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

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can turn into a real headache if you don’t know the nuances. Somewhere the application settings are lost, somewhere they are not transferred SMS, In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of data migration between Xiaomi devices, from official tools to alternative solutions for complex cases.

Xiaomi's ecosystem has a lot of built-in portability, whether it's through the Mi Cloud, through the Mi Mover cable, or even through third-party services like Google Drive. But each method has its limitations. For example, Mi Cloud doesn't carry some system settings, and Mi Mover may not work on devices older than 2019. We've tested all the options on models from the Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra — and we're ready to share the results.

It is important to understand that full data transfer involves not only photos and contacts, but also:

• 📱 Installed applications (including data within them if supported)
• 📞 Call log and SMS/MMS (including media files in messages)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sound schemes, network parameters)
• 🔑 Accounts and passwords (saved in a browser or password manager)
• 🎮 Game data (progress in Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile and others.)

If you plan to sell or transfer an old smartphone, remember to completely erase the data after the transfer. At the end of the article, we will explain how to do this safely so that your personal information does not fall into the wrong hands.

Preparation of devices before the perenosom

Before migrating, there are several critical steps that need to be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, incomplete portability, or even a new phone crash.

First, check the version. MIUI If the difference between them is more than 2 years (for example, MIUI 12 on the old and MIUI 15 on new), some portability features may not work. Update firmware through Settings → The phone. → This is especially true for Redmi 9 and older models, which often require manual upgrades before migrating.

Update MIUI both-smartphone|Charge both devices to a minimum of 50%|Connect both phones to Wi-Fi (preferably to the same network)|Free up space on a new phone (minimum 10 GB)|Shut down. VPN firewalls-->

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If the new phone already has data, reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and resetting. This will eliminate conflict during transfer.

Second, make sure that the new device has enough free space.Switching 64GB of data to a phone with 128GB of memory can result in an error if the system has reserved space for updates. → Warehouse.

The third thing is that you log in to Mi Account, and you need to log in to the same Xiaomi account on both phones, and if you have multiple accounts, use the one that's linked to Mi Cloud. → Xiaomi account.If you forget your password, restore it in advance - during the transfer, the system may request a re-authorization.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has enabled the function Data Protection MIUI (In Settings → Privacy, you need to disable it, otherwise Mi Mover won't be able to access some files.

2. Method 1: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

The most versatile method that works even if you don't have a cable or you have phones in different cities, but it has limitations.

• 📁 Not all system settings are transferred (for example, the lock screen settings will have to be reconfigured).
• 🎮 Game data is only transferred if it is stored in the cloud of the game itself (for example, through Google Play Games or Mi Game Center).
• 🔄 The process can take several hours if the data volume exceeds 10 GB.

Step instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for all categories: Contacts, Notes, Call Log, SMS, Photos (if they are not synced with Google Photos).
3. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (progress is displayed in the same menu).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Cloud account and enable sync of the same categories.
5. Wait 10 to 30 minutes for the data to start showing up on the new device.

If some data is not transferred (for example, photos or phone records), check:

• 🔄 Did the synchronization stop due to weak internet.
• 📵 Is Traffic Saving Mode Included in Settings? → Connections → Use of data.
• 🔒 Is access to Mi Cloud blocked in privacy settings.

Method 2: Transfer over cable using Mi Mover

Mi Mover is a built-in application from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer data directly through the cable, which is faster than the cloud and carries more types of data, including some system settings.

• 🔌 The original cable. USB-C/USB-C (Adapters, if the ports are different).
• 📱 Both phones should be on MIUI 10 or newer (older versions may not work).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 20% on both devices.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect both phones to charge (recommended, but not required).
2. On your new phone, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer. If the phone is already configured, open the Mi Mover app manually.
3. On your old phone, also open Mi Mover (if you don’t have one, download from Google Play).
4. Select I am the sender on the old phone and I am the receiver on the new one.
5. Connect your phones with a cable. If you use an adapter, select the correct transmission mode (File transfer or MTP).
6. It'll appear on the new phone. QR-Code - scan it with an old phone.
7. Select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

The transfer time depends on the amount of data:

• 📂 5–10 GB – 15–30 minutes.
• 📂 30-50 GB – 1-2 hours.
• 📂 100+ GB - 3 GB+ One hour (it is recommended to use the cloud).

⚠️ Warning: If you experience a “failed to connect” error during the transfer over Mi Mover, try: Reconnect the cable (sometimes helps to flip it). Enable Developer Mode and activate Debugging. USB. Use a different cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).

Method 3: Local backup (for power users)

If you don't trust cloud services, or if you want to have full control of the process, you can create a local backup on your old phone and restore it to a new one.

• 📁 All applications with data (if not protected) DRM).
• ⚙️ System settings, including network and sound parameters.
• 🎵 Multimedia (photo, video, music) without compression.

This will require:

• 💾 Memory card or USB-storage device (formatted in FAT32 exFAT).
• 🔧 Annex "Backup" (built-in MIUI).

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
2. Select the data for reservation (it is recommended to note all points).
3. Specify the storage location (internal memory, SD- card or USB- drive).
4. Start the redundancy process. Time depends on the amount of data (from 10 minutes to an hour).
5. Connect the drive to a new phone and recover data through the same menu.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Full control over what data is transferred.
• ✅ No dependency on internet speed.
• ✅ You can create multiple backups for different purposes.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It requires more manual action.
• ❌ Some applications (such as banking) may not recover due to security restrictions.

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Local backup is the only way to migrate Wi-Fi settings and passwords from networks that are not synced through the Mi Cloud.

5. Method 4: Transfer through Google Account (alternative for minimalists)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive), you can transfer the main data through them.

• 📧 You already sync your contacts and calendar with your Google Account.
• 📷 Photos and videos are automatically uploaded to Google Photos.
• 🎮 You don’t need system settings. MIUI.

How it works:

1. On your old phone, check that sync with Google is enabled: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Account Sync Make sure Contacts, Calendar, Google Drive and Google Photos are enabled.
2. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account and wait for sync.
3. Install the missing apps from Google Play (installing history is saved).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 SMS and call logs are not synced via Google (you need to use Mi Cloud or third-party apps).
• 🔕 Settings MIUI (Themes, gestures, sounds are not tolerated.
• 📁 Local files (downloads, documents) must be manually transferred.

If you need to move SMS, you can use the app SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play.It saves messages to a.xml file, which is then restored to a new phone.

Method 5: Third-party applications (for specific tasks)

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work, you can use third-party solutions, which are useful for:

• 🎮 Transferring game data (e.g. saves to Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings).
• 📱 Cloning apps with settings (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🔄 Transfer data between Xiaomi and other brands (if you need to).

Popular applications:

To port WhatsApp:

1. Back up chats on your old phone: WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy
2. Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases New phone (can be used via Mi Mover or Shareit).
3. Install WhatsApp on your new phone and restore chats from your local copy.

⚠️ Note: When you transfer WhatsApp via Google Drive, note that: Backup is tied to your phone number. If you change the number, chats will not recover. Media files (photos, videos) are only restored if they were uploaded to the WhatsApp cloud.

7. What to do after data transfer

Data transfer is only half the battle, and migration requires:

1. Check data integrity: Open the Gallery and make sure all photos and videos are in place. Check Contacts and Call Log. Run key applications (messengers, banking apps, games).

Update the annexes

Google Play → ⋮ → My apps and games → Update everything

Set up a fingerprint/face

Settings → Lock screen → Fingerprint

Personalize the system

• Set the usual wallpaper and theme.
• Set up gestures and hotkeys.
• Restore notification settings for applications.

If some data is not transferred, don't panic. Here's what you can do:

• 🔄 Repeat the transfer using another method (for example, if Mi Mover didn’t work, try Mi Cloud).
• 📁 Transfer the missing files manually through Explorer or Google Drive.
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi if the problem is critical (e.g., has not recovered) SMS crucial).

8 How to Safely Delete Data from Old Xiaomi Before Selling

Before you transfer or sell an old phone, you have to delete all your personal data completely, and simply resetting to factory settings is not enough, you have to do a safe erasure.

Instructions:

1. Make a final backup (in case you forgot to move something).
2. Log out of all accounts: Settings → Accounts. → Delete your Google and Mi Account
3. Perform a full reset: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Reset Settings Select Erase All Data and Confirm.
4. After reset, turn on the phone and make sure it has requested the setting as new (meaning the data is erased).
5. For complete certainty, fill the phone's memory with unnecessary files (like videos), and then reset again.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled the function Data Protection MIUI Or encrypting the device, it can take up to an hour to reset!

For models with a memory card:

• Extract. SD-map and format it on the computer.
• If the card was used as internal memory, the phone reset will automatically format it.

After that, your data will be irrecoverable even with special software, and now the phone can be transferred safely to the new owner.

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Never sell a phone with your Mi Account enabled! The new owner will be able to access your cloud data, including photos and contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi