How to transfer files from Xiaomi phone to Xiaomi: the full guide

Transferring data between smartphones of the same brand seems like a simple task – until you face restrictions. MIUI, Xiaomi offers users several built-in tools for sharing files, but not everyone knows about their nuances. For example, why Mi Mover refuses to work on devices with different versions of firmware, or how to get around the restriction on transferring files larger than 10 GB via Fast Transfer.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data between Xiaomi smartphones in 2026, including hidden features. MIUI, Workarounds for older models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9) and solutions for cases where standard methods do not work, focus on transferring encrypted backups, porting applications with data storage and optimizing the process for large volumes (50)+ If you are planning to change Xiaomi to a new model or just want to share files with a friend, here you will find work instructions without water and outdated tips.

1. Built-in "Fast Transfer" (Mi Share)

Xiaomi’s most obvious and advertised method is to use the proprietary Mi Share protocol (formerly known as Quick Transfer), which works on Wi-Fi Direct technology, which should theoretically provide speeds of up to 20 MB / s. However, in practice users face two key problems:

• 🔄 Version incompatibility: if on one device MIUI 14, and the other — MIUI 12, the connection may be interrupted.
• 📶 Size limit: files over 10GB are transmitted with errors or broken down into pieces.
• 🔒 Antivirus Blocking: Some Models (e.g, POCO F5) Requires protection to be disabled for stable operation.

To avoid failure, follow this algorithm:

1. Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → Fast transmission on both devices.
2. Click Send on the source phone and select files (maximum 500 per session).
3. On the target device, tap Accept and confirm the connection via QR-code.
4. Wait until it’s finished – don’t lock the screen or switch to other apps.

Disable VPN on both devices |

Make sure there is enough space on the target phone|

Close background applications (especially messengers)|

Place the devices close by (maximum 5 meters)-->

Transfer speed depends on the model: on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with Wi-Fi 6E The process will take 3 times less time than on Redmi. 9A If the transmission is 99 percent dead, try restarting it from another device (click Cancel and start again).

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If Mi Share doesn’t find the second device, turn on Visibility for All on both phones in the Wi-Fi Direct settings (hidden in Additional Features).

2. Mi Mover: Official tool for changing phones

Mi Mover is a specialized application from Xiaomi, designed to transfer data when replacing a smartphone. Unlike Quick Transfer, it copies not only files, but also:

• 📱 Installed apps (including some of them, such as WhatsApp or Viber).
• 📞 Call log and SMS (Even if they were stored in the cloud).
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sound schemes, screen brightness).

However, the Mi Mover has some critical limitations:

Instructions for use:

1. Install Mi Mover from Google Play (if it is not on the system).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use an access point.
4. Select data categories for portability (we recommend unchecking System Settings if the models are very different).
5. Confirm the beginning of the process – it will take from 10 to 40 minutes depending on the volume.

Important: if you transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi POCO Or vice versa, check the compatibility of versions. MIUI via MIUI Documentation, POCO X5 Pro on HyperOS will not accept data from Mi 10 on MIUI 12 without prior update.

3.Move over the Xiaomi cloud (Mi Cloud)

The Mi Cloud cloud storage is a universal way of syncing, but with serious nuances. First, the free tariff is limited to 5 GB, which is enough only for contacts and notes. Second, downloading large files (for example, video in the Internet). 4K) It can take hours even with fast Internet, but it has its advantages:

• ☁️ Automatic sync: photos and contacts are updated in the background.
• 🔄 Cross-platform: you can transfer data even to devices not from Xiaomi.
• 🛡️ Encryption: Files are stored in a secure form (but don’t forget about two-factor authentication!).

Step-by-step:

1. On the original phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired categories (Photos, Notes, Contacts).
3. Wait for the download to complete (progress is displayed in the top notification bar).
4. On the target device, log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable sync of the same categories.
5. Files will start downloading automatically – the process can be accelerated by connecting to 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

Up to 5G.|

5-20 GB |

20 GB |

More than 50GB-->

Safety warning:

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud to transfer backups of applications (such as Telegram or banking programs), after recovery, be sure to change passwords. In 2023, there were cases of leakage of authorization tokens through the cloud on devices with a security system. MIUI 13.5–14.1.

To transfer large volumes (for example, collections of photos in the RAW) It makes sense to get a paid subscription for 200 GB (costs about 300 rubles per month). Alternatively, use Google Photos with original quality, but there are limitations (15 GB for free).

4.Use of OTG cable and adapter

Physical connection through USB OTG — One of the most reliable methods, especially if you need to move 100+ GB without loss of quality:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C → USB-C (for new models; or USB-C → Micro-USB (for older ones).
• 🖥️ adapter OTG (If one of the phones does not support Host mode).
• 📱 File Manager (built-in in the MIUI Or a third-party, such as Solid Explorer).

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect the cable. OTG to the target phone (the one to which you transfer the data).
2. Connect the second end of the cable to the original phone.
3. A notification will appear on the target device USB-Device is connected – tap it and select File Transfer.
4. Open the file manager, go to the section USB-drive and copy the required folders (DCIM, Downloads, etc.).

Transmission speed through OTG It reaches 40–60 MB/s (2–3 times faster than Wi-Fi), but there are pitfalls:

⚠️ Note: on devices with Mediatek Helio (e.g. Redmi) 10A) plug-in OTG If the battery is under 20%, connect the phone to the network before the transfer begins.

To speed up the process:

• 📂 Archive folders before copying (for example, through ZArchiver).
• 🔋 Use a support cable USB 3.1 (blue connector).
• 🚫 Disable the antivirus for the duration of the transfer (it can scan every file).

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OTG-cable is the only way to transfer files from Xiaomi to Xiaomi without losing quality (e.g. video) 8K or RAW-photo).

5. Computer-assisted transfer (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you have a PC on hand, this is the method that gives you maximum control over the process.

• 🖥️ No limit on the volume (you can transfer terabytes of data).
• 🔍 The ability to check files for viruses before copying.
• 📁 Sorting and editing files before transferring to a second phone.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect both phones to the PC via USB (Use the back ports of the system unit for stability).
2. On your phones, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open this computer - both devices will appear as removable disks.
4. Copy files from one phone to a PC (like a folder on your desktop), then move them to a second phone.

For macOS/Linux:

• Install Android File Transfer (macOS) or use gMTP (Linux).
• Connect your phones and mount them as external drives.
• Use the terminal to copy large folders: cp -r /Volumes/Xiaomi1/DCIM/ /Volumes/Xiaomi2/DCIM/

Process optimization:

• 🔌 Use it. USB 3.0 (Ports are usually marked in blue).
• 📥 Disable indexing on the system disk before copying (in folder properties).
• 🛠️ For large files (>4GB) use TeraCopy or FastCopy.

6.Alternative methods: Bluetooth, NFC and third-party applications

When standard methods are not available (for example, a broken Wi-Fi module on a phone), less obvious solutions come to the rescue.

Bluetooth is only suitable for emergencies, such as sending a few photos from Redmi. 7A Xiaomi 12 Lite:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. On the original phone, select files → Share. → Bluetooth.
3. Confirm reception on the second phone.

For NFC need to:

1. Activate NFC In Settings → Connections and sharing → NFC.
2. Put the phones back to each other (distance) < 2cm).
3. Select a file to transfer (only images and contacts are supported).

Among third-party applications, we recommend:

• 📲 Send Anywhere: generates 6-digit code for transmission without the Internet.
• 🌐 Snapdrop: works through the browser, does not require installation.
• 🔗 LocalSend: Open source, no size limits.

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If you need to transfer passwords from Mi Account or data from banking applications, use encrypted archives (for example, through the use of a computer). 7-Zip Never send such files in plaintext, even through secure channels!

7.Transfer data from Xiaomi phone to Xiaomi via backup

If you don’t just need to copy files, but clone your settings, apps, and data, backup is the best option. Xiaomi offers two types of backups:

• 📱 Local: saved to the phone or SD-map.
• ☁️ Cloud: downloaded to Mi Cloud.

Local backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select categories to save (we recommend leaving only Applications, Contacts and Messages).
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.
4. Transfer the backup file (located in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup) on the second phone using any of the above methods.
5. On the target device, restore data through the same settings section.

Cloud backup:

• It is automatically synced to the Mi Cloud.
• You can restore it to any Xiaomi device under the same account.
• Does not save some system settings (for example, Developer Mode).

⚠️ Warning: when restoring backup to a phone with another version MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 on HyperOS) there may be errors in the application. Before the procedure, check the compatibility on the site. MIUI ROM.

To port data applications (e.g., game progress or chats in Telegram):

1. Use the built-in backup feature in the app itself (if any).
2. For WhatsApp: Settings → Chat → Backup (saved in Google Drive).
3. For games: sync through Google Play Games or Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer between Xiaomi