How to transfer WhatsApp data from Android to Xiaomi: all working methods

Transferring WhatsApp’s history of correspondence between two smartphones to Android is a challenge that one in five users face when switching to a new device. This problem is especially relevant for Xiaomi owners, where standard backup methods sometimes work with errors due to customized shell. MIUI. Unlike the iPhone, where data migration is simplified by iCloud, on Android, the process depends on the version of the application, the phone model and even regional settings.

The main difficulty is that WhatsApp does not support direct export of chats between devices – all data is tied to the phone number and internal memory, while Xiaomi often blocks access to system folders through File Manager, and the Smart Backup function in the Internet is not used for the first time. MIUI It doesn't always work correctly with the messenger. In this article, we'll discuss all the current methods of transfer, including bypassing restrictions. MIUI and data recovery without backup.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, make sure that both devices meet the following key requirements:

• 📱 WhatsApp version on both smartphones should be the same (check Settings) → If the versions differ, there may be errors in decoding the backup.
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% – the process can take up to 1 hour with a large amount of media files.
• 📁 Free space on the new Xiaomi – at least 2 times the size of the backup (for example, for 8 GB chats you need 16 GB of free space).
• 🔄 The same phone number – transfer is possible only between devices with the same phone number SIM-map (exception – the method through Google Drive with a temporary number change).

Pay special attention MIUI Optimization is a feature of Xiaomi that can block background processes:

1. Open Settings → Special features → MIUI Optimization.
2. Turn off the slider (if the function is active).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: If you use WhatsApp Business, standard portability methods won't work. Business accounts require a separate procedure through WhatsApp Business API or manual export of the database msgstore.db.crypt14.

Method 1: Transfer over Google Drive (official method)

This is the most reliable option, but it only works if you meet three conditions:

1. The old phone has a Google account with enough disk space.
2. On the new Xiaomi, the same Google account is added to the settings.
3. WhatsApp version on both devices is not older than 2.21.15.13 (in newer versions, the backup encryption algorithm has been changed).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Click CREATE a COMPANY and wait until it is completed (can take up to 30 minutes with a large amount of media).
3. Install. SIM-Map to the new Xiaomi and log in to WhatsApp with the same number.
4. During the recovery phase, the system will automatically prompt you to download the backup from Google Drive.

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi already has WhatsApp installed and you missed the recovery phase, delete the app, clear the data in Settings → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clean the data and re-install it, and then the system will suggest that you restore the chats.

Check the WhatsApp version on both phones|Create a fresh backup (no older than 1 hour)|Make sure that Xiaomi has the same Google account|Turn it off. MIUI Optimization|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi-->

Method 2: Local transfer through the WhatsApp folder

This is a good way to do it if you don't have access to Google Drive or if the backup is too big (over 15 GB), and the essence of the method is to copy the WhatsApp folder from your old phone to the new Xiaomi manually, the main advantage is that it works even on devices without root rights.

Algorithm of action:

1. On your old phone, connect to your PC via USB-cable (file transfer mode) MTP).
2. Go to the Internal Memory folder → WhatsApp and copy it to your computer.
3. Connect a new Xiaomi and paste the WhatsApp folder into the root of internal memory (not subfolders!).
4. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, log in and wait for the offer to restore data from the local backup.

Critical nuances for Xiaomi:

• 🔐 The WhatsApp folder should be located in the root directory (for example, in the folder, /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp). If you put it in Download or Documents, the recovery won’t work.
• 📂 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), the Android folder is hidden. To see it, turn on the display of hidden files in File Manager.
• 🔄 If WhatsApp doesn’t see the backup after copying, restart the phone and check that file msgstore.db.crypt14 folder WhatsApp/Databases.

Method 3: Transfer without backup (for power users)

If you don't have a backup, but you have physical access to both phones, you can try extracting data directly from WhatsApp's database, which requires root rights on the old device or use. ADB.

Instructions for users without root:

1. Install it on a PC. ADB Tools and connect your old phone.
2. Enter the command to copy the database: adb pull /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db
3. Copy the msgstore.db file to the new Xiaomi folder WhatsApp/Databases and rename it in msgstore.db.crypt14.
4. Install WhatsApp and perform the recovery.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Without root rights, you will only receive text messages – media files (photos, videos, voice) will have to be transferred separately.
• ⏳ The process can take several hours if the history of correspondence is large (over 100,000 messages).
• 🔒 On Xiaomi MIUI 13+ You may need to disconnect MIUI Optimization and give ADB Superuser rights through Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB → Allow debugging MIUI.

💡

If you have root rights on your old phone, use the Titanium Backup app to create a full copy of WhatsApp data (including settings and cache). On the new Xiaomi, restore the backup via the same Titanium Backup, but pre-disable signature verification in the app's settings.

Method 4: Use of third-party programs (Dr.Fone, Backuptrans)

For users who don't want to mess with manual settings, there are specialized utilities.

• 💻 Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer (paid but with a free trial) supports porting between Android and iOS, as well as backing up to the cloud.
• 📱 Backuptrans Android WhatsApp Transfer (Free) Allows you to selectively transfer individual chats or media files.
• 🔧 MobileTrans (from Wondershare) works with WhatsApp Business and supports backup encryption.

The general algorithm of work with such programs:

1. Install the utility on your PC and connect both phones through USB.
2. Select WhatsApp Transfer or Backup & Restore.
3. Follow the wizard’s instructions – usually just press Start and wait until it’s finished.

Advantages and disadvantages:

⚠️ Note: When using third-party programs, disable MIUI Optimization and add the utility to Xiaomi Security exceptions (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start. Otherwise, MIUI Can block background data transmission.

Method 5: Transfer over Mi Mover (Xiaomi only)

Mi Mover is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi for data migration between brand devices, it supports WhatsApp portability, but with a number of restrictions:

• 📌 It only works between Xiaomi smartphones (not suitable for porting with Samsung, Huawei, etc.).
• 🔄 Demands. MIUI 10 or newer on both devices.
• 📶 Both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not via mobile internet!).

How to transfer data:

1. On the new Xiaomi, open Settings → Additionally. → Mi Mover.
2. Select a new user and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. Scan on your old phone. QR-code and confirm the transfer of data.
4. In the list of available data, mark WhatsApp and click Transfer.

Important observations:

• 📥 Mi Mover only transfers text messages and attachments – account settings (avatar, status) will have to be reconfigured.
• ⏱️ If the data volume is above 5 GB, the process can be interrupted. In this case, use local portability (Method 2).
• 🔒 If your old phone has a WhatsApp password, you need to temporarily disable it, otherwise Mi Mover will not be able to access the chats.

💡

Mi Mover is the easiest way for Xiaomi owners, but it only works between devices of the same brand.To transfer from Samsung, Honor or other brands, use alternative methods.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right instructions, users face typical problems, and we'll look at some of the most common ones.

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative approach:

1. Export important chats to txt file via Settings → chat → Chat export (without media).
2. Save media files manually from the folder WhatsApp/Media.
3. On the new Xiaomi, import text files and upload media back to chat rooms.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions