How to Transfer Everything from Phone to Xiaomi Phone: From Contacts to Apps

Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache. Even if you change the Redmi Note 12 to the Xiaomi 14 Pro or switch from POCO F5 to the Redmi K70, the process of copying contacts, photos, messages and apps can take hours if you don’t know the proven methods. In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to transfer data — from built-in MIUI tools to third-party services — so you can set up a new phone in 20 minutes instead of two hours.

The main problem with porting is data fragmentation: contacts are stored in a Google account, photos are stored in a gallery, messages are stored in the device’s memory, and the application settings are not stored anywhere at all. Besides, if you move from an iPhone or a phone of another brand (for example, Samsung or HONOR), standard MIUI methods may not work. We tested all methods on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and identified those that are guaranteed to work in 2026.

Important: If you are transferring data from a non-Xiaomi phone (like an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy), skip the first two sections and immediately go to methods using Google Account or PC. For owners of Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO, the built-in Mi Mover tool will be optimal - it even copies the history of calls and Wi-Fi settings.

1. Mi Mover: The Official Way to Get Xiaomi Phones

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s default solution for all smartphones (starting with MIUI 9), which allows you to transfer almost all data directly over Wi-Fi, without cables or a computer, and the main advantage is that you save not only files, but also system settings, wallpaper, alarm clocks and even passwords from Wi-Fi.

How it works:

• 📱 Both phones must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled (they are used to create a direct connection).
• 🔄 Data is not transferred through the cloud, but directly between devices, so the speed depends on the model. 13T process 2-3 Time faster than the Redmi. 9A).
• ⚡ All models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, but on the old versions MIUI (below 12) there may be volume restrictions.

Step-by-step:

1. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → Mi Mover. If the phone is already configured, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover.
2. On your old phone, open Settings → Additional → Mi Mover (or search by settings).
3. Scan the new phone scanner QR-code that will appear on the old.
4. Choose which data to transfer (you can mark everything or select individual categories).
5. Wait until the process is completed – it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour (depending on the amount of data).

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has Application Protection enabled (in Settings) → Annexes → Block applications, Mi Mover will not be able to copy data from some programs (for example, WhatsApp or Viber.

Charging both phones > 50%|Shut down. VPN both-device|Make sure there is enough memory on your new phone|Sign out of your Mi Account on your old phone (if you plan to sell)-->

2. Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you're switching from an iPhone, Samsung or other Android phone, Google Account is the most reliable way, syncing contacts, calendars, notes, emails, and even some app settings (e.g. Chrome or Gmail), but there are limitations to this method:

• 📁 Photos and videos are synced only if you have Google Photos Backup enabled (and then in a compressed quality, unless you pay for Google One).
• 📱 Applications are only transferred to their lists (themselves) APK-Files are downloaded from the Play Market).
• 🔒 SMS and call history are not automatically synchronized (you need to use separate applications such as: SMS Backup & Restore).

How to transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for Contacts, Calendar, Gmail and other services you need.
2. For photos, open Google Photos, click on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and sync.
3. On the new Xiaomi phone, when you set up, select Copy Data → From the Cloud and log in to the same Google account.
4. Wait until the sync is complete (it can take up to several hours if there are many photos).

Mi Mover (Xiaomi)|Google Account|OTG/PC Cable |Third-party apps (SHAREit, etc.)| I can't stand it, I'm setting it up from scratch-->

3. Transfer via OTG cable or computer (for large volumes)

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, wireless methods can take too long, in which case you’d better use an OTG cable (for direct phone connections) or a computer as an intermediary, which is suitable for any phone, including iPhone (but you’ll need iTunes or iMazing).

Instructions for Direct Connection (OTG):

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (e.g, USB-C to USB-C For new Xiaomi or Micro-USB to USB-C for old Redmi).
2. Connect your old phone to your new phone via an adapter. On the new phone, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. Open Explorer on a new phone – the old phone will appear as a removable drive.
4. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.).

Instructions for porting via PC:

1. Connect both phones to your computer via USB.
2. On your phones, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open this computer, both phones will appear as removable drives.
4. Copy data from your old phone to your PC and then from your PC to your new Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: When copying via PC, do not use a folder MIUI Or Android on a new phone, which could disrupt the system. DCIM, Then transfer them through the Gallery or Files.

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If the phone is not detected when connecting via OTG, try enabling USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the version to unlock Developer Mode).

4. Transfer applications and their data (including games)

Conventional transfer methods (like Mi Mover or Google Account) only copy the listings of apps, not their data. For example, if you play Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings, the progress will not be saved. To transfer game saves, app settings and cache, use:

• 🎮 Google Play Games – automatically syncs progress in supported games (you need to log in to the same account).
• 📱 Titanium Backup (requires root rights) APK + Data, but not all Xiaomi models.
• ☁️ Cloud Savings – Many Games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile allows you to link your account to Facebook or Google Play.
• 🔄 Manual transfer – for some applications (such as WhatsApp) you need to manually copy the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.

To port WhatsApp:

1. On your old phone, back up: WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Copy the WhatsApp folder (with Databases and Media subfolders) to your new phone (via OTG or PC).
3. Install WhatsApp on your new phone and restore chats from your local copy.

5.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi (features and pitfalls)

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi is a separate story, and Apple is not interested in easy data porting to Android, so standard methods like Mi Mover don't work here.

• 🍎 Move to iOS – Apple’s app is designed to be ported back (from Android to iPhone), but it can be used backwards with some limitations.
• ☁️ iCloud – export your contacts, calendars and photos to iCloud.com and then download them to Xiaomi.
• 📧 Email – Set up an iCloud Mail account on your new phone to transfer emails and contacts.
• 🎵 iTunes – To transfer music and video, connect your iPhone to your PC, export your media files, and then copy them to Xiaomi.

Step-by-step instructions for transferring from the iPhone:

1. On iPhone, open Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable sync for Contacts, Calendars and Photos.
2. On your computer, go to iCloud.com, log in to your account and export the necessary data (contacts in.vcf format, photos - through download).
3. Copy the exported files to Xiaomi (via USB or cloud).
4. To transfer WhatsApp, use the official feature Transfer chats from iPhone to Android (requires a Lightning-to-USB-C cable).

⚠️ Note: When you transfer photos from iPhone to Xiaomi via iCloud, the quality may deteriorate – Apple compresses images when exporting. To avoid this, connect your iPhone to your PC and copy the originals through Explorer (Internal Storage folder). → DCIM).

6. Third-party applications for transfer (SHAREit, Xender, etc.)

If the built-in methods don't work (for example, because of model incompatibility), you can use third-party applications.

• 📲 SHAREit – transfers files over Wi-Fi Direct at speeds up to 20 MB/s, but contains advertising.
• ⚡ Xender – similar to SHAREit, but with a simpler interface.
• 🔗 Send Anywhere – generates 6-digit code to transfer files without registering.
• 📎 CLONEit – specializes in data transfer between phones (including SMS and calls).

How to transfer data via SHAREit:

1. Install SHAREit on both phones (download from Play Market or APKMirror).
2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new phone, Receive.
3. Select files to transfer and wait for the connection (phones must be on the same Wi-Fi network or connected to one access point).
4. Confirm receipt on the new phone.

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The app side is convenient for one-time file transfer, but does not replace full backup. For regular backups, use Google Drive or Mi Cloud.

7.Transfer data after phone reset to factory settings

If you've already reset the new Xiaomi to factory settings or bought a used phone, data portability is still possible, the main thing is not to reset the phone, but to immediately use one of the methods:

• 🔄 Mi Mover – works even after resetting if the phone is not configured.
• ☁️ Google Account – When you first turn on, select Restore from a backup.
• 💾 Local backup – if a copy was created on the old phone through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, it can be restored on a new one.

If the phone is already configured:

1. Reset again: Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Delete all data.
2. When you first enable, select Data Transfer and follow the instructions.
3. If Mi Mover is not offered automatically, install it manually from the Play Market.

⚠️ Note: Do not update after resetting MIUI before data transfer, this can disrupt the compatibility of backups. First restore the data, then update the system.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with proven methods, users face challenges.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

• ❌ Google Photos Are Not Synced Photos → Check if there is enough space in Google Drive (only 15GB is free).

Critical error: if you transfer through Mi Mover process is interrupted by 99%, do not interrupt it and do not turn off the phones. Wait 10-15 minutes - often the system finishes copying in the background. If the error repeats, try to transfer data in parts (for example, first contacts, then photos).

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If after transferring on the new phone Xiaomi began to slow down applications, clear the cache: Settings → Applications → App management → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions