How to Transfer Data from Lenovo to Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide to Comparing All Ways

The transition from Lenovo to Xiaomi Redmi is not just about changing the brand, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users fear this process, fearing losing valuable information or spending hours manually copying files. In fact, transferring data between devices from different manufacturers can be done quickly and without errors — if you know all the available methods and their nuances.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to migrate data, from the official Mi Mover tool to universal solutions through cloud services and PCs. You will learn what method is suitable for your case (for example, if you do not have a computer or the old Lenovo does not support modern protocols), how to avoid typical errors when transferring, and what to do if some of the data is not copied.

Preparation for data transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow a few critical steps to avoid data loss and speed up the process:

• 📱 Check the Android version on both devices. Xiaomi Redmi should be installed MIUI 10 or later (for Mi Mover), Lenovo at least Android 5.0. → The phone.
• 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 50%. Data transfer can take from 10 minutes to an hour (depending on the volume), and discharging in the process will lead to a failure.
• 📡 Connect to stable Wi-Fi. Most methods require data to be transmitted over the network, and mobile Internet may be too slow or paid.
• 🧹 Clean up unnecessary files on Lenovo.Take away garbage (cache, duplicate photos, old ones) APK) It doesn’t make sense, it will only increase the time of copying.

Also, make a list of the data you want to move.

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and contact notes)
• 📷 Photos and videos (including screenshots and downloads from messengers)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, as well as chats from WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📁 Documents (PDF, Excel, Word)
• 📱 Application settings (for example, save in games or bookmarks in the browser)

⚠️ Note: If Lenovo has enabled data encryption (Settings) → Security, some transfer techniques may not work, in which case use cloud backup or PC transfer.

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

Mi Mover is an application built into MIUI that is specifically designed to transfer data from other Android devices, and it supports contact, message, photo, video, music, documents, and even some application settings, and the main advantage is that you don't need a computer or a cloud, it's all over a direct Wi-Fi connection between your phones.

To take advantage of the Mi Mover:

1. On Xiaomi Redmi, go to Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or find the app through search).
2. Select Me a New User (or a similar item in your MIUI version).
3. On Lenovo, install the Mi Mover app from Google Play (if it’s not on the system).
4. Run the app on both devices and follow the on-screen instructions. Xiaomi will generate QR-The code you need to scan with Lenovo.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

The speed of the transfer depends on the data volume and model Lenovo. For example, transferring 10 GB of photos and videos can take 15-30 minutes. If the process is interrupted, start again - Mi Mover will resume copying from where it left off.

Install Mi Mover on Lenovo| Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network | Charge devices at least 50% | Free up space on Xiaomi (should be free 20% more than the amount of data being transferred) | Disable VPNs and firewalls

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⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not port apps or their data (such as saving games or setting up WhatsApp) and this will require a separate backup via Google Drive or Titanium Backup (root rights required).

Method 2: Transfer over cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

If Mi Mover doesn’t work for some reason (for example, Lenovo’s outdated version of Android), the best alternative is cloud backup.This method is universal and works on any device, but requires sufficient cloud space and a stable Internet connection.

The most reliable services for transfer:

• 🌐 Google Drive – free 15GB, integrated into Android, suitable for contacts, photos, videos and some settings.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – Xiaomi’s 5GB cloud for free. optimized for devices on the Internet MIUI.
• 📦 Yandex Drive or Mail.ru Cloud – if you already have accounts in these services.

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. On Lenovo, go to Settings → System → Backup.
2. Select Backup in Google Drive and enable copying of contacts, photos, videos, SMS and other data.
3. Wait for the backup to complete (may take several hours with a large volume).
4. On Xiaomi Redmi, log in to the same Google account and restore data to Settings → Accounts → Google → Restore.

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

1. On Lenovo, install the Mi Cloud app from Google Play.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (if you don’t have one, create a new one).
3. In the application settings, select Backup and mark the necessary data.
4. On Xiaomi Redmi, log in to the same Mi Account and restore the backup to Settings → Mi Cloud → Restore.

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If you don’t have much space in the cloud, archive photos and videos in ZIP on Lenovo before you backup, and then upload the archive to the cloud as a single file, saving up to 30% of the space.

⚠️ Note: When you restore from Google Drive to Xiaomi, some data (such as WhatsApp) may not be automatically restored.

Method 3: Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

If you don't have access to Wi-Fi or the cloud, you can use a direct connection via an OTG cable (or a USB-C → MicroUSB adapter if the ports are different), which is suitable for transferring photos, videos, music and documents, but can't handle contacts, messages or applications.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Adapter if the ports on the phones are different).
• 📁 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• 🔋 Charging at least one device (connection can drain the battery).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Lenovo to Xiaomi Redmi via OTG cable. Xiaomi will be notified of the connection of the external drive.
2. Open the file manager on Xiaomi and go to the section USB-The storage device (this is Lenovo memory).
3. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) into internal memory or into a Xiaomi memory card.
4. To speed up the process, use batch copying: highlight all files, then click Copy → Insert.

This method is not suitable for transferring:

• 📞 Contact and SMS (They are stored in an Android database, not in files).
• 📱 Applications and their data (backup required through the ADB Titanium Backup).
• 🔑 Passwords and keys (such as from Wi-Fi or accounts).

5. Method 4: Transfer over a computer (Windows/Mac)

If you have access to a PC, this method is the most reliable, especially for large amounts of data, and you can selectively copy files, check them before transferring them, and even edit them (e.g., delete duplicate photos).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows or macOS.
• 🔌 Two. USB-cable (or single cable) + hub if there are few ports on the PC).
• 📁 Synchronization program (optional): Xiaomi PC Suite, Syncios or MobileTrans.

Instructions for manual copying:

1. Connect Lenovo to your PC and enable file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Open the device folder to This Computer (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS).
3. Copy the desired folders (DCIM, Pictures, Downloads, etc.) to the hard drive of the PC.
4. Disable Lenovo, connect Xiaomi Redmi and paste files into internal memory or on a card.

To transfer contacts, SMS and applications, use specialized programs:

• 📱 MobileTrans is a paid utility, but with a free trial. Supports the portability of WhatsApp, Viber and other messengers.
• 🔄 Syncios – Free Alternative for Backup and Data Recovery.
• ☁️ Xiaomi PC Suite is Xiaomi’s official software, but it doesn’t work with all Lenovo models.

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PC porting is the only method that is guaranteed to work on any device, including older Lenovo models on Android 4.x. However, it takes more time and technical skills.

Method 5: Transferring applications with data storage

The hardest part of migrating is migrating installed apps along with their data (such as saving in games, settings in WhatsApp or bookmarks in the browser). Standard methods (such as Mi Mover) do not cope with this task.

Method 1: Backup via Google (for supported applications)

• On Lenovo, enable backup in Settings → Google → Backup.
• Make sure that the apps you want (like WhatsApp, Chrome) save data in Google Drive.
• On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and recover data when you first launch apps.

Method 2: Titanium Backup (requires root rights)

• Install Titanium Backup on Lenovo (root required).
• Create a backup of all applications and their data in.apk +.tar format.
• Move the backup to Xiaomi (via cloud, OTG or PC).
• Install Titanium Backup on Xiaomi, provide root and recover data.

Method 3: ADB Backup (without root but with limitations)

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab


adb restore backup.ab

These teams create a full backup of apps and data on Lenovo and then restore them to Xiaomi.However, not all apps support this method (for example, WhatsApp blocks backups through ADB).

⚠️ Note: Transferring these applications between devices from different manufacturers can cause malfunctions. For example, WhatsApp may require re-activation, and some games may require reinstallation. Always check the functionality of the applications after recovery.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If none of these methods worked, try a combination approach:

1. Move photos and videos over OTG or PC.
2. Sync your contacts and calendar through Google.
3. Recover SMS and call logs with SMS Backup & Restore.
4. Install the apps again from Google Play and log in to your accounts to recover data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Lenovo to Xiaomi Redmi