How to Transfer Information to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions

Transferring data to Xiaomi’s new smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when buying a device. Even if you switch from another Android device or iPhone, the process can seem complicated due to a variety of methods, from proprietary Mi Mover to cloud services and manual copying via PC. The main problem is the risk of losing important files or improperly synchronizing contacts, which makes the new gadget turn into a “blank slate” without familiar data.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer information to Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO in 2026, including nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14). Particular attention will be paid to the hidden limitations of Mi Mover when switching from iOS and ways to circumvent the restriction on porting certain types of files. If you are afraid of losing data or do not know where to start, here you will find step-by-step instructions with illustrations (in text format) and a comparative method table.

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Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start transferring data, be sure to follow 3 steps to avoid loss of information or failures in the process:

✅ Check device compatibility. Mi Mover only works between Android devices (including Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei, etc.) To transfer from iPhone will require a workaround via iCloud or Google Drive. Make sure that the old phone has the current version of the application (you can download it from Google Play or the App Store).

✅ Clean up the files you don't need. Transfer the garbage (app cache, duplicate photos, old documents) will take up extra time and space on the new device. Use the built-in Cleanup utility (Settings) → Memory. → Cleaning up) or third-party tools like Files by Google.

✅ Charge both devices to at least 50%. The transfer process can take from 10 minutes to several hours (depending on the amount of data), and interruption due to battery discharge will lead to partial loss of files.

🔹 What to do (full list):

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 📷 Photo and video (with metadata preservation)
• 🎵 Music and audio files (except DRM-protected)
• 📱 Applications and their data (not all, depending on the developer)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📍 Notes and documents (including Mi Notes)
• 🎮 Game saves (only for supported games)

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Note: SMS and call logs can only be transferred between Android devices (not working with iPhones). Use special applications like SMS Backup & Restore to back up messages.

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2. Method 1: Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s proprietary tool

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official application for wireless data transfer between devices, preinstalled on all smartphones of the brand (starting with MIUI 9) and supports transfer of most types of files, the main advantage is the high speed (up to 20 MB / s) and the preservation of folder structure.

📌 How to use Mi Mover:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select the option “Data Transfer”. If the device is already configured, open the Mi Mover application manually.
2. On an old phone, install Mi Mover from the app store and launch it.
3. Select the device role: “Sender” (old phone) or “Receiver” (new Xiaomi).
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new device or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

🔹 Limitations of Mi Mover:

• 🚫 Does not support transferring apps from the App Store (only) APK-file).
• 🚫 On the iPhone, you can transfer only photos, videos and contacts (without notes, calendars, SMS).
• 🚫 Maximum size of one file is 4 GB (high resolution video requires an alternative method).

Charge both devices up to 50%+

Install Mi Mover on an old device

Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (or use Wi-Fi Direct)

Free up space on the new Xiaomi (at least 10% free memory)

Shut down. VPN firewalls-->

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Note: If the transfer is interrupted during the application transfer phase, do not restart the process again, this will lead to duplicate files. Instead, wait for the current session to end or use Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Transferring data for renewal.

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Method 3: Transfer through a Google account (for Android and iOS)

Google account sync is a universal method that works on any device, and it can transfer contacts, calendars, Google Keep, photos and certain settings, and the advantage is that the data is automatically updated on all devices connected to the account.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for the desired categories (contacts, calendar, drive, etc.).
2. On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts and Sync.
3. Turn on automatic synchronization or start it manually.
4. For photos and videos, use the Google Photos app: turn on backup on your old phone, then install the app on the new Xiaomi and wait for the files to download.

🔹 What can be transferred through Google:

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Note: If you are transferring data from your iPhone, turn off iMessage before retrieving it SIM-Otherwise, messages may arrive at the old number via Apple services. → Communications → iMessage.

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4. Method 3: Computer-assisted transfer (USB/PC)

Using a computer is the most reliable method for transferring large amounts of data (for example, a collection of photos in RAW or video in 4K), suitable for users who do not have access to stable Wi-Fi or cloud services.

📌 Instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB-Cable and select File Transfer Mode (or MTP).
2. Copy the necessary files (DCIM, Downloads, Documents, etc.) to your computer.
3. Turn off the old device and connect the new Xiaomi.
4. Move the files to the appropriate folders on the new phone (for example, a photo in DCIM/Camera).

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 💾 There are no file size restrictions (unlike Mi Mover).
• 🔒 Data is not transmitted over the Internet (an important plus for privacy).
• 🛠️ You can edit files before transfer (delete duplicates, rename, etc.).

🔹 Deficiencies:

• ⏳ It takes longer (depends on speed) USB-port).
• 🔌 You need a cable and a computer.
• 📂 The folder structure may not be saved (for example, WhatsApp will not restore chats without a backup copy).

1. Use the original cable (not all) USB-cables support data transmission).

2. Install Mi PC Suite drivers (download from the official Xiaomi website).

3. Switch the connection mode in the curtain of the phone notifications to "File transfer".-->

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5. Method 4: Cloud Services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex Disk)

Cloud storage is convenient for data transfer if you don’t have access to a computer or cable. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud service (5GB for free), but for larger volumes it’s better to use Google Drive (15GB) or Yandex Disk (10GB).

📌 Comparison of cloud services for transfer:

📌 How to Transfer Data to Google Drive:

1. On your old phone, install Google Drive and log in.
2. Press + → Download and select files to transfer.
3. On the new Xiaomi, open Google Drive, find uploaded files and download them.
4. To automatically sync photos, use Google Photos (enable "Backup and Sync").

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6. Method 5: OTG-cable or adapter (for physical copying)

If you don’t have a computer, you do. OTG-cable USB-C/Lightning → USB-A), You can transfer data directly between phones, and this is a technique that's good for flash drives, external hard drives, or direct connection of one smartphone to another.

📌 Instructions for transfer through OTG:

1. Buy it. OTG-cable (cost) ~200–500 ₽) Adapter compatible with your devices.
2. Connect your old device to the new Xiaomi OTG (Some models will need to select a mode "USB-host).
3. On the new phone, open Explorer (Files) and find the connected device in the section "USB-device".
4. Copy the files you need to remember Xiaomi.

🔹 Pros of the method:

• 🔌 It does not require the internet or computer.
• 📁 Keeps the folder structure.
• 💽 Suitable for transferring data from a flash drive or external disk.

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Note: Not all iPhone models support OTG connection to Android devices. iPhones will require a Lightning → USB-C adapter and file manager on Xiaomi (such as Solid Explorer), as standard Explorer may not see the iOS device.

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7. Transfer of specific data (SMS, WhatsApp, games)

Some types of data require special tools to carry, and let's look at the most common cases.

🔹 Transfer SMS and call logs:

• 📱 For Android. → Xiaomi: Use it SMS Backup & Restore (Saves Messages in the Reservations) XML And it's restoring it to a new device).
• 🍎 For iOS. → Xiaomi: Exporting SMS via iMazing or AnyTrans on PC, then transfer the file to Xiaomi.

🔹 WhatsApp chat transfers:

• 📱 Android → Xiaomi: Backup your WhatsApp (Settings) → chat → Backup copy. Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and restore chats from local copy.

iOS → Xiaomi

Dr.Fone — WhatsApp Transfer

Backuptrans

🔹 Transfer of game saves:

• 🎮 For games with Google Play Games support: saves are synced automatically when you log in to the same account.
• 🎮 For other games: use Helium (requires root) or manual folder copying /Android/obb.

💡

To transfer WhatsApp data from iPhone to Xiaomi, you can’t use the standard export of chats via email, which will lead to the loss of media files and stickers.

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8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and consider common mistakes and ways to fix them:

🔹 Mi Mover does not find the device:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📶 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or use Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔧 Update Mi Mover to the latest version on both devices.
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN and antivirus programs.

🔹 Photos and videos are not transferred through Google Photos:

• 📸 Check if “Backup and Sync” is enabled in Google Photos settings.
• 📶 Make sure there is enough space on the device to download files in their original quality.
• ⏳ Wait a few hours – downloading large libraries can take time.

🔹 Applications are not restored after the transfer:

• 📥 Check if the "Application Recovery" option is included in Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Application recovery.
• 🔍 Make sure the apps are compatible with the Android version on your Xiaomi.
• 🛠️ Use for manual installation APK-files (see spoiler above).