How to transfer data from ZTE phone to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Switching from a ZTE smartphone to a Xiaomi device is not just about updating hardware, but also migrating all the important data: contacts, photos, messages, and even app settings. Many users face the problem of losing information when changing their brand, especially if they used less common models like ZTE Blade or ZTE Axon. In this article, we will examine all the current ways of transferring data, from the official Mi Mover tool to manual methods through the cloud and physical connection.

It is important to note that Xiaomi works on a custom shell. MIUI, It has its own synchronization nuances, for example, some system settings (such as themes or gestures) can't be moved, you have to reconfigure them, but contacts, media files and even call history will move without loss if we follow our recommendations. We also point out the hidden limitations of Mi Mover when working with the ZTE, which are not written in the official guides.

1. Preparation of telephones for data transfer

Before migrating, there are several critical steps to take on both devices, and neglecting them can cause crashes, loss of data, or even a process that freezes.

On ZTE:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% (when transferred through the cable discharge goes faster).
• 📁 Release me. 1-2 GB of memory – temporary migration files take up a lot of space.
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version (check in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔐 Make sure there is no lock from the operator on the phone (especially relevant for the phone). ZTE, branded mobile networks).

On Xiaomi:

• 📱 Reset the device to factory settings (if new) or back up current data via Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔌 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (for cloud methods) or prepare a cable OTG (physical-transfer).
• 🛡️ Disable Antivirus and Optimizers – They Can Block Data Transfer.

⚠️ Attention: If ZTE root or custom recovery (e.g., root or custom recovery, TWRP), Mi Mover will refuse to work. In this case, use manual methods through the ADB cloud.

2. Method 1: Official Mi Mover Tool

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi designed to migrate data from Android devices. It supports most models. ZTE, There are some nuances, for example, on older versions. ZTE Blade A7 or ZTE Nubia may require pre-installation APK-file.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Mover on ZTE from Google Play (if it’s not in your area, use APK with APKCombo).
2. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer and select “I’m the sender” (on ZTE) or “I’m the recipient” (on Xiaomi).
3. Connect phones via OTG cable (USB-C port to USB-C or USB-C to Micro-USB depending on the ZTE model).
4. On ZTE, allow access to files and confirm transfer. On Xiaomi, select the types of data to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, etc.).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Mover is stuck in the connection phase, try rebooting both phones and using the original Xiaomi cable.

Download Mi Mover on ZTE| Charge both phones >50%| Connect to the same Wi-Fi network | Disable VPN and firewalls | Use the original cable-->

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar, notes)

If you have a Google account on ZTE, this method allows you to transfer basic data without cables, and the main advantage is that sync works in the background, and you can continue to use the phone.

How to move:

1. Nana ZTE Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google and enable synchronization for: 📇 Contacts 📅 calendar 📝 Notes (if you use Google Keep) 📎 Photo (via Google Photo)

Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Management → Synchronization

Xiaomi

Settings → Accounts and Synchronization

Enable synchronization for the same data categories.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Quickly (data appears on Xiaomi during the course of the 5-10 minute).
• 🔄 Automatic update (if you add a new contact on Xiaomi, it syncs with the cloud).
• 🌍 It works on any device (even if the Mi Mover doesn’t support your model). ZTE).

Limitations:

• 🚫 Not tolerated. SMS/MMS call-book.
• 📸 Photos are synced only if they were previously uploaded to Google Photos.
• 🎮 Applications and their data are not portable.

💡

If ZTE doesn’t have enough space to sync photos, turn on the “Free Space” option in Google Photos, which will replace the original files on the cloud with optimized copies, saving up to 80% of memory.

Method 3: Transfer over cloud services (Yandex.Disk, Dropbox, OneDrive)

Cloud storage is a universal transfer method that works even if the phones are not compatible on connectors or you do not have an OTG cable.

Step-by-step instructions on the example of Yandex.Disk:

1. Install Yandex.Disk on both phones.
2. Nana ZTE Upload the required files to the cloud: 📂 For photo/video: select a folder DCIM or Pictures. 📄 For documents: download files from Downloads or Documents.

Xiaomi

To transfer contacts through the cloud:

1. Nana ZTE Export contacts to.vcf: Open the Contacts app. Click ⋮ → «Imports/Exports» → «Export to file. Save the file to the cloud.

Xiaomi

⚠️ Attention: If you have ZTE With operator firmware (e.g. Beeline or MTS), the standard Contacts app may not support export. SMS Backup & Restore.

5. Method 4: Manual transfer via computer

If you have a PC or laptop, this method guarantees 100% control over the process, and is suitable for transferring any files, including music, downloading and even saving games.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Two. USB-cable (for ZTE Xiaomi).
• 📂 Desktop folder for temporary storage.

Instructions:

1. Connect ZTE to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the necessary folders: DCIM - photos and videos Downloads - downloads from the Pictures browser - images from Music applications - Documents music files - documents
3. Turn off ZTE and connect Xiaomi.
4. Transfer the copied files to the corresponding folders on Xiaomi.

To transfer SMS and call logs:

• 📱 Set it on ZTE attachment SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🔄 Create a backup and save the file to your computer.
• 📲 Install the same app on Xiaomi and recover data from the file.

Method 5: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on custom firmware ZTE), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires command line skills, but allows you to migrate all the data, including system settings.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on your computer.
2. On ZTE, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect. ZTE to the PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f zte_backup.ab Where: -apk — backup. -obb — copying additional game files. -shared — copying SD-map. -all — data.

ZTE

Xiaomi

adb restore zte_backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Not all data will be restored correctly due to differences in firmware ZTE For example, the Wi-Fi settings may not change if Xiaomi uses a different chipset.

💡

ADB is the most powerful, but also the most difficult method, and only use it if other methods have failed, as there is a risk of data loss if you restore it incorrectly.

7. data transfer messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Messages from instant messengers are not transferred through Mi Mover or Google Account. For each application, there is a different method:

WhatsApp:

• 📱 Nana ZTE Backup your account in Google Drive (Settings) → chat → Backup copy).
• 🔄 Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and log in with the same number.
• 📥 Restore chats from Google Drive on first launch.

Telegram:

• ☁️ All chats and media files are stored in the Telegram cloud.
• 📁 To transfer local files (downloads), copy the folder Telegram/Telegram Manual Documents.

Viber:

• 🔐 Nana ZTE Go to Settings. → Account. → Backup and save history on Google Drive.
• 📲 On Xiaomi, restore a copy after authorization.

Please note:

• 🚫 Telegram Secret Chats Are Not Synced – They Need to Be Moved Manually Through Exports.
• 🔒 WhatsApp doesn’t allow you to move chats between Android and iOS (but here we are talking about two Android devices).
• ⏳ Recovery of large backups (e.g. 10)+ GB on WhatsApp can take several hours.

8. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users encounter errors, and consider typical situations and how to solve them:

If none of the methods worked:

• 🛠️ Check the integrity of the cable – often a problem in physical damage.
• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📡 Try transferring elsewhere (a Wi-Fi router with restrictions may interfere with).
• 📱 Update the firmware to ZTE Up to the latest version (especially relevant to older models like this one) ZTE Blade V8).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions