How to Transfer Data from One Xiaomi to Another: 2026

Introduction: Why and when data transfer is necessary

Changing your smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to moving within the same ecosystem. Xiaomi offers users several built-in tools for migrating data, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly. The main problem is that if you don't port it correctly, you can lose contacts, messages, or even app settings that are out of sync with the cloud.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data between Xiaomi devices in 2026, including official methods from the manufacturer and alternative solutions. We will focus on the nuances of working with MIUI 14/15, where the interface and migration algorithms have changed compared to previous versions, you will learn how to avoid typical errors (for example, interruption of the process due to a dead battery) and which data is better to transfer manually.

Important: If you are switching from another brand’s Android to Xiaomi, some of the methods in this article will also work, but there are nuances – we will consider them separately.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in migration app that automatically installs on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 9 and later, and allows you to transfer almost all data wirelessly, including:

• 📱 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, but not messengers)
• 📷 Photo and video (in original quality)
• 🎵 Audio files (music, recordings)
• 📁 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi)

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On an old smartphone, open the Mi Mover app (you can find it in the menu or through search).
2. On the new device, when you first turn on, select the “Data Transfer” option or manually launch the Mi Mover.
3. On the old phone, click “I give” and on the new one, “I receive.”
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new phone old (or connect via Wi-Fi Direct).
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has data, Mi Mover will suggest resetting it to factory settings before transferring!

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network|Free up enough space on the new phone|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Close background annexes-->

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If Mi Mover doesn’t see either device, try rebooting both phones or enabling File Transfer mode in the notification curtain.

Method 2: Transfer over OTG cable (for large data volumes)

Wireless transfer is convenient, but if you have tens of gigabytes of photo/video or weak Wi-Fi, it is better to use an OTG cable. This method works faster and more stable, especially on Xiaomi 12/13/14 series models with USB 3.2 support.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Type-C to Type-C or Type-C to Micro-USB, depending on the ports)
• 📱 Adapter (if the ports on the phones are different)
• 🔋 Charger (transfer can drain the battery)

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-The old screen will show you a request for "Allow access to data" -- confirm.
2. On the new phone, open Explorer (or Files) and select the connected device.
3. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) to the internal memory of your new phone.
4. To transfer contacts and SMS, export them to.vcf and.xml files respectively (via Contacts → Settings → Export).

⚠️ Note: When connecting through OTG Not all Xiaomi models support the regime MTP (If the phone is not defined as a drive, try enabling Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press).

Method 3: Cloud Transfers Through Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that is integrated into MIUI. It allows you to synchronize data between devices, but there are limitations:

• 📌 5 GB free (for photo / video this is not enough).
• 🔄 Only contacts, notes, calendars are synchronized, SMS and settings MIUI.
• ⏳ Transfer takes time (depending on internet speed).

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired categories (e.g. Contacts, Notes).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for automatic synchronization.
4. For photo/video, use the option “Backup” in the Gallery → Settings → Backup.

The advantage of this method is that it automatically updates data when you add new contacts or notes, but Mi Cloud is not suitable for full portability (for example, applications or game saves).

Method 4: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts and calendar)

If you use Google Contacts and Google Calendar, they can be easily transferred to the new Xiaomi through a Google account, which is universal and works even when you switch from an iPhone or other Android devices.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Make sure that synchronization for Contacts and Calendar is enabled.
3. On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts.
4. Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 10 minutes).

To transfer photos/videos via Google:

• Install Google Photos on both phones.
• On the old device, enable Backup and Synchronization in the application settings.
• On the new phone, wait for the download of media files from the cloud.

⚠️ Attention: Google Photos compresses images for free storage (quality "High"). To save the originals, use Mi Cloud or cable transfer.

Method 5: Transfer applications and their data (including games)

Standard methods (such as Mi Mover) are transferred APK-Application files, but they don't always save their settings, logins, or game progress:

For normal applications:

• 📲 Use Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup (for non-rooted devices).
• 🔄 Enable synchronization in the app itself (for example, in Telegram or Viber).

For games:

• 🎮 Connect to your Google Play Games or Game Center account (for cross-platform games).
• 💾 Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup (not working for all games).
• 📁 Copy the folder. /Android/obb (For heavy games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).

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To transfer game progress, always link games to a developer account (e.g. Supercell ID for Clash of Clans or MiHoYo Account for Genshin Impact).

Method 6: Alternative methods (for power users)

If the standard methods are not suitable, you can use advanced tools:

• 🖥️ ADB (Android Debug Bridge – to create a full backup system. -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab adb restore backup.ab
• 🔧 TWRP Recovery – to create an image of the entire firmware (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 🌐 Local area network (FTP/HTTP) — through applications such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.

These methods are suitable for:

• Transfer system applications (for example, Mi Home with smart home settings).
• SMS/MMS recovery in the original format (including attachments)
• Save logins and passwords from /data/system (root required).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB or TWRP It can cause you to lose warranty on Xiaomi devices if you unlock the bootloader. ADB Ability to remove critical data!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when using official tools, users are facing problems, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔋 Battery's gone. → The transfer interrupted in the middle.Solution: Charge both phones to 100% or connect to the grid.
• 📶 Weak Wi-Fi. → Data is carried over hours. Solution: Use the cable. OTG Or connect to a 5GHz router.
• 🔒 There's not enough space. → Solution: Free up memory on a new phone or transfer data in parts.
• 📱 Mi Mover doesn't see the device → Check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled and turn it off. VPN.
• 🔄 Data is duplicated → After the transfer, copies of contacts appeared.Solution: Delete duplicates through Contacts → Management → Unite.

If you migrate data from Xiaomi to POCO or Redmi (and vice versa), there should be no problem – they all work on MIUI. But when you switch to Black Shark (game smartphones from Xiaomi), there may be nuances with game profiles – they are better to transfer through specialized tools like SharkSpace.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions