How to transfer data from one Xiaomi to another Redmi: all working methods

The transition to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to saving all the important data from the old device. Contacts, photos, messages, notes and even app settings can all be lost if you approach the transfer process without preparation. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several reliable ways to migrate, and in this article we will analyze everything from the official Mi Mover tool to manual copying through the cloud or cable.

Many users mistakenly think that data transfer requires a computer or deep technical knowledge. In fact, most methods require nothing more than smartphones and a stable Internet connection. The main thing is to choose the right way depending on the amount of data and device models. For example, for Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 11T wireless transfer via Mi Mover is optimal, and for older models like Redmi 5 you may need an OTG cable.

In this article you will find:

• 🔄 Step-by-step instructions for each transfer method
• ⚡ Comparison of speed and reliability of methods
• ⚠️ Critical mistakes that can interrupt the process
• 📱 Compatible with different models Xiaomi and Redmi

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a Xiaomi-branded app designed specifically for wireless data transfer between the brand’s devices, pre-installed on all modern Redmi and Xiaomi smartphones, starting with MIUI 9 and later, and the main advantage of the method is to preserve the data structure: contacts remain in the phone book, photos in the gallery, and apps are installed automatically (if available on Google Play).

To use the Mi Mover, both phones must be charged at least 50% — critical, as the process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data. Also make sure that the new device has enough free space: the application will transfer all files, including cache and temporary data.

• 📱 Turn on Mi Mover on both phones (on the old, select "Send", on the new one - "Get")
• 🔗 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point on an old smartphone
• 📋 Select data types for transfer (contacts, SMS, Photos, applications, etc.)
• ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed – do not interrupt the connection!

⚠️ Note: If the new Redmi has an older version MIUI, In comparison to the old Xiaomi, the transfer may end with an error. In this case, update the firmware through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

Charging both phones >50%|Same version MIUI (or newer on a new device)|Free space on the new smartphone > portable|Disabled. VPN firewalls-->

2. Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar, notes)

If you only need to migrate basic data — contacts, calendar events, notes or email — the easiest way to sync with a Google Account is to sync with a Google Account, which works across devices from different brands, and the main advantage is that the data is automatically updated in real time, so you always have a current copy.

On the old Xiaomi, check if sync is enabled:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google
2. Select your account and make sure that the sliders opposite Contacts, Calendar and Google Drive are active.
3. Click on “Sync Now” for Forced Update

On the new Redmi, simply log in to the same Google account when you first set up – the data will be downloaded automatically.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone used a local Mi Account to store your contacts, you must first export them to your home phone. VCF-The file is sent through the Contacts app and then imported on the new device, otherwise it won't sync with Google.

Copying via OTG cable (for large data volumes)

When it comes to transferring tens of gigabytes of photos, videos, or music, wireless methods can be too slow, and the OTG cable (or USB-C → USB-C adapter for new models) will come to the rescue, which is suitable for any file, including application backups (.apk and.obb), but requires manual control.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Adapters, if the ports are different)
• 📁 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)
• ⏳ 10-30 free time (depending on the amount of time)

Connect your old phone to your new one via OTG, select File Transfer (MTP) mode, and copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.).

Example of the way to photos on Xiaomi:


/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/




/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/

💡

If the OTG cable is not recognized, try reconnecting it or using a different port. Some Redmi models (such as the Note 10 Pro) may need to turn on developer mode and activate the USB debugging option.

4. Cloud Storage: Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex Disk

Cloud services are a universal way to transfer data, especially if you don’t have physical access to both phones at the same time. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud storage (5 GB for free), but for larger volumes, it is more convenient than Google Drive (15 GB) or Yandex Disk (10 GB).

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup
2. Select the data to copy (contacts, SMS, photos, records) and click "Create backup"
3. On the new Redmi: Log in to the same Mi Account and recover data from the cloud

For Google Drive, use the built-in backup function in Settings → System → Backup.

5. Transfer applications and their data (including games)

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is keeping games progressing and setting up apps. Not all programs support cloud sync, so some will require manual file copying, such as Genshin Impact, which requires copying the Genshin Impact folder from /Android/data/, and WhatsApp, which requires a backup of chats from /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.

Common algorithm:

• 🎮 For games: find a folder with data in /Android/data/[packet name] or /Android/obb/[Package name and copy it to your new phone
• 📱 For applications: Use built-in backup (if any) or third-party utilities like Swift Backup (root rights required)
• 🔄 For WhatsApp: Move the file msgstore.db.crypt14 and the Media folder in the same directory on the new device

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking) prohibit data transfer for security reasons, in which case you will have to re-authorize and configure notifications.

6. Computer-assisted transfer (for advanced users)

If you want to have full control of the process, or if you're working with very large amounts of data (100+GB), the best solution is to use a computer, which is also useful if one of the phones is damaged (for example, a broken screen), but you're going to need to turn on.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Mac Linux
• 🔌 Cables. USB for both phones
• 📂 File Manager or Mi utility PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect an old Xiaomi to your computer and copy all the files you need to a separate folder (for example, Xiaomi_Backup).
2. Turn off the first phone, plug in a new Redmi and move the data back.
3. To transfer SMS/contacts, use programs like MobileTrans or Dr.Fone (paid, but with trial versions).

Advantage of the method:

precise

💡

Transferring over a computer is the only way to save data from a phone that doesn’t turn on normally (like a broken screen).In this case, connect the device in Fastboot mode and use it. ADB-file-extracting commands.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when using official tools, users often experience problems when migrating data, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

• 🚫 "Mi Mover doesn't see second phone": Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data!). VPN Firewalls, they can block the connection. Reboot both phones and try again.
• ⚠️ "Lack of space on new phone": Before penos clear cache and unnecessary files through Settings → Storage. Use the cloud to temporarily store some of the data.
• 🔄 "Apps didn't recover from the port: Mi Mover only carries app listings, not app data. To restore progress, you need a separate backup. Some apps (e.g. Netflix or Disney)+) Blocking the transfer for licensing reasons.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the new phone to factory settings and repeating the transfer from the clean system, sometimes because of pre-installed apps or settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions