How to Transfer Data from One Xiaomi Phone to Another: A Complete 2026 Guide

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

Xiaomi smartphones are among the most popular in Russia, but their proprietary shell MIUI Unlike pure Android, it has its own sync services (Mi Account), Bluetooth transmission restrictions for large files, and unique features like Quick Share (formerly Mi Share). If you just copy files to a flash drive, you will lose your call history, application settings and instant messenger data.

In this article - current ways 2026 The year tested on models from Redmi Note 12 to the Mi flagships 14 We've taken into account changes in MIUI 14/15, restrictions on transfer via Google accounts in Russia and alternative solutions for devices without Google services.

1. Official method: Mi Mover (built-in application)

The most reliable method for owners of two Xiaomi smartphones is the use of the Mi Mover branded tool. MIUI 9 and newer. The app not only transfers media files, but also:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 💬 Communications SMS/MMS (messenger-less)
• 📷 Photos and videos (folder structure is maintained)
• 🎵 Music and audio recordings
• 📥 Established APK-files (without application data)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders

How to use:

1. On both phones, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover.
2. Select a role: on the old phone - "Sender", on the new - "Receiver".
3. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point on a new smartphone.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new phone old.
5. Select data categories for transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Charge both phones at least to the 50%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network|Release. 10-15% memory on the new device|Shut down. VPN both-smartphone|Close background annexes-->

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has data, Mi Mover will prompt you to erase it before transferring. → System and device → Backup if you don’t want to lose existing information.

The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data and the quality of the network, 30 GB photos and videos are transferred approximately 40-60 To speed up the process:

• 🔌 Connect both phones to charging.
• 📶 Use Wi-Fi 5 GHz (if supported).
• 🚫 Do not lock the screen during the transfer.

Fast transfer via Mi Account (Xiaomi Cloud)

If you have a Mi Account, you can sync your data over the cloud, and this is a method that can be used to transfer contacts, notes, call history, and some of the system settings.

• 📁 Maximum free storage capacity – 5 GB.
• 📸 Photos and videos are synchronized only in compressed quality.
• 🔄 A stable connection to the Internet is required.

Instructions:

1. On the old phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, notes, calendar).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account.
4. Run sync in Mi Cloud and wait until it is completed.

💡

If you have a lot of photos, temporarily disable autoloading in Google Photos (if used) before syncing with Mi Cloud to avoid duplication.

3. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

For large amounts of data (50+ GB) the fastest way is to connect directly via cable OTG adapter USB-C to USB-C. The transmission speed reaches 40-60 MB/s (in) 5-10 You'll need more than Wi-Fi:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (For older models with Micro-USB).
• 🔄 adapter USB-C to USB-C (new-smartphone).
• 📱 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your new phone via cable.
2. On the new phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification panel.
3. Open the file manager and go to the section USB-device.
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Download, Pictures, etc.) in the internal memory of the new phone.

⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data Apps will not see these files without root access. To restore game saves (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings), use specialized backup tools like Swift Backup.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum transmission speed.
• 🔒 No dependence on the Internet.
• 📁 File structure is maintained.

Disadvantages:

• 🔌 You need to purchase a cable/adapter (if not included in the package).
• 📱 You need to manually choose what to copy.

4.Use of MicroSD memory card

If your phones have a memory card slot, this method is suitable for transferring media files and documents. FAT32 (for files up to 4 GB or exFAT (for files over 4 GB).

How to transfer data:

1. Put the card in the old phone.
2. Open Mi File Manager and select the files to copy.
3. Click "Copy" and specify the target folder on the memory card.
4. After completion, remove the card and paste it into a new phone.
5. Copy the data from the card into the internal memory.

Limitations:

• 📁 Applications and their data are not portable.
• 🔄 Slower than cable. OTG (speed ~10-15 MB/s).
• 📱 Not all Xiaomi models support memory cards (for example, Mi 11 Ultra or Mi 13 Pro are deprived of them).

💡

Memory cards are the most versatile way, but only for media files and documents. For full migration (including applications and settings), use other methods.

5. Alternative methods: Google Account and third-party applications

If you don't want to use Xiaomi services, you can use universal solutions.

5.1 Sync through Google Account

Suitable for transfer:

• 📞 Contacts (via Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar).
• 📷 Photo (via Google Photos if you have set up autoload).

Restrictions in Russia (2026):

• 🔒 Required. VPN fully synchronized.
• 📁 Photos are uploaded in reduced quality (free of charge).
• 📱 Not tolerated. SMS, Call history and application settings.

5.2 Third-party applications for migration

Popular tools:

• 📲 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi, but with advanced features).
• 📲 SHAREit (Fast Wi-Fi Direct Transmission).
• 📲 Send Anywhere (unlimited file transfer).

Example of transfer via Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On the old phone, select files and click "Send".
3. A 6-digit code or QR is generated.
4. On the new phone, enter the code or scan the QR.
5. Confirm receipt of files.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in settings MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start, otherwise the transmission may be interrupted.

6.Switching data from iPhone to Xiaomi (and vice versa)

If you're switching from iPhone to Xiaomi or back, standard methods won't work.

6.1 From iPhone to Xiaomi

• 📲 Move to iOS (official app from Apple) – not suitable for reverse portability.
• 📲 Phone Clone (from Huawei but works with Xiaomi).
• 🖥️ iMazing or iExplorer (via computer).

Instructions via Phone Clone:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On Xiaomi, select “New Phone” and on iPhone, “Old Phone.”
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi on the iPhone.
5. Select data for transfer (contacts, photos, videos) and confirm.

6.2 From Xiaomi to iPhone

• 📲 Use Move to iOS (only when you first set up your iPhone).
• 🖥️ Move your photos to iTunes or Finder (on Mac).
• 📁 Export contacts to.vcf and import them to iCloud.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Annexes from APK not portable to iOS.
• 📱 The history of messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) is lost.
• 🔕 Some files (such as recordings from a recorder) may not open on an iPhone.

7. Transferring game and application data saves

If you are playing mobile games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, or using applications with local data (like Notion or Obsidian), standard portability methods won't work:

• 🎮 Cloud-based saves (if the game supports account binding).
• 📁 Root access (to copy folder) /data/data).
• 🖥️ ADB-teams (for backup without root).

Example for Genshin Impact:

1. Link your account to miHoYo or Google Play Games.
2. On the new phone, install the game and log in to the same account.
3. Saves will be downloaded automatically (if servers are available).

For applications without cloud synchronization:

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


adb restore backup.ab

These commands create a full backup (including app data) and restore it to a new phone. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times; then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you move data, you have a typical problem, and here's how to solve it:

If none of the methods worked:

• 📱 Check that both phones have the latest version. MIUI.
• 🔄 Restart your devices before trying again.
• 🛠️ Contact Xiaomi official support with error logs.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions