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

Switching to a new smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache, especially if it comes to Xiaomi Redmi, where you need to save settings in addition to standard files. MIUI, Mi Account data and even camera settings, and in this article we will discuss all the current migration methods, from official tools to workarounds for unusual situations.

It is important to understand that the process depends on three factors: the model of the old phone (Android/iOS/other brand), data volume (Gigabytes photos or only contacts) and version MIUI For example, the Redmi Note. 13 Pro+ s MIUI 15 Wireless transfer via Mi Mover is suitable, and for outdated models like Redmi 4X You may need a cable OTG.

We tested all the methods on the current firmware in 2026 and highlighted the key nuances: where the transfer through a Google account trims the photo resolution to 15 MP, how to circumvent the restriction on transferring applications between Android 13 and Android 14, and why Xiaomi blocks the transfer of some system files. If you need to save call history, screen settings or game data, here you will find working solutions.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi that automatically installs on all new Redmi. It supports portability from Android 5.0.+, iOS 9.0+ The main advantage is to preserve the structure of folders and metadata of photos (shot dates, geotagged data).

How it works:

• 📱 On the new Redmi, select Data Transfer when you first enable (if you missed it, find Mi Mover in Settings). → The phone. → Data portability)
• 🔗 Download Mi Mover from Play on your old phone Market/App Store (for iOS, you will need Apple confirmation) ID)
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or use the access point on the new Redmi)
• 🔄 On the old phone, select “Send”, on the new one – “Get”, then scan. QR-code

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Wi-Fi passwords are not transferred (they will have to be re-entered)
• ⚠️ Applications with iPhone are only transferred in the form APK (data-free)
• ⚠️ Android 14 devices may require permission to “Install Unknown Apps"

Charging both phones > 50%|Free space on the new Redmi (data taken up by the 10-15% more)|Unplugged. VPN/firewall|The same version of Mi Mover on both devices-->

The speed of transfer depends on the amount of data:

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If Mi Mover is 99 percent dead, restart both phones and repeat the process, most often because of a conflict with the antivirus on the old device.

2. Transfer via Google Account (for Android)

This is universal, but it has critical limitations, like Google Photos compressing images up to 15 MP for free storage, and contacts may not sync if the old phone has AutoSync disabled, but it works even if you have Redmi with custom firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account → Turn on all the switches.
2. Wait for sync to complete (check in Google Photos, Google Contacts, Google Drive)
3. On the new Redmi, when you set up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.
4. Select the most recent backup (see the date of creation in Google Drive). → Backup copies)

What is carried over Google:

• ✅ Contacts (if synchronized)
• ✅ Calendars and reminders
• ✅ Photo/Video (in original quality only when you pay for Google One)
• ✅ Some system settings (language, date/time)

What's NOT tolerable:

• ❌ SMS Call history (you need a separate application like this) SMS Backup & Restore)
• ❌ Settings MIUI (topics, gestures, screen modes)
• ❌ Data from games and certain applications (such as WhatsApp)

3.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi

Switching from iOS to Android is always more difficult because of Apple's closed ecosystem. Xiaomi offers a special tool, Move to iOS (but it only works backwards), so you'll have to use workarounds to port to Redmi.

The most reliable method is a combination of three tools:

1. Contacts and calendars: Sync with iCloud, then export to vCard via icloud.com and import to Google Contacts
2. Photo/Video: Use Google Photos (on iPhone, turn on “Original Download”) or iMazing to copy directly to PC
3. Apps: On the new Redmi, install Huawei’s App Gallery – there are many iOS apps in the format APK

To transfer notes from Apple Notes:

1. Open icloud.com on PC
2. Select all notes and export to.pdf or.txt format
3. Upload files to Google Drive and open them to Redmi via Google Keep or Notes MIUI

iPhone (iOS)|Samsung|Another Android|Huawei|Another brand-->

4. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or data is too big (50)+ GB, physical connectivity is the fastest way:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (If the old phone supports OTG)
• 🔌 adapter USB-A to USB-C (For older Android with Micro-USB)
• 🔌 Lightning-to-USB cable + adapter USB-C (iPhone)

Instructions for Android-Android:

1. Connect the cable to both phones (on the old one, select File Transfer Mode)
2. On the new Redmi, open the Explorer → select the connected device
3. Copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Download, WhatsApp (if necessary)
4. Use the application transfer APK Extractor on an old phone

For iPhone will require a PC/Mac mediate:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and copy the photo through Explorer/Finder
2. Connect Redmi and move files to the Internal Storage folder → DCIM
3. For music, use iTunes. + export.mp3

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When you connect your iPhone to Xiaomi via cable, the data is only transferred one way (from iPhone to Redmi).

5. Computer-assisted transfer (PC)/Mac)

This is the most flexible method, allowing you to selectively transfer only the necessary data and avoid duplicates. USB-C (or adapter, and 10-15 GB of free space on the hard disk.

Step-by-step algorithm:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and select File Transfer Mode" (MTP)
2. Copy folders to your computer: DCIM (Photo/video) Download (downloads) WhatsApp/Media (If you need to save media from chats) Android/data (play-off)
3. Connect a new Redmi and paste files into the appropriate folders
4. To transfer contacts, export them to.vcf via Google Contacts

To port data applications (such as games or WhatsApp):

• 📦 Use Titanium Backup (requires root)
• 📦 Swift Backup (works on some firmware without root)
• 📦 For WhatsApp: copy the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp Restore your backup copy at the first start.

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If Windows doesn’t see Xiaomi Redmi as a removable drive, install Mi drivers PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website or enable "Debugging by" USB" In Settings → For developers.

6.Move over cloud services (Google alternatives)

If you don't trust Google or you don't have enough space in your account, you can use alternative clouds, and the key is to check the limits on download volume and speed.

Comparison of services:

How to transfer data through Yandex Drive:

1. On your old phone, install the Yandex Drive app and download files.
2. On the new Redmi, log in to the same account and download the data
3. To automatically upload photos, turn on the option "Autoboot" in the application settings

For music and playlist transfer:

• 🎵 Use SoundCloud or VK Music (there is an offline mode)
• 🎵 Or upload tracks to Yandex Music (up to 10,000 songs for premium users)

7. Transfer of specific data (games, settings, passwords)

Some data needs a special approach, such as saving games is often tied to developer accounts, and settings are often tied to game developers. MIUI stored in system files.

Instructions for popular cases:

• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG, Call of Duty): 1. Link the game to your account Google/Facebook/miHoYo 2. On the new phone, install the game and log in. 3. Downloading of saves will happen automatically
• 🔐 Passwords from the browser: 1. In Chrome: Settings → Passwords. → Export (.csv file) 2. On the new Redmi, import through Settings → Google → Account management → Security → Passwords.
• 📱 Settings MIUI (Subjects, gestures: 1. Create a backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and Reset 2. Move the backup file to the new phone 3. Restore through the same menu (the same Mi Account is required)

8. Solving problems in data transfer

Even when following instructions, errors can occur, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Mi Mover is either 0% or 99%

• 🔹 Reboot both phones
• 🔹 Turn it off. VPN firewall
• 🔹 Check that both devices have Wi-Fi Direct enabled (Settings) → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct)

Problem 2: The new Redmi doesn’t show photos after the transfer

• 🔹 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the miniatures are not updated.
• 🔹 Restart the Gallery app or clear its cache
• 🔹 If the photo is in format HEIC (with iPhone, install a converter like HEIC to JPG

Issue 3: Applications are not portable

⚠️ On Android 14 devices, Xiaomi is blocking installation APK from third-party default sources. To allow installation, go to Settings → Annexes → Special access → Install unknown applications and enable permission for Explorer.

Problem 4: After transfer, the battery is discharged

• 🔋 It's normal first time. 2-3 The system indexes files
• 🔋 Check the Settings. → Battery. → Using the battery for background processes
• 🔋 Turn off automatic media download in messengers

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If the data is not displayed after the transfer, check the access rights: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Conductor → Rights and enable access to storage.

FAQ: Frequent questions