How to Transfer Data from One Xiaomi to Another via Bluetooth: Full Guide

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting can become a real headache if you don’t know the intricacies. Many users choose Bluetooth as the most affordable way to transfer files, especially when there is no cable or stable Wi-Fi at hand. However, this method has its own features: from the limitations on file size to the nuances of compatibility between different models of Redmi, POCO or Mi.

In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios for data transfer via Bluetooth: from contacts and photos to applications and settings. You will learn how to avoid common errors (such as communication failure or loss of media quality), what alternatives to consider if Bluetooth is unstable, and how to speed up the transfer process. MIUI, simplifies.

We warn you right away: Bluetooth is not suitable for all types of data, for example, applications and their settings can not be transferred in this way, only media files, contacts and individual documents. SMS, Wi-Fi call history and passwords, you'd better use Mi Mover or Xiaomi Cloud, but if you're talking about a one-time transfer of vacation photos or playlists, Bluetooth will be your reliable assistant.

It is important to understand that the speed of transfer via Bluetooth is much lower than cable or Wi-Fi Direct. For example, a 500-photo album in high resolution can be transmitted up to 1-2 hours, depending on the version of Bluetooth (4.2 vs 5.0) and the load of the channel, but this method does not require Internet, works even with a dead battery and is suitable for older models where there is no support for fast protocols.

1. Preparation of telephones for data transmission

Before you start the transfer, make sure that both Xiaomi smartphones are ready for the procedure.This will save you from sudden crashes and data loss.

First thing you need to check the version. MIUI On both devices. Go to Settings for that. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If one of the smartphones is outdated firmware (for example, MIUI 10 or lower), there may be problems with Bluetooth protocol compatibility. → Updating the system.

Next, make sure that both devices are Bluetooth enabled and they can see each other.

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider on both phones.
3. Click Device Search and wait until the second smartphone appears in the list.
4. Confirm pairing on both devices (entry may be required) PIN-code, usually 0000 or 1234).

If the devices do not find each other, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones - it resets the Bluetooth cache.
• 📱 Make sure the flight mode is off – it blocks all wireless modules.
• 🔋 Check battery power – if the level is below 15%, Bluetooth may not work properly.
• 🛠️ Reset Bluetooth settings in Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Additionally. → Resetting settings.

2 What data can be transferred via Bluetooth

Bluetooth on Xiaomi smartphones supports the transfer of the following types of files:

✅ Media files:

• 📷 Photos (JPG, PNG, WEBP) — retain original resolution, but can be compressed when transferring large files (>10MB).
• 🎵 Audio (MP3, AAC, WAV) — pass on without loss of quality.
• 🎬 Video (MP4, MKV) — Possible delays in file transfer >500MB.

✅ Documents and archives:

• 📄 Text files (TXT, PDF, DOCX) — It is transmitted quickly and without distortion.
• 🗄️ Archives (ZIP, RAR) — if the archive weighs >1GB, Bluetooth can interrupt transmission.

✅ Contacts and calendars:

• 📇 Contacts (VCF-files – transmitted one by one or in groups (up to 100 contacts at a time).
• 📅 Calendar events (ICS) — only through export/import.

❌ What you can not transfer over Bluetooth:

• 📱 Annexes and their data (APK, OBB) — Only through Mi Mover or Xiaomi Cloud.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords – Manual entry or Mi Mover required.
• 💬 SMS Call history – only through backup.
• 🎮 Game saves – usually linked to a Google or Mi Account.

💡

If you need to move applications, use the function Cloning applications in Settings → Annexes → Cloning of applications (available on the MIUI 12+). This will create a duplicate program with stored data.

Special attention should be paid to file size. Bluetooth in Xiaomi has the following limitations:

Critical nuance: when transferring files >1 GB via Bluetooth on models with MIUI 12 or below, the system may freeze, in which case we recommend breaking files into pieces or using alternative methods (Wi-Fi Direct, cable) OTG).

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to transfer files

Let’s look at the process of transferring photos from Redmi Note 9 to Xiaomi. 12T. The instructions are relevant for all models with MIUI 11 and above.

📌 Step 1. Connect the devices

1. On both phones, open the settings. → Bluetooth and activate the module.
2. Click Device Search on the receiving phone (where the files will be transferred).
3. Select the sending phone from the list and confirm pairing (the code must match on both screens).

📌 Step 2: Select files to transfer

1. Open Files (File Manager app) on the sending phone.
2. Go to the folder with the required files (for example, DCIM → Camera for photos).
3. Press your finger on the file to highlight, then mark the rest (or click Select All).
4. Press Share (Arrow Up Icon) → Bluetooth.

📌 Step 3. Start transmission

1. In the list of devices, select the receiving phone.
2. On the receiving phone will be a request for confirmation – click Accept.
3. Wait for the transfer to be completed (progress is displayed in the notification panel).

⚠️ Note: If the transmission is interrupted by 90-99%, this may be due to a lack of memory on the receiving device. → Store and free up at least 10% of the total volume.

🔹 How to speed up transmission:

• 📶 Turn off mobile internet on both phones – this will reduce the load on the Bluetooth module.
• 🔕 Make sure there are no other active Bluetooth devices (earphones, fitness bracelets) nearby).
• 📂 Archiving files before transfer (e.g. photos in the ZIP) — It'll reduce their size.

4.Contact transfer via Bluetooth

Contacts are not sent as separate records, but as a.vcf file (business card), which is suitable if you need to transfer a small number of contacts (up to 100 pieces).

📌 Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app on your old phone.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
3. Select your export contacts (or click Select All) and confirm the creation of a.vcf file.
4. The file will be saved in the Download folder. Now send it via Bluetooth, as described in the previous section.
5. On the new phone, open the received file and click Import.

⚠️ Note: Duplicate contacts may be imported if the new phone already has some records. To avoid this, clear before importing:

1. Go to Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Clear duplicates.
2. Choose Remove all contacts (if the phone is new) or Combine duplicates.

🔹 What to do if contacts are not imported:

• 📱 Check the file format – it should be.vcf, not.csv or.xls.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes helps with import failures.
• 📂 Try opening a file through Files, not directly from Bluetooth.

5. Alternative methods of data transfer

If Bluetooth is too slow or unstable, consider other methods. Here is a comparison of the most popular options for Xiaomi:

🔹 Wi-Fi Direct is the fastest wireless method:

1. On both phones, open Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. Connect devices (may be required) PIN-code).
3. In the Files app, select the data you need and click Share. → Wi-Fi Direct.

🔹 Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s built-in solution for full migration:

1. Install Mi Mover from the Play Market (if it is not in the system).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-code and select data for transfer (contacts, SMS, applications, etc.).

Typical errors and their solutions

When migrating data over Bluetooth, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

🔴 Error: “Failure to send the file"

• 📶 Reason: weak Bluetooth signal or interference from other devices.
• 🔧 Solution: Make sure there are no obstacles between the phones (walls, metal objects) disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, smartwatches). Reboot both phones.

🔴 Mistake: “The file is too big"

• 📏 Reason: Limitation of Bluetooth version (e.g. 4.2 does not support files) >500MB).
• 🔧 Solution: Break the file into parts (e.g., ZArchiver archiver). Use Wi-Fi Direct or cable. OTG.

🔴 Error: “Device not found"

• 🔍 Reason: Bluetooth version incompatibility or settings failure.
• 🔧 Solution: Update MIUI Reset your Bluetooth settings to Settings. → Connections → Bluetooth → Additionally. → Reset settings. Try connecting in reverse order (from new phone to old phone).

🔴 Error: “Transmission interrupted by 99%"

• ⚡ Reason: Lack of memory or battery discharge.
• 🔧 Solution: Check the available space on the receiving phone (should be >1GB. Connect your phone to charge. Repeat transmission, pre-deleting unnecessary files.

💡

If neither method works, check if your phone is power-saving mode on. It limits Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Turn it off in Settings. → Battery and productivity → Energy saving regime.

7.Tips for acceleration and safety

To ensure that the data transfer is as fast and lossless as possible, follow these recommendations:

⚡ How to speed up transmission:

• 📁 Archiving files before sending (e.g. photos in the ZIP). This will reduce their size by 10 to 30%.
• 🔌 Connect both phones to charge – this will prevent the transition to energy saving mode.
• 📡 Use Bluetooth 5.0+ — New models (Xiaomi 12, POCO F4) speed.
• 🚫 Disable background applications, especially instant messengers and social networks – they consume the resources of the processor.

🔒 How to ensure security:

• 🔐 Check the associated devices in Settings → Bluetooth, remove unknown gadgets.
• 📱 Turn off Bluetooth visibility after transmission to avoid unauthorized connection.
• 🔍 Scan files for viruses after receiving them (for example, via Dr.Web or Avast).
• 📂 Do not transfer sensitive data (passwords, bank documents) via Bluetooth – use encrypted channels.

🔹 Hidden functions MIUI data-transmitting:

• 🔄 Quick Submitting: In the Files app, press the file → Share. → Quick sending (uses Wi-Fi Direct automatically).
• 📎 Attachment to notification: When you receive a file via Bluetooth, you can immediately save it to Downloads or Gallery without opening the application.
• 🔗 Group sending: in the Gallery highlight a few photos → Share. → Bluetooth → Choose multiple contacts (up to 5 devices at a time).

FAQ: Frequent questions