
• 📱 Connect Redmi to Xiaomi via Adapter.
• 📂 On Xiaomi, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
• 📋 Copy the files you need manually (such as a folder) DCIM photo).

Option 2: Computer transfer

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and copy all important files to your hard drive.
2. Turn off Xiaomi and connect Redmi.
3. Transfer files from your PC to Redmi.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s when used) USB 3.0).
• 📁 There are no limits on volume (unlike cloud services).
• 🔒 Security: Data is not transmitted via the Internet.

💡

Use an OTG cable only with certified adapters. Cheap Chinese adapters can damage the Type-C port due to unstable voltage.

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

If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use popular file transfer applications, which work on the principle of P2P (directly between devices) and do not require an Internet connection.

Comparison of annexes:

How to transfer data via SHAREit:

1. Install SHAREit on both smartphones from Google Play.
2. On Xiaomi, choose Send, on Redmi, Receive.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or use Hotspot.
4. Select files on Xiaomi and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: Applications like SHAREit often request access to contacts, location, and storage. → Annexes → SHAREit → Permits and disable unnecessary.

7. Transfer of specific data types: instructions for each case

Not all data is transferred the same way. Below are step-by-step instructions for the most important categories.

📞 Contacts and call history

The most reliable way:

1. Export contacts to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Export.
2. Transfer the file to Redmi in any convenient way (for example, via Mi Mover or cable).
3. Import contacts to Redmi via Contacts → Settings → Import.

💬 Communications (SMS/MMS)

Use the SMS Backup & Restore app:

1. Install the app on Xiaomi.
2. Create a backup (backup) copy.
3. Transfer the file to Redmi.
4. Restore messages on the new device.

📷 Photos and videos

The best options are:

• 🖥️ Transfer over cable (the fastest way for large volumes).
• ☁️ Sync with Google Photos (if automatic backup is enabled).
• 📡 Wi-Fi transmission via Mi Mover or SHAREit.

🎮 Annexes and their data

To transfer applications with data storage:

1. Use Mi Mover (transferable) APK-files, but not always data).
2. For games and important apps (like WhatsApp), back up manually:

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

• 🔄 Mi Mover is getting stuck on 99% → Reboot both devices and try again. If it doesn't work, use another method (e.g. Xiaomi Cloud).
• 📵 You can’t see the device when you connect through OTG → Check the cable (possibly damaged) or try another adapter. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times on the build number).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud does not sync photos → Make sure you have Synced Photos in your Mi Cloud settings and that there is enough space on your account.
• 🔒 After the transfer, some applications do not work → This could be regional firmware.Remove and reinstall problematic applications.

What to do if the data is not transferred:

1. Check if there is enough space on Redmi.
2. Make sure both devices have power-saving modes turned off (they can interrupt transmission).
3. Try another transfer method (for example, if Mi Mover didn’t work, use a cable).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions