How to transfer all data from the old Xiaomi smartphone to the new: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the data transfer process often raises more questions than the purchase itself. How not to lose precious photos, forget important contacts and not spend hours setting up apps from scratch? This article will help you understand all the nuances of data migration between Xiaomi, Redmi or other devices. POCO — From the latest flagships to budget models.

We'll look at the official ways from the manufacturer, workarounds for older devices, and give you tips on how to avoid common errors. MIUI And the phone models, but the basic principles remain the same. If you upgrade from Xiaomi Mi 9 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 8 to Xiaomi, you can upgrade to the same model. POCO F6 — You will find relevant solutions here.

Forget manually copying files over Bluetooth – modern methods allow you to transfer all information automatically, including:

• 📱 Contacts, messages and call log
• 📷 Photos, videos and documents
• 🎵 Music and downloads
• ⚙️ System settings and wallpaper
• 📥 Installed applications (with or without data)

The rule is that you need to start transferring data before you set up your new smartphone, and if you've already activated the device, you'll have to reset it to factory settings, or some of the ways won't work.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on the old Xiaomi

Before you start migrating, make sure your old smartphone is ready for the procedure, which will save you from unpleasant surprises like a lack of space or a dead battery at the most critical time.

First thing you do is check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50% on both devices
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) 4G/5G)
• 📱 Version MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI
• 💾 Free space – at least 1 GB on an old phone to backup

Pay special attention to your Mi Account. Many transfer methods simply don't work without it. If you've never signed in to a Mi Account, sign up in advance:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi Account
2. Click "Login" or "Create an Account"
3. Fill in the data (use the current email)
4. Confirm registration through SMS letter

For models older than Xiaomi Mi 8 (released before 2018) may require a firmware update. → The phone. → System updates. Outdated versions MIUI (below 12) do not support some modern transfer methods.

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If your old phone has two-factor authentication enabled for Mi Account, turn it off temporarily, which will speed up the authorization process on the new device.

2. Method 1: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

The most versatile method, which works even if you don’t have a cable on hand, is suitable for transferring between any Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, including models with different versions MIUI.

Algorithm of action:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud
2. Enable synchronization for all the necessary data (contacts, notes, photos)
3. Wait for the download to complete – the status will appear at the top of the screen
4. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select "Restore from backup"
5. Log in to the same Mi Account and select the last copy

Advantages of the method:

• 🌐 It works via the Internet – no cable is needed.
• 🔄 Only the necessary data can be selectively restored.
• 📅 Copy history kept for 30 days

Limitations:

• 📉 Only 5GB of cloud storage is available for free
• ⏳ Speed depends on the quality of the Internet connection.
• 🚫 Not all apps support backing up their data

Method 2: Cable Transfer (Mi Mover)

The fastest and most reliable method recommended by Xiaomi for new devices uses a direct connection via cable. OTG Adapter or adapter (included in most modern smartphones).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect both phones with cable (old to new)
2. On the new device, select Data Transfer when you first start up.
3. On your old phone, confirm the connection (unlocking may be required)
4. Select data to transfer and click "Start"
5. Wait until the process is completed (takes up) 10-30 minute)

Important nuances:

• 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable – cheap analogues may not provide a stable connection
• 🔒 Both phones must have developer mode turned off (if enabled)
• 📱 The screen must remain active during the transfer.

If you don't have a cable. OTG, adapter USB-C → USB-C (for new models or MicroUSB → USB-C (For the old. POCO F5 And newer suited any high-quality cable with support for data transmission.

Charge both phones at least 60%|

Use the original Xiaomi| cable

Disable VPN on both devices |

Close all background applications |

Check the space available on the new phone (there should be more data transferable)-->

⚠️ Warning: If there is a “failed to connect” error during the cable transfer, try restarting both phones and using another one. USB-On Redmi Note 10 and older models, manual File Transfer mode sometimes helps.

Method 3: Local backup (for power users)

This is a good way to do this if you want to have full control of the data you're carrying, or if you don't have a stable Internet connection, and you create a complete copy of the system, which you can then restore to the new device.

Instructions for creating a backup copy:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset
2. Select "Local Backup"
3. Please provide data for saving (you can choose everything)
4. Click "Create a backup" and wait until it is completed.
5. The copy file will be saved in the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup

For recovery:

1. Copy the backup file to a new phone (via computer or other device) OTG)
2. Put it in the same folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup
3. On the new phone, select "Restore from local copy"
4. Specify the desired file and confirm the recovery

Advantages of the method:

• 💾 Full control over data – a copy is stored with you
• 🔧 Individual elements can be selectively restored.
• 🌐 No Internet requirement after copying

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ It takes up a lot of space (a full copy can weigh 10).+ GB)
• ⏳ The creation/recovery process is long
• 🔄 Not all system settings are transferred correctly

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Local backup is the only way to transfer data from Android phones 5-6 (For example, Xiaomi Mi 4 or Redmi 3) modern-day.

5. Method 4: Transfer through Google Account

If you’re a Google user, this can be a good alternative, and it’s suitable for carrying basic data, but it has limitations compared to Xiaomi’s proprietary solutions.

What is carried over Google:

• 📇 Contacts (if synchronized)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders
• 📧 Gmail mail
• 📍 Chrome data (bookmarks, history)
• 🎮 Some application settings

How to set up:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google
2. Enable synchronization for all necessary data
3. On the new phone, when setting up, select "Copy data" → "Android"
4. Log in to the same Google account
5. Select data for recovery

Please note:

• 🚫 Photos and videos are not transferred through Google Account (you need to use Google Photos separately)
• 📱 Apps are only restored from Google Play (without user data)
• ⚙️ Settings MIUI (wallpaper, sounds) not tolerated

For full portability, we recommend combining this method with others, such as syncing contacts through Google, and photos and apps through Mi Cloud or cable.

Method 5: Manual transfer via computer

If automatic methods don't work for some reason, you can always manually transfer data, which takes longer, but gives you complete control.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 🔌 Cables. USB for both phones
• 📂 Enough free space on the hard disk

Procedure:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP)
2. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photos, downloads, etc.) to your computer
3. Turn off the old phone, connect the new one.
4. Transfer the copied files to the new phone
5. Install the necessary apps from Google Play or App Store

For the transfer of contacts:

1. Export contacts to the file VCF: Contacts → Settings → Exports
2. Copy the file to your computer, then to your new phone.
3. Import contacts: Contacts → Settings → Imports

For the transfer of messages SMS:

• Use applications like this. SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play)
• Create a backup on your old phone
• Transfer the file to a new phone and restore the messages

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To transfer Wi-Fi passwords, use the WiFi Password Viewer app (root rights required) or manually record all networks from your old phone before resetting.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even if you do the right things, sometimes you have problems, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to solve them.

Problem 1: The new phone doesn’t see the old one when connected via cable.

• 🔌 Try another cable or port. USB
• 🔄 Reboot both devices
• 📱 On the old phone, turn on the developer mode and activate "Debugging by" USB"

Problem 2: Mi Cloud does not restore applications.

• 📥 Check if application sync is enabled in Mi Cloud settings
• 💾 Make sure there is enough space on your new phone.
• 🔧 Try restoring apps separately after the main transfer

Problem 3: The photos are moved but not displayed in the gallery.

• 🔍 Check the folder. DCIM/Camera via file manager
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📁 Try to manually update the media base: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data

Problem 4: Contacts are duplicated after the transfer.

• 📇 Open the "Contact" appendix"
• 🔎 Press three points. → "Contact management" → "Unite"
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary duplicates manually

⚠️ Warning: If applications (especially banking) are affected after porting, delete and reinstall them. Some programs block devices with transferred data due to security concerns.

8 Additional Advice After the Relocation

Even after a successful data migration, there are little things left that will make using a new phone more comfortable.

What to do in the first few days:

• 🔒 Set up the unlock (fingerprint, Face) ID, graphical)
• 🔔 Check notification settings for important applications
• 📶 Update all apps through Google Play or App Store
• 🎵 Bring the music to your favorite player (if you use offline tracks)
• 📡 Set up a mobile internet (APN) if SIM-card from another operator

To optimize the operation of the new phone:

• 🧹 Clear the app cache: Settings → Warehouse → Cache data.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions
• 🛡️ Set up backup: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Auto-reservation

If you have moved data from a very old model (Xiaomi Mi 3, Redmi) 1S etc., check it out:

• 📷 Compatibility of older photo formats (e.g,.3gp video)
• 📞 Old jobs SIM-maps (may require nano-SIM trimming)
• 🎧 Headphone compatibility with 3.5mm connector (if it is not available on the new phone)

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After transferring the data, it is recommended to make a complete reset of the old phone (if you sell or give it away). → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions