How to Transfer Data From One Xiaomi to Another: 5 Ways to Transfer Data

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment: you want all the usual data — from contacts and photos to screen settings and passwords from Wi-Fi — to move to a new device without loss. But how to do it quickly, safely and without “crutches” like manually copying each file? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of migration between Xiaomi devices (including models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), compare them in speed and reliability, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors that can cause data to be lost or not transferred.

It's important to understand that the transfer method depends on what data you need, and for example, apps and their settings are easiest to transfer through Mi Account, but photos in original quality are better transmitted over cable or through the Google Photos cloud. We tested each method on real devices (from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and highlighted the pros and cons of each. If you're in a hurry, use the quick way through Mi Mover, if you want control of the process, read about manual transfer by step.

Warning: Some methods (such as transferring over Mi Cloud) require a stable Internet connection and can take hours with a large amount of data. OTG-cables are offline, but they require additional accessories. FAQ Answering frequent questions, such as why they are not SMS How to recover data if something goes wrong.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an MIUI-built app that was designed specifically for data migration between Xiaomi devices, and supports transferring almost everything: contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, apps (including their data), notes, calendars, and even some system settings. The main advantage is that you don’t need to download anything: the app is out of the box on all smartphones of the brand.

How does it work? It's over Wi-Fi Direct, so you don't need Internet, and the speed of the transfer depends on the volume, for example, 30 GB of photos and 50 apps are copied in about 40 to 60 minutes. Importantly, both phones need to be charged at least 50 percent, otherwise the process can be interrupted.

• ✅ Pros: no cables or clouds are needed, application settings are saved, offline works.
• ❌ Cons: Wi-Fi passwords are not portable, some system settings (for example, navigation gestures) can “hang” on large amounts of data.
• ⚠️ Restrictions: on older models (up to) MIUI 12) some data types may not be supported.

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Xiaomi phone, when you first turn on, select Data Portability (if the phone is already configured, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer).
2. On your old phone, open Mi Mover (find through app search).
3. Select a role: new phone – “Recipient”, old – “Sender”.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old one (or connect via Bluetooth).
5. Select data to transfer (you can mark everything or select individual categories).
6. Confirm the transfer on both devices and wait until it is completed.

Charge of both phones >50% | Free space on the new phone (should be more data portable) | VPN disabled and power saving modes | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled on both devices-->

⚠️ Warning: If you have a "failed to connect" error during the transfer, restart both phones and try again. If the problem persists, try an alternative method through the cable.

Method 2: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

The Mi Cloud is a backup of your phone that is stored on Xiaomi servers, and the advantage of this method is that you can move data gradually, for example, today to copy contacts, tomorrow photos, and Mi Cloud allows you to recover data even if your old phone is broken or lost (provided you have previously done a backup).

However, there are nuances: free available only 5 GB of storage (that is about 1000-1500 photos in compressed format); to transfer more space you will have to buy an additional space (from 100 rubles for 50 GB per month); Mi Cloud does not save application settings and some system data (for example, desktop wallpaper).

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for all the necessary data (contacts, notes, photos, etc.).
3. Wait for the download to be completed (you can check the progress in the “Storage Management” section).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync in the Mi Cloud.
5. Select “Recover Data” and select the desired categories.

💡

If you have slow internet, upload data to Mi Cloud at night or via Wi-Fi. To speed up, turn off synchronization of unnecessary data (for example, calendar records if you are not using them).

Method 3: Cable Transfer (OTG or USB-Type-C)

If you don't have time to wait to upload to the cloud, or you're afraid that data will be lost in the air, direct copying through the cable is the most reliable way.

• 🔌 OTG-cable (if the new phone does not have a memory card connector).
• 📱 USB-Type-C Adapter → USB-Type-C (if both Type-C phones are available).
• 💾 Memory card (optional if you want to use it as an intermediate storage).

This method is suitable for transferring any files: photos in original quality, 4K videos, music, documents and even backups of applications (if you use Titanium Backup or analogues), the main disadvantage is that application settings and system data (for example, wallpaper or lock screen settings) can not be transferred.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your new phone via cable (or insert a memory card into your old phone and copy the data to it).
2. On the old phone, select “File Transfer” (or) in the window that appears «USB-accumulator»).
3. Open Explorer on a new phone and find the old phone connected (it will appear as a removable drive).
4. Copy the right folders: DCIM — Photos and videos. Download: uploaded files. Pictures, Music: media files. Android/data — Data from some applications (but not all!).

contact

.vcf

Contacts → Settings → Import / Export

⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data Some apps (like WhatsApp or games) may not recognize the data transferred, and then you have to restore backups through the apps themselves.

Method 4: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and email)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Calendar, Contacts), most of your personal data is already synced to the cloud automatically, ideal for transferring contacts, emails and calendar events, but not for photos, apps or system settings, and the advantage is that the data is available on any device with your Google Account, not just Xiaomi.

How to check if synchronization is enabled:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure that the sliders opposite Contacts, Calendar and Gmail are active.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account – the data will be downloaded automatically.

To transfer photos through Google Photos:

• Install the Google Photos app on your old phone.
• Enable autoboot in the settings (select “Original Quality” or “High Quality” depending on the available space in the cloud).
• On the new phone, log in to the same account and wait for synchronization.

💡

Syncing through Google Account does not take up space on your phone, but requires internet. Use Wi-Fi to save traffic.

Method 5: Manual transfer via computer (for advanced users)

If you want full control of the data you are transferring, or if you have specific requirements (such as transferring game saves or root application settings), computer copying is the best option.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (It is preferably original to avoid transmission problems).
• 📁 Backup software (optional: Titanium Backup, Swift Backup for root users).

This method allows you to transfer absolutely everything, including:

• 📱 Data applications (via backup.apk) + obb-files).
• 🔑 Passwords and keys (if root access is available).
• ⚙️ System settings (e.g. Magisk or Xposed configuration).

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy all the folders you need to your computer (see Method 3 for the list).
3. To port data applications: Use Titanium Backup to create a backup. Copy the Titanium Backup folder to your computer. Install Titanium Backup on your new phone, restore the backup, and restart the device.

SMS and call logs

SMS Backup & Restore

.xml

Mi Mover (via Wi-Fi Direct)|Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud)| OTG/USB|Google Cable | Manual transfer via computer |Another way-->

⚠️ Note: When transferring manually, do not copy the folder Android/obb It's on top of the existing phone, which can cause game disruptions, so you'd better delete the app first, then copy the data, and then install it again.

Comparison of data transfer methods

To choose the best method, read the comparison table:

If you need to transfer data from a Xiaomi phone to a device of another brand (Samsung, iPhone, etc.), use the Phone Clone app from Huawei or Smart Switch from Samsung – they support cross-platform migration.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi