How to Transfer Data from Old Phone to New Xiaomi Poco: A Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction: Why migrating data to Xiaomi Poco requires a special approach

The transition to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi Poco line, where even budget models like Poco are available. X6 Neo is equipped with advanced chips and cameras, but the euphoria of unpacking a new gadget is quickly replaced by the question: how to transfer all the data from an old phone, so as not to lose contacts, photos from a trip two years ago, or save in games? The usual tips like "copy on the flash drive" here will not work - Poco has its own nuances, from the lack of a slot for the device. SD-maps in some models before the features of the work MIUI backup.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to migrate data, taking into account the specifics of Xiaomi Poco: from the official Mi Mover tool (which is often “forgotten” to mention in the instructions) to little-known tricks with the help of the new model. ADB For porting applications with login retention, we will focus on models from 2023 to 2026 (Poco) F6 Pro, Poco X6 Pro, where the logic of working with cloud services Xiaomi Cloud has changed, if you move from an iPhone or a phone of another brand, here you will find a solution.

Spoiler: The most reliable method depends on what data you need to move, for example, for contacts and calendars, you will need to sync with Google, but you will need to use.apk files with settings to transfer applications with settings. OTG-The cable or Mi Mover, then we'll take a detailed look at each scenario with warnings about typical errors.

1.Official method: Mi Mover - fast transfer without a computer

Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi, which is preinstalled on all Poco smartphones (starting with the launch of the new model). MIUI 9) It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, applications (including some of them) and even system settings – all over Wi-Fi Direct wireless network.

How it works:

• 📱 On an old phone (whether Xiaomi or another brand) download Mi Mover from Google Play (no app for iOS – see the section about Move to iOS).
• 🔄 On the new Poco, when you first turn on, the system will suggest moving data — select Mi Mover. If you missed this step, find the utility in Settings. → The phone. → Data migration.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or use Wi-Fi Direct if Mi Mover offers this option).
• 🔍 Scan on your old phone. QR-code that appears on Poco, or enter PIN-pairing.

What is carried over the Mi Mover:

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has custom firmware installed or Xiaomi system apps removed, Mi Mover may not see the device. In this case, use alternative methods (see the section on Google Account or Google Account). ADB).

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Free up 10-15% of memory on the new Poco|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Make sure your old phone has enough space for temporary files (Mi Mover creates an archive)|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (not mobile Internet)-->

2.Move over Google Account: A universal method for contacts and media

If you’ve used Google services on an old phone, most of the data is already synced to the cloud, a way that can be ported to Xiaomi Poco from any Android device (including Samsung, Huawei) or even an iPhone (with limitations), the main advantage is that you don’t need to install additional programs.

What can be transferred through a Google account:

• 📇 Contacts – sync automatically if the Settings option was enabled on the old phone → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📅 Calendars and Reminders – Moved along with events from Google Calendar.
• 📎 Photos and videos – if the old phone had backup enabled in Google Photos (Quality settings) → Original or High).
• 🎵 Music and documents – if they are uploaded to Google Drive.
• 📱 Settings of some applications – for example, Chrome (bookmarks, history), Gmail (letters, tags).

How to transfer data:

1. On your old phone, check that sync with Google is enabled: Settings → Accounts. → Google → [your email] → Account Sync Make sure that all the necessary items (contacts, calendar, disk, etc.) are ticked.
2. On the new Poco, when you first turn on, select Copy data from your old device. → From the cloud, log in to the same Google account. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings. → Accounts. → Add an account → Google.
3. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data).

⚠️ Note: If your old phone had two Google accounts with the same contacts, you can duplicate them on Poco. To avoid this, export the contacts to one account before transferring: Contacts → Contact management → Exports/imports → Combining accounts

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If all albums are not displayed after transferring to Google Photos, check the filter by date in the app. Sometimes old photos are hidden under the category "Archive" or "Devices".

3.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi Poco: bypassing Apple's restrictions

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi Poco is complicated by Apple's closed ecosystem, but there are workarounds.

• 🚫 Mi Mover doesn’t work on iOS – there’s no official app.
• 🔒 iCloud does not sync directly to Android (except for contacts and calendars).
• 📱 Apps from the App Store will have to be re-installed via Google Play.

Solutions for transferring different types of data:

You can use the Move to iOS app to automate the process... but in the opposite direction!

1. On the iPhone, install Google Drive and upload all the necessary files (photos, videos, documents).
2. On Xiaomi Poco, log in to the same Google account and download files through the Files app.
3. To transfer music, use Apple Music for Android or upload tracks to YouTube Music.

4. Transfer over OTG cable or computer: for large amounts of data

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos/video or need to migrate data applications (such as saving games), wireless methods will be too slow.

• 🔌 OTG-cable (for direct connection of phones).
• 💻 Computer (as an intermediate storage).
• 🖥️ Local area network (via FTP-server).

Method 1: OTG-cable (fastest cable)

Suitable for transferring any files, including.apk applications and their data (/data/data/). You'll need it:

• 🔗 OTG-adapter (e.g, USB-C to USB-C for new Poco).
• 📱 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to Poco via OTG-cable.
2. On Poco, open the file manager and select USB-storage (this is the memory of an old phone).
3. Copy the right folders: /DCIM/ (photo) /Download/ (load) /Android/data/ (Application data, but not all folders will be available without root)
4. To transfer applications, copy.apk files from /data/app/ (Root rights will be required or ADB).

Method 2: Computer (more reliable for backups)

If you are afraid of losing data, first create a backup on your PC:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer and copy all the files to a separate folder.
2. Use the application backup to ADB: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab This command will create a backup.ab file with all applications and their data (except system ones).
3. Connect Xiaomi Poco and transfer files back. To recover from backup.ab, use: adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: When transferring through ADB Not all apps will recover correctly — some (e.g. banking) require re-authorization — and Xiaomi Poco can block.apk installations from unknown sources — let this be allowed in Settings. → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications.

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Transfer through OTG or a computer is the only way to save application data (e.g., game progress or Kodi settings). Wireless methods (Mi Mover, Google) only transfer the.apk files themselves without user data.

5. Cloud services and SD-maps: alternatives

If you don't. OTG-Cable or you prefer cloud solutions, consider these methods:

A. Xiaomi Cloud (for owners of old ones) Xiaomi/Redmi)

If your old phone is also Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco, you can use the branded cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and create a copy.
2. On the new Poco, log in to the same Xiaomi account and recover data from the cloud.

Limitations:

• 📉 Free available only 5 GB (for compressed photo).
• 🚫 Not all models support app backup.
• ⏳ Recovery can take several hours.

BB. SD-card (for models with support)

Some Xiaomi Poco (e.g. Poco) X3 Pro) supports microSD up to 1 TB. If you have one:

1. Put it in. SD-Map to an old phone and copy files to it.
2. Transfer the card to Poco and import the data.

Important: not all files can be copied.

• 📁 WhatsApp folder is transferred completely, but to restore chats you need to reinstall the application and confirm the number.
• 🎮 Game saves (e.g. Genshin Impact) are stored in /Android/data/ — You need to transfer them through the Mi Mover or ADB.

Third-party clouds (Yandex.Disk, Dropbox, Mega)

If you don’t trust Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud, use the following alternatives:

• 📁 Yandex.Disk – 10 GB free, convenient for Russian users.
• 📦 Dropbox 2GB free, but reliable sync.
• 🔒 Mega – 20 GB free, with encryption.

Instructions:

1. Install the cloud app on your old phone and upload the files.
2. On Poco, install the same app and download the data.

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If you're porting music, use YouTube Music or Spotify, which will save your playlists and preferences when you change your device. /Music/ via cable or cloud.

6. Transfer of specific data: chats, passwords, game settings

Some types of data require a special approach, and let's look at the most difficult cases.

A. Chat transfer WhatsApp/Telegram/Viber

B. Transfer of passwords and browser bookmarks

• 🔑 Chrome Passwords: Synced with Google Account (check Settings) → Passwords).
• 🌐 Bookmarks: export from the old browser to.html and import to Chrome or Mi Browser.
• 🛡️ Two-factor authentication (2FA): Move backup codes from Google Authenticator manually or use Authy, which syncs between devices.

B. Transfer of game saves (Genshin Impact, PUBG, COD Mobile)

Most mobile games are linked to an account (Google Play Games, Facebook, miHoYo) to keep up with the progress:

1. In the game settings, find the Account or Link section and link it to the mail / social network.
2. On the new Poco, install the game, log in to the same account and download saves.
3. For offline games (such as Minecraft), copy the folder with worlds (/games/com.mojang/) through OTG or ADB.

⚠️ Note: If the game uses a unique device identifier (e.g. Clash of Clans prior to Supercell binding) ID), transferring saves may result in account blocking, in which case contact game support before changing phone.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face problems. Here are the most common:

• 🔋 "The phone went out during the transfer" → Charge both devices at least 70% or connect to charging.Mi Mover and ADB consume a lot of energy.
• 📶 "Wi-Fi is shut down, transfer is interrupted" → Use Wi-Fi Direct (in Mi Mover) or cable OTG. Avoid public networks with restrictions.
• 📱 "Applications not restored" → Make sure that the new Poco has Settings enabled. → Annexes → Installation of unknown sources.
• 🔒 "Files are not copied to SD-map" → Format the map in FAT32 (if it is in exFAT or NTFS, Xiaomi may not see it).
• 📎 "Photos moved but not displayed in the gallery" → Check the folder. /DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes thumbnails don't get updated.

How to recover data if something goes wrong:

• 🔄 Repeat the transfer – sometimes the second Mi Mover launch helps.
• 💾 Check backups in Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud.
• 📥 Use Recovery Programs (DiskDigger, Recuva) to SD-internal memory (rooting is required).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi Poco