How to transfer all data from your old phone to the new Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Transition to a new smartphone without loss: what you need to know before transferring

Buying a new Xiaomi Redmi is always a joyful experience, but migrating data from an old device can become a headache if approached unprepared. Modern smartphones store not only contacts and photos, but also correspondence histories, application settings, passwords from services, and sometimes work documents, losing even some of this information can cause serious inconvenience.

Fortunately, Xiaomi offers several official ways to migrate data, each of which is suitable for different scenarios, from full migration through the cloud to direct transmission over cable. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods with the specific features of MIUI (including the latest versions 14/15), and also explain how to avoid typical errors. For example, did you know that using Mi Mover some applications may not be portable due to manufacturer restrictions? or that transfer via Google Account does not save SMS on new versions of Android?

Before you start, answer two key questions: 1. What is the operating system on your old phone? (Android/iOS/another) 2. Do you have a backup? (if not, create it first, even if you plan to use a direct port).

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Many users miss this stage and it is in vain: proper preparation saves hours of time and prevents data loss.

Charge both phones to a minimum. 50%|Check the space available on the new Redmi (at least) 10-15% from the volume of data transferred)|Update. MIUI on the new device to the latest version|Make sure that the old phone is debugging on USB (cable-carrying)|Write down logins/passwords from Google, Mi and other services-->

Pay special attention to the synchronization settings:

• 📱 On Android: Check if sync is enabled in Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google. Without it, contacts and calendars may not be portable.
• 🍎 On iPhone: Turn off iMessage and FaceTime in the settings, otherwise SMS/MMS They're not coming in.
• 🔄 On both devices: turn off VPN Energy saving modes – they can interrupt data transmission.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone is rooted or has custom firmware, standard portability methods (especially Mi Mover) may not work. TWRP or ADB.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s official tool for fast transfer

Mi Mover is an application built into MIUI that allows data to be transferred directly between Xiaomi devices (and some other brands) over Wi-Fi Direct. The main advantage of the method is to save the structure of folders and metadata (for example, albums in the Gallery or note categories).

How it works:

1. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select Data Portability from the settings menu.
2. On an older phone, install Mi Mover from Google Play (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS).
3. Scanner. QR-The code on the new device will generate code – scan it with the old phone.
4. Select data types to transfer and wait for completion (time depends on volume).

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If Mi Mover can’t see the old device, check if it’s in File Transfer mode" (USB-debugging) and disable AdGuard-type ad blockers – they can block the connection.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not transferred: data of some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff), settings VPN, encryption keys (for example, for Signal/Telegram).
• 📶 Transfer speed depends on the version of Wi-Fi: on the Redmi Note 12 Wi-Fi 6 process 2-3 Time faster than the Redmi. 9A Wi-Fi 4.
• 🔋 When the process is interrupted (discharge, restart) you will have to start again - there is no continuation function.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has firmware installed from the manufacturer (for example, ColorOS on Oppo or EMUI On Huawei, Mi Mover may not port data correctly. In this case, use Huawei's Phone Clone or hand backup.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendars and apps)

This method is universal and works even if you don't have access to your old phone (for example, it broke), the main condition is that the synchronization was enabled earlier. If not, activate it in the settings of the old device first.

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Redmi, when setting up, select “Restore from backup” → “Google”.
2. Enter the same account as the old phone.
3. Select a backup (sort by date of creation).
4. Check the data types for recovery (contacts, calendars, Chrome bookmarks, some application settings).

What's important to know:

• 📱 Applications are restored without data (for example, progress in games or settings of messengers will have to be reconfigured).
• 📁 Photos and videos are not portable – they need a separate backup in Google Photos.
• 🔒 If the old phone had a password for a backup, it will need to be entered on the new device.

Method 3: Direct Cable Transfer (for large data volumes)

If you have more than 50 GB of data (for example, a video collection in the 4K or RAW-And the wireless methods are going to be too slow, and then the optimal way to do this is to move through the cable. USB OTG computer.

Option A: Direct connection of telephones (required) OTG-adapter)

1. Buy it. USB-C to USB-C OTG adapter (stands) ~200₽).
2. Connect your old phone to your new phone via an adapter.
3. On the new Redmi in Explorer (Files) select "USB-device".
4. Copy the folders you need (DCIM, Download, WhatsApp, etc.) to internal memory.

Option B: Computer Transfer (more reliable for larger volumes)

1. Connect both phones to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Copy data from your old phone to your computer (e.g., to folder D:\Backup\OldPhone).
3. Transfer files from your PC to the new Redmi.
4. For applications, use APK Extractor (extraction) APK) + hand-mount.

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When you cable transfer, do not copy the entire Android folder, this can lead to conflicts in these applications, it is better to selectively transfer only media files and documents.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from your iPhone to Redmi via your computer, use iMazing or iExplorer – they correctly export photos from iCloud and messages from iMessage to readable format.

5. Method 4: Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive)

Cloud-based portability is convenient because it doesn't require physical connection of devices and allows you to recover data even after a few days, but each service has limitations:

• 🌥️ Google Drive: ✅ Free 15 GB (shared with Gmail and Photos). ✅ Automatic backup of contacts, calendars, some settings. ❌ It's not. SMS, call log, application data.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: ✅ 5GB free (can be expanded to 200GB for 99)₽/moss). ✅ Keeps it. SMS, Notes, Call Records (unique to Xiaomi). ❌ It doesn't work on unofficial firmware.
• 💾 Yandex Disc: ✅ 10GB free, no restrictions on file type. ✅ Automatic uploading of photos/video (like Google Photos). ❌ No integration with system settings.

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Device Backup → “Create a Backup”.
2. On the new Redmi: when setting up, select Restore from Backup → Mi Cloud → enter your account details.
3. Select the last backup and wait until it is completed.

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If you have a slow internet connection, create cloud backups at night or use Mi Cloud via a mobile network with unlimited rates (for example, Tele2’s All for Your Own).

Method 5: Manual Transfer for Advanced Users (ADB, TWRP)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., you have custom firmware or need to move system settings), you can use low-level tools, which require technical skills, but gives you complete control over the process.

Method 1: Transfer through ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer.
2. Connect the old phone over USB and execute: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab (this will create a full backup on the PC).
3. Connect the new Redmi and recover the data: adb restore C:\backup.ab

Method 2: Transfer over TWRP (for root users)

1. Install TWRP Recovery on both phones.
2. On your old device, create a backup partition /data (in TWRP: Backup → Select Data → Swipe to Backup).
3. Copy the backup file to a new phone and restore it via TWRP.

⚠️ Note: When restoring through TWRP All the data on the new phone will be erased, and this method is only suitable for full migration, not selective transfer. MIUI, If the firmware versions are very different.

7.What to do after the transfer: check and set up the new Redmi

Data portability is only half the battle, and to make the new smartphone work perfectly, follow these steps:

• 🔍 Data Integrity Check: Open the Gallery and make sure all photos/videos are in place (especially check WhatsApp Images and Screenshots folders). Run Contacts and check that all numbers are displayed (sometimes duplicated due to sync with multiple accounts). Open the post and make sure the story is SMS It was a bit more difficult (if you used Mi Mover or SMS Backup & Restore).
• ⚙️ System setting: Activate Face Unlock (Settings) → Screen locking → Add face unlock. Set up navigation gestures (Settings) → Display. → Full screen mode. Enable Adaptive brightness and Dark mode on schedule.
• 🔄 Account Sync: Add all accounts used (Settings) → Accounts and syncs. Enable autosynchronization for Google Photos, Gmail, Calendar. For Mi Account, check that backup is enabled in Mi Cloud.

Typical post-transfer problems and their solution:

• 📵 They don't come. SMS: Check if iMessage is active on your old iPhone (turn it off in the settings).
• 🔊 No sound in calls: reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).
• 📱 Apps fly out: clear the cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache).

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If the battery runs out quickly after transfer, give the phone 2-3 days to index the files, and check if the old applications are working in the background (Settings → Battery → Battery Use).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Data Transfers to Xiaomi Redmi