Transferring all data and applications from Android to Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Why migrating data to Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but many users face unexpected difficulties when trying to transfer data from an old Android device. Unlike the iPhone, where migration is standardized through iCloud, the Android ecosystem offers dozens of options, from embedded tools to third-party apps. MIUI It blocks some standard copying methods, and Mi Mover doesn’t work with all models.

In this article, we will discuss the unique limitations of transferring to the Redmi series. 2023–2026 Why Bluetooth is Transferring Files to the Internet 10 times slower than cable OTG, How to circumvent the limitation MIUI copying system applications, and why backups through Google can “lose” before 30% You'll get checklists for each method, a table of compatibility with Redmi Note models. 12/13, Redmi 12C/13C, as well as instructions for restoring applications with saving logins (including banking and instant messengers).

1. Preparing old and new phone: what to do before transfer

Before you start migrating, you need to follow 5 critical steps, without which you risk losing data or encountering compatibility errors.

• 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version - in MIUI 14+ File transfer bugs via Mi Mover and Android 12+ Supports the new Nearby Share protocol.
• 🔋 Charge both phones to at least 50% – transfer via cable or Wi-Fi Direct drains the battery by 20-30% in an hour.
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cache data – this will speed up backup by 40%.
• 🔐 Remove unnecessary accounts from Settings → Accounts – Extra profiles may conflict when synchronized.

On the new Xiaomi Redmi:

• 📦 Skip the initial setup (don’t enter a Google account!) – this will allow you to use Mi Mover on a clean system.
• 🔄 Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI, Then turn on the debugging. USB c In addition → For developers.

⚠️ Note: If storage encryption is enabled on your old phone (for example, on Samsung with Knox), transfer via cable OTG It will not be possible to use the cloud method or Mi Mover.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – official Xiaomi tool (fastest way)

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that should theoretically work flawlessly.+ redmi 13C Complain about the error “failed to connect” due to conflict versions MIUI. Let’s take a look at the step-by-step instructions taking into account these nuances:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones from AppGallery (if it’s not in the Play Market).
2. Run the app on both devices, select "I am the sender" on your old phone and "I am the recipient" on Redmi.
3. Scanner. QR-Code: The new phone will appear QR — Scan it with an old device. If the camera doesn't work, type in the 6-digit code manually.
4. Select data: tick contacts, messages, photos, videos and applications (system applications will not be fully transferred!).
5. Confirm the transfer – the process will take from 10 minutes (for 5 GB of data) to 1 hour (for 50 GB of data)+ GB).

The speed of transmission via Mi Mover is ~15-20 MB/s (wi-fi Direct), which is 3 times faster than Bluetooth:

⚠️ Note: If the new Redmi has a beta version installed MIUI, Mi Mover can freeze in the "Data Preparation" phase. Solution: roll back to stable firmware through Settings. → Update of the PO → Three points. → Select a Service Package.

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If Mi Mover doesn’t see the old device, reboot both phones and turn on Flight Mode for 30 seconds, which will reset the Wi-Fi Direct network settings.

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (reliable, but not completely)

Syncing through Google Account is the most versatile way, but it has two key drawbacks: not all data is portable (e.g., not all data is portable, SMS It can take hours to recover apps, but it works even if you have different phone brands (like Samsung). → Xiaomi).

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account and turn on all switches.
2. Go back to the main settings menu, find the system. → Backup and activate backup in Google Drive.
3. On Xiaomi Redmi, when you first turn on, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google account.
4. Confirm recovery – the process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the amount of data.

What will not go through Google:

• 📱 Established APK-Files (only links to apps in the Play Market).
• 💬 Messages from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber).
• 🎵 Local music (unless uploaded to Google Play Music).
• 📁 Files in folders outside of standard directories (DCIM, Downloads).

Method 3: Cable OTG + Adapter (for large amounts of data)

If you need to transfer more than 100 GB of data (for example, a collection of photos to the Internet) RAW video 4K), Neither Mi Mover nor cloud services are going to work, the first one is limited by Wi-Fi speed, the second one is limited by free storage. OTG.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Type-C → Type-C or MicroUSB → Type-C depending on the port of the phone).
• 🖥️ File Manager (recommended by Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
• ⚡ Charger – Connect the new Redmi to the network as copying drains the battery.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the cable. OTG The new Xiaomi Redmi, and the other end to the old phone.
2. Redmi will be notified "USB-Device is connected" - tap it and select File Transfer.
3. Open the file manager on your old phone – it should display Redmi storage as an external drive.
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Pictures, Downloads) in the root catalog of the new phone.
5. Use App Backup & Restore to port apps (copy) APK + file-fill /sdcard/Backups).

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 12 Pro and newer MIUI blocks copying of system folders (/data/app) through OTG. To get around this, activate Developer Mode and enable Debugging by USB permittingly ADB, Then use the command: adb shell pm grant com.android.fileexplorer android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

Method 4: Application Party (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)

If the built-in methods do not work (for example, due to incompatibility of Android versions), you can use third-party utilities.

• 📲 SHAREit – speeds up to 20MB/s, but requires a connection to a single Wi-Fi network.
• ⚡ Xender – supports transmission without the Internet (creates its own access point).
• 🌐 Send Anywhere – generates 6-digit code for transferring files between devices.
• 🔗 LocalSend – an open analogue of AirDrop with data encryption.

A common algorithm for all applications:

1. Install the selected app on both phones.
2. On an old phone, select files to transfer and click "Send".
3. On Redmi, select "Get" and confirm the connection (via QR, code).
4. Wait until the transfer is complete – don’t block the screen!

Comparison of applications by key parameters:

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The application side is convenient for one-time file transfer, but not suitable for full system transfer. To migrate applications with data, use specialized tools like Titanium Backup (requires root).

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

If you need complete control of the process (for example, to transfer hidden files or backups of Titanium Backup), use a computer with a computer that is not used. Windows/macOS/Linux. This method is the most time-consuming, but allows you to transfer 100% data, including:

• 📂 Hidden folders (e.g..thumbnails,.data).
• 🔧 Application settings (through ADB Titanium Backup).
• 📱 Systemic APK (If you have root access).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect both phones to the PC via USB (file transfer).
2. Copy from an old folder phone: DCIM (Photo/video) Pictures Downloads Android/data (file) Android/obb (game-cash)
3. Use the application transfer APK Extractor (extracts) APK old phone) + App Cloner (Restores Settings).
4. For transfer SMS/Export them to.xml via the call log SMS Backup & Restore.
5. Connect Xiaomi Redmi and paste the copied data into the corresponding folders.

⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data on the redmi MIUI 14+ You may see a "No access rights" error. Solution: temporarily disable Privacy Protection in Settings → Confidentiality → Special access → Managing all files.

7.Restore applications and data after portability

Even if you successfully migrated files, applications may not work due to permission resets or version conflicts.

• 🔄 Update all apps through Play Market – it will restore the missing libraries.
• 🔑 Check the permissions: go to Settings → Annexes → Manage permissions and enable access to storage, camera, microphone.
• 📱 Recover App Data: For WhatsApp: Copy the File msgstore.db.crypt14 into /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. For Telegram: log in to your account, chats will be automatically downloaded from the cloud. For games: move the folder Android/obb Restore your saves through Google Play Games.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: after transferring data, discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions - this will reset incorrect monitoring data.

If apps crash or don’t open, try:

1. Clear the application cache in Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
2. Remove and reinstall the problem application.
3. Check compatibility with the Android version on Redmi (for example, some banking apps don't work on Android 13).+ refreshed).

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To speed up indexing of transferred files (photos, music), reboot Redmi and wait for the media scanner process to be completed.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when you follow the instructions, you have typical problems. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative approach:

1. Create a full backup of your old phone through TWRP Recovery (requires an unlocked bootloader).
2. Copy the backup to your computer, then restore it to Redmi via fastboot.

This method requires technical skills, but ensures that all data is transferred, including system settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions