How to transfer data from one Xiaomi Redmi phone to another Android: the complete guide

Why migrating data to Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach

The transition to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to saving all the important data from Xiaomi Redmi. Unlike the iPhone, where the migration process is standardized through iCloud, Android devices (and other devices). MIUI In particular, they offer several alternative ways, from Xiaomi's proprietary tools to Google's universal solutions. MIUI (from MIUI 12 to HyperOS) and features of working with proprietary brand services such as Mi Account or Xiaomi Cloud.

Many users face typical problems: application settings are not tolerated, messages in messengers (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp) are lost, and photos are saved in low resolution. In this article, we will analyze the unique portability nuances specifically for Redmi devices, including the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 and others, taking into account their hardware limitations (for example, the lack of a slot for the Redmi device). SD-You will also learn how to avoid the common mistake of duplicate contacts when syncing through Google Account.

Method 1: Use of the MIUI Transfer tool

The most reliable method for owners of Xiaomi Redmi is the built-in utility MIUI Transfer, which automatically copies the majority of data, including:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and tags)
• 📸 Photo and video (with preservation) EXIF-marker)
• 💬 Communications SMS/MMS (But not messenger chats!)
• 🎵 Music and ringtones
• 📁 Documents from the Download folder

To use the tool, follow the following steps:

1. On old Redmi, open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Transfer data.
2. On the new device, select Receive data from the same menu.
3. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (or use a hotspot if Wi-Fi is not available).
4. Scan on your old phone. QR-code that will appear on the new.
5. Select data types to transfer and wait until the process is completed (the process can take up to 30 minutes depending on the volume).

Important moment: MIUI Transfer does not port installed apps (only their data if the application supports backup). APK-file.

Make sure that both phones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

Battery charge for both devices > 50%

Free up at least 1 GB of storage on your new phone

Turn it off. VPN (It can block the connection)-->

⚠️ Note: If you have HyperOS installed on your new phone (for example, on the Redmi Note 13 Pro).+), old — MIUI 14, update the firmware of the old device to the latest version before transferring. Otherwise, you may have errors synchronizing contacts with Chinese characters.

Method 2: Sync through Google Account (universal method)

If you prefer not to depend on Xiaomi’s proprietary tools, standard sync through Google Account is better, which works on any Android device, but has limitations:

• ✅ Transferred: contacts, calendars, Chrome bookmarks, some system settings.
• ❌ Not tolerated: SMS, Calls, files (photos/video), app data (except for those that support Google Drive Backup, such as WhatsApp).

Instructions:

1. On the old Redmi go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Enable synchronization for all categories (especially Contacts and Calendar).
3. Add the same Google Account on your new phone and wait for automatic sync.
4. To transfer photos / videos, use Google Photos (enable Backup and Sync in the application settings).

Hidden problem: When synchronizing contacts through Google, duplicates often occur. To avoid this, export contacts to the Internet before transferring them. VCF-file:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Save the file to SD-map.
3. Import this file on your new phone.

Manufacturer's branded tools (MIUI Transfer, Smart Switch, etc.)

Google Account and Cloud Services

Manual transfer via cable or memory card

Never carried data, always configured the phone from scratch-->

Method 3: Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or cloud services, physically connect your phones through the Internet. USB-The cable will be the best solution. Xiaomi Redmi will need:

• 🔌 USB-C cable (or micro USB if you have an older model like Redmi) 5A).
• 🖥️ OTG-adapter (if you connect to a PC or use a telephone cable").
• 📂 File Manager (e.g., built-in file manager) MIUI File Manager or Total Commander).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the old Redmi to your PC via cable and copy all the necessary files (photos, videos, documents) to the folder on your computer.
2. Disable the first phone, connect the new one and transfer the files back.
3. To connect directly to phone, use a USB-C to USB-C cable and select File Transfer (MTP) mode on both devices.

Advantage: You control which files are copied and you can filter out unnecessary data (e.g., app cache) and disadvantage: Apps and their settings will have to be installed separately.

Method 4: Backup via Xiaomi Cloud (for Chinese firmware)

If your Redmi runs on global firmware, this method will not suit you - Xiaomi Cloud is available only on devices with Chinese MIUI. However, for owners of "Chinese" (for example, Redmi K50 with firmware for the domestic market), this is one of the most convenient options.

What can be saved in Xiaomi Cloud:

How to use Xiaomi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Enable backup for the desired categories.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and recover data from the cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, Xiaomi Cloud may block access to backups.

Method 5: Transfer data over Smart Switch (to switch to Samsung)

If you are switching from Xiaomi Redmi to Samsung (or vice versa), use the official Samsung Smart Switch app.

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS.
• 📸 Photos and videos (without loss of quality).
• 🎵 Music and documents.
• 📱 Some system settings (wallpaper, notification sounds).

Instructions:

1. Install Smart Switch on both phones (available from Google Play and Galaxy Store).
2. On Samsung, select Get Data → Android.
3. On Redmi, select Send Data and connect via Wi-Fi Direct or cable.
4. Select categories for transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Important: Smart Switch does not port app data (such as game saves or Viber chats). Use the built-in tools of the apps themselves (such as backing up WhatsApp via Google Drive).

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If Smart Switch doesn’t see your Redmi, try connecting via USB-cable with enabled mode File transfer (MTP) both-device.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi users often encounter problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

1. Misconnected error in MIUI Transfer: Reason: Miscompatible versions of MIUI or blocked by antivirus. Solution: Update the firmware on both phones or temporarily disable the antivirus (Avast, 360 Security).
2. Photos moved but not opened: Reason: File damage when copying or format incompatibility (e.g. HEIF on an old phone and lack of support on a new one). Solution: Convert the photo to JPEG via Google Photos or Lightroom before transfer.
3. WhatsApp messages are not portable: Reason: WhatsApp does not support backup on Xiaomi Cloud or MIUI Transfer.Solution: Backup Google Drive directly to WhatsApp (⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy).

Hidden MIUI Bug: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 9T) will lose their fingerprint settings after transfer via MIUI Transfer. To avoid this, delete all fingerprints in Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprints before migrating and reset them on the new phone.

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Before transferring data, always check the free space on the new phone – if the memory is less than 10% of the volume of the transferred files, the process may be interrupted.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions