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

Why data transfer between Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones run on a customized MIUI shell that adds unique features on top of standard Android. This means that classic methods of data transfer (for example, through a Google Account) can skip specific MIUI settings - themes, fast commands, data from Mi Home or Mi Fit applications. At the same time, new Redmi models (starting with the Redmi Note 11 and later) support the Mi Mover feature, which simplifies migration, but has limitations when working with devices from other brands.

Another feature – Xiaomi blocks access to system folders through MTP-connection on some firmware, which makes it difficult to manually transfer files through the computer. /MIUI/ Theme settings can be hidden even when the debugging on the USB. Therefore, the choice of method depends not only on the amount of data, but also on phone models, versions. MIUI and even regional firmware.

In this article, we will examine all the current ways, from official Xiaomi tools to universal solutions for Android, including bypassing common errors like “I can’t see the old device” or “transfer is frozen to 99%”.

Method 1: Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official tool for fast transfer

Mi Mover is an integrated application on all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO), which allows you to transfer data over Wi-Fi Direct without an Internet connection.

• 📱 Contacts, SMS call-book
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Mi Gallery albums)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📥 Installed applications (without data)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

To use Mi Mover, follow the steps:

1. On an old Redmi phone, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or search through settings).
2. On the new device, run the same app and select "I'm a new phone."
3. On an old phone, tap "I'm an old phone" and scan it. QR-screencode.
4. Select data types to transfer (you can note everything) and confirm the beginning of the process.

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is frozen during the “Data Preparation” stage (typical problem for Redmi Note) 10/11), try:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and reconnect.
• 📶 Disable mobile internet on both devices (sometimes it conflicts with Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🔋 Connect phones to charge – the process can be interrupted due to low battery charge.

Shut down. VPN both phones|Make sure there is enough memory on your new phone|Close all background applications|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (not necessary, but speeds up the process)-->

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data: for example, 30 GB of photos and videos will be transmitted in about 20-30 minutes.

• 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords (network names only).
• 📁 Data from certain applications (e.g. saved in games).
• 📱 Lock screen settings (fingerprints, Face) ID).

Method 2: Transfer over Mi Cloud – Xiaomi Cloud Storage

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that automatically syncs data between devices on the same account, and the advantage of the method is that you can transfer data remotely (for example, if the phones are in different cities) and restore it to a new device at any time.

To transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old Redmi phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable sync for the desired categories (contacts, notes, photos, etc.). Photos and videos may require manual upload to Gallery → Mi Cloud → Download.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable sync in the Mi Cloud.
4. Wait for the data download to be completed (it can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours depending on the internet speed).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi with global firmware (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Global) and a new device with Chinese firmware (China) ROM), You may have problems with synchronization because of regional constraints:

1. Change the region of your Xiaomi account to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Personal Data → Region.
2. Or export data manually (e.g., contacts to a.vcf file).

💡

If you run out of space in Mi Cloud, temporarily free it up by deleting old backups in the Mi Cloud → Storage Management section.

Method 3: Using a Google Account for Universal Transfer

If the new device is not Xiaomi (like Samsung or Realme), the most reliable way to sync through Google Account, this method works on all Android devices and saves:

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and tags).
• 📅 Calendar and reminders.
• 📧 Posts and Notes (if you use Google Keep).
• 📱 Settings of some applications (for example, Chrome, YouTube).
• 📍 Geolocation data and location history.

Instructions for transfer:

1. On the old Redmi, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Google Accounts → Account Sync.
2. Click "More" (three dots) → "Sync Now."
3. On the new phone, add the same Google Account and enable sync.
4. Wait for the automatic download of data (can take up to an hour).

⚠️ Attention: Google Photos by default compresses images when uploaded in "High Quality" to transfer photos in their original resolution:

1. Open Google Photos on your old phone.
2. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization → Download quality.
3. Select “Original Quality” (you will need space in Google Drive).

Mi Mover|Mi Cloud|Google Account|Cable USB|Other-->

Method 4: Transfer over a USB cable (for large amounts of data)

If you need to transfer tens of gigabytes of data (for example, a video collection or application backups), the fastest way is to connect directly through the Internet. USB-That's gonna take a cable:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C (Adapters, if the ports are different).
• 📱 Both phones with a charge of at least 50%.
• 🖥️ Computer (optional, but simplifies the process).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the old Redmi to your computer via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folders you need (DCIM, Download, Pictures, etc.) to your computer.
3. Turn off the old phone and connect the new one.
4. Transfer the copied files to the new device.

For transfer without a computer (directly between phones):

1. Connect your phones with a cable via a USB-OTG adapter.
2. On the old phone, select the mode "USB-modem” (in some firmware MIUI This is called "Data Transfer").
3. On the new phone, open Explorer and copy the files.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI 13+ You may need to unlock access to the system folders:

Settings → Special features → For developers → Debugging by USB (enable)


Settings → Memory → Three dots → Show hidden files

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

If standard methods are not suitable (for example, you need to migrate data from a particular application or MIUI settings that are not synced through the cloud), you can use specialized utilities:

To transfer game saves (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile):

1. Find out if the game supports cross-platform sync (e.g., through Google Play Games or Mi Account).
2. If not, use Helium (requires a PC) or the manual backup of the /Android/obb/ folder.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Titanium Backup require root rights that void Xiaomi’s warranty. Alternatively, Swift Backup (works on some firmware without rooting through adb backup).

💡

To transfer data from banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.), use only official methods (for example, backup in the application itself), and transfer through third-party utilities can block access to the account.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi users often face problems, and the most common solutions are:

• 🔄 "Mi Mover doesn't see old device": Check that both phones are enabled with Wi-Fi Direct → Connections → Reboot both devices and try again. If you use the Redmi Note 9/10, refresh MIUI Up to the latest version - in old firmware there are bugs with detection.
• ⏳ "Transfer freezes 99%": Connect your phones to charge - the process can be interrupted due to energy savings. Close all background applications (especially messengers and games). If it does not help - interrupt the process, clear the Mi Mover cache (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Mover → Warehouse → Clear the cache and start again.
• 🚫 "Certain annexes cannot be moved": Annexes from DRM-They need to be re-installed. For games, use the built-in sync via Google Play Games or Mi Account.

If notifications do not work on the new phone or contacts do not sync after transfer, check:

• 🔕 Application Permits (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).
• 🔄 Account Synchronization (Settings) → Accounts. → Google/Mi Account → Synchronization).
• 📵 Energy saving mode (Settings) → Battery → Power Saving Mode – Turn off for Critical Applications).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions