How to transfer data from your old phone to the new Xiaomi Redmi Note: Full Guide 2026

Why data portability to Redmi Note requires a special approach

The transition to a new smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi Redmi Note line, where even budget models are equipped with advanced features. But the joy of updating a gadget can be overshadowed by lost contacts, photos or settings if you approach data transfer spontaneously. Unlike the iPhone, where the Apple ecosystem offers a single migration algorithm, Xiaomi devices run on Android with a proprietary shell MIUI, which opens up more options - but also adds complexity.

The main problem with Redmi Note users is the heterogeneity of the original devices, you can switch from an iPhone, an old Samsung, another Xiaomi, or even a feature phone. Each case requires a different approach: Mi Mover will help somewhere, cloud services, and sometimes you will have to use a physical cable. In addition, the Redmi Note 12/13 series has support for wireless transfer over Wi-Fi Direct, which speeds up the process by 2-3 times compared to traditional methods.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer data, taking into account the nuances of MIUI 14/15, the limitations of iOS and even situations when there is no Internet at hand, especially focusing on hidden settings (for example, transferring SMS via Google Drive) and typical errors that cause users to lose WhatsApp chats or passwords from accounts.

Method 1: Mi Mover – the official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an embedded MIUI app that automatically offers to transfer data when the new Redmi Note is first turned on.It works on the principle of “set and forget”, but there are nuances: the application supports porting only from Android devices (including other Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei), and the iPhone will require a workaround.

To use Mi Mover, follow the steps:

• 📱 Turn on the new Redmi Note and reach the Data Transfer stage during the setup process. select Move from Android".
• 🔗 On an old phone, install Mi Mover from Google Play (if it's not the default one). Launch the app and select "I'm the sender".
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or activate the hotspot on your old phone.
• 🔄 On the new Redmi Note, select “Connect to the sender device” and scan. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the old phone.

After connecting, you can choose which data to transfer:

⚠️ Note: If the old phone is installed MIUI In the version below 12, Mi Mover may not recognize the device. In this case, update the firmware or use alternative methods.

Charge of both phones > 50%

Turn off VPN on both devices

Make sure that the new Redmi Note has enough memory (minimum 2GB free)

Close all background apps, especially instant messengers-->

Method 2: Transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi Note

The transition from iOS to Android is always more difficult because of the closed Apple ecosystem. However, for Xiaomi Redmi Note there are two working options: through Move to iOS (yes, this app from Apple works the other way!) or through cloud services. Consider both.

Option A: Move to iOS (Reverse port)

While Move to iOS is designed to migrate to the iPhone, it can also be used to migrate back:

1. On the new Redmi Note, install Move to iOS from Google Play.
2. On iPhone, go to Settings → Main → Reset → Erase content and settings (this is a must!).
3. At the iPhone setup stage, select “Move Data from Android” and enter the code that appears on the Redmi Note screen.
4. Select data for transfer (contacts, photos, mail) and wait for completion.

This is a good way to move basic data, but it doesn't work with applications and their settings. For multimedia, the second option is better.

Option B: Cloud services (iCloud + Google Drive)

If you need to transfer photos, videos and documents, the most reliable way is to sync through the cloud:

• ☁️ On iPhone, enable sync with iCloud: Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Photo (include "ICloud Media Theatre").
• 📁 On your computer, go to iCloud.com, select photos and download them to your folder.
• 📱 On Redmi Note, upload files to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (Xiaomi's built-in cloud).
• 🔄 For contacts, export them from iCloud in.vcf format and import them to Google Contacts.

⚠️ Note: When transferring photos from iPhone to Android files in the format.HEIC You may not open. Use the app. HEIC to JPG Converter from Google Play for conversion.

From the other Xiaomi|S Samsung/Huawei/Android|iPhone|From the button phone|Another option-->

Method 3: Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

If you don't have access to the Internet or cloud services, physical cable transfer is the most reliable method. There are two scenarios for the Xiaomi Redmi Note:

Scenario 1: Direct Connection (Android → Android)

It's gonna take a while. OTG-cable USB-C to USB-C, If both phones are modern, algorithm:

1. Connect. OTG-cable to the new Redmi Note.
2. Connect your old phone to the cable (it will be defined as an external drive).
3. On the new device, open Explorer (MIUI has built-in) and copy the files you want from the memory of your old phone.

The advantage of the method is that it has a maximum speed (up to 40 MB / s) and no volume restrictions.

Scenario 2: Through a computer (universal method)

If the phones don’t recognize each other, use your PC as an intermediary.

• 🖥️ Connect your old phone to your computer and copy the data to your folder.
• 📂 Connect the new Redmi Note and transfer files back.
• 🔧 For contacts, export them to.vcf via Google Contacts or Outlook.

To transfer SMS, use the SMS Backup & Restore app:

1. Install it on your old phone and create a backup.
2. Copy the backup file (.xml) to the new Redmi Note.
3. Install the same app on a new device and restore messages.

💡

If the new Redmi Note doesn’t recognize the old phone through OTG, try enabling File Transfer (MTP) mode in the USB settings on both devices.

Method 4: Wireless transfer via Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth

If you don't have a cable and the internet is slow, you can use Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth. For the Xiaomi Redmi Note, this method works consistently, but has speed and volume limitations.

Wi-Fi Direct (recommended for large files)

Instructions:

1. On both phones, turn on Wi-Fi Direct in the Wi-Fi settings →
2. On your old phone, select “Create a Group” or “Connect to a Device.”
3. On the new Redmi Note, find the name of the old phone in the list and connect.
4. Use Explorer or ES File Explorer to transfer files.

The transmission speed via Wi-Fi Direct reaches 10-15 MB / s (3 times faster than Bluetooth), but can be interrupted when the signal is weak.

Bluetooth (for small files)

Suitable for transferring contacts, notes or individual photos:

• 📲 Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
• 🔗 Connect the phones (input the same one) PIN-code, if required).
• 📎 On your old phone, select a file → "Send via Bluetooth and select the new Redmi Note.

⚠️ Note: When transmitted via Bluetooth, photos are compressed to resolution 1280×960, And video before. 640×480. For original quality, use Wi-Fi Direct.

Method 5: Transfer via Google or Mi Account

If you used Google or Xiaomi on an old phone, it takes only a few minutes to sync your data, a method that can carry contacts, calendars, notes, and some settings, but doesn’t apply to media or apps.

Synchronization through Google account

Algorithm:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On the new Redmi Note, when setting up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.
3. Select a backup (usually the latest) and wait until it is completed.

What's transferable:

• ☑️ Contacts
• ☑️ Calendars
• ☑️ Notes from Google Keep
• ☑️ Chrome settings (bookmarks, history)
• ❌ Annexes and their data
• ❌ Photos and videos (only if uploaded to Google Photos)

Synchronization with Mi Account

Xiaomi is offering its own cloud, the Mi Cloud (5GB for free), to migrate data to:

1. On your old phone (Xiaomi), log in to Mi Account and enable sync: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync.
2. On the new Redmi Note, log in to the same account and enable synchronization of the same data.

The advantage of Mi Cloud: the MIUI settings (themes, wallpaper, security options) are transferred, which are not saved in Google.

💡

Account sync is the fastest way to transfer basic data, but it does not replace backup of media and applications.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi Note users are facing problems.

• 🚫 Lack of space on the new phone: Check the space available before transferring. For example, to transfer 10 GB photos you need a minimum of 12-13 GB freely (data is temporarily duplicated).
• 🔌 Cable Transfer Interrupt: Use Xiaomi’s original cable – Cheap OTG-If the transmission is interrupted, don't turn off the cable, but wait for the error message.
• 📱 WhatsApp chat loss: To move chats, backup Google Drive on your old phone (Whatsapp Settings) → chat → Backup, then restore to a new one.
• 🔒 Mi Account Authorization Error: If the new Redmi Note does not accept Mi Account password, check your account region (should match your phone region.

Another common problem is format incompatibility, such as videos shot on an iPhone in.MOV format may not play on Android, so use the VLC app (all formats support) or convert files through HandBrake.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions