How to Transfer Data from One Xiaomi to Another: A Complete Guide to MIUI

Why and when to transfer data between Xiaomi

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache. Even if both devices are running MIUI, users face problems: messages are lost, notes are not synchronized, and applications have to be installed again. The reasons for the transfer can be different: upgrade to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, replacing a broken Redmi Note 12 or simply transferring data to a child on his first POCO M6 Pro.

Fortunately, MIUI offers a few built-in migration tools, but not all of them are equally effective. For example, Mi Mover does a great job with contacts and SMS, but can skip the settings of some applications, and cloud backup through Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB of free space. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer data between Xiaomi devices, including hidden chips and workarounds for typical errors.

It is important to understand that the process depends on the version of MIUI (since MIUI 12 algorithms have changed) and the device model. For example, on Xiaomi 13T with MIUI 14, accelerated transfer over Wi-Fi Direct is available, whereas on budget Redmi A2 you may need a cable. We tested all methods on current firmware and highlighted the only way that is guaranteed to carry application data without loss (see the section on ADB).

1.Official method: Mi Mover (Wi-Fi Direct)

The Mi Mover app is the easiest portability for MIUI users, preinstalled on all modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 9) and supports contact, message, photo, video, audio, notes and even some system settings. The main advantage is that you do not need the Internet or computer: data is transmitted directly over the Wi-Fi Direct protocol.

To begin the transfer:

• 📱 Open Mi Mover on both devices (on the old, select Send, on the new, Receive").
• 🔗 Bring your smartphones to each other, and they will appear. QR-- I want you to scan the pairing code.
• 📋 Select data types to transfer (you can mark everything or select selectively).
• ⚡ Click "Start" and wait until the end (time depends on the amount of data).

The transmission speed through the Mi Mover reaches 10-15 MB / s, but there are nuances:

• ❌ Application data (for example, saves in games or Telegram cache) is not transferred).
• ❌ Nana MIUI 12+ You may need to confirm your Mi Account password.
• ❌ If the new device already has data, it will have to be erased before transferring it.

⚠️ Note: If encryption is enabled on the old smartphone (in Settings) → Security → Encryption, Mi Mover may refuse to carry data, in which case first decrypt the device or use alternative methods.

2. Transfer over OTG cable (for large data volumes)

If you have hundreds of gigabytes of photos, 4K videos, or heavy files, Wi-Fi Direct may be too slow, and an OTG cable (or USB-C to USB-C adapter for new models) will help, which works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the MIUI version, but requires additional accessories.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old smartphone to your new one OTG-cable.
2. On the new device, open Explorer (Files) and select the USB tab.
3. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) to the internal memory of the new smartphone.
4. To transfer contacts and SMS, export them to.vcf and.xml files respectively (via Contacts → Settings → Export).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Transmission speed to 40-60 MB/s (in) 3-4 faster than Wi-Fi).
• 📁 Only the necessary files can be selectively transferred.
• 🔄 It works even if the new device already has data.

Suitable cable (USB-C/MicroUSB → USB-C)

Charged both smartphones (minimum 50%)

Free space on the new device

Disabled encryption (if any)-->

However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Application data and system settings are not transferred.
• ❌ Manual export/import of contacts and SMS.
• ❌ On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) may need to be unlocked USB-debugging.

3.Cloud portability: Mi Cloud vs Google Drive

If you have a stable Internet, you can use cloud services. Xiaomi offers its own solution, Mi Cloud, but it has a strict restriction: only 5 GB is available for free. For comparison, Google Drive gives 15 GB, but not all data is synchronized automatically.

Comparison of two services:

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old smartphone, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the data you need (contacts, notes, SMS, etc.).
3. On the new device, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the sync to complete.

💡

If you don’t have much space in Mi Cloud, clear unnecessary backups in Mi Cloud → Storage Management before synchronization. Old backups can be deleted, making room for new data.

For Google Drive, the algorithm is different:

• 📱 Install Google Photos to transfer media files.
• 📧 Use Google Contacts to sync your address book.
• 📝 For notes, Google Keep or export to.txt is suitable.

⚠️ Note: If you used Mi Cloud to back up on your old device but don’t plan on using a new Xiaomi smartphone in the future, untether it from your Settings account. → Mi Account → Security: otherwise, after 3 months, the data may be automatically deleted.

Advanced Method: Transfer via ADB (for power users)

If you need to migrate application data (such as save in games, WhatsApp cache, or Nova Launcher settings), standard methods won’t help. Here comes ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a low-level system access tool that requires a computer and basic command-line knowledge, but guarantees full portability of all data, including hidden application files.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included Debugging by USB on both devices (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old smartphone to your PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab On the smartphone screen, a confirmation request will appear - set a password (remember it!).
2. Disable the old device and connect the new one. Restore data: adb restore backup.ab
3. Enter the password specified in step 1.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Transfer all application data, including settings and cache.
• 🛡️ It works even on devices with unlocked bootloader.
• 📦 Individual applications can be selectively restored.

⚠️ Note: When restoring through ADB The new device will delete all current data from apps that conflict with the backup, for example, if a new smartphone already has WhatsApp installed, its chats will be replaced by data from the backup.

5. Alternative methods: third-party applications and physical memory card

If none of the above methods are suitable, you can use third-party solutions or a classic microSD memory card. This method is versatile and works even on the oldest Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi A1).

The best third-party applications for transfer:

• 📲 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi, but with advanced features) – supports data transfer between different brands.
• 📲 SHAREit – high speed Wi-Fi (up to 20 MB / s), but a lot of advertising.
• 📲 Send Anywhere – allows you to send files via a web link without registering.
• 📲 Titanium Backup (requires root) – for full backup of applications and system data.

Transfer over memory card:

1. Insert microSD into your old smartphone.
2. Copy the files you need (photos, videos, music) to the root of the map or to the DCIM folder.
3. To transfer contacts, export them to the contacts.vcf file on the map.
4. Insert the card into the new device and import the data.

Advantages of a memory card:

• 🔄 No Internet or computer required.
• 📁 You can transfer data in parts.
• 💾 Suitable for long-term storage (e.g. photo archive).

There are, however, downsides:

• ❌ Slow read/write speed (especially on cheap cards).
• ❌ Application data and system settings are not transferred.
• ❌ Risk of data loss when retrieving a card during recording.

💡

For data transfer between Xiaomi, Mi Mover (for basic data) or ADB (for full backup) are best suited. The memory card and cloud are convenient as additional options, but will not replace full migration.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when using official tools, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

1 Mi Mover doesn't see the device

• 🔹 Make sure that both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• 🔹 Reboot both devices.
• 🔹 Check if the transmission is blocked by the firewall or VPN.
• 🔹 Nana MIUI 14 may need to upgrade Mi Mover via Play Market.

2.The transfer is interrupted in the middle

• 🔹 Charge both devices to a minimum of 70%.
• 🔹 Do not use smartphones during the transfer.
• 🔹 If the transmission is over Wi-Fi, make sure there is no interference (e.g. a running microwave).
• 🔹 For big data (>50 GB is better to use OTG-cable.

3. no photos or videos are displayed after the transfer

• 🔹 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the thumbnails don't get updated. Delete it, and the system will recreate the preview.
• 🔹 If files are in format.HEIC (iPhone, install HEIF Viewer from Play Market.
• 🔹 Restart the device – sometimes the Gallery does not update the library immediately.

4. No messages from messengers were transferred

• 🔹 For WhatsApp: Make a backup in Settings → chat → Backup and restore on a new device.
• 🔹 For Telegram: Export chats through Settings → Additionally. → Chat data export.
• 🔹 For SMS: Use the Mi Mover or SMS Backup & Restore from Play Market.

5.The new device does not have some applications

• 🔹 Check the region in Settings → Additionally. → Region – some apps (such as Google Pay) may be hidden.
• 🔹 Install the missing apps manually through Play Market.
• 🔹 If the application is system-based (such as Theme or Security), it can be installed via GetApps.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions