How to transfer all data from Android to Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Contents

• Introduction: Why migrating data to Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach
• Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start
• Method 1: Mi Mover – the official solution from Xiaomi
• Method 2: Sync through Google Account
• Method 3: Direct Cable Transfer (including OTG)
• Method 4: Third-Party Applications for Migration
• Method 5: Manual transfer of important data
• Problem Solving: What to do if the data is not transferred
• Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi Redmi

The transition to the new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of data transfer can turn into a nightmare if you do not know the key nuances. Unlike devices from the same manufacturer (for example, from Samsung to Samsung), migration between different Android brands requires a special approach, especially in the Redmi line, where the manufacturer has integrated its own solutions like Mi Mover, but still maintains support for standard Google protocols.

In this article, we will discuss 5 We will also reveal the hidden limitations of Xiaomi when working with other people's backups. You will learn how to transfer not only contacts and photos, but also SMS, Call history, Wi-Fi settings, and even some app data. 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and flagships of the Redmi K series, where the process may differ due to different versions MIUI.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow the mandatory preparatory steps that will save hours and prevent data loss, starting with the old device:

• 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 50% – transfer data can take up to 2 hours at a large volume (especially if you use a cable). ≤4,000 mAh (e.g. Redmi) 9A) We recommend connecting charging during the process.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (for wireless methods) or prepare OTG-cable (for direct connection) for Redmi Note 12 Pro+ And a newer cable will do. USB-C — USB-C.
• 🧹 Clean up unnecessary files on your old phone: delete duplicate photos (use Google Photos) → "Free up space"), clear the app cache in Settings → Warehouse.
• 🔐 Make sure the new Redmi has the latest version installed. MIUI. You can check this in the settings. → The phone. → System updates. For models. 2023–2026 yearly MIUI 14/15.

Crucially, Xiaomi blocks the transfer of some system data (such as Wi-Fi passwords or screen time settings) when using third-party tools. If this data is important, use only Mi Mover or Google Account.

Charging both phones ≥50%|Cleared. ≥1GB of free space on the new Redmi|Disabled. VPN and energy-saving regimes|Downloaded the latest updates MIUI|Cable's ready. OTG (if necessary)-->

Method 1: Mi Mover – the official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi, optimized for transferring data between devices on MIUI. It supports transfer of:

• 📞 Contacts, SMS call history
• 📷 Photos, videos and audio files
• 📱 Installed applications (without data)
• 🔑 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

How to use:

1. On the new Redmi, select Data Portability when you first enable it (or find Mi Mover in Settings → More).
2. On an old phone, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it is not by default).
3. Select the role of "Sender" on the old phone and "Receiver" on the new one.
4. Connect via Wi-Fi Direct (automatically) or OTG cable.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 13+ When you move over Mi Mover, you may have a "can't connect" error:

⚠️ Warning: Turn off Developer Mode (if enabled) on both phones and check that the date/time is synced with the network.

💡

Mi Mover is the only way to migrate Wi-Fi settings and some system data to Xiaomi Redmi.

Method 2: Sync through Google Account

If you used Google on an old phone, most of the data is already synced to the cloud.

• 📇 Contacts (via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendars (Google Calendar)
• 📎 Notes (Google Keep)
• 📷 Photos and videos (Google Photos with "Original" or "High" quality")
• 🎮 Data of certain games (via Google Play Games)

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On the new Redmi, when setting up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.
3. Select a backup (if there are several) and wait for the recovery.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS, Call history and Wi-Fi settings.
• ❌ Applications recover without data (e.g., game progress will be lost if they don’t support cloud backup).
• ⚠️ Photos in Google Photos as "Original" take up space in the cloud. On Redmi with 128GB of storage, this can be a problem.

💡

Before you restore your Google Account, turn off the “Auto-App Update” option in the Play Market on the new Redmi – this will speed up the process and save traffic.

Method 3: Direct Cable Transfer (including OTG)

For users who don’t trust cloud services or want to move data as quickly as possible, direct cable sharing works even without the Internet and is suitable for large volumes (for example, transferring 100+ GB of photos and videos).

You'll need:

• 🔌 OTG-cable (for older Redmi models with Micro-USB) or USB-C — USB-C (new).
• 📱 Old phone with support OTG (Check in the settings → The phone).
• 🔋 Charging for the new Redmi (transfer drains the battery faster than usual).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the cable to both phones. On the screen of the old device, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On the new Redmi, open Explorer (or download FX File Explorer from the Play Market).
3. Go to section "USB-The storage will show the folders of the old phone.
4. Copy the data you need (for example, folders) DCIM for photo, downloads for downloads) to internal memory or SD-New Redmi map.

⚠️ Note: When transferring via cable, do not copy system folders like Android or data, which can cause malfunctions in the new phone:

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI 14+ When copying files through the cable, protection may work MIUI Optimization, blocking access to some folders. Solution: temporarily disable optimization in Settings → Special facilities → MIUI Optimization.

Method 4: Third-Party Applications for Migration

If standard methods do not work (for example, you do not have a phone on MIUI), you can use specialized applications.

• 📱 Clone Phone (from Huawei) – supports contact transfer, SMS, Photos and videos, even between different brands.
• 🔄 Samsung Smart Switch – despite the name, compatible with Xiaomi (but requires installation on both devices).
• ☁️ Send Anywhere – transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct without limiting the scope.
• 📎 Xender is a popular solution for data exchange between Android devices.

How to use it (for example, Clone Phone):

1. Install the app on both phones from the Play Market.
2. On the old phone, select "This old phone" and on the new one, "This new phone."
3. Connect via Wi-Fi Direct or scan QR-code.
4. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• ✅ Works between any Android device (including Redmi and other brands).
• ✅ Often support the transfer of data applications (for example, save games).
• ✅ Do not require root rights or complex settings.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some apps (such as Samsung Smart Switch) may not port Wi-Fi settings to Xiaomi.
• ❌ Transfer speed depends on the stability of Wi-Fi Direct.

Method 5: Manual transfer of important data

If you only need to migrate sample data (e.g., only contacts or photos from the last year), the manual method may be the most reliable.

1. Contacts

Export them to the.vcf file:

1. Open Google Contacts on your old phone.
2. Press. ⋮ → Export and save the file to the device.
3. Transfer the file to the new Redmi (via cable, email, or cloud).
4. On your new phone, import.vcf via Contacts → ⋮ → Imports.

2.Photo and video

Use Google Photos or manual transfer:

• 📁 Create an archive with a folder on your old phone DCIM (where the camera photo/video is stored).
• 🔗 Move your archive to the new Redmi via cable or cloud (e.g. Yandex Drive with 10GB of free space).
• 📂 Unpack the archive in the Pictures folder or DCIM new-device.

3. SMS and call history

You will need to use SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On the old phone, create a backup.
3. Transfer the backup file (usually in.xml format) to the new Redmi.
4. Restore data through Restore.

⚠️ Note: When manually porting, do not copy files with the.db or.dat extension – these may be application databases that are not compatible with the new version. MIUI.

Problem Solving: What to do if the data is not transferred

Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have a failure, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

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

1. Create a full backup of your old phone through adb backup (requires a PC and developer mode enabled).
2. Restore the backup on the new Redmi through the same team.

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab


adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Adb may not work on Redmi MIUI 14+ Because of security constraints, in which case, you only have to manually transfer critical data.

Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi Redmi