How to Move Data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi via Google: A Complete Guide to 2026

The switch to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to saving important data, and many users fear losing contacts, photos or app settings when changing devices. Google offers a robust migration tool that works on all Redmi models, POCO Mi – from budget to flagship. In this article, we will discuss how to transfer data from one Xiaomi to another through a Google account, avoiding typical errors and saving all settings.

The method through Google services is considered one of the most versatile: it does not require additional cables, works even on devices with different versions. MIUI, And, importantly, it preserves the data structure (like Google Photos albums or contact tags), but there are nuances to be aware of in advance, from the limitations of free cloud storage to the synchronization of some apps. Next – step-by-step instructions with explanations for each stage.

If you haven’t used Google services on your Xiaomi before, don’t worry: the setup process will take no more than 10 minutes, but make sure both devices have enough battery life (at least 50%) and a stable Internet connection, otherwise sync may be interrupted and data may be duplicated or lost.

1. Preparing the old Xiaomi smartphone for data transfer

Before you start migrating, you need to prepare the original device, the one from which the data will be transferred, which is often missed, but it is critical for successful synchronization. MIUI (Update can be launched in Settings → The phone. → System Update: Older firmware versions may not support the latest Google backup features.

Second, make sure your device is synced to your Google account.

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google account (if not, add it through Add Account).
3. Activate the switches in front of all the necessary categories: Contacts, Calendar, Google Photos, etc.

Pay special attention to Google Photos, which by default can save images in a reduced quality (“Saving space”), which will lead to loss of resolution.

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Choose Original Quality (requires more space in the cloud, but saves all the details of the photo).

⚠️ Note: If the old Xiaomi has dual apps enabled (for cloning messengers), data from duplicate versions of WhatsApp, Telegram and other applications are not synchronized with Google.

We also recommend clearing the cache of Google apps before syncing, which will help avoid data conflicts. → Annexes → Application management → Google, then click Storage → Clear the cache.

Add/check your Google account in the settings

Enable synchronization for all categories

Set up photo backup in original quality

Clear the cache of Google apps

Update MIUI last-minute-->

2. Set up a new smartphone Xiaomi to receive data

Now, to the new device, the main challenge is to properly initialize your Google account when you first turn on, if you're already set up, you'll have to reset it to factory settings (but this is an extreme case), and the best way to do that is to add an account when you first set up:

• 📱 When you first turn on, select a language, region and connect to Wi-Fi.
• 🔑 At the Data Copy stage, select Restore from Google Backup.
• 📥 Enter the username and password from the same account used on the old Xiaomi.
• ✅ Confirm the data recovery and wait for the process to be completed.

If the new Xiaomi is already set up, but the data is not transferred, you can manually start the recovery:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and click Sync.
3. To restore applications, open the Google Play Store, click on the profile avatar → Application and Device Management → Library and install the necessary programs.

The important thing is that not all data is automatically restored, SMS and calls are not synced through Google (they need Mi Cloud or third-party apps like this). SMS Backup & Restore: Google Keep contacts, calendar and notes will be ported without any problems.

Through a Google account

Through the Mi Cloud

Through the OTG cable

Through third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender)

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3. Transfer of specific data types: what and how is synchronized

Not all data is carried the same way, but let's look at which categories Google supports and which categories require additional action.

Contacts and calendar

Synced automatically when the options are enabled in the account settings to check:

• 📞 Open Google Contacts on your new device – they should appear within 5-10 minutes.
• 📅 For the calendar, use the Google Calendar app.

2.Photo and video

It is also used through Google Photos, but there are limitations:

• 📸 Free cloud offers 15GB per account (common to all Google services).
• 🎥 Video in the video 4K Take up a lot of space – they are better transferred over cable or through Mi Cloud.

3.Appendices and their data

Google is restoring the list of installed apps, but not their settings.

• 🎮 In games, progress is only saved if it is tied to Google Play Games.
• 💬 In messengers (for example, WhatsApp) you need to make a separate backup in Google Drive.

4. SMS call-book

This data is not synced through Google, and to transfer it:

• 📩 Use the Mi Cloud (built-in in the MIUI).
• 🔄 Or third-party utilities like this. SMS Backup & Restore.

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If you need to transfer Wi-Fi passwords stored in your old phone, use the WiFi Password Viewer app (root rights required) or write them down manually before changing your device.

4. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when you set it up properly, users face problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

1. Data is not synchronized

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 No internet – check your Wi-Fi or mobile network connection.
• 🔄 Sync is disabled - go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and turn it on.
• 🕒 Google servers are overloaded – wait 1-2 hours and try again.

2.Photos were transferred in low quality

This means that the old device had enabled the "Saving Space" option in Google Photos. You can't fix it, but you can:

• 📤 Transfer the originals through the cable USB-C.
• 🖼️ Use Mi Cloud (offers up to 5GB for free).

3.Apps have not recovered

If no applications have appeared after logging in to the account:

• 📥 Open the Google Play Store → Library → Installed and click Update All.
• 🔍 Check if apps are hidden in your account settings (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Account management → Data and personalization → Application data management).

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi is installed MIUI For the global region, and the old Chinese version, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may have trouble restoring. APK.

5. Alternative ways to transfer data (if Google is not suitable)

While the Google account method is universal, it may not work in some cases.

1.Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud)

Advantages:

• 📱 Supports transfer SMS, log of calls and system settings.
• 🔒 Offers up to 5GB for free (can be expanded for a fee).

How to use:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Mi Cloud → turn on backup.
2. On a new phone: log in to the same Xiaomi account and recover the data.

2. Cable. OTG adapter

Suitable for transferring large files (video, music, backups):

• 🔌 Buy it. OTG-cable USB-C → USB-A).
• 📁 Connect the old device as USB-drive and copy files manually.

Third-party annexes

Popular utilities:

• 📲 Sharet – Quick transfer of Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔄 Xender – supports cross-platform transmission.
• 📎 Send Anywhere – Send files via 6-digit code.

4. Local backup through MIUI

Backup function in Settings → Additionally, it allows you to create a backup to a memory card or internal memory, and then restore it to a new device:

• 📱 Applications and their data (not all).
• 📞 SMS, call-in.
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, network parameters).

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If you need to transfer data from games (for example, progress to Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, use a link to developer accounts (MiHoYo, Tencent, etc.). Google Play Games store only a fraction of the information!

6. Optimize the new smartphone after data transfer

After a successful data migration, it is recommended to optimize the new device to avoid lags and conflicts:

• 🧹 Clear the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 🔒 Set up unlock: Add a fingerprint or Face Unlock to Settings → Password and security.
• 📶 Update all apps through Google Play Store.

Also check the permissions for applications:

1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Permits.
2. Make sure that important apps (messengers, banking services) have access to contacts, storage and camera.

If after transferring data, the smartphone began to slow down, try:

• 🛠️ Disable animation: in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 5 times to open Developer Settings, then set the animation scale of the window on 0.5x.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary applications: many preinstalled utilities MIUI You can turn off the settings → Annexes.

⚠️ Note: If you migrated data from Xiaomi to a model with a different processor (e.g., Snapdragon to Mediatek), some applications may not work well.

7.Security of data: how to protect information during transfer

Data transfer is always a risk of personal information leakage. Follow these rules to protect yourself:

• 🔐 Use two-factor authentication for your Google account. myaccount.google.com/security.
• 📡 Avoid public Wi-Fi when syncing – only connect to trusted networks.
• 🚫 Do not save passwords in your browser on your new device until you have set up screen lock.
• 🔄 After transferring data to the old phone, reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).

If you use third-party portability apps (such as SHAREit), pay attention to their permissions:

• 📋 Check what data the application requests (access to contacts, SMS, location).
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Google Play Protect or Dr.Web) and scan the transferred files.

Important: If you sell or transfer an old smartphone, it's not enough to manually delete data. Use the Formatting function in the reset menu to completely overwrite the device's memory, making file recovery impossible.

For additional protection, backup copies can be encrypted:

1. In Google Drive, create an archive with a password (the feature is available in the desktop version).
2. In Mi Cloud, enable backup encryption in Xiaomi account settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions