How to transfer data from the old Xiaomi smartphone to the new: step-by-step instructions 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of migrating data often raises more questions than the choice of model. Even if you upgrade within the same ecosystem (for example, from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14), the risk of losing important files or settings remains. In this article, we will discuss all official and alternative ways of migration, including nuances for different versions of MIUI and smartphone models.

Xiaomi features built-in portability tools that run faster than third-party solutions (like Google Account or Samsung Smart Switch), but they don’t always cover 100% of the data: for example, widget settings or application logs may not be transferred. We tested each method on current firmware (including MIUI 15 based on Android 14) and highlighted critical points that the manufacturer does not mention in the official guides.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, make sure both devices are ready to go, which will prevent errors like a connection break or loss of data.

On an old smartphone:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 50% (when transferring over Wi-Fi Direct discharge goes faster).
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you use the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📁 Free up space: the new device should have a minimum 10-15% Free space from the volume of data transferred.

On the new smartphone:

• 📱 Go through the initial setting to the Data Transfer screen (don’t miss this step!).
• 🔑 Connect to the same Wi-Fi as the old device (for local area network methods).
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN Firewalls – they can block the connection between phones.

💡

If the new smartphone already has data (for example, you started using it), reset to factory settings: Settings → About phone → Resetting. Otherwise, the transfer may not work properly.

⚠️ Note: If the bootloader is on on the old phone, some transfer methods (e.g., via Mi Mover) may require unlocking. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times on the line).

2.Official method: Mi Mover (for MIUI)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for migrating data between devices to MIUI. It supports the transfer of:

• 📞 Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS), call-book.
• 📸 Photos, video, audio (including folders) DCIM and downloads).
• 📱 Apps and their data (not all! for example, WhatsApp portable without chat history).
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi networks).

Step-by-step:

1. On the new smartphone, at the setup stage, select Data Transfer → With Xiaomi.
2. On your old phone, open Settings → Additional → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
3. Select a role: new phone - "Recipient", old - "Sender".
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new device or connect via Wi-Fi Direct (recommended).
5. Select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

The speed depends on the amount of data:

Both phones on the phone MIUI 9+|Power-saving modes disabled|Freely. ≥15% of memory on a new device|Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both phones-->

⚠️ If the transfer is interrupted, do not start the process again immediately - wait. 5-10 Mi Mover can create a cache conflict, causing data to be duplicated or lost.

3.Moving over Mi Cloud: pros and cons

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that allows you to synchronize data between devices.

• ☁️ 5GB is available for free (can be expanded to 200GB for a fee).
• 🌍 It works even if the phones are on different networks.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization of contacts, notes, calendar.

How to transfer data:

1. On the old phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, gallery, etc.).
3. Wait for the download to complete (check in Mi Cloud → Storage).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable sync.

The limitations of Mi Cloud:

• ❌ Applications and their data are not portable (only) APK-file).
• ❌ Photos and videos are compressed when downloaded (quality decreases).
• ❌ History WhatsApp/Telegram non-synchronize.

For large amounts of data (e.g., 100+GB photos), Mi Cloud is not suitable – download speed is limited, and free space runs out quickly.

4. Alternative methods: Google Account and third-party applications

If you don’t want to use Xiaomi tools, there are universal solutions:

1. Google Account (for contacts, calendar, mail):

• 📱 On an old phone: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization.
• 🔄 Enable synchronization for the desired data.
• 📱 On the new phone, log in to the same Google account – the data will be automatically pulled up.

2. Google Drive (for photos, videos, documents):

• ☁️ Install Google Photos and enable autoload.
• 📁 Upload files to Google Drive manually (folders) DCIM, Downloads and others.).
• 📱 On the new phone, download data through the Google Drive app.

Third-party annexes:

⚠️ Note: When using Google Photos in the "High Quality" mode, photos are compressed to a resolution of 16 MP, and videos are compressed to a resolution of 16 MP. 1080p. To maintain the original quality, select the option “Original Quality” (requires a storage fee).

5. Transfer via OTG cable or computer

If you want to have more than 50GB of data or want full control of the process, use a physical connection:

Method 1: OTG Cable (for Type-C phones)

• 🔌 Buy it. OTG-cable (or Type-C adapter) → Type-C).
• 📱 Connect the old device to the new one via cable.
• 📁 On the new phone, select the "File Transfer" mode" (USB-accumulator).
• 🔍 Copy the right folders (DCIM, WhatsApp, Downloads, etc.) manually.

Method 2: Through a computer (Windows/macOS)

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy the data to your hard drive.
2. Disable the old device, connect the new one.
3. Transfer files from your PC to your new smartphone.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s with USB 3.0).
• 🛡️ No risk of data loss in connection.
• 📂 Only the necessary files can be selectively copied.

💡

Transferring over an OTG cable is the only way to save WhatsApp’s full history (including media files) without loss. To do this, copy the /sdcard/WhatsApp folder to the new device before the messenger first launches.

6. Transfer of applications and their data: nuances

Even if you've moved on APK-Application files, their data (game saves, settings, cache) may not be transferred:

1. backup via ADB (for advanced users):

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

This team creates a full backup on the PC, which can then be restored on the new phone:

adb restore backup.ab

2. porting game saves (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile):

• 🎮 Use built-in sync via Google Play Games or Mi Account.
• 📁 For non-cloud-saving games, copy the data folders (e.g, /Android/obb/com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact) cable OTG.

3. Lossless WhatsApp portability:

• 📱 On an old phone: WhatsApp settings → chat → Backup (save to Google Drive or locally).
• 🔄 Install WhatsApp on your new phone and restore from the backup before the first start.
• ⚠️ If you use a local backup, copy the folder. WhatsApp/Databases new-up.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Banking Apps or 2FA-authenticators) prohibit data transfer for security reasons, and they will have to be reconfigured.

7. Post-transfer validation and optimization

After completing your migration, follow these steps to avoid problems:

1. Data integrity verification:

• 📞 Open Contacts and check if all numbers are in place.
• 📸 View photos in the Gallery (especially Screenshots and WhatsApp Images folders).
• 🎵 Run music or videos to make sure there are no broken files.

2. Optimization of the new smartphone:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management and clear cache for system applications.
• 📊 B Settings → Battery disable power saving for critical applications (e.g. messengers).
• 🔄 Update all apps through Google Play or App Store.

Removal of duplicates:

• 📁 Use Files (Settings) → Warehouse → Cleaning) to find duplicate files.
• 📞 In Contacts, combine duplicate records through More → Connecting contacts.

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If the smartphone is slower after the transfer, check Settings → About Phone → Memory. It may be that the system indexes the transferred files — this is normal and will take 10-30 minutes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi