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

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can turn into a real headache if you do not know the nuances. MIUI In this article, we will explore all the current migration methods, from the official Mi Mover to alternative methods using cloud services and physical media.

The main problem of users during the transfer is the loss of data when changing the Mi Account or version incompatibility. MIUI between old and new devices, for example, if you are upgrading with the Redmi Note 8 (MIUI 12) on Xiaomi 14 (MIUI 15), standard tools may not work correctly, and we tested all methods on current models from 2023 to 2026 and found optimal scenarios for different situations.

1. Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before migrating, there are several critical steps to follow on both smartphones, and neglecting preparation can lead to transmission failures or loss of data.

On the old device:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system, minimizing the risks of incompatibility.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – when transferring over Wi-Fi Direct, the device should not turn off.
• 🗃️ Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Manage applications to avoid transferring unnecessary temporary files.
• 🔒 Make sure the device uses the same Mi Account that will be linked to the new smartphone.

On the new device:

• 🆕 Go through the initial setup before connecting to Wi-Fi, but do not create a new account.
• 📶 Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your old device (if you plan to use cloud services).
• 🛠️ Turn it off. VPN and proxy in Settings → Connections → In addition, they can block the transmission of data.

⚠️ Note: If old Xiaomi has data encryption enabled (in Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Encryption, some portability techniques may not work, in which case use a cloud backup via Google Drive or physical media.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in solution from Xiaomi for wireless data transfer between the brand’s devices, it supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, applications (including their data), and even some system settings.

• 🚫 Does not work between devices with a difference in Android versions for more than 2 years (for example, Android 10) → Android 13).
• 🚫 Does not transfer data from certain third-party applications (such as WhatsApp or banking applications).
• 🚫 Requires stable Wi-Fi Direct connection - in areas with interference can break the connection.

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Xiaomi, select Data Transfer when you start → Mi Mover.
2. On the old device, open Settings → Additional → Mi Mover.
3. Select a role: New phone – “This is a new phone”, old – “This is an old phone”.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the new device old (or enter) PIN-manually).
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the transfer.

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If Mi Mover can’t see the old device, restart both smartphones and try again, and check if the firewall in the antivirus (e.g. Avast or 360 Security) is blocking transmission.

3. Method 2: Transfer through a Google Account

If you have a Google account on the old Xiaomi, you can use built-in sync tools, which are universal and work even between devices of different brands, but have its own nuances for the Xiaomi ecosystem:

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Data is stored in the cloud – you can transfer it even after you reset your old phone.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization of contacts, calendars and some settings.
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI Android.

Instructions:

1. On the old device, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for all categories.
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Management → Sync).
3. On the new Xiaomi, when setting up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.
4. Select a backup (if there are several) and confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi by default disables synchronization of some data with Google (for example, notes or notes). SMS). To enable them, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Backup Google and manually select the categories you want.

What is not carried over through Google:

• 📸 Photos and videos (you need to use Google Photos separately).
• 🎵 Music and downloads (only if downloaded through Google Play Music).
• 📱 Settings MIUI (topics, gestures, system sounds).
• 🔐 Data from certain applications (e.g. game saving).

Method 3: Use of cable OTG or SD-map

Physical Data Transfer via Cable OTG or SD-Maps are the most reliable method if you have large amounts of data (for example, tens of gigabytes of high-resolution photos). MIUI Internet speed, but requires additional accessories.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (USB-C → USB-C or micro-USB → USB-C depending on the ports of your devices).
• 💾 Memory map SD (If you plan to use it as an intermediary).
• 📂 File Manager (e.g., embedded Files or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step instructions for OTG cable:

1. Connect the OTG cable to the new Xiaomi.
2. Connect the old device to OTG-cable (if the ports are different, use the adapter).
3. On your new phone, open the file manager and select USB-menu-piece.
4. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to the internal memory of the new device.

For SD-map:

1. Put it in. SD-map.
2. Transfer the data to the card through the file manager.
3. Remove the card and paste it into the new Xiaomi (or use an adapter if there is no slot).
4. Copy files from the card to internal memory.

5. Method 4: Cloud Services (Yandex Drive, Dropbox, Telegram)

If you do not have cables on hand, or SD-You can use cloud storage, and you can use the data volume of cards, and the data volume does not exceed 50-100 GB. For Xiaomi, automatic backup services such as Yandex Drive or Google Photos are especially convenient.

Comparison of services for transfer:

• 🌍 Google Photos: automatically syncs all photos and videos, but compresses them (free – up to 15 GB in original quality).
• 📁 Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, there is a function "Autoload" for photos, supports folders.
• 📦 Dropbox: 2GB free, but there is an option for Camera Upload to automatically upload photos.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, but only works for contacts, notes and some settings MIUI.
• 💬 Telegram: You can send files up to 2 GB to "Saved Messages" (convenient for documents).

How to transfer data through Yandex Drive:

1. Install the Yandex Drive app on your old device.
2. Enable "Autoload" for photos and videos in the application settings.
3. Wait for the download to be completed (check in the Files section).
4. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Yandex account and download files.

⚠️ Note: When using Google Photos in the “High Quality” (free) mode, photos are compressed to 16 MP resolution, and videos are compressed to 16 MP resolution. 1080p. If you have a 108 or 200 MP camera (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), use the “Original Quality” option (paid over 15 GB).

6. Method 5: Transfer applications and their data

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is the transfer of installed applications and their data (for example, game saving, chat history, settings). APK-files, but they don't guarantee that the data is working.

The best solutions for transferring applications:

• 🔄 Titanium Backup: Creates full backups of apps and their data.
• 📦 Swift Backup (requires root or ADB): A more modern alternative to Titanium.
• ☁️ Helium (no root, but limited support): works via PC.
• 🎮 Game Guardian (for games): postpones saving some games.

Instructions for Swift Backup (without root through the ADB):

1. Install Swift Backup on both devices.
2. On the PC, install it. ADB And plug in the old device.
3. Enter the command to unlock the backup: adb -d shell pm grant com.machinarium.swiftbackup android.permission.BACKUP
4. In Swift Backup, select backup apps and save the file to SD-map.
5. On the new device, restore the backup through the same app.

What this method is not suitable for:

• 🔒 Banking applications (because of security they can not be backup).
• 📱 System applications MIUI (For example, the topic or security).
• 🎵 Some streaming services (such as Spotify or Netflix).

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To transfer these applications without root rights, the only reliable way is to use the built-in backup functions of the applications themselves (for example, export chats to WhatsApp or Telegram).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often experience problems when migrating data, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them for Xiaomi devices.

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative approach:

1. Create a full backup of the old device through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
2. Transfer the backup file (.mbk) to the new device via OTG or SD-map.
3. Recover data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions