How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi Redmi 9T: full guide 2026

Introduction: Why Data Transfers to Redmi 9T requires a special approach

The transition to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to the budget but functional Xiaomi Redmi. 9T uniquely MIUI. Unlike the flagship models, where manufacturers offer premium migration services, Redmi owners are not allowed to use the same services. 9T The main problem is that standard Android tools do not always work correctly with Xiaomi’s customized shell, which causes users to lose contacts, photos or even app settings.

This article will not just list the ways of transfer – it will reveal the hidden nuances that are faced by the owners of Redmi. 9T. For example, why Mi Mover can freeze 99% when transferring over Wi-Fi Direct, how to get around the data limit when using a Google Account (only 15GB is available for free), and why the cable is so important. OTG Sometimes it's not recognized by the device. We tested all the methods on firmware. MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 to make relevant recommendations.

We will focus on data transfer from Samsung, Huawei and other brands – there are often conflicts over different versions of Android and proprietary backup formats. If you move from an iPhone, you will need a separate instruction (link at the end of the article).

Method 1: Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s official tool with pitfalls

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary data migration solution pre-installed on all of the brand’s smartphones, including Redmi. 9T. The tool promises to transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos and even some applications without loss:

• 🔄 Hanging on 99% — This is most often done when a large amount of media is transferred (more than that). 10 Solution: break the transfer into parts by 5-7 GB.
• 📶 Unstable Wi-Fi Direct connection – if the phones are further than 1 meter apart, the transfer speed drops 10 times.
• 🚫 Lack of support for some formats, such as WhatsApp backups with Android 11+ They are not always restored correctly.

To minimize the risks, follow this algorithm:

1. On both phones, open the settings. → The phone. → Mi Mover (on old Android, it can be called "Data Transfer").
2. Select a role: on Redmi 9T — "New phone, old phone, old phone".
3. Confirm the connection through QR-code (it will appear on the screen of the new phone).
4. Select data types to transfer. Don't turn on "Applications" - this often causes crashes.
5. Wait until it's done. If it's 99 percent more than 10 minutes, restart both devices and try again.

Shut down. VPN both phones|Charge both devices at least 50 times%|Make sure you're on Redmi. 9T enough space (minimum 20% free space)|Turn off the energy saving mode

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⚠️ Note: If your old phone has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS), Mi Mover may not recognize it as a compatible device.

Method 2: Google Account – Reliable but with limited

Syncing through Google Account is the most universal way, but it has strict limitations:

• 📁 15GB free – if you have more data, you’ll have to buy space or use other methods.
• ⏳ Long sync – transferring 5GB of photos can take up to 2 hours with slow internet.
• 🔄 Not all data is synchronized, for example, SMS and call logs are not automatically transferred (you need to use separate applications such as: SMS Backup & Restore).

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account. Enable sync for Contacts, Calendar, Google Photos and Google Drive.
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Management → Data and Personalization → Synchronization).
3. On the Redmi. 9T Log in to the same Google account and enable sync of the same data.
4. To move apps: Open Google Play, go to the Library → Installed and click "Install" for the desired programs.

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If you have slow internet, before syncing photos in Google Photos, turn on the option “Only via Wi-Fi” in the app settings. This will save you from unexpected mobile traffic waste.

Method 3: Cable OTG + flash drive for large volumes without the Internet

If you don’t have stable Wi-Fi or mobile internet, and there’s a lot of data (e.g. 30)+ GB of photos and video, cable OTG And external drive will be the best solution. - Xiaomi Redmi 9T supportive OTG "out of the box, but there are nuances:

• 🔌 Type of cable - you need USB-C (male) → USB-A (female) for the connection of a flash drive or USB-C → USB-C Directly connect phones (if supported).
• 💾 The format of the flash drive - Redmi 9T read FAT32 and exFAT, but not NTFS.
• ⚡ Power – when copying large files (>10GB) connect your phone to charge to avoid discharge.

Instructions:

1. Connect. OTG-cable 9T and insert a flash drive (or connect phones directly with a cable) USB-C → USB-C).
2. A notification will appear on the screen "USB-Storage is connected. tap it and select "Transfer Files" (or "File Manager").
3. Copy data from your old phone to a flash drive (or directly to Redmi) 9T, If you use a telephone-telephone cable).
4. To speed up the process, use the Xiaomi File Manager (preinstalled) – it supports batch copying.

⚠️ Note: When connecting phones directly via cable USB-C → USB-C Redmi 9T You may not recognize the old device as a drive, in which case use the flash drive as an intermediary or turn on the old phone mode. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol in Developer Settings.

Method 4: Cloud Services: When Speed is More Important Than Reliability

If you need to move data quickly and wirelessly, cloud services like Yandex Drive, Dropbox or Mega can be a good alternative.

• ⚡ Speed – with a good internet connection 5 GB of data is downloaded for 15-20 minute.
• 🔒 Security – Data is encrypted when it is transmitted (unlike Wi-Fi Direct in Mi Mover).
• 📱 Cross-platform – you can transfer data even from an iPhone or computer.

Cons:

• 💰 Limited space - free of charge 5-15 GB (depending on the service).
• 🔄 Dual upload – data is first uploaded to the cloud, then downloaded to Redmi 9T.

Recommendations for choosing a service:

Instructions on the example of Yandex Disk:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On an old phone, upload files to the cloud (select a folder and click Download).
3. On the Redmi. 9T Open Yandex Drive, find uploaded files and download them (you can select "Save to your device").
4. To accelerate, turn on the option “Download only over Wi-Fi” in the application settings.

Method 5: Third-party applications – when standard methods don’t work

If none of the above methods worked (for example, due to firmware incompatibility or lack of Internet), third-party applications will come to the rescue. We tested 5 popular solutions and selected the best ones for Redmi. 9T:

• 📲 SHAREit – high transfer speed (up to 20 MB/s), but a lot of advertising. Suitable for media files and applications (without data).
• 🔗 Xender is similar to SHAREit, but with a simpler interface. SMS call logs.
• 📱 Clone Phone (from Huawei) - despite the brand, works with Xiaomi too.Transfers contacts, messages and photos, but may not recognize Redmi 9T newer MIUI.
• 📎 SMS Backup & Restore – a specialised port solution SMS, MMS and call logs. Stores data in XML, Which is then rebuilt on a new phone.

Step-by-step instructions for SHAREit:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play.
2. On the old phone, select "Send", on Redmi. 9T — "Get it".
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or use an access point (on Redmi) 9T Include it in Settings. → Access Point and modem).
4. Select files to transfer and wait until the transfer is completed. Do not interrupt the process - SHAREit does not support the resumption of transfer.

⚠️ Note: Apps like SHAREit and Xender often request access to contacts, location and storage.

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The side of the application is convenient for one-time transfer, but not for regular backup. For long-term data storage, use Google Account or cloud services.

Transfer specific data: what to do with WhatsApp, Telegram and games

Some of the data require a different approach, and let's look at the most common cases.

WhatsApp

To transfer chats and media files:

1. On your old phone, create a backup: WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Install WhatsApp on Redmi 9T and log in to the same account.
3. When the app offers to restore chats from Google Drive, you agree. Importantly, the phone number must be the same!

If the backup copy is not restored:

• Check what's on Redmi. 9T The same version of WhatsApp as the old phone.
• Make sure there is enough space on Google Drive (a backup can weigh 10).+ GB).
• If you use MIUI 13, temporarily disable battery optimization for WhatsApp in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

Telegram

Telegram syncs messages through the cloud, so it is enough:

1. Install Telegram on Redmi 9T.
2. Sign in to your account (via phone number).
3. All chats and media files will be downloaded automatically.

For acceleration:

• Connect to Wi-Fi.
• In Telegram settings, enable “Autodownload Media” for Wi-Fi.

Games and applications with data

Transferring game saves (e.g., Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) depends on the type of account:

• 🎮 Games with a link to Google Play – just log in to the same Google account on Redmi 9T, and saves are automatically loaded.
• 🌍 Games with your own account (e.g. MiHoYo for Genshin Impact) – log in on a new phone using the same login/password.
• 📱 Local saves – use applications like Helium (requires root) or manually copy the save folder (usually located in the file). /Android/data/game-name).

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If the game did not restore saves after logging in to the account, check if the date and time settings on Redmi have reset. 9T. Incorrect date can block synchronization.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems. TOP-5 Errors in transferring data to Redmi 9T and the way in which they are addressed:

1. Mistake: Mi Mover can't see the old device. Solution: Make sure the old phone has Wi-Fi Direct enabled. → Connections → If it doesn't work, reboot both devices.
2. Error: Photos moved but not displayed in the gallery Solution: Open Xiaomi File Manager, find folder DCIM and manually update the media library (Gallery settings) → Update).
3. Error: Apps are not restored from Google Account Solution: Check if app sync is enabled in Google Settings → Account. → Sync. If yes, delete your Google account on Redmi. 9T and add again.
4. Error: When connecting through OTG Solution: Format the flash drive to exFAT (via computer) and try again. If it doesn't work, try another one. OTG-cable.
5. Error: WhatsApp doesn't restore backup.Solution: Remove WhatsApp with Redmi 9T, Clear the Google Drive data for the app (Google Settings) → Account management → Data and personalization → WhatsApp) and install the app again.

If none of the solutions worked, try an alternative transfer method (e.g., use the cloud instead of Mi Mover).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions