How to Transfer Data from One Xiaomi Redmi Note Phone to Another: The Complete 2026 Guide

The transition to the new Xiaomi Redmi Note is always an exciting moment, but with the joy of updating the gadget comes a headache: how to transfer all the important data from the old device? Contacts, photos, messages, apps and even settings, all of which need to be moved without loss or failure. Especially difficult for those who have never faced this task: the fear of losing valuable information often causes the process to be postponed indefinitely.

Fortunately, data transfer between Xiaomi smartphones can be done in several ways, from the simplest automatic to manual, requiring a little more attention. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including official tools from Xiaomi and universal solutions from Google, you will learn how to migrate not only files, but also system settings, so that the new Redmi Note is immediately ready to work for you.

Important: The transfer procedure may vary depending on the Redmi Note model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ vs Redmi Note 10S) version MIUI. We will take these nuances into account and give recommendations for different scenarios.

1. Preparation for data transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you start migrating, follow a few critical steps that will save you hours of time and prevent data loss.

First, check the battery power on both devices. The transfer process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour (depending on the amount of data), and an interruption due to a dead battery will cause a failure. Optimally, if both smartphones are over 50%, but you better connect them to the network.

Second, make room for the new Redmi Note: If the old phone is 64GB and the new one is only 32GB free, the transfer will end in an error: delete the unnecessary files or transfer them to the memory card in advance.

Make sure that both phones have enough charge (>50%)

Free up space on a new device (minimum) +20% of the volume of data transferred)

Connect both phones to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you use the cloud)

Update MIUI Up to the latest version on both devices

Write down passwords from Mi Account and Google (if you forgot)

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Step three, update the firmware. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update of the system on both smartphones. MIUI ensures the compatibility of the transfer instruments, for example, in MIUI 14 added accelerated migration through Mi Mover, and in MIUI 12.5 This process could take 2 times longer.

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from the Redmi Note to a model with a different chipset (for example, from Snapdragon to MediaTek), some system settings may not migrate. This is normal - binding to hardware does not allow you to transfer, for example, battery calibration.

Method 2: Automatic transfer via Mi Account (the fastest method)

The easiest and most reliable way to do this is to use Xiaomi’s official Mi Cloud service, which allows you to transfer almost all data, including:

• 📞 Contacts and call log
• 📷 Photographs and video (galleries)
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS)
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness)
• 🎵 Music and downloads
• 📌 Notes and calendar

To use this method, both phones must be linked to the same Mi Account. If you are not already logged in, do so in advance.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on sync for all the categories you need (contacts, gallery, etc.).
3. Wait until the data is uploaded to the cloud (progress is displayed in the same menu).
4. On the new Redmi Note, when you first turn on, select Restore from Mi Cloud or go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.
5. Select a backup and wait for the process to be completed.

Important: free tariff Mi Cloud provides only 5 GB of space, if the amount of your data exceeds this limit, you will either have to buy space (from 100 rubles / month for 50 GB), or use another method.

Less than 5GB

5-20 GB

20–50 GB

More than 50GB

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3. Method 2: Transfer via cable OTG (cloudless)

If you don't have a stable Internet connection or you don't want to use cloud services, direct cable is the perfect solution.

• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (Adapters, if the ports are different)
• 📱 Activated mode Debugging by USB (old-phone)
• 🔋 Charges at least 60% on both devices

Newer Redmi Note models (starting with the Note 11) use Mi Mover, which automatically detects the connected smartphone and suggests transferring data. Older devices (such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro) may require manual adjustment.

Instructions for Mi Mover:

1. Connect both phones with a cable. The new Redmi Note will display a "Connected" notification. USB-device" - press it.
2. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP) old-phone.
3. On the new device, launch the Mi Mover app (if not, download from Google Play).
4. Follow the wizard’s hints: select data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Transfer speed depends on the version MIUI And the type of cable. USB 3.1 60 GB of data will be transferred to the ~20 minutes, and with USB 2.0 - up to 1.5 hours.

⚠️ Note: If the new Redmi Note starts charging when you connect the cable, rather than offering data transfer, check: Are you using the original cable (low-quality cables often do not support data transfer). USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times according to version, then return to additional → For developers).

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If Mi Mover can't see the old device, try rebooting both phones and using a different cable. USB Adapter (if you use an adapter).

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos), this method will be the most convenient. It works on any Android device, including Xiaomi Redmi Note, and does not require additional programs.

What can be transferred:

• 📞 Contacts (synchronized with Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos)
• 🎵 Music and documents (via Google Drive)
• 📌 Notes (if you use Google Keep)
• 📱 Some system settings (language, Wi-Fi network)

How to move:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all the right categories.
2. Wait until the data is uploaded to the cloud (check in the relevant applications, for example, in Google Photos).
3. On the new Redmi Note, when you first turn on, select “Copy Data” and log in under the same Google account.
4. Select the data to recover and wait for the process to be completed.

The advantage of this method is cross-platform, and if you decide to switch from Xiaomi to another brand (such as Samsung or Realme), all data will remain available through Google.

5. Method 4: Manual file transfer (for power users)

If you only need to migrate individual files (like photos from the past year or specific documents), you can do without migrating completely, which takes longer, but gives you complete control over the process.

Manual portability options:

• 🖥️ Through computer: connect both phones to the PC, copy files from one to the other through the Explorer.
• 📁 Through the memory card: move the files to SD-card on the old phone, then paste it into the new one.
• 🌐 Through FTP-Server: Use applications such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer to create a local area network.
• 📤 Through messengers: send files to yourself in Telegram (no size limits) or WhatsApp.

To port applications and their data (for example, save in games), use utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup. Note: some applications (for example, banking) block backup for security reasons.

Instructions for porting via PC:

1. Connect the old Redmi Note to your computer via USB, Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to your hard drive.
3. Disable the old phone, plug in the new one and move the files back.
4. For applications, copy the folder /data/app (Root rights are required).

6. Method 5: Local backup (for full backup)

If you want to create a full system snapshot with all settings, applications and data, use the built-in backup function in the system. MIUI. This method is suitable for porting to a device with the same firmware version (e.g., with the Redmi Note 11 on the Redmi Note 11 Pro).

How to create a backup:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
2. Select the data for reservation (we recommend to note all points).
3. Click "Create a backup" and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the folder). MIUI/backup/AllBackup).
4. Copy the backup file to a new phone (via cable, memory card or PC).
5. On the new device, go to the same menu and select "Restore".

Warning: Recovery from local backup may lead to conflicts if versions MIUI They're very different on phones. MIUI 12 is not always correct to recover from MIUI 14.

⚠️ Note: Local backup does not include: Data from some system applications (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home) Files protected DRM (For example, downloaded movies from Netflix or Movie Search, security settings (fingerprints, pattern lock) and use separate portability techniques for this data.

7.Transfer of Specific Data: What to Do with Something That Is Not Automatically Copyed

Some types of data require a special approach, and let's look at the most complex cases.

🔐 Passwords and accounts:

• Wi-Fi Passwords: Export them using the WiFi Password Viewer app (requires root) or manually rewrite them.
• Save passwords in your browser: sync through Google Account (Chrome) or export from Mi Browser.
• Social media accounts: log in again or use the "Export/Import" function in the application settings.

🎮 Preservation of games:

• For cloud-based games (such as Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile – just log in to your account.
• For offline games, use Helium or hand backup folder /Android/obb.

📱 System settings:

• Brightness, sound, gestures: transferred through the Mi Cloud or local backup.
• Settings of always-on display (AOD): I'll have to re-configure.
• Battery modes: export your profile from Security → Battery → Battery modes (not available on all models).

💳 Banking applications and payments:

• SberBank Online, Tinkoff and others: reinstall and log in again (for security reasons).
• Google Pay/Samsung Pay: Add the cards again (transfer is not possible).
• Mi Pay: the data is linked to Mi Account, just log in to the account.

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For banking applications and payment systems, always use official recovery methods, and attempts to move their data around security can result in account lockdown.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

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

❌ Error: "I was unable to connect to the Mi Cloud"

• Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• Update the Mi Cloud app to Google Play.
• Log out of your account and log in again (Settings) → Mi Account → Get out).
• If you use a VPN, turn it off.

❌ Mistake: "Mi Mover can't see the device"

• Try another cable (original from Xiaomi).
• Turn on Debugging. USB both phones.
• Reboot both devices.
• Update MIUI to the latest version.

❌ Mistake: There is not enough space on the new phone"

• Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card.
• Use the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Drive) for temporary storage.
• Unclose large files (such as videos) after transfer.

❌ Error: “Applications are not restored"

• Check if the sync of applications is enabled in Google Play (Settings) → Auto-update).
• Make sure there is enough room on the new phone to install.
• If the apps are paid, log in to the same Google Play account.

❌ Error: “Photos and videos do not open after transfer"

• Check the file formats (for example,.HEIC Not supported by some players).
• Install the Google Photos app – it automatically converts incompatible formats.
• If files are damaged, restore them from backup.

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If after the transfer on the new Redmi Note missing a sound alert SMS, Check the settings in the settings → Sound. → Default notifications. Sometimes they're reset after recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions