How to Transfer Data from One Phone to the New Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to 2026

Contents

• Introduction: Why Data Transfers to Xiaomi Need a Special Approach
• Method 1: Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi
• Method 2: Cloud Transfer via Google Drive or Mi Cloud
• Method 3: Direct Cable Transfer (without Internet)
• Method 4: Third-party applications (CLONETIT, Smart Switch)
• Method 5: Manual transfer of important data (contacts, photos, SMS)
• Typical Problems and How to Avoid Them
• FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

The transition to a new smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to Xiaomi with its proprietary shell MIUI. Unlike the “bare” Android, there are nuances here: from the peculiarities of working with Mi Account to the restrictions on the transfer of some system files. Many users find that after migration, notes from Xiaomi Notes disappear, data from Health Mi are not synchronized, or applications are not restored from backup. This article will help avoid typical errors and choose the best way to transfer depending on your situation.

We tested all the current methods on Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6 models with the latest versions of MIUI 15 and HyperOS. Particular attention was paid to transfer speed, data security and compatibility with older devices (including Xiaomi on Android 10).

Method 1: Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a MIUI-built application for wireless data transfer between Xiaomi devices, which supports contact, message, photos, videos, audio, apps (including their data), call records, and even some system settings, with the main advantage of not requiring an Internet or computer: data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi Direct.

However, there are limitations:

• 📱 It only works between devices. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (Does not support other brands)
• 🔄 There should be a version on the old phone. MIUI 9 or newer
• 📶 Transfer speed depends on the model: on Xiaomi 13T — up to 20MB/s, on Redmi 9A — up to 5MB/s
• 🔒 Some applications (such as banking) do not transfer their data due to security restrictions.

Instructions for use:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → Mi Mover.
2. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or find the app through search).
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new device or select it from the list of available devices.
4. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the transfer.

Charge both phones to at least 50%|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (not necessarily, but speeds up search)|Free up enough space on your new phone (data takes up as much as on your old phone)|Close all background applications on both devices-->

⚠️ Warning: If your old phone has a lock screen password, you will have to temporarily disconnect it, otherwise Mi Mover will not be able to connect. Also, do not interrupt the process: if the connection is broken, the transfer will start again, but some data (for example, progress in games) may not recover.

Method 2: Cloud Transfer via Google Drive or Mi Cloud

If you don’t have the ability to use Mi Mover (like switching from an iPhone or another Android-), cloud services are the best option. Xiaomi offers two main solutions: Mi Cloud (5 GB for free) and standard Google Drive (15 GB for free).

Mi Cloud is better suited for transferring Xiaomi system data:

• 📱 Synchronizes Notes, Calendar, Mi Health and other branded apps
• 🔄 Automatically restores settings MIUI (wallpaper, sounds, labels)
• 🔒 Requires binding to Mi Account (be sure to remember the login / password!)

To back up: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup your device and select the data to save.

Google Drive is more universal, but has limitations:

• 🌍 It works on any Android device (including Samsung, Huawei)
• 📎 Moves contacts, calendars, photos (via Google Photos), some settings
• ❌ Does not store data from most third-party applications (e.g., game progress)
• ⏳ Recovery can take hours with a lot of data

For backup: Settings → Google → Backup → turn on the feature and select an account.

⚠️ Note: When recovering from Google Drive to Xiaomi, some settings MIUI (For example, topics or gestures may reset, due to a conflict between standard Android and the proprietary shell, to avoid problems, restart your phone after recovery and manually check the key settings in Settings. → Additionally.

Method 3: Direct Cable Transfer (without Internet)

If you have slow internet or big data (like 100+GB of photos and videos), the most reliable way to do this is to move over the cable.

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (if the new phone does not have a port) USB-C)
• 📱 Cable USB-C — USB-C or USB-A — USB-C (port-dependent)
• 💾 Enough space on the new device (check in Settings) → Warehouse)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your new phone via cable. On the new Xiaomi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On an old phone, unlock the screen and confirm trust in the connected device.
3. Open Explorer on the new Xiaomi (or install Google Files if you don’t have one).
4. Go to section. USB-storage (this is the memory of an old phone) and copy the desired folders: DCIM — Photos and videos Downloads - Pictures downloads - images from apps WhatsApp/Media — WhatsApp media
5. Insert files into the appropriate folders on the new phone (e.g. DCIM/Camera).

1. Reconnect the cable (sometimes helps to flip it).

2. On the old phone, select a different connection mode (not MTP, but PTP).

3. Install on the new Xiaomi app USB Debugging and enable debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers.-->

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (up to 40 MB / s on Xiaomi 14 s) USB 3.2)
• 🔒 No risk of data leakage (all files are transferred locally)
• 📁 You can selectively transfer only the necessary folders

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Applications and their data are not transferred (only media files and documents)
• ❌ Manual sorting is required (for example, the contacts will have to be exported separately)

Method 4: Third-party applications (CLONETIT, Smart Switch)

If you don't like Xiaomi's built-in tools, you can use popular migration apps, and we tested three of the most reliable options:

We recommend CLONEit as the most versatile option.

1. Install CLONEit on both phones (with Google Play or AppGallery).
2. On the new Xiaomi, select This is a new phone, on the old one, This is an old phone.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point on an old phone.
4. Select data for transfer (you can mark everything or select selectively).
5. Confirm the transmission. It'll take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the volume.

💡

Third-party apps are often better at porting app data (such as saves in games or chats in instant messengers) than Xiaomi's built-in tools.However, they may request additional permissions that seem suspicious.

⚠️ Note: When you migrate over Smart Switch to Xiaomi, sometimes you get an error called "Incompatible device." In this case, try: Disable Mi Account in the security settings. Enable developer mode and allow debugging by USB. Use cable instead of Wi-Fi. If nothing helps, switch to CLONEit.

Method 5: Manual transfer of important data (contacts, photos, SMS)

If you only need to transfer certain types of data (like just contacts or just photos), the manual method can be faster and more reliable.

1. Contacts

• 📱 Google Account: Export your contacts to Settings → Google → Contact sync (enable option) Sign in to the same account on the new phone and the contacts will automatically be connected.
• 📄 Through file. VCF: Open Contacts. → Settings → Exports/imports → Export to storage. Transfer the.vcf file to your new phone and import it.

2.Photo and video

• 🌥️ Google Photos: Install the app on both phones, turn on autoload on the old one and wait for sync. On the new phone, photos will appear in the same app.
• 💾 Local portability: Connect your old phone to your PC, copy folders DCIM Pictures on your computer, then move them to the new Xiaomi.

3. SMS and call history

• 💬 Annex SMS Backup & Restore: Install it on both phones, back it up on old (XML-file) and restore to a new one.
• ☎ Manual Export: In the Messages app, select Settings → Backup (not available on all Xiaomi models).

4.Apps and their data

• 📦 APK-Files: Use APK Extractor to save app installers from your old phone, then install them on your new one.
• 🔄 Backups: Some apps (such as WhatsApp) allow you to create a local copy of chats in Settings → chat → Backup copy.

💡

To transfer saves in games, use the Google Play Games or Facebook account binding. Most modern games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) automatically sync progress when you log in to your associated account.

Typical Problems and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right data portability, Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes, and we've collected the most common and ways to solve them.

1.The data has been moved, but the applications are not working

• 🔧 Problem: Apps are installed, but they give an error when you open or ask you to re-enter your account.
• 🛠️ Solution: This is because only the transfers are made. APK-Try: Remove a problem app and reinstall it from Google Play; log in to an app account (like WhatsApp or a banking app) manually; if it's a game, link it to a Google Play Games or social network account.

2. Photos and videos are not displayed in the gallery

• 🖼️ Problem: Files copied but not visible in the standard Gallery app.
• 🔍 Solution: Most often it's because of improper file placement. Check: Photos should be in the folder. DCIM/Camera Open Explorer, find a folder with a photo and manually update the media library (long click on the folder). → Scan media files. Reboot your phone — sometimes it helps to update your media database.

3.Mi Mover or Cloneit freezes on 99%

• ⏳ Problem: The transfer process is long "hanging" in the last stage and is not completed.
• ⚡ Solution: This is a common mistake when you transfer large amounts of data. Try: Turn off battery savings for Mi Mover or CLONEit in the settings. Restart the process, but transfer data in parts (for example, photos, then applications), use cable instead of Wi-Fi. If nothing helps, interrupt the process and use another method (e.g. manual transfer).

4.The new phone doesn't have some MIUI settings

• ⚙️ Problem: After the transfer, the wallpaper, notification sounds or gestures dropped.
• 🔄 Solution: Brand settings MIUI They're only transferred over Mi Cloud. To restore them: Log in to Mi Account on your new phone. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync and enable sync Themes, Sounds and System Settings. If sync is not working, check if it is on the old phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions