Transferring an account from Android to Xiaomi Redmi: all ways of 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring all data from an old Android device can seem like a daunting task, especially when it comes to not only contacts and photos, but also app settings, Wi-Fi passwords, call history and even game progress. Many users are losing hours manually copying files, unaware that Xiaomi offers built-in tools for automated transfer.

In this article, we will discuss all the current migration methods, from the official Mi Mover app to alternative methods using Google Account, cable connection and cloud services. We will pay special attention to the nuances that arise when you switch between different versions of Android (for example, from the old Samsung to the new Redmi Note 13), and also tell you how to avoid data loss when you reset. If you have already encountered errors like “failed to connect to the device” or “files are not portable”, here you will find solutions.

The process of porting to Xiaomi differs from the standard Android backup in that the company has integrated its own services (for example, Mi Cloud) and limited some functions for devices without a mobile device. MIUI. Therefore, universal instructions from the Internet may not work – our recommendations take into account the specifics of the firmware. MIUI 14/15 Features of Redmi models 2022–2026 year-end.

1. Preparation of devices for data transfer

Before migrating, there are a few critical steps to follow on both devices, and neglecting to prepare is a major cause of port failures, especially when it comes to switching from Android. 10/11 on MIUI 14+.

On an old smartphone (data source):

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – transfer can take up to 1-2 hours with a large amount of data.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you use wireless methods) Mobile Internet is not suitable due to traffic restrictions.
• 🔒 Make sure there is no lock on the device. OEM (In Settings → For developers, on some Samsung or Huawei models, this may block data transmission.
• 📁 Free up space: If the old phone has less than 1 GB of free space, the transfer may be interrupted.

On the new Xiaomi Redmi (data receiver):

• 📱 Pass the initial setup until the system prompts you to migrate data (usually after connecting to Wi-Fi).Do not miss this step - later migration through Mi Mover will not be available without resetting to factory settings.
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI through settings → The phone. → System Update: Older versions may not support new transmission protocols.
• 🛡️ Turn off the antivirus or firewall if installed – they may block the connection to another device.

⚠️ Note: If the new Redmi has already created data (applications installed, photos taken), it will have to be deleted before transferring. MIUI Does not support data mergers – all existing files will be overwritten!

Also check the compatibility of the devices:

Method 1: Transfer over Mi Mover (official decision)

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer almost all data from an old Android device to the new Redmi. MIUI It also supports devices from other brands (such as Samsung, Huawei, Realme).

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Redmi, select Move Data when you first set up. → With Android devices.
2. On your old phone, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not on the system).
3. Run the app on both devices and select the roles: “Sender” (old phone) and “Receiver” (new Redmi).
4. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use an access point (on an old phone).
5. Scan on your old phone. QR-The code that will appear on the new Redmi.
6. Select data types to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, apps, etc.) and click Transfer.

What Mi Mover is carrying:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📱 Annexes (APK-file + data, if maintained)
• 📍 Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper, alarm clocks

What's NOT tolerable:

• 🔐 Passwords from apps and accounts (except Google)
• 🎮 Progress in games (unless synced to the cloud)
• 📂 Files from root folders (e.g, /data/data/)
• 📊 Performance settings (such as Samsung’s game mode)

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is stuck during the Preparation phase, check if the power saving mode is blocking the application. On some Redmi models, you need to manually add the Mi Mover to the exception list (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

Charge both devices up to 50%+

Install Mi Mover on your old phone

Connect to a single Wi-Fi network

Disable VPNs and Firewalls

Free up space on the new Redmi (minimum 2 GB)

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Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If Mi Mover doesn’t work (for example, because of firmware incompatibility), the most reliable alternative is synchronization through Google Account, which is suitable for transferring basic data: contacts, calendars, photos (via Google Photos), notes and some application settings.

How to transfer data:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for all categories: Contacts → Including Calendar → Including Chrome (bookmarks, history) → Includes Google Photo → On (select “High Quality” for Free Storage) Google Drive → Includes (for backup of applications)
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync).
3. On the new Redmi, when setting up, select Restore from a backup and log in to the same Google Account.
4. Select a backup (usually the latest by date) and wait for the recovery.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on all Android devices, including older versions.
• ✅ Data is stored in the cloud – it can be restored even after a reset.
• ✅ Supports gradual synchronization (for example, photos will be uploaded in the background).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not portable SMS/MMS (only through third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore).
• ❌ Applications are restored without data (for example, game progress will be lost).
• ❌ Takes up space on Google Drive (15GB free).

💡

If you have a lot of photos, before transferring to Google Photos, turn on the option “Free space” (Settings) → Free up space.This will remove local copies from the old phone after downloading to the cloud, saving transfer time.

Method 3: Cable connection (for large amounts of data)

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, wireless methods can take too long, in which case it is better to use a direct cable connection through the Internet. OTG-adaptor USB-C to USB-C.

Instructions:

1. Buy it. OTG-Adapter (if you have an old microUSB phone) or cable USB-C to USB-C (if both devices are Type-C).
2. On your old phone, turn on File Transfer Mode (MTP) customized USB (Settings → System system → For developers → Configuration USB).
3. Connect your phones with a cable. The new Redmi will have a connection notification. USB-storage.
4. Open Explorer on the new Redmi and copy the folders you need (DCIM for photo, download, etc.) to internal memory or SD-map.

What data can be transferred in this way:

• 📁 All media files (photos, videos, music)
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel)
• 🎮 Preservation of games (if stored in the /Android/data/)
• 📱 APK-Application files (but no data!)

Limitations:

• ⚠️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, etc.) are not transferred.).
• ⚠️ You need to manually copy each folder – there is no automatic selection.
• ⚠️ Some Redmi models may require permission to access files (Settings) → Annexes → Conductor → Permits).

5. Method 4: Transfer over cloud services (Dropbox, Yandex Drive, Telegram)

If you don’t have a cable or Wi-Fi is unstable, you can use cloud storage as an intermediate, a method that is suitable for transferring individual files or small amounts of data (up to 10-15 GB).

Step-by-step instructions on the example of Yandex Disk:

1. On your old phone, install Yandex Drive and log in to your account.
2. Upload the files to the cloud: Open the app → Press "+" → "Download files" → Select folders (DCIM, Download etc.)
3. On the new Redmi, install the same Yandex Drive and log in to your account.
4. Download files to the device (Files) → Select the right ones. → "Download").

Comparison of cloud services for transfer:

* Telegram has no hard limit, but files >2GB is sent as a file, not as a media.

When to use the cloud:

• 📤 You need to transfer sample files (for example, only photos from the last year).
• 🌍 Devices are located in different locations (for example, an old phone is left at home).
• 🔄 Want to have a backup in case of data loss.

⚠️ Note: When you upload photos to Google Photos or Yandex Drive in Original Quality mode, they take up space in the cloud. If you don't have enough free space, select High Quality (compression without losing visible quality).

6. Transfer of specific data (SMS, phone calls, passwords)

Some types of data are not carried in standard ways, and they will require special applications or manual manipulations.

1. Transfer SMS call history

This is the application. SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on your old phone.
2. Create a backup copy (backup) → SMS + Calls. → Save).
3. Transfer the backup file (usually in.xml format) to the new Redmi (via cable, cloud, or email).
4. Install the same app on your new phone and restore the data (Restore).

2. Wi-Fi password transfer

Wi-Fi passwords can only be exported on rooted devices or via the Internet. ADB-Alternative way of doing this:

• 📋 Write down all passwords manually from your old phone (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Press the net. → Share).
• 🔑 Use the WiFi Password Viewer (requires root rights).

3. Transfer of application data (games, messengers)

Most modern applications sync data through the cloud:

• 🎮 Games: Link progress to your Google Play Games account, Facebook or developer service (e.g. MiHoYo for Genshin Impact).
• 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber data are tied to the phone number – just install the application on the new Redmi and confirm the number.
• 📌 Notes and Tasks: Export from Google Keep, Evernote, or Mi Notes to a universal format (e.g.,.txt or.json).

💡

If the application does not support cloud sync, try to find a folder with its data through the file manager (usually). /Android/data/[Packet name] and copy it manually, note that new versions of Android may restrict access to this folder.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

1 Mi Mover doesn't find old device

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Check if they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data!).
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN Firewalls on both devices.
• 📱 On your old phone, turn on the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Assembly number (7 taps) → For developers → Debugging by USB).

2. The transfer is got stuck by 0%, 50% or 99%

• ⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the process seems to be hanging, but in fact there is a background transmission.
• 📴 Reconnect devices to Wi-Fi or change the network.
• 🗑️ Free up space on the new Redmi (minimum 2-3 GB of free space).
• 🔌 If you use a cable, try another port or cable (preferably the original one). USB-C).

3. Applications or their data are not portable

• 📱 Make sure that the old phone has enabled the option of Data Backup (Settings) → Google → Backup).
• 🔄 If the app doesn’t recover, install it manually from Google Play – sometimes the data is pulled up after the first run.
• 🚫 Some applications (e.g. banking) block data transfer for security reasons.

4.Photos or contacts disappeared after the transfer

• 🔍 Check the Mi Mover or Restored folder in the new Redmi’s internal memory.
• ☁️ If you have used a Google Account, wait for full sync (may take several hours).
• 📞 Contacts may be duplicated – check in the Contacts app → Management → Combine duplicates.

8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions