How to transfer data from the old Xiaomi Redmi smartphone to the new: a step-by-step guide

The transition to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often turns into a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, apps, and even screen settings all need to be saved to keep from starting from scratch. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several built-in tools that make it easier to migrate, as well as universal methods that work on any Android device.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to transfer data, from the official Mi Mover service to cloud storage and manual copying, how to avoid file loss, what settings to move first, and what to do if the new Redmi can’t see the old phone. And also – unique life hacks for Xiaomi users, which you will not find in standard instructions (for example, how to transfer the device to the user). SMS without losing date or retaining a call history labeled "incoming/outgoing").

It doesn’t matter if you’re upgrading with the Redmi Note 8 on the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+ Or you go to the flagship Xiaomi 14 series, which is a little bit of a guide, and the rule is, don't start the transfer without having both devices ready.

1. Preparation of telephones for data transfer

Before you start migrating, make sure both smartphones are ready for the procedure.Missing this stage can cause crashes, data loss or incomplete transfer.

On an old phone (Redmi or another Android):

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – transfer can take up to an hour.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you use the cloud or Mi Mover) Mobile Internet is not suitable!
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache. It'll speed up the process.
• 🔒 Make sure your phone is not locked with a fingerprint or pattern lock (sometimes Mi Mover interferes).

On the new phone (Xiaomi Redmi):

• 📦 Don't configure it as new! Select Data Transfer when you first turn it on (if you've already set it up, reset it to factory settings in Settings). → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
• 📡 Enable the Developer Mode (if you plan to use it) ADB): Tip 7 times according to the version MIUI In Settings → The phone.

⚠️ Warning: If your old phone has root access or custom firmware installed, Mi Mover may not work. In this case, use a cloud backup or Google Account.

Also check the space available on both devices. To transfer via cable or Mi Mover, the new Redmi must have at least 20% free space from the amount of data being transferred. For example, if you copy 30 GB, a new phone must have at least 6-7 GB free.

2. Method 1: Official Mi Mover tool (fastest)

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer almost all data directly over Wi-Fi Direct (without the Internet!). MIUI 9 and newer.

Step-by-step:

1. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer. If the phone is already configured, open Settings. → Additionally. → Mi Mover.
2. On your old phone, install Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not on the system).
3. On both phones, select I am the sender (old) and I am the receiver (new).
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone with an old one.
5. Select data to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, videos, applications (not all supported!).
6. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take 10 minutes to an hour).

What Mi Mover is carrying:

⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is 99 percent dead, don't interrupt the process! Wait 10 to 15 minutes. If it doesn't work, restart both phones and try again, selecting only contacts and then you can use the new phone to get the phone back on. SMS (They're moving faster).

Advantages of Mi Mover:

• 🚀 No Internet connection – data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi.
• 📱 It works even if the old phone isn’t Xiaomi (but with limitations).
• 🔄 Keeps folder structure (photos remain in Camera, Screenshots, etc.).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not tolerate system settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness).
• ❌ Applications are ported without data (for example, saving in games or setting messengers).
• ❌ May not work on phones with root rights or unofficial firmware.

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (universally)

If you already had a Google Account on your old phone, this method is the easiest one to use, and it works on any Android device, including Redmi, and allows you to transfer:

• 📇 Contacts (synchronized automatically).
• 📅 Calendar and events.
• 📎 Notes from Google Keep.
• 🎮 Save some games (if they support Google Play Games).
• 📱 System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, languages).

How to transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for Contacts, Calendar and other data.
2. If synchronization is disabled, turn it on and wait for completion (check in Settings). → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account).
3. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Copy Data and log in to the same Google Account.
4. Select Restore from backup and specify the latest backup from your old phone.
5. Wait until the recovery is complete (it can take up to 30 minutes).

What is not carried over through Google:

• ❌ SMS Call history (you need to use separate applications, for example) SMS Backup & Restore).
• ❌ Photos and videos (you need to upload them to Google Photos separately).
• ❌ Local files (music, documents).
• ❌ Settings for specific applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).

If you want to move photos and videos, do the following:

1. Open Google Photos on your old phone.
2. Enable autoboot in Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Wait for all media files to be downloaded (check in Photos) → Photo library → Archives).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Google Photos account – all photos will appear automatically.

⚠️ Note: If you have two-factor authentication on Google, check before perenosom that you have access to backup codes.

💡

If Google Photos doesn’t upload videos, try reducing their resolution to Full. HD (1080p) You can transfer the originals later through the cable.

Method 3: Transfer over a cable OTG or computer (for large volumes)

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, the most reliable way is to copy directly through cable. It's faster than Mi Mover, and it doesn't require Internet access.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (If you copy from phone to phone).
• 💻 Computer (if you use it as an intermediary).
• 📁 Flash drive or external drive (optional).

Option 1: Direct copying through OTG (phone-phone)

1. Buy it. OTG-Adapter (e.g. Xiaomi) USB-C to USB-A).
2. Connect your old phone to your new phone via an adapter (old as a flash drive).
3. On the new phone, open the file manager.
4. Move to the USB-Reservation: This is your old phone).
5. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) into the internal memory of your new phone.

Option 2: Copying through a computer (most secure)

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy all the folders you need to your computer (for example, in the Redmi Backup folder).
3. Turn off the old phone, plug in a new one.
4. Transfer files from your PC to the new Redmi.

Which folders to copy first:

If you copy music, check the Music or Ringtones folder (if you had custom ringtones (PDF, Search for Word in Documents or Download.

⚠️ Note: Don't copy the entire Android folder - it contains system files that may not work on the new phone. MIUI and you transfer application data (for example, game saving).

5. Method 4: Cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex Disk)

If you have slow internet or little space on your new phone, cloud services can help you move data gradually. Xiaomi offers its solution, Mi Cloud, but there are also universal options.

Mi Cloud (5GB free)

• 📱 It only works on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco.
• 🔄 Synchronize contacts, SMS, Notes, photos (but not videos!).
• ⚠️ Free tariff – only 5 GB (not enough for photos in original quality).

How to use:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired data.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for recovery.

Google Drive (15GB free)

• 🌍 It works on any Android device.
• 📁 You can download any files (photos, videos, documents).
• 🔗 Links to files can be sent to yourself by mail or messenger.

How to move:

1. On your old phone, open Google Drive.
2. Click + → Download and select the files.
3. On the new phone, download files from Drive.

Yandex Disk (10GB free)

• 🇷🇺 Convenient for users from Russia (fast download).
• 📤 There is a function of autoloading photos (like in Google Photos).
• 🔐 Supports file encryption.

Comparison of cloud services:

If you are choosing a cloud, consider:

• 📶 Downloading large files (video) 4K) can take hours.
• 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords) cannot be moved over the cloud.
• 📱 After downloading, check that the files are not corrupted (open a few photos / videos).

💡

Cloud storage is convenient for backup, but not suitable for transferring large amounts of data (e.g. 100).+ GB video is better to use a cable or OTG.

Method 5: Transfer SMS, Call and Application History (Advanced)

Standard methods (such as Mi Mover or Google Account) are not always portable. SMS, Call history or application data, and you'll need specialized tools to do that.

SMS and call history transfer:

• 📱 Install an app on both phones SMS Backup & Restore.
• 📤 On your old phone, create a backup (Backup).
• 📥 Transfer the backup file to your new phone (via cable, cloud, or Mi Mover).
• 🔄 Restore on the new phone SMS file-based).

Transfer applications with data (requires root or ADB):

If you need to move save games or app settings (like WhatsApp with chat history), use:

• 🛠️ OAndBackupX (for rooted phones).
• 🖥️ ADB Backup (via computer, no root, but not all applications are supported).

Instructions for ADB Backup:

1. Install ADB on PC (download from https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools).


2. Connect your old phone to your PC and do:




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




3. Copy the backup.ab file to a new phone.




4. Restore:




adb restore backup.ab

There is a separate way for WhatsApp:

1. On an old phone, make a backup chat in Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Copy /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases folder to your new phone.
3. Install WhatsApp on your new phone and restore chats from your local copy.

⚠️ Note: When transferring WhatsApp, make sure that the phone number has not changed. SIM-First activate it on your new phone, and then restore chats.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when you follow instructions, users have problems. TOP-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1 Mi Mover can't find an old phone

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Make sure both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• 🔒 Turn it off. VPN Firewall (for example, Avast or Kaspersky).
• 📱 If the old phone isn’t Xiaomi, try connecting via a hotspot (on the new phone, turn on Modem Modem).

2.The transfer is frozen by 99% or 100%

• ⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the process is delayed.
• 🔋 Check the battery power (if less than 10%, the transfer may be interrupted).
• 📡 Reconnect to Wi-Fi or restart the Mi Mover.
• 📎 If it doesn’t work, move the data in parts (first contacts, then photos, etc.).

3.The new phone is running out of space

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files from your old phone before penosom.
• 📁 Only transfer important folders (for example, DCIM WhatsApp).
• ☁️ Use the cloud for temporary storage (e.g. upload photos to Google Photos and then delete them from your phone).

4. Applications not portable

• 📱 Mi Mover only carries the APK-Files, but not data. Install apps from Google Play.
• 🎮 For games, use Google Play Games (if supported) or Helium.
• 🔧 If you need to move the settings of the application (for example, Viber or Telegram), make a backup inside the application itself.

5.Photos or contacts disappeared after the transfer

• 🔍 Check the Mi Mover or Download folder on your new phone – sometimes files are copied there.
• ☁️ If you’ve used the cloud, make sure that files are downloaded, not just displayed in the gallery.
• 📞 For contacts, check if sync with Google Account is enabled (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts).

💡

If photos are displayed in the wrong orientation (inverted) after transfer, install the Fix Photo Rotation app or edit metadata via Google Photos (click on the photo). → Change. → Turn around).

8 What to do after data transfer

Data portability is only half the battle, and to make the new Redmi work perfectly, follow these steps:

1. Check the integrity of the data

• 📞 Open Contacts and make sure all numbers are in place.
• 📷 Open the gallery and make sure the photo is not damaged.
• 💬 Open up. SMS and check the history of the messages.

2. Set up synchronization.

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization for Google Photos, Contacts and Calendar.
• 🔄 In Mi Cloud, set up backup (if you use it).

3. Optimize the new phone

• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 📵 Set up Do Not Disturb and Permits for Applications (Settings) → Annexes → Permits