How to Move Data from Xiaomi to OnePlus: A Complete Guide to Comparing Methods

Why migrating data between Android devices from different brands is not as easy as it seems

The transition from Xiaomi to OnePlus is not just a smartphone change, but a migration between two ecosystems with unique chips. Even inside Android, manufacturers impose their own limitations: Xiaomi’s MIUI stores backups in a proprietary format, and OnePlus’s OxygenOS/ColorOS does not always correctly recognize files created by competitors, resulting in users facing typical problems:

Loss of messages in SMS/MMS due to different ways of encrypting databases.

- Cutting of contacts (disappear profile photos or additional fields like "date of birth").

Application backup incompatibility (e.g., Mi Fit does not export data to OnePlus Health)

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working methods for data portability, from standard Google tools to obscure workarounds for specific file types, and which Xiaomi and OnePlus models support direct wireless transfer over Mi Mover (despite official claims of incompatibility).

Method 1: Officially transfer your Google Account (most reliable, but incomplete)

Syncing through Google Account is the basic way that works on all Android devices, but it only transfers a fraction of the data, and there are pitfalls:

• 📱 What is portable: contacts, calendars, notes (if you used Google Keep), mail, Chrome bookmarks, some system settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper).
• ❌ What's not tolerable: SMS/MMS, Call history, application files (e.g. saves in games), Mi data Fit/Zepp, setting MIUI (themes, gestures).
• ⚠️ Limitation: if Xiaomi has disabled the backup in Settings → Google → Backup, data hasn't synced for years.

How to check if it is synchronized:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Google → Google Account → Account Sync.
2. Look at the boxes that are ticked, and if there's a sync icon next to Contacts or Calendar, there's a sync icon next to the contact box (⚙️), data.
3. On OnePlus, when you first turn on, select “Copy Data” and log in to the same Google account.

⚠️ Note: If you have used Xiaomi Cloud for backup, the data there is NOT duplicated in Google).

Method 2: Direct wireless transfer via Mi Mover (not working on all OnePlus models)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary data migration app that officially only supports MIUI devices. However, there is a loophole: some OnePlus models (especially on OxygenOS 11/12) can connect to the Mi Mover as a “receiving device” if you follow a certain algorithm.

Here is a list of compatible OnePlus models (tested by users in 2026):

Instructions for compatible models:

1. On Xiaomi, install Mi Mover (if remote) and open it.
2. On OnePlus, go to Settings → Additional → Data Migration (or use Oppo’s Clone Phone if it’s preinstalled).
3. On Xiaomi, choose “I am the sender” and on OnePlus, “I am the receiver.”
4. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point on Xiaomi.
5. On OnePlus, manually select a Xiaomi model from the list (even if it’s not there, sometimes choosing a Redmi Note 10 helps).

Method 3: Export data from Xiaomi Cloud followed by import to OnePlus

Xiaomi Cloud stores backups in encrypted form, but they can be extracted and converted for OnePlus.

• 🔄 You regularly backup your Mi Cloud.
• 📁 We need to move. SMS, call-book MIUI (for example, topics).
• 🚫 There is no slot on OnePlus for SIM-Maps from Xiaomi (otherwise) SMS copyable SIM).

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Create a new backup (select all the data you need) and wait until it is completed.
3. On PC, go to i.mi.com, log in and download the archive with a backup (section "Devices → Backups").
4. Unblock the file (password is your Mi Account) and inside the folders: sms - messages in.xml. contacts - contacts in.vcf. call_log — Call history (needs a converter for OnePlus).

SMS Backup & Restore

.xml

OnePlus

⚠️ Note: Files from the Miui folder (themes, launcher settings) on OnePlus do not apply. They can only be viewed as an archive.

Method 4: Transfer over PCs using ADB (for advanced users)

If wireless methods fail, manual transfer over ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is required, but it allows you to copy 100% of the data, including:

• 📱 Data annexes (/data/app).
• 🗃️ System application settings (e.g. Mi Fit or Gallery).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (/data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml).

What you need:

• 🖥️ PC with installation ADB and Fastboot (download to Android) SDK).
• 🔌 Cables. USB-C for both phones.
• ⚙️ Developer mode enabled on both devices (Settings) → The phone. → Assembly number - tap 7 times).

Transfer commands (execute in cmd or terminal):

Connect Xiaomi and do:


adb pull /sdcard/MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\




Connect OnePlus and download the data:



adb push C:\Xiaomi_Backup\ /sdcard/OnePlus_Backup/




To transfer SMS (root rights to Xiaomi are required):



adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db



Then convert mmssms.db to readable format via SQLite Browser

💡

If ADB can’t see the device, try reinstalling the drivers manually through Device Manager (select “Android ADB Interface”).

Method 5: Alternative applications for migration (without root)

If the previous methods seemed complicated, use third-party tools. We tested 5 applications and selected the best ones:

Recommendations for use:

• 📲 For full portability (including apps), choose Clone Phone.
• 📷 If you only need photos and videos, ShareMe can handle it in 5 minutes.
• ⚠️ Avoid Xender – it often crops up large files (>500MB).

💡

Apps like Clone Phone create temporary files on the device. After transferring, clear the Download or DCIM folder to free up space.

What to do if after the transfer to OnePlus there are problems

Even after successful migration, bugs can appear, and here are the typical symptoms and solutions:

• 🔄 Apps fly out: Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📞 Contacts not displayed: Check if they are duplicated in Google and Xiaomi accounts. delete duplicates via Contacts → Management → Combining and correcting.
• 📷 Gallery photos are not sorted by date: Use Google Photos to re-index (upload photos to the cloud and download back).
• 🔊 No sound in messages: Reinstall the Messages app or reset its settings.

If OnePlus started to slow down after the transfer:

1. Reset the device.
2. Turn off the autoload of unnecessary applications in Settings → Battery → Autostart.
3. Check the space available in Settings → Memory (should be ≥15% of the total).

⚠️ Note: If you have been transferring data from Xiaomi to OnePlus via Mi Mover and notice that the battery is running out quickly, remove the Mi Mover app with OnePlus – it continues to work in the background and consumes charge.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions