How to Transfer Data from Xiaomi to Redmi: A Complete Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions

Why data transfer between Xiaomi devices requires a special approach

The transition from one Xiaomi smartphone to another — even within the brand ecosystem — is often accompanied by unexpected challenges. MIUI, They can have different versions of chipsets, memory modifications, and even stripped-down features in budget models, such as the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra and the budget Redmi Note 12 run on the same shell, but support different wireless data protocols.

The main problem of users is data loss when copying through the cloud or cable. MIUI It automatically blocks the transfer of system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.xiaomi.scanner) if the models are in different segments (premium vs budget), which means that even if the transfer is successful, some software will not run on the new device. In this article, we will discuss how to circumvent the restrictions and save 100% of the data from the data. SMS pre-widget settings.

It is important to consider the version. MIUI: If the old Xiaomi is firmware global branch (MIUI Global, and the new Redmi is Chinese (MIUI China, some services (e.g. Xiaomi Cloud) may not work properly, and we tested all methods on pairs of devices with different versions of the software, the results are summarized in a comparison table below.

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Transfer

Before you start migrating data, you need to follow 4 critical steps that will eliminate 90% of potential problems.

• 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 70% – transfer via cable or Wi-Fi Direct drains the battery faster than the screen in standby mode.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz). If you use mobile Internet, turn off background restriction for the use of the Internet. MIUI traffic-setting.
• 🔐 Make sure both phones have a single Mi Account. If the old Xiaomi has one account tied and the Redmi has another, cloud backup data is not synced.
• 📁 Clear the cache in the Settings apps → Annexes → Application management → This will speed up the process of scanning files when transferring them.

Pay special attention to permissions: on new versions MIUI 14+ To transfer data through Mi Mover, you need permission to access All files (manually in the security settings). Without this, the application will only see media files, but not system data.

⚠️ Note: If Redmi has custom firmware installed (e.g. Pixel Experience), the standard Mi Mover will not work. ADB-backup).

Same version MIUI both phones|One account Mi.|Power saving mode is off.|Freely. ≥15GB on the new Redmi-->

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – official way from Xiaomi (with limitations)

Mi Mover is a built-in migration solution that works on all devices with a mobile device. MIUI 9 and later. Its main advantage is support for porting applications with data (for example, saves in games or chats in Telegram:

• 🚫 Cannot tolerate: Google Pay settings, data of some banking applications (due to security policy).
• ⚡ Demands: cable USB-C — USB-C (Adapter for older models with Micro-USB).
• ⏳ Time: ~20 minutes on 30 GB of data (depending on the speed of flash memory).

Step-by-step:

1. On Redmi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer. If your phone is already configured, find Mi Mover through a search in the settings.
2. On Xiaomi (old device) open Settings → Additionally. → Data portability.
3. Connect your phones with a cable. On the Xiaomi screen, you'll see a request to choose the type of connection you want to connect to, select Send data.
4. On Redmi, confirm the data reception and wait for the scan to be completed.
5. Select categories for transfer (contacts, SMS, Applications, Media) and Press Start.

If the process is stuck at the stage of "Data Preparation", check:

• 🔌 Cable: Try another one (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 🔒 Permissions: On Xiaomi, manually give Mi Mover access to Memory and Contacts.
• 📱 Developer Mode: Enable Debugging by USB on both phones (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times).

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If Mi Mover doesn't see the old device, reboot both phones and reconnect. Sometimes it helps to change roles: connect Redmi as the sender and Xiaomi as the recipient, then swap back.

Method 2: Xiaomi Cloud – transfer without cable (but with limited volume)

Cloud transfer is good if you have a slow cable or devices physically in different places, but there are some limitations to this method.

Instructions for perenos through the cloud:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, notes, gallery).
3. Wait for the download to complete (check in Cloud Warehouse).
4. On Redmi, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync of the same categories.
5. For photo/video: Open the gallery → Albums. → Xiaomi Cloud → select files for downloading.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has cloud backup encryption enabled (Settings) → Xiaomi Cloud → Encryption, don't forget your password. Without it, Redmi's data won't be decrypted!

To move data applications through the cloud, use the workaround:

1. On Xiaomi, create a local backup: Settings → System system → Backup.
2. Download the backup file (.mbk) to Xiaomi Cloud manually (via Files) → Cloud).
3. Download the file on Redmi and restore it through Settings → Memory. → Restore.

Mi Mover (cable)|Xiaomi Cloud (Cloud)|Google Account|Third-party applications (e.g. ShareIt)|Manual transfer (flash drive/PC)-->

4. Method 3: ADB Backup for Power Users (100% of Data)

If you need to transfer all data without exception (including system application settings, game data and even files) /data/data/), use ADB-This method requires a PC and basic command line knowledge, but guarantees full migration.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB both phones.
• 🔌 Cable USB-C (better-than-original).

Steps to create a backup on Xiaomi:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\xiaomi_backup.ab

Decoding of flags:

• -apk — include APK-file.
• -obb - saves additional game data.
• -shared — transferring files from shared memory (DCIM, Downloads).
• -all – all applications and system data.

For recovery on Redmi:

adb restore C:\xiaomi_backup.ab

Attention: MIUI 14+ The adb error can be: unable to restore backup: closed:

1. On Redmi, before recovery, run: adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1
2. Reboot the phone and repeat the recovery command.

5. Method 4: Third-party applications – when standard methods do not work

If Mi Mover refuses to port data due to variations MIUI Or custom firmware, use alternative tools. We tested 5 popular apps -- results in a table:

Selection recommendations:

• 📱 For full portability (including apps) – Swift Backup + ADB.
• 📁 For media files: Send Anywhere or LocalSend.
• 📞 For contacts and SMS — Clone Phone.

⚠️ Note: Applications like ShareIt or Xender often install additional software (such as Clean Master). → Annexes!

Method 5: Manual transfer via PC for selective migration

If you only need to transfer sample data (like photos from the last year or specific applications), manual methods through the computer will be the most reliable.

• ✅ Control over each file.
• ✅ There are no limits on the size (except the size of the PC disk).
• ✅ Ability to edit data before the penos.

Instructions:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Copy the right folders: DCIM → Photo and video by Downloads → Pictures downloads → Screenshots and saved pictures Android/data → Application data (root required)
3. To transfer contacts, export them to.vcf: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports.
4. For SMS use SMS Backup & Restore (Save Backup to Backup) XML).
5. Connect Redmi and paste the copied files into the corresponding folders.

To transfer applications without data:

1. Use it on Xiaomi. APK Extractor for extraction APK-file.
2. Move it. APK on Redmi and install manually (allow installation from unknown sources).

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Manual transfer is the only way to keep folder structure and file names intact, especially for photographers and videographers who sort media by date and project.

7. Problem Solving: What to Do If Data Is Not Transferred

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have a problem, and let's look at the typical mistakes and their solutions.

If you have lost your Redmi after the transfer:

• 📱 Widgets: Reboot your phone and add widgets again.
• 🔊 Sound settings: reset the settings in Settings → Sound. → Reset.
• 📡 Wi-Fi Connections: Export Networks via WiFi Key Recovery (requires root).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions