How to quickly and safely transfer everything from the old Xiaomi to the new: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, app settings all need to be saved to keep things from scratch. Fortunately, Xiaomi has a few built-in tools for painless migration, as well as universal methods that work on any Android device.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to copy files to a flash drive or send them via a messenger. In practice, this leads to loss of folder structure, missing hidden application files and problems with synchronizing accounts. In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to transfer data — from the official Mi Mover to manual backup via ADB — and also explain how to avoid typical migration errors.

We will focus on data-saving applications (e.g., game progress or chat history) as this process is often difficult, and you will learn what data cannot be transferred by standard means and how to circumvent this limitation.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover

Xiaomi

Redmi

POCO

Xiaomi

MIUI 9

transfer applications with the preservation of their data

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On an old smartphone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On the new device, run the same section and select the option “I am a new user”.
3. Scan the new phone scanner QR-code that will appear on the screen of the old.
4. Select data types to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, applications, etc.
5. Confirm the start of the process and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).

Mi Mover uses direct Wi-Fi Direct, so both devices must be connected to charging, with a transfer speed of 10-15 MB/s, which is much faster than over the cloud.

• 📱 Devices with damaged screen are not supported (access to the screen is required) QR-code).
• 🔄 Apps that are not downloaded from Google Play (APK-files), transferred without data.
• 🔒 Some system settings (such as fingerprints) do not migrate.

⚠️ Warning: If the new smartphone already has data, Mi Mover will offer to reset it to factory settings before transfer!

Charging both phones > 50%|Shut down. VPN both-device|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (optional)|Release. 10-15% memory on a new phone-->

2.Moving over Mi Cloud: Pros and Cons of Cloud Method

Mi Cloud

Xiaomi

MIUI

Accessibility of data from any device

Xiaomi

To transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, gallery, notes, etc.).
3. Sign in to the same Xiaomi account on the new device.
4. Go to Mi Cloud and wait for the sync to complete.

The cloud method is convenient if:

• 🌍 You have slow internet but have time (synchronization can take hours).
• 📁 Only sample data (e.g. only contacts) should be transferred).
• 🔄 You plan to use both phones in parallel (the data will be relevant on both phones).

However, there are also disadvantages:

⚠️ Note: If you used Mi Cloud to back up Wi-Fi passwords, they will only recover on a new phone after you connect to any network manually (this is a security limitation). MIUI).

Mi Mover|Mi Cloud| OTG|Google Cable Account|Another way-->

3. Transfer over OTG cable: a universal method for any files

If you don’t have Wi-Fi or Mi Cloud access and need to move data quickly, an OTG cable (or USB-C to USB-C adapter for new models) can help, a way that is suitable for copying any files, including music, documents, and even app backups (.apk and.obb).

Instructions:

1. Connect the OTG cable to the new smartphone and the old phone to the other end of the cable (in File Transfer mode).
2. On the new device, open Explorer (or any file manager) and select the connected phone.
3. Copy the right folders: DCIM — Photos and videos; Download – uploaded files; Android/data — Application data (root rights required for full access).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s per USB 3.0).
• 📂 All files are transferred, including hidden files.
• 🔌 It works without internet and accounts.

Disadvantages:

• 🔄 Applications are portable without data (only) APK-file).
• 📱 Cable required OTG (not always on hand).
• 🔒 System settings (wallpaper, sound profiles) are not copied.

💡

If you don't have an OTG cable, you can use the memory card as an intermediate storage, copy the data to it from the old phone, then paste it into the new one, and transfer the files back.

4.Move over Google Account: an alternative for users of Google services

If you are actively using Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos, Contacts), then most of the data is already synced with your account.

• 📇 Contacts;
• 📧 Letters from Gmail;
• 📸 Photos and videos (via Google Photos);
• 🎵 Music (via YouTube Music);
• 📅 Calendars and Notes (Google Keep).

To move the data:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On the new device, log in to the same Google account.
3. Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 24 hours for large amounts of data).

Important nuances:

• 📱 Google Photos compresses images for free storage (High quality) to transfer photos in the original resolution, use Google One (paid).
• 🔄 SMS And call histories are not synced by default. To move them, set up Google Messages and back up.
• 🎮 Game and some apps (such as WhatsApp) data are not transferred through a Google Account.

5. Manual transfer of applications with data storage (for advanced users)

Standard methods do not always cope with the transfer of application data (for example, saves in games, chat history in Telegram or Nova Launcher settings).

• 🔧 Root access (optional, but expands the possibilities);
• 📱 Titanium Backup (for root) or Swift Backup;
• 💾 Memory card or cloud storage for backups.

Instructions for Swift Backup (without root):

1. Install Swift Backup on your old phone.
2. Select the applications that need to be saved and create a backup.
3. Transfer the backup file to your new phone (via cable, cloud, or memory card).
4. Install Swift Backup on your new phone and recover data from the backup.

Critical information: Copy protection applications (such as banking or some games) will not be able to recover data even through the backup.

⚠️ Note: Data transfer of system applications (e.g. com.android.providers.settings) may cause malfunctions MIUI. Do this only if you understand the risks!

💡

To transfer WhatsApp data, use the built-in backup to Google Drive: Settings → Chat → Backup. On your new phone, restore chats when you first log in.

6. Transfer over a local area network (Wi-Fi Direct or FTP)

If you don't have a cable. OTG, But you have Wi-Fi, you can use direct transmission over a local network, and you can use apps like Send Anywhere, Xender, or embedded. FTP-server MIUI.

Method 1: Send Anywhere

1. Install Send Anywhere on both phones.
2. On an old phone, select files and generate a 6-digit code.
3. On a new phone, enter this code to retrieve files.

Method 2: FTP-server MIUI

1. On the old phone, open Explorer → Network Storage → FTP.
2. Launch it. FTP-server and write down the address (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
3. On your new phone, connect to this address through any FTP-client (e.g. Solid Explorer).
4. Copy the files you want.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌐 It works without the Internet (local network is sufficient).
• 📂 You can selectively transfer files.
• 🔒 There are no limits on volume (unlike cloud services).

Disadvantages:

• 🐢 Speed depends on the quality of Wi-Fi (usually) 2-5 MB/s).
• 🔌 Additional applications are required.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with proven methods, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

If the data are not displayed after the transfer:

1. Check if there is enough memory on the new device.
2. Make sure that the files are copied to the correct folders (for example, the photos must be in the DCIM/Camera).
3. Restart your phone – sometimes MIUI doesn’t update your media base right away.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions