How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi: 7 proven ways

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

Moving from one Android device to another seems like a simple task — until you encounter the nuances of MIUI firmware. Unlike pure Android, Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have unique migration tools that both simplify and complicate the process. For example, the Mi Mover app can even transfer the history of calls and settings Wi-Fi, but does not work with all brands. And standard methods like Google Account sometimes ignore specific MIUI data, such as the themes of registration or passwords from hidden folders.

Another trap is different versions of Android. If your old smartphone runs Android 9 and the new Xiaomi 14 runs Android 14, direct transmission over cable can end in error due to protocol incompatibility. The same applies to encrypted data: some Chinese Xiaomi models block the transfer of files from devices not certified for the Chinese market. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of porting to 2026, including bypassing restrictions for global and Chinese firmware.

Method 1: Mi Mover is a Xiaomi proprietary tool

The Mi Mover app is pre-installed on all Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO smartphones and is considered the most reliable migration method.

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 📷 Photo and video (preserves folder structure)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, but not messengers)
• 📡 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings
• 🎵 Music and documents
• ⚙️ Some system settings (brightness, sound)

However, there are limitations: Mi Mover does not port applications and their data (except for factory MIUI programs), and does not work with devices based on iOS or HarmonyOS.

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select “Data Transfer” in the settings menu.
2. On an old Android device, download Mi Mover from Google Play.
3. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network or use an access point.
4. On the old phone, select “I am the sender” and on the new one, “I am the receiver.”
5. Scan it. QR-code from the new Xiaomi and confirm the connection.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has encryption enabled (e.g. Samsung with Knox), Mi Mover may not see the files.

Battery charge for both phones >50%

Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz).

On the old phone, VPN and firewall are disabled

The new Xiaomi has enough free space (at least + 20% of the volume of data transferred)

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Method 2: Google Account – Universal but Incomplete

Sync through Google Account works on any Android device, but not everything.

• 📇 Contacts (if linked to Google, not to Google) SIM-map)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📧 Letters from Gmail
• 📱 Some system settings (language, date/time)
• 🖼️ Photos and videos (only if you have autoloaded in Google Photos)

What's not going to happen:

• ❌ Communications SMS/MMS
• ❌ Call history
• ❌ Installed apps (only their list in Google Play)
• ❌ Local files (music, documents)
• ❌ Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings

How to activate synchronization:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. Turn on switches for all data categories.
3. On the new Xiaomi, when setting up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.

Mi Mover|Google Account|OTG|Cable Cloud Services (Dropbox, Yandex Drive)|Another way-->

Method 3: OTG Cable – for full control of files

If you need to transfer all data without exception (including hidden files, corporate documents or non-standard formats), the best option is a physical connection through the Internet. OTG-Adapter: This method bypasses the limitations of cloud services and works even with locked or outdated devices.

You'll need:

• 🔌 OTG-adapter (Type-C) → Type-C or Type-C → MicroUSB, depending on the ports)
• 📱 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)
• ⚡ Charging. >70% (large volume transfer drains the battery)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-adapter to the new Xiaomi.
2. Connect your old phone to the adapter via cable.
3. On the new Xiaomi, open Mi File Manager and select the tab "USB-device".
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp, etc.) to internal memory or to SD-map.
5. Use ADB to port applications (instruction below).

⚠️ Note: When you copy the Android folder (where the application data is stored), some files may not work on the new device due to different versions of Android. For example, the cache of Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings games will have to be downloaded again.

💡

If OTG-Adapter not recognized, check settings For developers on the old phone: turn on Debugging by USB and select the file transfer mode MTP (Media Transfer Protocol).

Method 4: Xiaomi Cloud for Mi Account holders

Xiaomi Cloud offers 5GB of free space and is able to synchronize data specific to MIUI:

• 📱 Notes (Appendix Mi Notes)
• 🔐 Passwords from Mi Browser or Mi Security
• 🎨 Design themes and wallpaper
• 📁 Backup copies of system settings

How to set up:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories.
3. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the download to complete.

Limitations:

• ❌ Photos and videos are synchronized only in compressed format.
• ❌ Applications and their data are not portable.
• ❌ For Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Requires a Chinese phone number.

Method 5: Application and Data Transfer (ADB)

If you need to move not only APK-files, but also saved games, application settings or databases (for example, progress to Anki or Notion), standard methods will not help (ADB) — A low-level Android management tool.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB both phones

Transfer commands:

Connect your old phone and do:


adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab




Turn off the old one, plug in the new Xiaomi and restore:



adb restore backup.ab

Important nuances:

• 🔒 Some applications (e.g. banking) block backups through ADB.
• 🔄 The new Xiaomi must have the same or newer version of Android, otherwise the recovery will end in error.
• ⚠️ Do not interrupt the process – this may result in data loss on the new device.

💡

ADB is the only way to bring progress to games without being tied to Google Play or social media, but it does require technical skills and does not guarantee 100% success for all apps.

Method 6: Cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex Drive, Dropbox)

If you have a slow internet or not OTG-Adapter, you can use cloud storage as a staging point:

How to transfer data:

1. On your old phone, upload files to the cloud through the official service app.
2. On the new Xiaomi, download the files back.
3. To automatically sync photos, use Google Photos or Xiaomi Gallery with a cloud-based link.

⚠️ Note: When you download large numbers of small files (such as WhatsApp folders), cloud services may freeze or skip some of the data.

7: SIM-MicroSD and card for minimalists

If you only need to transfer contacts and photos, you can do without complex manipulations:

• 📱 Contact: Export them to the SIM-map through Contact → Management → Import/Export. On the new Xiaomi, import back.Restriction: SIM-The card stores only names and numbers (without photos, emails and notes).
• 📷 Photo/video: Copy them on a microSD, then paste the card into a new phone.Important: Xiaomi supports cards up to 2TB, but for writing apps on the phone SD formatting is required in FAT32 (4 GB per file maximum) or exFAT.

This method is suitable for basic needs, but has critical drawbacks:

• ❌ No portability of messages, apps or settings.
• ❌ SIM-Cards do not maintain contact with multiple numbers or addresses.
• ❌ MicroSD can be slow (Class 10 is recommended for video) 4K).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face problems. Consider typical scenarios:

• 🚫 Mi Mover doesn't see old device: Check that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data). VPN and the firewall on the old phone.
• 🚫 Google Account does not restore data: Make sure your old phone has synced (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization. Make sure there's enough space on the new Xiaomi. If the data doesn't show up right away, wait up to 24 hours - sometimes sync is delayed.
• 🚫 Apps crash after transfer: This happens due to incompatibility of Android versions or processor architecture (ARM/x86). Reinstall problematic apps from Google Play. for cache games (e.g., for example, PUBG Mobile) download additional files again.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions