Changing mobile devices often causes stress associated with losing important information. Xiaomi ecosystem users have several effective ways to migrate data, and using a personal computer in this process is one of the most reliable options. Unlike cloud services, direct access to the file system is provided by USB-The cable allows you to transfer gigabytes of photos and videos without restrictions on Internet speed.
In this article, we will discuss how to transfer data from one Xiaomi to another through a computer using standard MTP protocols and more advanced tools like ADB. You will learn about the nuances of working with the Android file system, hidden folders of the system and backup methods that ensure the safety of your archives.
Xiaomi’s current smartphones, whether it’s a budget Redmi or a flagship Mi, are powered by a MIUI (or HyperOS) shell that has its own specifics of storage. Understanding the structure of directories will help you avoid file chaos after transfer. The computer acts as a universal intermediary that allows you not only to copy files, but also to structure them before downloading them to a new device.
Preparation of equipment and software
Before you start copying, you need to make sure that the physical components are in good working order. USB-A cable that can transmit data, not just charge the battery. Cheap “charging only” cables will be a barrier, as the computer simply won’t see the connected device in the File Manager.
On the computer side, the appropriate drivers must be installed. In Windows 10 and 11, they are often installed automatically on the first connection, but for stable operation it is better to have an official Mi PC Suite or at least universal Google USB Driver drivers. Without them, the connection can be limited to only charging the battery.
- 🔌 Check integrity USB-cable and no damage to smartphone ports.
- 💻 Make sure there is enough free space on your computer to temporarily store your backup.
- 🔋 Charge both Xiaomi smartphones to a minimum 50-60% avoiding disconnection during transmission.
- 🔓 Unlock the screens of both devices and remove the input lock PIN-code or pattern lock for the duration of the procedure.
An important step is to clear the cache and temporary files that don't make sense when you transfer them. Go to Settings → Memory and make room if the internal storage is full of garbage. This will speed up the process of reading data from the old phone and writing to the new one.
⚠️ Note: Not used computers (in Internet cafes or libraries) to transfer personal data. On someone else's PC, keyloggers or viruses can be installed, stealing passwords and confidential files.
Set-up of the regime USB-connection
By default when connecting a smartphone to a PC through USB-The cable goes into Charging Only mode, and this is an Android security mechanism that prevents unauthorized access to data, and you have to manually switch the operating mode to see the file system. USB-interface.
Once you connect the cable, lower the notification curtain on your smartphone screen. You'll see a message called "Charge via USB" or something similar. Click on it to open the mode selection menu. Select the File Transfer (MTP) option. It's this protocol that allows the computer to display the phone's internal memory as an external drive.
Sometimes the system may request permission to debug or access data, and a pop-up will appear on the smartphone screen asking, "Let me access your phone's data?" and you must press "Allow" or the computer will not be able to read the contents of the folders. If the window doesn’t appear, try switching the cable to another. USB-port, preferably to port USB 3.0 (blue) on the motherboard for maximum speed.
For advanced users, PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) mode is available, which allows you to transfer photos, but it is less versatile. Standard MTP is the best choice for full data migration, since it allows you to access the entire file structure, including hidden application system folders.
Folder Structure and Search for Important Data
Once you've successfully connected, a new device will appear in My Computer with the name of your Xiaomi model, and when you open it, you'll be taken to internal storage. It's important not to get confused here, because the Android system and the MIUI shell create many directories. User key data is usually in the root folders or in the Android directory.
Photos and videos taken by the camera are saved by default in the DCIM → Camera folder. Screenshots and downloads from the browser are in the Pictures → Screenshots and Download folders respectively. Messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram create their own root folders with app names where media files and databases are stored.
| folder | Contents | Importance in transfer |
|---|---|---|
| DCIM | Photo and video from the camera | Critically important |
| Download | Uploaded files from the Internet | Medium |
| MIUI | Recorder, screenshots, topics, notes | Tall. |
| Android/data | Cache and Application Data (requires rights) | Low (often uncopyed) |
| Bluetooth | Files obtained via Bluetooth | Low. |
Special attention should be paid to the folder MIUI. Inside it is often stored records of the recorder (folder). sound_recorder), Screenshots and application data, and copying the entire directory can take a long time, so it's best to selectively migrate the subfolders you want.
Where are WhatsApp voice messages stored?
The process of copying and synchronizing files
The process of transferring data from one Xiaomi to another through a computer requires a sequence of actions. First connect an old smartphone, copy the necessary folders to the computer’s hard drive to a specially created temporary folder, for example, «Backup_Old_Xiaomi». Wait for the copy to be finished, the progress indicator should reach 100%.
After disabling the old device, plug in the new Xiaomi. Make sure it also has MTP mode. Create a similar folder structure on the new device, or simply drag the copied data to the root of internal memory. When copying large amounts of data (more than 50 GB), the speed may drop - this is normal for the MTP protocol.
- 📂 Copy data in small groups (for example, separately photo, separately documents) so as not to overload the clipboard.
- ⏳ Do not remove the cable abruptly while recording – use the Safe Device Removal feature in Windows.
- 🔄 If the copying is interrupted, try copying files in one or less portions.
For users who prefer the command line, there is a utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to copy data faster and more stable, especially when working with a large number of small files. USB» on the Developer Menu.
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera C:/Backup/Photos
adb push C:/Backup/Photos /sdcard/DCIM/CameraThis command will first upload the photos from the old device to the computer, and the second command (after connecting the new phone) will upload them back. Using ADB minimizes file system errors that sometimes occur when you copy them through Explorer.
⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data You may encounter an access error. In modern versions of Android, access to this folder is limited, and direct copying may not restore the application.
☑️ Transfer checklist
Transfer of contacts, messages and settings
Personal data, such as contacts and SMS, are not stored as normal files that can be simply dragged over; they are stored in system databases. The most effective way to transfer them through a computer is to create a local backup through the MIUI/HyperOS settings menu.
On your old smartphone, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup (or Additional → Backup). Select backup on your internal drive. Once the process is complete, the phone will have a MIUI → backup → AllBackup folder with backup files.
This is the AllBackup folder that you need to copy to your computer and then move to the exact same location on your new smartphone, and then the new device will have a "Restore" button in the backup menu, which is the only reliable way to transfer your call history, SMS, alarm clocks and Wi-Fi settings without root rights.
💡
Before restoring a backup on a new phone, make sure that the MIUI versions on both devices match or the newer version on the new device. Otherwise, the recovery may result in a compatibility error.
If the standard backup doesn't work, you can export contacts to a.vcf file. Go to the Contacts app, select Import/Export, and save the file to your computer. Then import that file on your new phone. It's a universal method that works between any brands.
Solving Connection Problems and Errors
During the transfer process, users often find that the computer cannot see the phone or the copy freezes. USB-In this case, try using the ports on the back of the system unit connected directly to the motherboard.
Another common problem is driver conflict: If the Windows Device Manager has a yellow exclamation point, you need to remove the driver and update the hardware configuration, sometimes switching debugging mode helps: turn off and turn on USB Debugging again.
Copy speeds can be extremely low (several KB/s) if you use the MTP protocol for millions of small files, in which case, experienced users recommend packing folders into the.zip or.rar archive on your phone (using a file manager) before copying to a PC. One large file is copied much faster and more stable than a million small ones.
💡
The fastest and most reliable way to transfer large amounts of data is to copy archives of photos and documents rather than individual files, which reduces the risk of file system errors.
⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the recording process by forcing the cable to shut down, which can damage the file system and cause the loss of not only the files that are copied, but also the files that already exist on the smartphone.