How to Transfer WhatsApp Data from One Xiaomi Phone to Another: 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from WhatsApp can become a headache if you don’t know the nuances. Unlike the iPhone, where migration takes place through iCloud, on Android devices (and especially on MIUI), the process has its own peculiarities. The main problem is linking your account to a phone number, not to a device, which requires the right sequence of actions to avoid losing your correspondence history.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer WhatsApp data between Xiaomi phones, from standard backups through Google Drive to manually transfer files through MIUI Backup and third-party utilities. Special attention will be paid to the problem of stitching backups when changing a phone number - this is the only case where even official methods may not work, and you will learn how to avoid errors such as "failed to restore chats" and what to do if the new Xiaomi does not see a backup.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do before changing the phone

WhatsApp data port starts not with a new phone, but with an old Xiaomi phone. If you miss this stage, you risk losing chats or experiencing recovery errors.

• 📱 Update WhatsApp on your old phone to the latest version (go to Google Play) → My apps. Older versions can create backups in an incompatible format.
• 🔄 Check the phone number: it must match on both devices (or be transferred over the phone). SIM-If the number has changed, use the method №4 of this article.
• 💾 Make room: WhatsApp backup weighs as much as the chats themselves.At least 1.5 should be free on an old phone× WhatsApp folder size.
• 🔌 Charging and internet: connect both phones to charging and make sure the old one has stable Wi-Fi (mobile internet can interrupt the backup download).

A critical mistake many users make is to remove WhatsApp from their old phone before it's ported. You can't do that! The app must remain installed and authorized until it's successfully restored on a new device. If you've already removed it, try recovering it from the cart. MIUI (path: Files → Basket) or move to the method №3.

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If the old Xiaomi enabled the function "Saving traffic" in the MIUI (Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks, disable it before creating a backup. It can interrupt the backup download to Google Drive.

2. Method 1: Officially transfer via Google Drive (most reliable)

WhatsApp recommends this method and it works on 90% of Xiaomi devices (except for models without Google services, for example, in the Chinese market), the main advantage is automatic encryption and storage of data in the cloud, which protects against loss when your phone breaks.

Instructions:

1. Backup on your old phone: Open WhatsApp → ⋮ (menu) → Settings → chat → Backup. Click on “Create a copy” (if the last copy is older than 7 days, make a new one). Select the Google account that the new Xiaomi is linked to (importantly!).

Install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi

• Download the app from Google Play (not from the MI App Store!).
• When you first start, enter the same phone number as on the old device.
• When a recovery request appears, click Restore and select the same Google account.

Recovery time depends on the size of the backup: 5GB chats can take up to 1-2 hours.Do not interrupt the process even if the screen is out - MIUI can optimize background processes, but recovery will continue.

The latest version of WhatsApp has been installed|The phone number is the same as the old one.|New Xiaomi is connected to Wi-Fi|There is enough space on your Google account (minimum) +2GB to backup size)|The old backup was created no later than 7 days ago-->

Method 2: Local transfer through the WhatsApp folder (without cloud)

If you don’t have access to Google Drive (for example, on a phone without Google services or with Chinese MIUI firmware), you can manually transfer data through files, which is also useful if the backup in the cloud is corrupted or exceeds 15 GB (Google Drive restriction for free accounts).

Step-by-step:

1. Copy WhatsApp folder from your old phone: Connect your old Xiaomi to your PC or use MIUI Explorer. Find the WhatsApp folder in the root directory (/sdcard/WhatsApp/). Copy it whole (including the Databases, Media nested folders) onto your computer or flash drive.
2. Move files to the new Xiaomi: Connect the new phone and paste the WhatsApp folder into the root directory (/sdcard/). Install WhatsApp from Google Play (don't run!). Delete the WhatsApp folder the app created when it was installed (it's empty).

Restoring the chats

• Launch WhatsApp and confirm your phone number.
• When the notification “Discovered backup” appears, click “Restore”.

Attention! If you move data between phones with different numbers, this method won't work -- WhatsApp links the backup to the number, and you can't restore it to another account. №4.

4. Method 3: Transfer via MIUI Backup (only for Xiaomi phones)

Xiaomi offers its own backup solution, MIUI Backup, which allows you to transfer not only WhatsApp chats, but also other data (SMS, contacts, settings).

• ✅ It works without Google Drive.
• ❌ Does not transfer media files (photos, videos, voice messages).
• ⚠️ On the new versions MIUI 14+ The function may be hidden (see instructions below).

How to transfer WhatsApp to MIUI Backup:

1. On your old phone: Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. Select Backup and tick WhatsApp. Click on Create Backup and wait until it’s finished (it can take up to 30 minutes).

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• When you first turn on, select Restore from Backup and connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your old phone.
• If the phone is already set up, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Restore from backup.
• Select the last backup and wait for the recovery.

Important! After recovery through MIUI Backup, do not delete the old backup from the old phone for at least 7 days. Sometimes the data is not fully recovered and you may need to re-transfer.

5. Method 4: Transfer when changing the phone number (complex case)

If you change not only the phone, but also the number. SIM-The maps, the standard WhatsApp recovery methods won't work -- the app links backups to the number -- there's a solution, but it requires temporary access to the old number and additional manipulation.

Algorithm of action:

1. Activate the old number on the new phone: Insert SIM-old number card in the new Xiaomi (or use eSIM if supported). Install WhatsApp and log in to the old number. Immediately after authorization, do not restore chats - log out (Settings) → Account. → Delete the account).
2. Move the backup manually: Copy the WhatsApp folder from your old phone to your new one (as in the method) №Remove WhatsApp and reinstall it.

Restore chat rooms under a new number

• Sign in to WhatsApp under a new number.
• When the application offers to restore data, confirm (it will find a local backup).

This method only works if no more than 45 days have passed between the number change and the transfer - after that WhatsApp finally removes the old number's binding to the account.

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If you lose access to your old number, the only way to return your chats is to contact WhatsApp with proof of account ownership (e.g., text screens or payment receipts).

Method 5: Third-party programs (for power users)

If none of the above methods worked, you can use specialized utilities such as Dr.Fone, MobileTrans or Backuptrans.

• 🔄 Transfer chats between different numbers (even without access to the old one).
• 📁 Restore Selective Correspondence (not the entire backup).
• 🖥️ Working on a PC (less risk of interrupting the process).

Cons:

• ⚠️ Paid features (free versions are limited).
• ⚠️ Data Leakage Risk (check the reputation of the program!).
• ⚠️ Some Xiaomi models require unlocking the bootloader.

Example of Dr.Fone transfer:

1. Install the program on your PC and connect both phones via USB (enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on version → Return to Additional → For Developers).
2. In the program, select “WhatsApp Transfer” → “Backup WhatsApp” (for old phone).
3. After creating a backup, click “Restore to Device” and select a new Xiaomi.

Warning! Before using third-party software, back up all data on both phones. Some utilities may overwrite existing chats or disrupt MIUI.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with the correct instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting your network settings on the new Xiaomi (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings) and repeat the recovery.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions