How to transfer all data from one Xiaomi phone to another: 5 proven ways

The switch to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, but the process of transferring data often turns into a headache. Even if both devices are from the same manufacturer, users face lost contacts, unsynchronized chats or “broken” applications after moving. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of migration – from Mi Mover branded tools to manual backup – taking into account the features of firmware. MIUI 12-14 and models from the Redmi Note 10 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

The main problem with the transfer is the incompatibility of versions MIUI Or no backup, like if you're switching from Poco. F3 (MIUI 13 on Xiaomi 13T (MIUI 14), the standard Mi Mover may not recognize the old firmware, and we'll show you how to circumvent such restrictions, even saving your call history and Wi-Fi settings. And for those who are afraid of losing data, added a unique table compatibility models Xiaomi when transferring via cable – such information is not even in the official documentation.

Important: If your old phone is locked (for example, due to a forgotten password), first unlock it through Find Device or reset to factory settings.

1.Official method: Mi Mover via Wi-Fi or cable

Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s proprietary data migration solution built into firmware MIUI. It supports transferring contacts, messages, photos, apps (including some of them), and even system settings, but not all functions work equally well – for example, WhatsApp and Telegram require separate backups.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On the new phone: go to Settings → The phone. → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
• 🔄 On your old phone: Open Settings → Additionally. → Data portability (the path may differ depending on the version) MIUI).
• 📶 Choose the connection method: Wi-Fi Direct (wireless) or cable OTG (Recommended for large amounts of data).
• 🔍 Scan on the new device. QR-The code that will appear on the old phone.
• ✅ Select data for transfer and confirm the beginning of the process.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the way you connect. OTG work 3-4 This is faster than Wi-Fi, for example, 64 GB of data (photos, videos, applications) are transferred to the ~20 minute 1.5 But there's a nuance: some Xiaomi models 2020-2021 d. (e.g. Redmi) 9 POCO X3 NFC) supportive OTG-cable for Mi Mover – only Wi-Fi is left.

2. Transfer via backup to Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage solution from Xiaomi that allows you to create a full backup of your phone and restore it to a new device, which is convenient if you don't have a cable or your Wi-Fi is unstable, but it has limitations:

• 📦 Free 5GB available (for photos and videos, this is not enough).
• 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords or Google Pay settings) are not saved.
• ⏳ Recovery of a large copy (over 10 GB) can take several hours.

Instructions for creating a backup copy:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Click Create Backup and select data (we recommend marking everything except the app cache).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 10 minutes to 1 hour).
4. On your new phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and recover data from the Mi Cloud → Restore from backup copy.

Important: if you use Google Photos to store media files, don't duplicate them in Mi Cloud - it will take up extra space. → Settings → Recovery.

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Before you back up your Mi Cloud, check if there is enough space. If not, delete old copies or buy additional storage (100GB are priced). ~300 rubles a year).

3. Manual transfer via PC (for full control)

If you need to migrate sample data, or you don't trust cloud services, the most reliable way to do this is to use a computer, which is a good way to migrate:

• 📁 Large media files (video in the 4K, RAW-photo).
• 🎵 Music and playlists (e.g. from Spotify or Yandex Music).
• 📄 Documents (.pdf,.docx, tables.xlsx).
• 📱 APK-Application files (if not available in Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Copy the right folders (DCIM Download for downloads, Music for music on your computer.
3. Connect a new phone and transfer the files to the same folders.
4. For the transfer of contacts and SMS Use software like MobileTrans or Samsung Smart Switch (yes, they work with Xiaomi too!).

The advantage of this method is that you can have 100% control over what you want to move to, for example, you can sort photos by year before copying or delete duplicates with CCleaner, but there are also disadvantages: applications will have to be re-installed (although their data can be transferred through Titanium Backup for rooted devices).

folder DCIM (photo)|Download folder (downloads)|WhatsApp folder (backup chats)|Contacts (export to.vcf)|SMS (backup)-->

4. Transfer applications and their data (including games)

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is saving these applications, especially games (for example, progress in Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings).

Methods of transferring applications:

For most users, the best option is sync through a Google account (for supported applications) + For example, in Genshin Impact, you just need to log into the same miHoYo account on a new phone, and for Clash of Clans, you need to link the game to Google Play Games.

5. Transfer of contacts, SMS call history

Contacts, messages and call history are the ones that you can see lost immediately, and fortunately, they're the easiest to move, and there are a few reliable ways to do that.

Method 1: Through a Google Account

1. On an old phone: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contact synchronization (turn on if turned off).
2. On a new phone: Log in to the same Google account and enable sync.

Contacts will appear automatically within 5-10 minutes.

Method 2: Export/import of a.vcf file

1. On your old phone: Open Contacts → Settings → Exports/imports → Export to storage (save file to memory card).
2. Transfer the contacts.vcf file to your new phone (via PC, cloud, or Mi Mover).
3. On a new phone: import the file through Contacts → Imports.

Method 3: Through SMS Backup & Restore (for messages)

Install the app SMS Backup & Restore on both phones:

1. On the old one: back up and save the file to Google Drive.
2. On the new: restore messages from the file (Restore).

The same application will be suitable for call history. SMS Backup & Restore (it supports calls) or Call Logs Backup. However, note that not all Xiaomi models (e.g. Poco) F5 on MIUI 14) correctly restore the history of calls - in this case, only manual input will help.

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If you use Telegram or WhatsApp, don’t transfer them over Mi Mover — instead, back up the app itself and restore it to a new phone, which ensures that the chats are safe.

6.Transfer of photos and videos without loss of quality

Media files are the heaviest data, and they need to be moved around, and if you use Mi Mover or the cloud, you run the risk of compression or loss. EXIF-Data (location and time information) Here's how to transfer photos and videos without loss:

The best way: through a PC with the preservation of folder structure

• 🖥️ Connect your old phone to your PC and copy folders DCIM and Pictures in their entirety (not selectively!).
• 📁 On your new phone, create the same folders and paste files.
• 🔍 Check that the dates of creation of files are the same (in Properties) → Detailed).

Alternative: Google Photos in Original Quality

If you have Google One (or enough space in your Google account), turn on the download in its original quality:

1. Open Google Photos → Settings → Backup and Sync.
2. Choose Original Quality (not High Quality, otherwise the photos will shrink!).
3. Wait for the download to complete and restore files to the new phone.

For professional photographers: if you are shooting in RAW (For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro, use Lightroom Mobile to sync the originals. Alternatively, transfer via Synology Drive or Nextcloud (if you have your own cloud).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face problems.-5 Mistakes in data transfer to Xiaomi and their solution:

1. Mi Mover doesn't see old phone - different versions MIUI Solution: Update the firmware on both devices or use a cable OTG.
2. Applications are not restored Reason: No backup in Google Drive or sync disabled Solution: Enable Settings → Google → Backup and Repeat the Transfer.
3. Photos and videos take up too much space Reason: Duplication of files (like Google Photos and Mi Cloud copies).Solution: Use Files by Google to find duplicates.
4. Wi-Fi settings are not portable Reason: Mi Mover does not save passwords from networks Solution: Take a picture QR-Network codes (in Wi-Fi settings) → Share) or write down passwords manually.
5. Phone overheats during transfer Reason: CPU intensive work when copying large files Solution: Move data in parts (for example, first photo, then applications) and let the phone cool down.

If none of these things worked, try resetting the new phone to factory settings and repeating the transfer from the clean system, sometimes because of pre-installed apps or updates.

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Before perenosom data always check the free space on the new phone. If the old device is occupied by 128 GB and the new free only 64 GB, Mi Mover will end the process with an error, and some data will be lost.

8. Data transfer from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: a comparison of methods

To choose the best method, compare all options on key parameters:

For most users, Xiaomi is the best combination:

1. Mi Mover via cable for basic data.
2. Google Photos in original quality – for media files.
3. Manual export/import – for contacts and SMS.

If you have Xiaomi with custom firmware (such as Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience), Mi Mover may not work. In this case, use Swift Backup (requires a root) or Titanium Backup.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions