How to transfer all data from one Xiaomi phone to another: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, apps, and even system settings all need to be saved to keep from starting from scratch. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several built-in tools that make it easier to migrate, but not all of them work equally well, and some methods can even damage data if used incorrectly.

In this article, we will discuss 5 official and alternative ways to transfer data between Xiaomi phones (including Redmi and POCO), their pros and cons, as well as give unique security recommendations that are not in the standard instructions.

1. Official method: Mi Mover (transmission over Wi-Fi Direct)

Xiaomi’s easiest and most recommended method is to use the built-in Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all modern devices of the brand (starting with MIUI 9) and allows you to transfer almost all types of data: contacts, SMS, photos, videos, music, applications (including their data) and even some system settings.

How does it work? Phones connect directly to Wi-Fi Direct, eliminating the need for the Internet or cables. Transfer speeds vary by model, but average 10-15 MB/s — a full transfer of 32 GB of data will take about 40 to 50 minutes.

• ✅ Pros: does not require root rights, saves the folder structure, supports the transfer of applications.
• ❌ Cons: can hang on large amounts of data, does not tolerate passwords from Wi-Fi and some system settings.
• ⚠️ Restriction: on phones with MIUI 12+ Android 11+ App transfers could be blocked due to Google's new security rules.

To avoid mistakes before starting:

Charging both phones ≥ 50%|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Remove unnecessary files from your old phone|Check the space available on the new device (should be ≥ volume of data transmitted)-->

2.Move over the Xiaomi cloud (Mi Cloud)

If you have a Mi Account, you can use Mi Cloud, a cloud storage service from Xiaomi, which is handy when the phones are physically in different locations or if you want to back up before resetting.

The cloud allows you to save:

• 📞 Contacts, SMS, call-up
• 📷 Photos and videos (in original quality or compressed)
• 📝 Notes, calendar, reminders
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, some interface parameters)

But there are nuances:

⚠️ Warning: The free Mi Cloud only gives you 5GB of space, and if you have more data, you’ll have to buy an extension (from 100GB for a free price). ~300 rubles / year or transfer files in parts.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync → Select data types and click Sync.
2. On a new phone: Sign in to the same Mi Account and enable synchronization of the same data types.
3. Wait until it is completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the internet speed).

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If sync is stuck, try turning off traffic savings in Settings → Connections → Traffic savings and restart the process.

3. Use of Google Account (for contacts, calendar and applications)

If you use Google services, you can transfer some of the data through your Google Account, which is suitable for:

• 📇 Contacts (synchronization with Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders
• 📱 List of installed applications (but not their data!)
• 🌐 Wi-Fi passwords (if sync is enabled in Google Smart Lock)

How to set up:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync → Enable the necessary options.
2. On a new phone: Sign in to the same Google account and wait for automatic sync.

It is important to understand that this method does not tolerate:

• ❌ Photos and videos (you need to use Google Photos separately)
• ❌ SMS call-recording
• ❌ Settings MIUI (themes, gestures, etc.)

4. Transfer over OTG cable or computer (for large amounts of data)

If you have a lot of files (e.g. 100+GB of photos and videos), wireless methods can take too long or interrupt, and it is more reliable to use a direct connection via an OTG cable or a computer.

You'll need:

• 🔌 adapter OTG (If you connect the phone to the phone)
• 💻 Computer with USB-Ports (for intermediate copying)
• 📁 File Manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Total Commander)

Instructions for connection via computer:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy all the folders you need (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures, etc.) onto your computer.
3. Disable the old phone, connect the new one and transfer the files back.

To connect your phone to your phone via OTG:

1. Connect the OTG adapter to your new phone.
2. Connect your old phone with a USB-C/USB-A cable (depending on the model).
3. On your new phone, open Mi File Manager → select your connected phone as an external drive.
4. Copy the files into the right folders.

⚠️ Note: When copying through a computer, do not use disk formatting - this will delete all data from the phone, MIUI), This can cause errors on the new device.

5. Alternative methods: third-party applications and ADB

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to MIUI failure or model incompatibility), you can use third-party tools or ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Popular applications for transfer:

• 📲 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi, Mi Mover alternative)
• 📲 SHAREit or Xender (Wi-Fi transmission)
• 📲 Titanium Backup (requires root, portes data applications)

It is suitable for experienced users. ADB-Backup. This method creates a complete copy of all data, including system settings, but requires command line skills.

Example of a team to create a backup:

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

To recover data on the new phone:

adb restore backup.ab

Comparison of data transfer methods

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For most users, the best choice is Mi Mover (simple) or OTG cable (reliable). Mi Cloud and Google Account are suitable for backup, and ADB is only for power users.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the official methods, users are faced with problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

• 🔄 Mi Mover is getting stuck on 99% → Restart both phones, check for free space on the new device, try a different method (e.g. Mi Cloud).
• 📶 Cannot connect via Wi-Fi Direct → Turn off modem modem modem and VPN, reboot router.
• 🔌 The computer can't see the phone. MTP → Check the cable (better use the original), update the drivers MediaTek or Qualcomm on PC.
• 📱 Applications not portable → Android 11.+ This is a limitation of the system. APK Extractor for manual preservation APK-file.

If some features (such as notifications or gestures) don’t work on the new phone after transfer, reset: Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Reset network/interface settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions