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

Introduction: Why Data Transfers to Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, but the process of migrating data often turns into a headache. Unlike the iPhone with its iCloud ecosystem or Samsung with its Smart Switch service, Xiaomi devices offer several alternative ways of transferring – from the proprietary Mi Mover tool to manual methods through the cloud or cable. The main problem is that not everyone knows that the choice of method depends on the version of MIUI, the phone model and even the firmware region.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Verified ways to transfer data between Xiaomi phones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, which are relevant to 2026 You will learn how to save contacts, photos, messages and even app settings without loss, and avoid the typical errors that cause users to lose hours to reconfigure. MIUI (12/13/14) — There are some things that are not written in the official instructions.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in data porting app that Xiaomi has positioned as the main migration tool, which supports contact, message, photo/video, notes and even Wi-Fi settings. However, it has limitations: for example, some models (especially MIUI Global) do not carry installed applications, only their data.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Make sure that both phones have the latest version installed. MIUI (Update through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔌 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or create an access point on an old phone).
• 📲 Run Mi Mover on both phones: on the old one, select “I give” and on the new one, “I accept».
• 🔍 Scan it. QR-code from the new phone old or enter PIN-pairing.
• ✅ Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Update MIUI both phones|Charge both devices at least to 50%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network|Release. 1-2 GB of memory on a new phone|Shut down. VPN firewalls-->

It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data you have, and it's important that you don't interrupt the connection or block the screen, or the transmission will stop. If Mi Mover can't see one of the devices, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Switch to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes a mobile hotspot helps).
• 🛠️ Remove the Mi Mover app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management.

Method 2: Move over Xiaomi Cloud (cloud)

If Mi Mover doesn’t work or you want to migrate data in advance (like before you buy a new phone), use Xiaomi Cloud, which is suitable for contacts, photos, notes, calendar entries and browser bookmarks, the main advantage is that the data is stored in the cloud, and you can restore it even a month after you buy a new device.

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and enable synchronization for the right data types.
2. Wait until the download is complete (progress is displayed in the same menu).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable sync in the Mi Cloud.
4. Select data for recovery and confirm the action.

💡

If you don’t have a Xiaomi account, register it in advance on your old phone. Use a valid email, which you’ll need to restore access.

Please note the limitations of the Mi Cloud:

• 📁 Free tariff provides only 5 GB – this is enough only for contacts and a part of the photo.
• 🚫 Some data (e.g., some data, SMS or call logs) are synchronized only in the paid version.
• ⏳ Syncing can take hours if you have slow internet.

Mi Mover|Xiaomi Cloud|Cable OTG|Google Account|Other-->

Method 3: Direct transmission over cable (OTG or Type-C)

If you don't have Wi-Fi or data that's too big for the cloud, you can use a direct cable connection.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (If the new phone has a Type-C connector and the old one has a Micro-USB).
• 📱 Both phones with at least 30% charge (transfer drains battery).
• 🛠️ File transfer application (e.g. Files by Google or Xender).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phones with a cable. On the new device, select File Transfer Mode (not Charge).
2. On an old phone, open a file manager (such as Xiaomi Explorer) and select files to transfer.
3. Click Copy or Cut, then select the connected new phone as your destination.
4. Wait until the transmission is complete (don’t turn off the cable!).

💡

Direct cable transmission is the fastest method (up to 40 MB/s), but it does not tolerate application settings and SMS. For this, combine it with Mi Mover or the cloud.

If the phones do not identify each other:

• 🔄 Try another cable (cheap) OTG-Adapters often don’t work with Xiaomi).
• 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on an old phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🛠️ Install the app USB File Transfer from Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: When transmitting large amounts of data (more than 10 GB), the cable may overheat. Watch the temperature of the devices - if the phone gets hot, take a break for 10-15 minutes.

Method 4: Transfer through Google Account (for Android)

If you are switching from another Android phone (not Xiaomi), the easiest way to use a Google Account is to use a Google Account.

• 📇 Contacts (synchronized with Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendar and reminders.
• 📎 Chrome bookmarks.
• 📱 Some system settings (language, date/time, etc.).

How to transfer data:

1. On your old phone, check that sync with Google is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On the new Xiaomi phone, when you first turn on, select “Restore from Google Account Backup”.

Limitations of the method:

• 📱 Xiaomi-specific app settings (such as Themes or Security) are not restored.

💡

To transfer a photo to Google Photos, turn on autoload on your old phone (Settings → Backup and Sync). These will appear automatically on your new phone when you log in.

Method 5: Manual transfer via computer

If none of the previous methods work (for example, you have a broken screen on your old phone), use your computer as an intermediary. This method is universal and works even with devices on different OSes (for example, with an iPhone on Xiaomi).

You'll need:

• 🛠️ Backup software (e.g., Mi) PC Suite for Xiaomi or iTunes for iPhone).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer and copy all important files (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to your hard drive.

Xiaomi's new phone

Super Backup

⚠️ Note: When transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi via computer photo in the format HEIC (Apple standard won't open on Android. Convert them to JPEG using iMazing or online converter.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Here are some tips that will save you time:

• 🔋 Fully charge both phones before transferring - the process can take hours.
• 📡 If you use Wi-Fi, turn off the Smart Channel Switching feature on your router (5 GHz) → 2.4 GHz) to avoid communication interruptions.
• 📁 Before transferring, clear the cache of unwanted apps (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp can weigh tens of gigabytes).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions