How to transfer data from one Android to another Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

The transition to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to saving all the important data from the old device. Contacts, photos, messages, notes, and even app settings can all be lost if you don’t port correctly. Fortunately, Android device owners have several reliable ways to migrate, most of which do not require special knowledge or additional equipment.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods of transferring data to Redmi in 2026, from standard Google tools to Xiaomi branded solutions, and pay special attention to nuances that are often missed in general instructions, such as how to move data to the Redmi. SMS And call history, why some apps aren't being restored from backup, and what to do if the new Redmi doesn't see the old device over Wi-Fi Direct, and how to avoid common bugs that might damage or not transfer data at all.

If you are switching from another Android smartphone (such as Samsung, Huawei or even the old Xiaomi), all of the methods described will work. But iPhone owners should pay attention to individual instructions – the process of migrating from iOS to Android has its own peculiarities.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, make sure to follow a few preparatory steps, which will save time and prevent data loss.

✅ If your old smartphone has less than 10% of the available memory, the backup may be interrupted. Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to the memory card.

✅ Update your firmware. An outdated version of Android may not support modern transmission protocols. Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches.

✅ Charge both devices. Make sure both smartphones have at least 50% charge. It can take 10 minutes to an hour (depending on the volume) to transfer data, and discharging in the process will cause a failure.

✅ Connect to Wi-Fi. Most methods will require a stable Internet connection, especially if you use cloud services. Mobile Internet is not suitable - traffic restrictions or unstable signal can interrupt the process.

⚠️ Warning: If your old phone has two-factor authentication enabled in Google or banking apps, turn it off or save backup codes before perenosom data!

It’s also worth checking the compatibility of Android versions, for example, if you’re migrating data from Android 8 to Redmi Note 13 with Android 14, some system settings may not recover, in which case you’d better use manually copying important files.

2. Method 1: Transfer over Mi Mover (official Xiaomi solution)

Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer almost all data from an old Android device to a new Redmi without a computer.

• 📞 Contacts and call history
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS)
• 📷 Photos, video and audio files
• 📱 Applications (with data storage if compatible)
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. Turn on the new Redmi and get to the setup stage. Select Data Transfer → Mi Mover.
2. On an old phone, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it is not by default).
3. Run the app on both devices and choose which one is the sender and which is the receiver.
4. Connect to a single Wi-Fi Direct network (smartphones will create it automatically).
5. Select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

⏳ How long does the transfer take?

Time depends on the amount of data:

• 📱 Up to 5 GB - 10-20 minutes
• 📱 5–20 GB – 30-60 minutes
• 📱 More than 20 GB – 1-2 hours (best cable)

⚠️ Warning: If Mi Mover is stuck in the “Data Preparation” phase, try turning it off VPN On both devices or restart the application, also check if the transmission is blocked by antivirus (for example, Avast or Kaspersky).

Disable the power saving on both phones|Make sure the new Redmi has enough memory|Turn off Bluetooth (it can interfere with Wi-Fi Direct)|Close all background applications-->

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (most universal)

If Mi Mover doesn't work for some reason, the best alternative is sync through Google, which is a method that is suitable for porting:

• 📞 Contacts (from Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders
• 📎 Notes (Google Keep)
• 📷 Photo and video (Google Photo)
• 🎵 Music and Documents (Google Disc)

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all the data you need.
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Google Drive or Google Photos that the files have been downloaded).
3. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select Restore from a backup and log in to the same Google account.
4. Select the last backup and wait for the recovery.

⚡ Pros of the method:

It works on any Android device, not even Xiaomi.

Data is stored in the cloud and does not depend on the physical connection of phones.

Only the desired categories (e.g., only contacts) can be selectively restored.

⚠ Cons:

Applications are not portable (only their list to install from the Play Market).

Photos in their original quality take place in Google Photos (free only 15 GB).

Some settings (such as Wi-Fi or Sound) are not restored.

Method 3: Transfer over a cable OTG Adapter (fastest adapter)

If you have a cable. OTG (adapter USB-C → USB-C), You can transfer data directly from your phone to your phone without intermediaries, which is 2-3 times faster than Wi-Fi, and is suitable for large volumes (e.g., 50).+ GB photo and video).

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG or adapter (e.g, USB-C to USB-C for the new Redmi)
• 📱 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your new Redmi via cable. On the screen of your old device, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. On the new Redmi, open the file manager and find the connected device in the Devices or Devices section. USB.
3. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, WhatsApp for chats, etc.) for internal memory or SD-mapping.

📌 What data can be transferred in this way:

⚡ Tip: If you port WhatsApp, copy the entire WhatsApp folder, then install the app on your new phone and restore chats from the local copy.This will save time, as recovery from Google Drive often works slowly.

1.Reboot both phones.

2. Use another cable (sometimes cheap) OTG-cables do not support data transmission).

3. Enable Debugging by USB In Settings → Developers (if this is available).-->

5. Method 4: Transfer over a computer (for full control)

If you want to transfer data as reliably as possible or you do not have access to Wi-Fi, you can use a PC with a computer. Windows/macOS/Linux. This method is suitable for:

• 🖥️ Backup of the entire phone (including hidden files)
• 🔄 Selective transfer of only the necessary folders
• 🛠️ Data recovery after resetting

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open this computer and copy the folders you need (DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp, etc. on your hard drive.
3. Disable the old phone, connect the new Redmi and transfer the files back.
4. For contacts, export them to the.vcf file via Google Contacts or the Contacts app on your phone.

🔹 For macOS/Linux Use Android File Transfer (the official application from Google).

⚠ Important nuances:

Do not copy the entire Android folder, as this can lead to conflicts with system files.

- If you are transferring music, check if your files are protected. DRM (For example, tracks from Apple Music or Yandex Music will not be played).

- For backups SMS use the app SMS Backup & Restore (saves messages in.xml).

💡

Transferring over a computer is the only way to guarantee that all data is saved, including hidden application files (such as saving games or launching settings).

Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized migration apps, and the best options in 2026 are:

• 🔄 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi) is the Mi Mover analogue, but with more brands.
• 📱 Smart Switch (from Samsung) – works with Xiaomi, even transfers the settings of Samsung Knox (if they were).
• 📎 Copy My Data is a simple tool for transferring contacts, calendar and photos over Wi-Fi.
• 🔐 Titanium Backup (requires root) – for full backup of data applications.

How to use Clone Phone:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play.
2. On the old phone, select I am the old device, on the new one, I am the new device.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or use it QR-pairing.
4. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

⚠ Warning: Apps like Titanium Backup require superuser rights (root).If you are not sure you can use them correctly, choose another method - wrong actions can lead to data loss or system failure.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and we'll look at the most common ways to fix them.

🔴 Mi Mover can't see the old device.

🔹 Decision:

• Check if Wi-Fi Direct is on on both phones.
• Reboot both devices.
• Turn it off. VPN Firewall (they can block the connection).

🔴 Problem: When recovering from Google, photos are lost.

🔹 Decision:

Make sure Google Photos has backup and sync enabled.

Check if the space in Google Drive is out (only 15GB is free).

🔴 Problem: New Redmi does not restore applications.

🔹 Decision:

- In Play Market, open the Library → Installed previously and install the required applications manually.

If the apps are not showing, make sure you are logged in to the same Google account.

🔴 Problem: After the transfer, they disappeared SMS.

🔹 Decision:

- Use it. SMS Backup & Restore to backup your old phone and restore it to a new one.

- If SMS have been linked to Google Messages, check the sync in the app settings.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from Huawei without Google services (e.g. Huawei) P40), Standard methods may not work. In this case, use a cable. OTG hand-copying.

8 What to do after data transfer

When all files are successfully transferred, don't rush to dump or sell your old phone.

✅ Check the integrity of the data:

• Open the gallery and make sure all photos and videos are in place.
• Call another number to check your call history.
• Open up. WhatsApp/Telegram Check to see if the chats are back.

✅ Set up a new Redmi:

• Enable Google sync for automatic backup in the future.
• Set up your fingerprint and face unlock in Settings → Passwords and security.
• Update all apps in the Play Market.

✅ Clean your old phone (if you sell or give it away):

1. Make reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Reset).
2. Delete all accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks).
3. Extract. SIM-map SD-card (if any) if they were).

💡 Tip: If you plan to use your old phone as a backup, don’t reset it, but simply turn off your mobile data and Wi-Fi to avoid conflicts with your new device.

💡

After transferring the data, be sure to check the banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) Some of them are tied to a particular device and may require re-activation.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions