How to transfer data from the old Xiaomi to the new: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can become a real headache if you do not know the key nuances. Even between models of the same brand (Redmi Note 12 → Xiaomi 14 or POCO X5 → Redmi K70), the process has its own peculiarities: somewhere automatic migration through MIUI will work, and somewhere you will need manual copying through adb or the cloud. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from standard Xiaomi tools to alternative solutions for complex cases.

The main mistake users make is trying to migrate everything at once, which in practice leads to duplicate files, malfunctions of new applications or even loss of data, and we will show how to divide the process into stages: first critical data (contacts, SMS, Passwords, then media, then settings and apps, and we'll focus on data transfer between devices with different versions. MIUI (like the old one. MIUI 12 on the new HyperOS, where standard methods may not work.

1. Preparing the old and new Xiaomi for data transfer

Before migrating, you need to take several critical steps on both devices, and skipping at least one point can lead to errors such as “not enough space” or “software version incompatibility.”

On an old smartphone:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – transferring data via cable or Wi-Fi Direct consumes a lot of power.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use cloud or wireless transmission).
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning – This will speed up the process of scanning files.
• 🔐 Make sure that the device is debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers).

On the new smartphone:

• 📱 Complete the initial setup before you connect to your Mi Account (don’t miss this step!).
• 🔄 Update to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📁 Check the space available – you will need a minimum to transfer data 10-15% from the amount of internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If the old device is used MIUI 11 or lower, and the new one is HyperOS, the standard Mi Mover migration may not work, in which case use the method with Google Account or manual copying via PC.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in migration app that automatically transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, apps (including their data) and even some system settings.This method only works between Xiaomi devices and requires a physical connection via an OTG cable (included in the new smartphones).

Step-by-step:

1. On the new smartphone, when you first set up, select Data Transfer → Mi Mover.
2. On the old device, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from the App Store).
3. Connect your smartphones with a cable OTG (The old device should be defined as USB-device).
4. On the new phone, select data to transfer (you can choose all or individual categories).
5. Confirm the migration on both devices and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on the volume).

⚠️ Warning: If you experience an error during the transfer via Mi Mover, try it: 🔄 Reboot both devices. 🔌 Use the original cable OTG (Chinese No-Name cables often do not support data transmission). 📱 On the old phone, turn on the file transfer mode (MTP) customized USB.

Charge both phones >50%|Download Mi Mover to an Old Device|Prepare the original cable OTG|Make room on a new phone|Shut down. VPN/Proxy both-device-->

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar, mail)

If you already have a Google Account on an old Xiaomi, most of the critical data (contacts, calendar events, Google Keep notes) is automatically synced to the cloud, a method that is universal and works even when you switch from Xiaomi to smartphones of other brands.

How to check and start synchronization:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for Contacts, Calendar, Gmail and other services.
3. Click Sync Now and wait until it is completed.
4. On the new smartphone, log in to the same Google account – the data will be downloaded automatically.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌍 It works on all devices (not just Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Data is updated in real time (changes on one device will affect another).
• 🆓 Free and does not require additional applications.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Not tolerated. SMS, Call history, photos (unless Google Photos are used).
• 📱 Apps are not portable – only their data (if the app supports backup to Google Drive).

💡

If contacts aren’t synced, check if they’re duplicated in Mi Account and Google accounts. manually delete duplicates or use the Contact Editor app from Google Play.

4. Method 3: Xiaomi Cloud – Backup and Recovery

Xiaomi Cloud is a proprietary cloud storage that allows you to create a full backup of an old smartphone and restore it to a new one, which is suitable if you do not have an OTG cable or the devices are in different places (for example, an old one is being repaired).

Instructions for creating a backup copy:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the data to save (we recommend that you note everything except the Application, as it takes up a lot of space).
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).
4. Copy the backup file to Xiaomi Cloud or PC.

Recovery on the new device:

1. Transfer the backup file to your new smartphone (via cloud or cable).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Select the file and click Restore.

⚠️ Attention: Backup copies MIUI They're incompatible between very different versions of firmware. MIUI 12 may not recover on HyperOS. In this case, use selectively restore only contacts and media files.

5. Method 4: Manual transfer via PC (for power users)

If standard methods don't work or you need to migrate sample data (for example, only a folder with documents or save games), manual transfer via computer is the most reliable option. USB-cable 10-15 minute.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old device to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the right folders: DCIM — Photos and videos. Download - uploaded files. MIUI/sound_recorder — voice recordings. Android/data — Application data (root rights required for some games).

Connect a new smartphone and paste the copied files into the same folders.

SMS and calls

SMS Backup & Restore

To transfer applications with data (for example, save games or settings messengers) will require:

• 📱 No root: Use Helium or Swift Backup (requires) ADB-access).
• 🔧 From root: Copy folder /data/data/ specific application.

adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all -system

This command creates a full backup of all applications and their data (ADB and USB debugging enabled are required).

💡

Manual transfer over PC is the only way to save data from applications that don’t support cloud sync (such as some banking programs or games with local saves).

Method 5: Alternative applications for migration

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t work, third-party apps can be used, which often offer more flexibility but require caution when dealing with personal data.

Top.-3 tested applications:

1. Clone Phone (from Xiaomi) is an analogue of Mi Mover, but with support for devices of other brands (for example, for transferring from Samsung to Xiaomi).
2. SHAREit is a wireless file transfer over Wi-Fi Direct (suitable for large amounts of data without a cable).
3. Send Anywhere – generation of a temporary link for downloading files (convenient if the devices are on different networks).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable Contacts and Messages after the transfer is complete. Many continue to collect data in the background.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when you follow the instructions, users face typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn’t see the old device.

• 🔌 Check the cable - try another one OTG-adapter.
• 📱 On your old phone, turn on Developer Mode → Debugging by USB.
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.

Problem 2: Applications are not portable.

• 📦 In Mi Mover, applications are only portable in the form APK-files (without data).
• 🔧 Use Swift Backup or Titanium Backup to transfer these applications (requires root).

Problem 3: The photos were lost after the transfer.

• 🖼️ Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the miniatures are not updated.
• 🔍 Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) to search for the.jpg extension.

Problem 4: The backup from Xiaomi Cloud is not restored.

• 🌥️ Make sure the new device has the same version. MIUI (or newer) than the old.
• 📡 Check your internet connection – downloading a backup requires stable Wi-Fi.

💡

If apps start to slow down after transferring on a new smartphone, clear the cache to Settings → Storage → Cleanup. Often this is due to a conflict of data from the old device.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions