How to transfer all information from Android to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of transferring data can turn into a real quest if you do not know the nuances. Unlike other Android devices, Redmi, POCO or Mi phones have a unique firmware MIUI that imposes its limitations and offers exclusive tools for migration. For example, the standard Google Backup may not restore the MIUI settings, and some Chinese models completely block third-party sync services.

Another trap is different versions of Android. If your old smartphone runs Android 10 and the new Xiaomi 14 runs Android 14, direct data transfer via cable can end in error due to protocol incompatibility, and the manufacturer is actively promoting its own Mi Cloud, which is not always intuitive for users accustomed to Google Drive or Samsung Smart Switch.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to migrate data to Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden MIUI features, circumventing restrictions for Chinese firmware and solutions for cases where standard methods do not work, and focus on saving SMS, calls and application settings – the information that is most often lost during the transition.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

The most reliable and recommended method by the manufacturer is the use of the built-in Mi Mover tool, which is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 9) and allows you to transfer:

• 📱 Contacts, call log and SMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📥 Applications (with data retention if supported)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → Android.
2. On your old phone, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not on the system).
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point on the new Xiaomi.
4. On the old phone, select Send, on the new phone, Receive.
5. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new device and confirm the connection.

⚠️ Note: If you have a Chinese firmware MIUI (For example, on Xiaomi. 13T Pro for the Chinese market, Mi Mover may block the transfer of some data due to local law restrictions.

Charge both phones at least 50%

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (or use a mobile hotspot)

Free up at least 20% of memory on the new Xiaomi

Turn off VPNs and firewalls on both devices

Make sure your old phone has the latest version of the Mi Mover installed.-->

2.Alternative from Google: Backup & Restore

If Mi Mover doesn’t work for some reason (for example, due to regional restrictions or connection errors), you can use Google’s standard tool, which is universal and suitable for transferring data from any Android device, but has limitations:

• ✅ Transferred: contacts, calendars, SMS (on some models), applications from Google Play, Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper.
• ❌ Not carried over: settings MIUI, Data from some Chinese applications (e.g. Mi Fit), files outside of standard folders.

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Google → Backup and enable Download to Google Drive.
2. Click Create Backup Now and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).
3. On the new Xiaomi, when setting up, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Google account.
4. Select the latest backup and confirm the recovery.

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If some apps haven’t appeared on the new Xiaomi after you’ve recovered from Google Backup, check the region of your Google account. Some apps (such as Mi Home) may not be available in certain countries.

3. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

For users who prefer “physical” control over the process, direct file transfer through the process is suitable. USB-cable OTG-This is a particularly useful method if you:

• 🔌 Have slow internet or limited traffic.
• 📁 You need to transfer large files (video to the video) 4K, RAW-photo).
• 🔒 You don’t trust cloud services.

You'll need:

• Cable USB-C — USB-C (or USB-A — USB-C s OTG-adapter).
• File Manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your new Xiaomi via cable. On the screen of your old device, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On the new Xiaomi, open Explorer and go to the section USB-device.
3. Copy the right folders: DCIM — Photos and videos. Downloads — downloads. Pictures, Music — media files. Android/data — Application data (not all applications support such a transfer!).

.vcf

Contacts

Contact management

Imports/exports

⚠️ Warning: Don't copy the folder Android/obb Directly, this can cause game disruptions. Use specialized tools like Helium or built-in cloud storage (such as Genshin Impact or other cloud storage features) to transfer game data. PUBG Mobile).

4. Cloud services: Mi Cloud vs Google Drive vs Yandex Drive

If you don’t have a cable on hand or prefer wireless solutions, cloud services are a great alternative. Xiaomi offers its own cloud, Mi Cloud, but it has limitations:

• 🔹 Mi Cloud: 5GB free, deep integration with the MIUI, But it may not work on unofficial firmware.
• 🔹 Google Drive: 15GB free, versatile, but does not save settings MIUI.
• 🔹 Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, convenient for Russian users, but requires manual file downloads.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and enable synchronization for the data you need (contacts, notes, photos).
2. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Account and enable synchronization.
3. Wait until the download is complete (time depends on the speed of the Internet).

For Google Drive or Yandex Drive:

1. Upload files to the cloud from your old phone (via the app or web version).
2. On the new Xiaomi, download files back to the corresponding folders (DCIM, Downloads, etc.).

Mi Cloud

Google Drive

Yandex Disk

iCloud (for other devices)

Another option

I don't use clouds.-->

5. Applications and their data portability: what works and what doesn’t

One of the most painful things about changing phones is moving apps with their data, and unfortunately, not all apps support seamless migration.

• ✅ Social media (VK, Telegram, Instagram: data synchronized through the account, just install the application and log in.
• ✅ Genshin Impact, Clash of Clans: Link your account to Google Play Games or Mi Account.
• ⚠️ Messengers (WhatsApp, Viber): require manual backup portability (see spoiler above).
• ❌ Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff): data is not portable due to security, you have to re-link cards and adjust notifications.
• ❌ Some Chinese apps (Mi Fit, Xiaomi Home): may require re-authorization even when migrating via Mi Mover.

To transfer data applications that do not support cloud synchronization, you can use:

• 🔧 Helium (Carbon Backup): Requires root rights on an old phone.
• 🔧 Swift Backup: No root, but you need a right ADB.
• 🔧 Titanium Backup: The Most Powerful Tool, But Hard to Set Up.

If you're not ready to deal with ADB or root, it's easier to reinstall apps manually and configure them again. Most modern programs (like Spotify or Netflix) sync progress through an account.

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Before migrating apps, check if it supports cross-platform synchronization, for example, Mi Fit only stores data in Mi Cloud, and Google Fit only stores data in Google Account.

6. data transfer from phones of other brands (Samsung, Huawei, Honor)

If you are switching to Xiaomi from a device from another manufacturer (such as the Samsung Galaxy or Huawei P), standard tools like the Mi Mover may not work due to proprietary protocols.

• 📱 With Samsung: Use Smart Switch to export data to your PC and then transfer it to Xiaomi via cable.
• 📱 S Huawei/Honor: Use the Huawei Backup or Phone Clone, but choose the.zip format for compatibility.
• 📱 With iPhone: Install Move to iOS on Xiaomi (yes, it works backwards!) or migrate data via iCloud.

For Huawei and Honor, there is a nuance: their EMUI firmware encrypts backups, so:

1. Create a backup on Huawei in.hbk format.
2. Download HiSuite to your PC and export your data to a readable format.
3. Transfer files to Xiaomi via cable or cloud.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone to Xiaomi, don’t use iTunes – it backs up in a closed format. Instead, export your contacts via iCloud (.vcf format) and photos via Google Photos.

7 Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Transfers Fail

Even with the instructions, the transfer process can go wrong, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

If none of the methods worked, try resetting to factory settings on the new Xiaomi and repeat the transfer from the clean system.

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If you lose wallpaper or notification sounds after migrating to Xiaomi, check the theme settings in Settings → Design → My Themes. They may have dropped to standard due to differences in MIUI versions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi