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

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but many users face unexpected difficulties when trying to migrate data. Unlike the iPhone with its iCloud ecosystem or Samsung with Smart Switch service, devices on MIUI have unique nuances, from the features of backup to the limitations of working with a Mi Account.

The main problem is that MIUI does not always correctly synchronize data between devices of different generations (for example, when switching from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14), and many users experience errors when trying to restore backup through the cloud – especially if the data volume exceeds 5 GB. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transfer, including those that are not officially advertised, but work more stable than standard methods.

It’s important to consider the firmware version too: MIUI 14/15 has changed the backup encryption algorithm, so instructions for older versions (like MIUI 12) may not work. We tested all the methods on current models — from the budget Redmi 12C to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra — and identified those that are guaranteed to work in 2026.

Method 1: Official transfer via Mi Mover (the easiest but with limitations)

Mi Mover is a built-in solution from Xiaomi for wirelessly transferring data between two devices, it works on a point-to-point (no cloud) principle and supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, applications and even some system settings.

• 📱 Only devices are supported on MIUI 9 and later (older versions will have to use alternative methods).
• 🔌 Both phones must be connected to charging – at a discharge below 20%, the process will be interrupted.
• 📶 A stable Wi-Fi connection is required (even if the data is transmitted directly, the network is needed for initialization).
• ⚠️ Untransferable: Wi-Fi passwords, data from some banking applications (due to security policies), and files from secure folders.

How to start the transfer:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On the new phone, run the same sequence and select "I am a new user."
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone with an old device.
4. Select data types to transfer (we recommend unchecking the "Applications" - they will still be updated through the Play Market, and their transfer takes a long time).
5. Confirm the start of the process and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours depending on the amount of data).

Charging both phones > 50%|Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.|There is plenty of free space on the new phone.|Disabled. VPN and energy-saving regimes-->

⚠️ Warning: If you experience a “Disconnected” error during the transfer, try restarting both phones and repeating the process. If the problem persists, use alternative methods (see Methods 2-4).

Method 2: Backup via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud) – Pros and pitfalls

The Mi Cloud service allows you to back up your data and restore it to a new device, which is useful if you don't have physical access to your old phone (for example, it broke), but you have a saved copy in the cloud.

• ☁️ Free tariff provides only 5 GB - if more data, you will have to buy an additional seat (from 100 rubles / month for 50 GB).
• 🔒 The backup is encrypted with a key tied to the device – if you reset the old phone before you make a copy, it will be impossible to recover the data.
• ⏳ Recovery from the cloud can take hours (depending on internet speed).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select "Manual Backup" and tick the desired categories (be sure to turn on "System Settings" for Wi-Fi password transfer).
3. Wait for the copy to be completed (you can close the application – the process will continue to work in the background).
4. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Mi Account.
5. Choose the most recent copy and confirm the restoration.

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If Mi Cloud gives you an error "Not enough space", try to temporarily delete old backups (they are stored in Settings → Mi Cloud → Storage Management). After transferring, you can restore the data back from the cart (stored for 30 days).

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal but incomplete)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos), some of the data can be transferred through your Google account, which is suitable for contacts, calendars, some settings and photos, but does not cover everything:

• 📇 Contacts, calendars and tasks sync automatically if the Settings option is enabled on the old phone → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization.
• 📷 Photos and videos can be uploaded to Google Photos (up to 15GB free, then paid storage).
• 📥 Apps are restored from the Play Market by listing My Apps and Games".
• ❌ Not tolerated: SMS, calls, system settings, files from internal memory (except media).

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all the right categories.
2. Wait for the sync to be completed (check in Google Drive or Google Photos).
3. On the new phone, when you first start, select “Copy Data” and log in to the same Google account.
4. Select “Recover from the Cloud” and confirm the data load.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone used Mi Account as the main account and Google as an additional one, contacts could be duplicated (https://contacts.google.com) and remove the doubles.

Method 4: Manual transfer via OTG cable or computer (for power users)

If the data volume exceeds 20 GB or you want to transfer all files without exception (including hidden folders and application settings), the best option is manual copying through the Internet. USB-cable OTG-This is a method that takes longer, but gives you complete control of the process.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C (or OTG-adapter + cable).
• 💻 Computer (optional, but simplifies the process).
• 📁 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Instructions for transfer via computer:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB-cable and select the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
2. Copy all important folders from internal memory: DCIM (photos and videos), Download (downloads), Pictures (images from instant messengers), WhatsApp/Media (media from Watsap) Android/data (data from some applications)
3. Connect a new phone and paste the copied files into the corresponding folders.
4. To transfer SMS and calls, use the SMS Backup & Restore app (available in the Play Market).

Instructions for transfer directly (without PC):

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-adapter (or cable) USB-C — USB-C, if maintained OTG-host).
2. On your new phone, open Mi File Manager and select "USB-storage".
3. Copy the files into the internal memory of the new device.

Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications (for specific data)

If standard methods don't cover your needs (e.g., you need to move game saves, launcher settings, or data from rare applications), specialized utilities will help. We tested several and identified the most reliable ones:

Example of transferring game saves via Swift Backup:

1. Install the app and provide root access (or use ADB to unlock features).
2. Select the games you want in the list and create a backup.
3. Transfer the backup file to your new phone (via cloud or cable).
4. Restore data on the new device.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Swift Backup require unlocked bootloader or root rights. On new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) Unlocking the bootloader causes all the data to be reset! If you're not ready, use alternative methods.

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To transfer data from banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.), use only official methods (for example, backup through the bank itself), trying to transfer data through the backup can block access to the account for security reasons.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 "Mi Mover freezes 99%" - restart both phones and repeat the process. If it doesn't work, use cable instead of Wi-Fi.
• ☁️ "Mi Cloud doesn’t restore data – check that the new phone has the same version MIUI, If the firmware is different, restore the data through the computer.
• 📱 "No photos are displayed on the new phone – check the folder DCIM/.thumbnails (Sometimes it doesn't copy. Delete it, and the thumbnails will regenerate automatically.
• 🔒 "Requests the password from the old phone when you restore it, which means the backup is encrypted. Enter the password from the lock screen of the old device.

If neither method worked, try resetting your new phone and re-transferring it, and 90 percent of the time, that's how it works, and check if the devices are running USB debugging mode, which can block some portability.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions