How to Transfer Data from the Old Xiaomi to the New: The Complete 2026 Guide

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can seem like a daunting task, especially when it comes to years of accumulated photos, important contacts, messages or app settings. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several built-in tools that make it easier to do this to just a few clicks, but not all methods are equally effective: somewhere you lose some data, and somewhere you spend hours waiting.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer information between Xiaomi devices, from the official Mi Cloud service to manually copying via cable. You will learn which method is the fastest, which saves the most data, and how to avoid typical errors (for example, loss of call history or synchronization failure), and also what to do if the new smartphone does not see the old device through Mi Mover or does not connect to Wi-Fi during transmission.

Spoiler: If you have Xiaomi on the MIUI 14+, This is made easier by the improved Cloning feature, but for older models like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi. 9T) You'll have to use workarounds. Then you'll have the details with the step-by-step instructions and the method comparison table.

1.Official method: Mi Cloud (cloud transfer)

Syncing through Mi Cloud is the most versatile method that works even if both smartphones are located in different parts of the city, the main condition is that the old device must be enabled backup in the cloud, and the new one - the same Xiaomi account.

• 📇 Contacts and call histories
• 📸 Photos and videos (if uploaded to Mi Cloud Gallery)
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, network parameters)
• 📝 Notes and calendar

But there are nuances: apps and their data (such as saves in games or chats in Telegram) are not portable through the Mi Cloud, and a free account gives only 5 GB of cloud storage – enough for contacts and a couple of hundred photos, but not a full backup.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On the old Xiaomi go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on sync for all the categories you need (contacts, gallery, etc.).
3. On the new device, log in to the same Xiaomi account and wait for the sync to complete.

⚠️ Note: If the old smartphone has not updated the backup in the Mi Cloud, before transfer, run manual synchronization. otherwise you risk getting data from a month (or year!) ago.

Fast transfer via Mi Mover (direct connection)

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi for direct data transfer between two devices over Wi-Fi. It is pre-installed on all smartphones with a mobile phone. MIUI supports the transfer:

• 📲 Applications (including their data, if the developer has authorized it)
• 📁 Files (photos, videos, music, documents)
• 📞 Contacts, SMS call history
• 🔧 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings

The advantage of Mi Mover over the cloud is that there are no limits on volume (except free space on the new device) and data applications (for example, progress in games or WhatsApp settings) are stored.

• ❌ It only works between Xiaomi devices (you can’t transfer data from Samsung or iPhone).
• ❌ Requires stable Wi-Fi connection (when the transmission is interrupted).
• ❌ On older models, before MIUI 12) may not be able to carry some system settings.

Step-by-step:

1. On both smartphones, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from the Play Market).
2. On the old device, choose I, the source, on the new device, I, the recipient.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new phone old.
4. Select the data to transfer and confirm the beginning of the transfer.

Make sure there is enough space on the new Xiaomi|Connect both phones to charging|Shut down. VPN and traffic savings|Close background annexes-->

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the stability of Wi-Fi. For example, 10 GB of photos and videos can be transferred from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours. If the process is frozen by 0% or 99%, try restarting Mi Mover or reconnecting to another network.

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi already has data (for example, you have partially configured it), it can be deleted when migrating over the Mi Mover.

3. Cable transfer OTG (bulky)

If you have a lot of data (e.g. 50)+ GB photos and videos) or unreliable Wi-Fi, the best option is direct transfer via cable OTG. This method works even without the Internet and is suitable for any files, including:

• 🎵 Music and podcasts
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel)
• 🎮 Save games (if stored in a folder) Android/data)
• 📽️ High-resolution video (4K, 60 FPS)

This method will require:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (USB-C → USB-C or USB-C → MicroUSB, depending on the ports of your devices).
• 📱 File Manager (e.g., embedded Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Connect the cable. OTG The new smartphone, the old one to the other end of the cable.
2. On the new device, open the Explorer and select USB-This will be the memory of the old phone).
3. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photo, download, etc.) to internal memory or SD-Map of the new Xiaomi.

Important: folder Android/data It contains application data, but simple copying doesn’t always work — many programs (like WhatsApp or Viber) encrypt their files.

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Cable OTG — The only method that is guaranteed to carry files of any size without loss of quality, but it is not suitable for applications and their data: you need separate backups.

4. Transfer of contacts and SMS via Google account

If you use Google Contacts and Google Drive, then Contacts, SMS You can even move some settings without the Mi Cloud, which is universal and works even when you switch from Xiaomi to another brand (for example, Samsung or Pixel).

What can be transferred:

• 📇 Contacts (if synced with Google Account)
• 💬 SMS and MMS (via backup in Google Drive)
• 📅 Calendar events
• 📍 Selected places on Google Maps

How to do this:

1. On the old Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for Contacts, Calendar and other data.
2. For SMS Install Google Messages app and enable backup in Settings → Backup.
3. On the new device, log in to the same Google account and wait for sync.

Limitations:

• ❌ Photos and videos are not transferred (you need to use Google Photos separately).
• ❌ Applications and their data are not stored.
• ❌ Some Xiaomi models SMS You may not recover from Google Drive backup.

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If you're important. SMS, Export them to the file through the application SMS Backup & Restore (available on Play Market) This file can then be imported on the new device.

5. Alternative methods: Bluetooth, SD-map, PC

If the basic methods are not suitable (for example, no Wi-Fi or cable) OTG), They're less convenient, but sometimes they save you in an emergency.

A. Transfer via Bluetooth

• ✅ Pros: No Internet or cables required.
• ❌ Cons: very slowly (1-2 MB/sec), file size limit (usually up to 100 MB).

It's only good for transferring a few photos or contacts, and it's not effective for transferring folders with hundreds of files.

B. Transfer through SD-map

• ✅ Pros: you can transfer large amounts of data (if the map is capacious enough).
• ❌ Cons: Not all Xiaomi models support SD-The cards (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro does not have them).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-card.
2. Copy the necessary files to it through the Explorer.
3. Transfer the card to the new Xiaomi and copy the data back.

B. Computer transfer

• ✅ Pros: reliable, you can make a backup on the PC.
• ❌ Cons: You need a computer and USB-cable.

Connect both smartphones to your PC, copy files from the old one to a folder on your computer, and then to the new Xiaomi. SMS You can use programs like MyPhoneExplorer.

⚠️ Note: When transferring over a PC, do not copy the entire Android folder - this can cause app failures on the new device.

6. Data portability of specific applications

Some applications (like instant messengers or games) store data in secure folders that are not copied by standard methods.

Example for popular applications:

• WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (save to Google Drive).
• Telegram: Data is stored in the cloud, but local files (stickers, media) require manual export.
• Viber: backup in Settings → Account. → Backup copy (retained on SD-map).
• Games: Most saves are tied to a Google Play Games or Mi Account account.

To transfer game saves:

1. Make sure the game is linked to an account (e.g., Genshin Impact requires a miHoYo link).
2. On the new device, install the game and log in to the same account.
3. If the game supports local saves (such as Minecraft), copy the games folder via cable. OTG.

What matters to WhatsApp is:

• The backup should be fresh (no older than 7 days).
• The new device must have the same phone number and Google account.
• Do not interrupt the process when restoring it, as this can result in the loss of chats.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with official methods of transfer, data may be lost or not copied, and these are typical problems and solutions.

1.Mi Mover freezes at 0% or 99%

• 🔹 Check that both devices have Developer Mode enabled and Debugging option disabled. USB (sometimes she gets in the way).
• 🔹 Reboot both smartphones and try again.
• 🔹 If used MIUI 13+, Update the Mi Mover to the latest version.

2. Applications not to be transferred

• 🔹 Make sure that the new device has enabled the option to Install Unknown Apps (in the security settings).
• 🔹 Some applications (such as banking) cannot be moved – they will have to be installed again.

3. Low quality photos and videos

• 🔹 When transferring via Mi Cloud, check the quality settings in the Gallery → Settings → Quality of loading.
• 🔹 If you use Google Photos, select Original Quality (not High Quality").

4. Not recovering. SMS

• 🔹 Check what's on the old device. SMS synced with Google account (via Google Messages).
• 🔹 If you use the standard Messages app from Xiaomi, export SMS file via Settings → Additionally. → Exports.

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Before transferring data, always check the space available on the new device. If memory is not enough, Mi Mover or Mi Cloud can interrupt the process without warning.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions