How to Transfer All Programs from One Xiaomi to Another: A Step-by-Step Guide

The transition to a new smartphone Xiaomi is always an exciting moment, but the transfer of all applications and data can turn into a real headache if you do not know the key nuances. MIUI Users often face problems: some programs are not restored, settings are reset, and some data is lost irretrievably.This article will help you avoid typical errors and choose the best way to migrate depending on your situation.

We will look at both official methods from Xiaomi (including hidden Mi Mover features and cloud backup) and alternative solutions for complex cases – when you need to migrate not only applications, but also their data, save games or configure system utilities. We will focus on compatibility between different versions. MIUI and smartphone models (for example, when switching from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14).

Preparation for the transfer: what to do before the beginning of the process

Before migrating, it is critical to prepare both devices, neglecting this stage often leads to data loss or incomplete portability of applications. MIUI on both smartphones: if the difference is greater than 2 main versions (for example, MIUI 12 → MIUI 15), use a cloud backup instead of direct transmission.

Mandatory steps before transfer:

• 📱 Update both devices to the latest stable version (check Settings). → The phone. → Updating the system: This minimizes the risks of incompatibility.
• 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 50% – the process can take up to 2 hours with a large amount of data.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of unnecessary applications (via Settings) → Annexes → Cleaning) to reduce the size of the data transmitted.
• 🔐 Unlock accounts from your old device (Google, Mi Account) if you plan to sell it – this will prevent blocking.

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If the new Xiaomi already has data, reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset otherwise the transfer may result in an error due to file conflict.

Pay special attention to applications with local data storage (for example, games, instant messengers, banking programs), which may require a separate backup:

• 🎮 Games: Use built-in cloud save features (e.g. Google Play Games or Mi Cloud).
• 💬 Messengers: export chats manually (in Telegram – through Settings) → Data and memory → Chat exports).
• 🏦 Banking apps: reinstall them manually on a new device – transferring over a backup could block access for security reasons.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi for wireless data transfer between devices on the Internet. MIUI. It supports the transfer of applications, contacts, messages, photos and even some system settings:

• ❌ Does not transfer data of certain applications (for example, saving games or passwords from Wi-Fi).
• ❌ It may not work between very different versions. MIUI (for example, MIUI 11 → MIUI 15).
• ❌ Requires a stable Wi-Fi connection – when the communication breaks down, the process will have to start again.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Mi Mover on both devices (you can download from the Mi App Store or Google Play).
2. On the old smartphone, select “I give”, on the new one – “I accept”.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the new device on the old one (will appear after the mode selection).
4. Select data for transfer (check "Applications" and other relevant categories).
5. Confirm the start of the transfer and wait until the completion (do not interrupt the process!).

Mi Mover is installed on both devices|

Both smartphones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network|

On the new device, enough free memory|

Disabled. VPN and energy-saving regimes-->

Important: Mi Mover does not carry system applications (such as Themes or Security) and some Chinese services data.

Method 2: Backup via Mi Cloud – Cloud Solution

Xiaomi’s cloud backup (Mi Cloud) is a reliable way to transfer if you have stable internet and enough space in the cloud (free of charge 5GB) and is suitable for porting between devices with large variations in versions. MIUI If you cannot use the Mi Mover.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works even if the old device broke (if the backup was made in advance).
• ✅ Supports transfer of system settings (sound, display, notifications).
• ✅ Only the data you need can be selectively restored (e.g., only apps or contacts).

How to make a backup and restore data:

1. On the old device, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Click "Backup" and select data categories (be sure to tick "Applications").
3. Wait for the backup to complete (time depends on the amount of data).
4. On the new device, when you first turn on, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Mi Account.
5. Select the last backup and confirm the recovery.

Mi Mover|Mi Cloud|Google Account|Manual transfer|Other-->

⚠️ Note: If you used a locked bootloader on an older device, some data (e.g. game saves) may not be restored even through the Mi Cloud. In this case, you will have to use manual transfer (see method 4).

4. Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for applications and basic data)

If you prefer the Google ecosystem, you can use the built-in backup features through Google Account, which is suitable for porting most apps (including their data), contacts, calendars and certain settings.

• ❌ Does not tolerate Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Home or Themes).
• ❌ Some games may not make progress (depending on Google Play Games support).
• ❌ Requires enough space in Google Drive (free – 15 GB).

Instructions for transfer:

1. On the old device, go to Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Turn on “Backup in Google Drive” and click “Create Backup Now”.
3. On the new device, when you first start, select “Copy Data” and log in to the same Google account.
4. Select a backup from your old device and confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi has global firmware installed and the old one has Chinese firmware, some apps (such as Mi Pay or Mi Video) may not recover due to regional restrictions.

5. Method 4: Manual transfer through ADB (power-user)

If standard methods are not suitable (for example, due to version incompatibility) MIUI If you don’t have access to the cloud, you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge for manually transferring applications and data requires command line skills, but allows you to transfer all data without exception, including saving games and setting up system applications.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (you can download from the Android Developers website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on both devices (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old device to your PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (When a request appears on the device, confirm the creation of a backup.)
2. Disable the old device and connect the new one. Restore the data with the command: adb restore backup.ab
3. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Do not interrupt the process – this can lead to data loss or system failure. Also note that some applications (for example, banking) may block access after manual transfer due to changes in the device signature.

6. Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup)

If you need to migrate application data (such as saving games, setting up messengers or progressing in fitness trackers), standard methods from Xiaomi and Google may not work.

• 🎮 Preservation of games (including data from the /data/data).
• 📱 Settings of system and user applications.
• 🔑 Application licenses and keys (for example, for paid versions of programs).

Instructions for Swift Backup (without root, but with) ADB):

1. Install Swift Backup on both devices.
2. On an old device, create a backup using “Create Backup” (select applications and data).
3. Transfer the backup file to a new device (via cloud or cable).
4. On the new device, restore data through "Restore".

For Titanium Backup (requires root):

1. Launch the application and provide root access.
2. Select "Package Action" → "Backup of all user applications + data".
3. Transfer the Titanium Backup folder to a new device (e.g., Mi File Manager).
4. Install Titanium Backup on your new device, provide root and restore data.

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Third-party backup managers are the only way to migrate data from applications that don’t support cloud storage (such as some Chinese games or local databases).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter errors when transferring data, and consider typical problems and ways to solve them:

If some apps aren’t updated through Google Play after the transfer, try:

1. Delete the cache and data of Google Play Market (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Market → Warehouse → Clear cache/data).
2. Delete and re-add your Google account.
3. Check if an antivirus or optimizer (such as Xiaomi’s Security) is blocking the installation of updates.

8 Additional Tips for Successful Transfer

To make the migration as smooth as possible, take into account several important nuances:

• 🔄 Sync your data in advance: enable automatic sync of contacts, calendars and photos with Google Photos or Mi Cloud a few days before the transfer.
• 📡 Check your regional settings: If a new device is purchased in another region (e.g. global instead of Chinese), some apps (Mi Pay, Mi Video) may not work.
• 🔒 Drop the commercial. ID: After the transfer, reset Google Advertising ID (Settings → Google → Advertising → Reset the advertising ID to avoid problems with targeted advertising.
• 🎵 Music and podcast portability: If you use offline players (like Poweramp), export playlists manually – they don’t carry over standard backups.

If you transfer data to a device with a different screen resolution (for example, from the Redmi Note 11 to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), some applications may not display correctly.

1. Go to Settings. → Screen. → Display scale and select "By default".
2. For individual applications, change the permission manually through Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Change the size.

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After the transfer, check the autorun and background settings for critical applications (messengers, banking). MIUI They are often reset, which leads to missing notifications.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions