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

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to a brand with a unique ecosystem. Xiaomi with its shell MIUI (or HyperOS in new models) offers users not only standard portability tools, but also exclusive features that can both simplify and complicate the process. Unlike naked Android, it is important to consider the firmware version, the region of the device and even the presence of a Mi Account.

Many people face typical problems: application settings are not carried over, messages are lost in messengers or errors occur when syncing through the cloud. This article will help to avoid pitfalls and choose the best way to migrate - whether it is wireless transmission, cable or backup. We will look at all current methods, including those that work on models from 2023 to 2026 (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13, POCO F6, etc.).

We will pay special attention to data transfer between devices with different versions. MIUI/HyperOS — This is a common cause of failures, which is rarely warned in official instructions.

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you start migrating, follow the mandatory steps on your old phone:

• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50% – some methods (e.g. Mi Mover) use a lot of power.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz to speed up transmissions).
• 🔐 Make sure both phones have the same Mi Account (or create one if not).
• 📱 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

On the new phone:

• 🛠️ Go through the initial setup before the request to transfer data (do not miss this step!).
• 📦 Free up enough space – full migration will require more space than the data you’re carrying.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with global and Chinese firmware at the same time, some features (such as Mi Cloud) may not work properly.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in wireless data transfer application available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 9 and later (including HyperOS).

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📁 Documents (PDF, DOC, XLS etc.)
• 📱 Applications (with data storage for some of them)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On the new phone, when you first set up, select Data Transfer → From another device.
2. On your old phone, open Mi Mover (find through search or Settings → More).
3. Select the role of the sender on the old and the receiver on the new phone.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new device or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select data categories to transfer and confirm the beginning.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone is HyperOS installed, and the old one — MIUI 12 and below, before transferring the old device, update at least to MIUI Otherwise, there may be errors in the synchronization of contacts and calendar.

Charge of both phones > 50% |

Same version MIUI/HyperOS (or compatible)|

Power saving mode is turned off |

Stable Wi-Fi connection (5GHz recommended)|

Enough space is freed up on the new phone-->

Method 3: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

The Mi Cloud service allows you to back up data on Xiaomi servers and restore it to a new device, which is convenient if:

• 🌍 You don’t have physical access to both phones at the same time.
• 🔄 You want to move data gradually (for example, only contacts or photos).
• 📱 The new device hasn't arrived yet, but you want to prepare in advance.

How to make a backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, notes, calendar, etc.).
3. For a full backup, go to Settings → System → Backup and select Backup to Mi Cloud.
4. Wait until the process is complete (time depends on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet).

How to restore on a new phone:

1. When you first turn on, select Restore from backup.
2. Sign in to the same Mi Account.
3. Select the latest backup and confirm the recovery.

The limitations of Mi Cloud:

• 📉 Free tariff provides only 5 GB (for photo / video this is not enough).
• 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords) are not synced for security reasons.
• ⏳ Recovery of large volume can take several hours.

Method 3: Local Cable Transfer (USB-OTG or Adapter)

If you don't have Wi-Fi or prefer a wired connection, you can use a USB-OTG cable or a special adapter for data transfer.

• 📸 Larger volumes of photos/video (for example, 4K-video RAW-photo).
• 📂 Transfer files without compression (unlike wireless methods).
• 🔌 Devices with a discharged battery (the cable charges the phone at the same time).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your new phone using a USB-OTG cable or adapter (e.g. Xiaomi Type-C to Type-C).
2. On the new phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification menu.
3. Open Explorer (Files) on a new device – there will appear folder of the old phone.
4. Copy the files you need manually (we recommend starting with DCIM, Downloads, Pictures folders).

To transfer applications and their data, use additional tools:

• 📦 Titanium Backup (requires root rights).
• 📱 Built-in Application Cloning in HyperOS (available in Settings) → Annexes).

⚠️ Note: When connecting through USB-OTG Avoid using cheap cables without support USB 3.0. They can cause large file transfer errors (e.g., video weighting) >Optimum speed is achieved with the original Xiaomi cables.

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If the new phone does not see the old device through the USB, Try changing roles: connect the new phone to the old one in mode USB-The storage device and copy the files in the opposite direction.

5. Method 4: Transfer through Google Account and Third-Party Services

If you use Google services extensively, you can move most of your data through them, and this is universal and works even when you switch from Xiaomi to another brand.

What is synced through Google Account:

• 📇 Contacts (via Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar).
• 📧 Postal accounts (Gmail).
• 📱 Settings of some applications (for example, Chrome, YouTube).
• 📷 Photo/video (via Google Photos with original quality).

How to set up synchronization:

1. On the new phone, add the same Google Account and enable sync.

To transfer messages and call logs, use:

• 💬 SMS Backup & Restore (Saves) SMS/MMS Google Drive).

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Syncing through Google is the most reliable way to transfer contacts and email, but for multimedia it is better to combine with other methods (for example, Mi Mover for photo and Google Photos for backup).

Method 5: Transfer over a memory card (microSD)

If both of your phones support microSD, this is the easiest method to use for transferring media and documents.

• 📱 Applications and their data cannot be transferred through the memory card.
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, etc.) are also not copied.
• 🔒 Some files (such as screenshots) may be stored in internal memory.

Instructions:

1. Put the memory card in your old phone.
2. Open Files → Categories and select Images, Videos, Audio or Documents.
3. Press Choose. → Celebrate everything → Copy.
4. Go to the memory card folder (usually) /storage/XXXX-XXXX/) And put the files in.
5. Remove the card and insert it into a new phone.
6. Copy files into internal memory (we recommend the same folders: DCIM, Music, etc.).

To speed up the process, use a batch-enabled file manager, such as:

⚠️ Note: If you use the card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage), it can not be simply removed and pasted into another phone. First format the card as a portable device in the settings (Settings) → Warehouse → Map. SD → Settings → Formatting as a portable).

7. Problem Solving: What to Do If Data Is Not Portable

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and let's look at the typical scenarios and how to solve them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover is stuck in the connection phase.

• 🔋 Turn off the power saving mode on both devices.
• 📱 Update Mi Mover via Google Play (if available).

Problem 2: Applications or their data are not portable.

• 📦 Check if the app supports backup (for example, WhatsApp requires a manual backup).
• 🔄 Use Swift Backup to create a full copy of applications (requires an unlocked bootloader on some models).

Problem 3: After the transfer, the photo or video was lost.

• 🔍 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the miniatures are not updated.
• 📂 Restart your phone or use Gallery Doctor to recover your media files.

Problem 4: The new device doesn’t see backup in the Mi Cloud.

• 🌍 Make sure the region of the account matches (for example, if the account is created in Russia and the phone with firmware for India, there may be problems).
• 🔄 Create a new backup with a tick Enable system settings.
• 📱 Check if it's on. VPN — It can also block access to the Mi Cloud.

8. Comparison of methods: which way to choose

The choice of method depends on your priorities: speed, data volume or reliability.

Selection recommendations:

• 🔄 If both Xiaomi phones are next to each other, use Mi Mover.
• 🌍 If you switch to another brand – Google Account + hand-transfer.
• 📸 For large volume of photo / video - cable or memory card.
• 📱 If your old device is broken, restore it from Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

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For maximum reliability, combine methods: for example, transfer contacts through Google, photos through Mi Mover, and applications through Swift Backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi