How to transfer applications with data from Android to Android Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but moving apps to save all the data can be a real quest, especially if it’s not just about the programs themselves, but also about their settings, logins, progress in games or work files. Unlike iOS, where data migration is strictly standardized, Android offers several paths – from automatic to manual, each with nuances for Xiaomi devices.

Many users face typical problems: applications are portable but data is reset, or vice versa – programs are not installed due to version incompatibility. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods of transfer, including proprietary MIUI tools, cloud services and advanced techniques for power users. Particular attention will be paid to saving data from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), game accounts and work applications (for example, 1C or CRM), which are often lost during standard migration.

Before you start, check out two key points:

• 🔋 Both devices have a 50 percent battery charge, and it can take up to 1 hour to transfer data, and it can cause errors in the process.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) 4G/5G). Cloud methods will require downloading/downloading gigabytes of data.
• 📱 Version. MIUI on the new Xiaomi. some features, for example, MIUI Transfers may not be available in global firmware.

1.Official method: MIUI Transfer (quick and lossless)

Xiaomi’s proprietary solution, MIUI Transfer, is optimized to transfer data between the brand’s devices, and it replicates not only apps, but also:

• 📱 Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS) call-book
• 🖼️ Photos, video and audio files
• 📁 Documents and downloads
• 🎮 Data from certain games (if supported)

To use MIUI Transfer:

1. Install MIUI Transfer on both AppGallery or APKPure devices (if it’s not on Google Play).
2. On the old smartphone, select Send data, on the new one – Receive data.
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use a direct connection over the Internet. QR-code (option will appear after the transfer is started).
4. Select data categories for transfer and confirm the start of the process.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI Transfer does not transfer data from certain applications (such as WhatsApp or banking programs) due to security restrictions.

Install MIUI Transfer to both devices|Charge your smartphones before 60%+|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Release. 10-15 GB of memory on the new Xiaomi|Shut down. VPN (can block the transmission)-->

2. Transfer through Google Account (universally but with limitations)

If both devices are linked to the same Google account, some of the data is synced automatically when the new Xiaomi is first enabled.

• 📇 Contacts, calendars and notes (via Google Contacts, Google Calendar)
• 📎 Photos and videos (if synced with Google Photos is enabled)
• 🎵 Music and documents (via Google Drive)
• 📱 Some application settings (if the developer supports Android Backup Service)

How to set up:

1. On your old smartphone, open Settings → Google → Backup and enable the option to Backup Data.
2. Connect the new Xiaomi to the same Google account when you first launch.
3. In the Data Recovery section, select the last backup.

⚠️ Note: This method does not carry the applications themselves, only their data (if the developer supports backup.

3. Manual transfer via OTG or ADB cable (for experienced)

If you need to transfer all the data without exception, including system settings or rare applications, a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or direct cable connection is suitable, this method requires technical skills, but guarantees maximum completeness of the transfer.

First, prepare:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (If you are transferring from phone to phone, or USB-plug-in.
• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tools ADB.
• 📦 Backup of important data (in case of failure).

Instructions for transfer via ADB:

1. Enable USB debugging on both devices:


Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB.





2. Connect the old device to the PC and execute the command:




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





3. Connect the new Xiaomi and recover the data:




adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking) block backups through ADB In this case, the data will have to be transferred manually or through the cloud.

4. Transfer of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Messenger data is one of the most valuable, but also the most capricious when transferred. Consider three popular services:

WhatsApp:

• 🔄 Create a backup in Settings → chat → Backup (save in Google Drive).
• 📥 When you install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, select Restore from the same Google account.
• ⚠️ If the backup is not recovering, make sure your phone number and Google account match.

Telegram:

• ☁️ All chats and media files are synced automatically through the Telegram cloud.
• 📂 To transfer local files (such as downloaded documents), copy the Telegram folder from internal memory to the new device.

Viber:

• 🔐 Backup is created in Settings → Account. → Backup (save to Google Drive or memory card).
• 📲 To restore, you will need to enter the same phone number and confirm through SMS.

1. Remove and reinstall the application.

2. Use a different Google account (sometimes the backup is “linked” to a specific account).

3. Transfer the backup file manually through the PC (folder) WhatsApp/Databases).-->

5. Transfer of game data and working applications

Games and specialized programs (such as 1C, AutoCAD, or Photoshop Express) often store data in secure folders that are not copied by standard methods.

Games:

• 🎮 If the game supports Google Play Games, progress is automatically synced when you log in to the same account.
• 💾 For offline games, copy folders with saves (usually in the /Android/obb/ or /Android/data/) new-up.
• 🔧 Use save managers such as Helium (requires root rights).

Working annexes:

• 📊 For 1C, CRM Export data to the cloud or PC, then import it on a new device.
• 📑 If the application uses a local database (e.g.,.db or.sqlite files), find them through the file manager and copy them.

⚠️ Note: Some enterprise applications (e.g., SberBusiness or Tinkoff Business) are tied to the device.

6.Alternative methods: cloud services and third-party utilities

If standard methods do not work, consider alternatives:

Cloud storage:

• 📁 Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex Drive – for manual file transfer.
• 🔗 Mi Cloud (branded Xiaomi cloud) – synchronizes contacts, notes and some settings.

Third-party utilities:

• 🛠️ Clone App – creates copies of applications with data (requires root rights).
• 🔄 Send Anywhere – Transfers files directly without cloud.
• 📦 Titanium Backup is a powerful backup tool (root users only).

1. MIUI Transfer - for basic data.

2. Google Account – for contacts and settings.

3. Manual transfer - for critical applications (messengers, games).

4. Cloud - for backup of files.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi