How to transfer applications from Xiaomi to another Android without losing data: 5 proven ways

Transferring apps between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or changing a gadget. The main problem is how to save all application data — from saves in games to the history of chats in messengers without losing a single byte of information? In this article, we will discuss 5 current ways of transferring, including proprietary MIUI tools, cloud services and third-party utilities, taking into account the features of HyperOS (2026).

Xiaomi’s smartphones are a closed MIUI ecosystem that limits standard Android methods. For example, Google’s Android Backup Service is unstable here, and some system applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home) are not synchronized at all through third-party services. We tested all methods on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T and POCO F5 models, the results are summarized in the comparison table below.

Importantly, if you use root rights or custom firmware, some of the methods may not work, so look at the Titanium Backup section, which is the only reliable way to use modified devices.

1. Branded tool: MIUI Backup (the most reliable way for Xiaomi)

MIUI Backup is a built-in solution from Xiaomi, which stores not only the list of applications, but also their data, system settings, SMS The main advantage is that it works without the Internet (backup is created locally) and supports recovery to devices with different versions. MIUI/HyperOS (for example, MIUI 14 HyperOS 1.0).

How it works:

• 📱 Creates a full copy of user data in.mbk format (can be encrypted with a password).
• 🔄 Supports selective recovery – only the right applications can be selected.
• ⚡ Transfer speed: ~15-20 minute 50+ Applications (tested on Redmi Note) 12 Pro+ s 128 GB memory).
• ⚠️ Does not store data of some banking applications (due to Android security restrictions).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select Create Backup → tick the Applications and Application Data.
3. Click Start and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).
4. Copy the backup file (.mbk) to your new phone (via cable, Bluetooth, or cloud).
5. On the new device in the same menu, select Restore from backup and specify the path to the file.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone has a newer version MIUI/HyperOS, Some system applications (such as the Theme Store) may not recover, and then they will have to be manually reinstalled from the Mi App Store.

Backup important files separately (photos, videos)

Charge both phones at least 50%

Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (to speed up transfers)

Check the space on your new phone (backup can weigh) 5-15 GB)-->

Sync through Google Account (a universal method for all Android)

This is a good way to do it if you use standard Google apps (Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, Chrome) or games/programs that support Google Play Games. The advantage is that data is synced automatically and available on any Android device. However, not all apps support this method – for example, Telegram or WhatsApp require a separate backup.

What's synchronizing:

• 📱 List of installed applications (but not their data!).
• 🔑 Passwords from Google Smart Lock.
• 🎮 Game saving (if the developer supports Google Play Games).
• 📝 Notes from Google Keep and documents from Google Docs.
• ❌ Not synchronized: SMS, messenger data, application files.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts and sync → Google → [your account].
2. Activate switches for all categories (especially Contacts, Calendar, Application Data).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account when you first turn on or add it manually.
4. Launch Google Play Store → Library → Installed → Click Update All.

To recover these games, open the Google Play Games app, go to Profile → Settings → Manage game data and select the desired game to recover.

MIUI Backup

Google Account

Third-party utilities (such as Smart Switch)

Manual cable transfer

Another way.-->

3. Samsung Smart Switch (Yes, it works for Xiaomi!)

Many people don’t know, but Samsung Smart Switch supports data transfer not only between Samsung devices, but also from other Android smartphones, including Xiaomi. Redmi/POCO It's on the Galaxy, but it's working backwards. SMS, call log and even desktop wallpaper.

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Not all application data is portable (depending on developer policy).
• 📶 It requires stable Wi-Fi or USB-cable (Bluetooth transmission is very slow).
• 🔋 Charge both phones before 100% — process 30-60 minute.

Instructions:

1. Install Smart Switch on both phones from Google Play.
2. On your old phone (Xiaomi), select Send Data → Wireless or Cable.
3. On your new phone, select Get Data → Android.
4. Confirm the connection (in the wireless method enter) PIN-screencode).
5. Select data to transfer: Applications, Application Data, Multimedia, etc.
6. Wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

⚠️ Note: If you migrate data to Xiaomi from Samsung, some system applications (such as Samsung Health) may not install.

💡

If Smart Switch doesn’t see your Xiaomi over Wi-Fi, try connecting via Wi-Fi USB-adapter OTG. To do this, on the old phone in the Smart Switch settings, select “Connect via cable” and follow the instructions on the screen.

4 Third-party utilities: Clone Phone, SHAREit, Xender

If the branded tools don't fit, you can use third-party apps, and we tested the three most popular ones:

Recommendation: Clone Phone performed best, migrating 80% of these apps (including Viber and Facebook) without loss, but for a full backup, it’s best to combine it with MIUI Backup.

How to use Clone Phone:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On your old phone, select It's an old phone → Android.
3. The new one -- it's a new phone.
4. Scan it. QR-screencode.
5. Select data for transfer (required to mark Applications and Application Data).
6. Confirm the transmission and wait for completion.

5. Titanum Backup (root users only)

Titanium Backup is the most powerful full backup solution for all data, including system apps and settings. However, it only works on root-enabled phones. If you're not ready to get root, skip this section.

Advantages:

• 🔧 Stores all application data, including cache and settings.
• 📦 You can backup individual applications or the entire system.
• 🔄 Supports the automatic backup schedule.
• 🔒 Encrypting backups.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires root access (on new Xiaomi with HyperOS to get it more difficult).
• 🛠️ A complex interface for beginners.
• ⏳ Slow operation on weak devices (tested on the POCO M3).

Instructions:

1. Install Titanium Backup from Google Play (or from the official website).
2. Provide root access when requested.
3. Press the menu. → Package action.
4. Select Backup of all user applications + data.
5. Once completed, copy the TitaniumBackup folder (located at the root of the memory) to the new phone.
6. On the new device, install Titanium Backup, provide root, and restore data through Packet Actions → Recovery.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS (2026) devices, Titanium Backup may not properly recover data from Xiaomi system applications (such as Security or Mi Video) and will have to be manually reinstalled.

💡

Titanium Backup is the only way to migrate data from all apps without exception, but requires root and technical skills. For most users, a combination of MIUI Backup + Google Account is enough.

6.Manual Transfer: APK+Data via ADB (for Advanced)

If you only need to migrate a few applications with their data, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root, but you need command-line skills and enabled Developer Mode.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB both phones.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and execute the command to get a list of packages: adb shell pm list packages -f Copy the paths to APK-file.
2. Copy APK on PC: adb pull /path/to/base.apk
3. Copy the app data (e.g. for WhatsApp): adb pull /data/data/com.whatsapp
4. Connect a new phone and install APK: adb install base.apk
5. Recover data (requires root or adb restore with superuser rights): adb push com.whatsapp /data/data/

⚠️ Warning: This method may not work for data protection applications (e.g. banking apps or Netflix). Also on newer versions of Android (13)+) Adb restore is often blocked for security reasons.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

Conclusion:

• For most users, Xiaomi is the best MIUI Backup + Google Account.
• If you are switching to Samsung, use the Smart Switch.
• For full control (from root) - Titanium Backup.
• For transferring 1-2 applications – ADB or manual copying.

FAQ: Frequent questions