How to transfer data from one Android to another Xiaomi Redmi: all ways 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always an exciting event, but transferring data from an old device can turn into a real headache. Especially if you are afraid of losing important contacts, photos over the past years or saving in games. Fortunately, Redmi owners have several proven ways to migrate data — from the built-in Mi Mover tool to universal solutions from Google and third-party applications.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods of transfer, taking into account the features of the firmware. MIUI 2026 You will learn how to transfer not only standard files, but also application data (including WhatsApp, Viber and banking programs), as well as avoid typical synchronization errors. MIUI, which speeds up the process in 2-3 compared to standard instructions.

Whether you’re switching from Samsung, Huawei or another Xiaomi, our recommendations are for any combination of devices, and the main thing is to prepare both smartphones correctly and choose the best way depending on the amount of data and Internet speed.

1. Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before you start migrating, you need to follow a few critical steps on both smartphones, and skipping either of them can cause data loss or disruption in the process.

On the old device (data source):

• 🔋 Charge the battery to minimum. 50% — bulkage (10+ GB) can discharge the phone for 1-2 hour.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use cloud services) Mobile Internet is not suitable due to traffic restrictions.
• 🔒 Make sure there is no lock on the device. OEM (methodically ADB). You can check this in the settings. → For developers → Unlocking OEM.
• 📁 Free up space on internal memory – you will need to create a backup copy before 20-30% free-space.

On the new Xiaomi Redmi (receiver):

• 📱 Go through the initial setup before connecting to Wi-Fi, but do not create a Mi Account (it is better to tie it after transferring).
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Update the system. MIUI 14/15 Fixed critical bugs with transfer via Mi Mover.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable antivirus and optimizers (such as Security or Clean Master) as they can block file transfers.

Pay special attention to applications with local storage (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, banking programs), their data is not always transferred automatically, often requires a separate backup. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases new phone.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has storage encryption enabled (such as Samsung Knox), some portability techniques may not work. ADB backup.

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

Mi Mover is built into the MIUI application for wireless data transfer between Xiaomi, Redmi and devices POCO. It supports the transmission of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, applications (including their data), and even some system settings. The main advantage is that it does not require Internet (works on a direct Wi-Fi connection).

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Redmi, select Data Portability during the initial setup (or find Mi Mover in the app menu).
2. On an older phone, install Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not by default) and run it.
3. Click "I am the sender" on the old device and "I am the receiver" on the new one.
4. Scan it. QR-The code from the screen of the new phone is old (or enter) PIN-manually).
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Both phones are over 40% charged.

The new Redmi has plenty of space.

VPN and proxy are disabled on both devices

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth included

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The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data:

Limitations of Mi Mover:

• ❌ Does not transfer data of certain applications (for example, Viber, Snapchat).
• ❌ It may not work with Android 12 phones+, If they're not from Xiaomi.
• ❌ Does not support account transfers (e.g. Google or Mi Account).

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If the Mi Mover is stuck in the connection phase, restart both phones and try again. Often, a role change helps: make the new Redmi the sender and the old one the receiver.

Method 2: Transfer through a Google account (for contacts, calendars, photos)

If you use Google services, most of the data is already synced to the cloud automatically, a method that is suitable for porting:

• 📇 Contacts (Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar)
• 📷 Photo and video (Google Photo)
• 📝 Notes (Google Keep)
• 🎵 Music (YouTube Music or Google Play Music)

Synchronization instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all the right categories.
2. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (check in Google Drive under "Backups").
3. On the new Redmi, add the same Google account and enable sync.
4. For Google Photos, make sure that the “Backup and Sync” option is enabled in the app settings.

Important nuances:

• 🔄 Google Photos in the free version compresses images up to 16 MP. To transfer in original quality, you will need a Google One tariff (from 139 MT) ₽/month).
• 📱 Contacts from SIM-Maps are not automatically synced, but must be manually exported to Google Contacts.
• 🚫 Some manufacturers (e.g. Huawei) block background synchronization, in which case use manual export via Settings. → System system → Backup.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone used Mi Account to sync notes or SMS, Link it to the new Redmi before transferring data via Google, otherwise the notes may be duplicated or lost.

Method 3: Cable Transfer OTG (bulky)

If you have more than 30GB of data or weak Wi-Fi, the best option is direct cable transfer. OTG (adapter USB-C to USB-C). This method works 10 times faster than wireless methods and is independent of Internet speed.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB OTG (adapter USB-C to USB-C for the new Redmi).
• 📱 Old phone with support MTP (most Android devices).
• 🔋 Charging for the new Redmi (transfer drains the battery).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the cable. OTG To the new Redmi and connect it to the old phone.
2. On your old phone, select the file transfer mode" (MTP) when the request arises.
3. On the new Redmi, open the Explorer (MIUI File Manager) and select the connected device.
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp, etc.) to internal memory or to SD-map.
5. Use the application transfer ADB (see method 5).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Speed up to 40-60 MB / s (versus 2-5 MB / s on Wi-Fi).
• 🔒 No risk of data loss due to connection breakdown.
• 📁 Only the necessary files can be selectively copied.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not tolerate system settings and data of some applications.
• ❌ Requires additional cable (not always available).

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Cable OTG — The only reliable way to transfer more than 100 GB of data without loss, especially for owners of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and other flagships with a large amount of memory.

5. Method 4: Backup through ADB (for power users)

If you need to migrate all application data (including game saves, program settings, and system files), the best way is to use the app. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires unlocking debugging by USB basic command line knowledge, but allows you to create a full copy of your old phone.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on Build Number in Settings) → The phone).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
4. On the phone, confirm the creation of a copy (think up a password for encryption).
5. Copy the backup.ab file to the new Redmi and restore the data by the command: adb restore backup.ab

Important observations:

• 🔐 Some applications (e.g. banking) block backups through ADB.
• 📱 On new versions of Android 13/14 Additional proof of unlocking may be required OEM.
• ⚠️ Do not interrupt the process – this can cause data loss on both devices.

⚠️ Note: When restoring through ADB on MIUI Sometimes you reset your lock screen settings. PIN-code!

6. Method 5: Cloud Services (Yandex Drive, Mail.ru Cloud, Dropbox)

If you don't have a cable. OTG Mi Mover doesn't work, you can use third-party cloud storage, and this is a method that's suitable for transferring photos, documents, and some types of application data.

Comparison of popular services:

How to move data through the cloud:

1. Install the application of the selected service on the old phone.
2. Upload files to the cloud (for example, folder) DCIM photo).
3. On the new Redmi, install the same app and download the files.
4. For contacts, export them to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Export and upload to the cloud.

Pros of the method:

• ☁️ Data is accessible from any device.
• 🔄 You can transfer data gradually (not all at once).

Cons:

• ❌ Slower than cable. OTG Mi Mover.
• ❌ Free space is limited (you will have to pay for additional space).

7. data transfer of specific applications (WhatsApp, Viber, games)

Some applications require separate backups because standard methods don't capture them. Let's look at the most popular cases.

WhatsApp:

• 📱 On your old phone, open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
• 🔄 Create a copy in Google Drive (requires a linked account).
• 📲 On the new Redmi, install WhatsApp, log in to the same account and restore chats.

Viber:

• 📱 In Viber settings, select "Account" → Backup copy".
• 🔄 Save a copy to Google Drive or on SD-map.
• 📲 On the new phone, restore data after logging into your account.

Games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile)

• 🎮 Most games are linked to a Google Play, Facebook or Mi Account account, and you just need to log in to the same account on your new phone.
• 💾 For offline games (such as The Room) copy the folder Android/obb cable OTG.

Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB):

• 🏦 Most banks prohibit backup of data through ADB Mi Mover.
• 📱 The only reliable way is to reinstall the application on a new phone and log in to the login / password.
• 🔑 Some banks (e.g. Alfa-Bank) allow exporting transaction history to.pdf.

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To migrate game saves, use Helium (an outdated but working solution) or Swift Backup (requires root). Without root rights, the most reliable way to link the game to a social network account.

8.Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover can't see old device

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📶 Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• 🔧 On an old phone, in the Mi Mover settings, select “I’m the sender” even if it’s not from Xiaomi.

Problem 2: Google Transfers Are Interrupted

• ☁️ Check if there is enough space in Google Drive (only 15GB is free).
• 📶 Switch to a more stable Wi-Fi network (or use mobile Internet with unlimited rates).
• 🔄 Try to back up manually through Settings → Google → Backup.

Problem 3: Some applications do not work after the transfer

• 📱 Reinstall problematic apps from Google Play.
• 🔒 Check permissions for applications in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🔄 If the app requires a license (like paid games), sign in to the same Google account as you did on your old phone.

Problem 4: No photos or videos are transferred

• 📷 Check if files are hidden in folders like.thumbnails or.nomedia.
• 🔍 Use the Conductor. MIUI with the option "Show hidden files" enabled".
• ☁️ If the photos were in Google Photos, check if sync is enabled on the new phone.

⚠️ Attention: If after transferring the new Redmi appeared artifacts in the photo (blurring, stripes), most likely the problem is in the codecs. MX Player with FFmpeg support for video playback.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi Redmi