How to transfer data from one Xiaomi to another: a complete guide

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but with the joy of updating the gadget comes the headache: how to transfer all the important data from the old device? Contacts, photos, messages, apps — it is impossible to lose. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several built-in tools for migration, and we added to them proven life hacks.

Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to simply copy files to a flash drive or to the cloud. In practice, this only works with media files - system settings, SMS, call log and application data require a special approach. In this article, you will find 5 working methods for porting (including little-known ones), a comparison table of their pros and cons, and answers to frequent questions. Particular attention was paid to problems with MIUI 14/15 - new versions of the firmware introduced restrictions that few people know about.

If you are switching from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 or just updating the model within the same line, the instruction will do. The main rule is: do not start the transfer if the new phone already has a Mi Account account. This can lead to a data conflict, you better immediately reset to factory settings (about this in the last section).

We tested everything from the budget Poco M6 Pro to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra. There is no water in the article — only specific steps, screenshots of key moments (in text) and pitfall warnings. For example, did you know that when you move through the Mi Mover, you don’t transfer Wi-Fi passwords if your old phone is running a MIUI 12 or older?

1.Official method: Mi Mover - fast, but with limitations

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for migrating data between devices to MIUI. It works on a point-to-point basis via Wi-Fi Direct, does not require Internet access. It is recommended by the manufacturer, but it has nuances that are not written about in the official instructions.

First, Mi Mover doesn't carry data from some system applications (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home); second, if a new phone already has a Mi Account attached, you'll have to reset. Third, there's a restriction on devices with MIUI 14+: the maximum data transfer size is 20 GB. For most users, this is enough, but if you have thousands of high-resolution photos, you'll have to use alternative methods.

How to start transfer via Mi Mover:

1. On both phones, go to Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover.
2. On the old phone, choose I give, on the new phone, I accept.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new device with an old smartphone.
4. Select data types for transfer (contacts, SMS, applications, media files).
5. Confirm the transmission. It'll take 10 to 40 minutes depending on the volume.

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Warning: If you see a “Disconnected” error on the screen during the transfer, check that both phones have Power Saving Mode turned off and Wi-Fi Direct enabled in the developer settings. On MIUI 15, you also need to temporarily turn off Data Protection in Settings → Privacy.

Turn off the power saving mode on both phones

Make sure there is no Mi Account attached on the new phone

Charge both devices to a minimum of 50%

Enable Wi-Fi Direct in the developer settings (if there is a connection error)

Download the latest updates MIUI both-phone-->

2. Google Account Transfer: Universal, but not for everything

If you used Google on the old Xiaomi, some of the data is already synced to the cloud, which is suitable for contacts, calendars, Google Keep notes, and some app settings.

• 📱 Not tolerated: SMS, call log, application files (e.g. saves in games), settings MIUI.
• 📸 Media: Photos and videos are synced only if Google Photos with autoload was enabled.
• 🔄 Appendices: Only the list of installed programs is transferred (without data inside them).

How to transfer data through Google Account:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On your new phone, when you first turn on, select Copy Data from your old device → From the cloud and log in to the same Google account.
3. Select data for recovery (contacts, calendars, etc.).

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Note: If you have MIUI Backup enabled on your old phone (in Settings → Additional → Backup), when you restore it via Google, this data will automatically be deleted from the Xiaomi cloud. First transfer it to your computer!

The advantage of this method is speed. Data is recovered from the 5-10 But if you need me, SMS or setting MIUI, You will have to combine it with other methods.

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Before you migrate through Google, check how much space your data is in the cloud. Go to one.google.com → Storage. If the volume is above 15 GB (free limit), delete unnecessary backups or buy additional space.

3. MIUI backup: full copy of the system

This is the most complete portability, but also the most complex. MIUI Backup creates an archive with all the system settings, SMS, call logs, application data, and even desktop wallpaper.

1. The archive takes up a lot of space (from 5 to 30 GB).
2. Backups can only be restored to a phone with the same version of MIUI (or a close one). For example, a backup with MIUI 14 will not be restored to MIUI 15 without errors.

Instructions for the creation and restoration of the backup:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Additional → Backup → Create a backup.
2. Select the data to save (we recommend to note all points).
3. Specify the location of the storage: internal memory or SD-Card (don’t choose cloud – it’s limited to 5GB).
4. Wait until the end (may take up to 1 hour).
5. Copy the backup file (MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder) to your new phone.
6. On the new phone: Settings → Additional → Backup → Restore and select the file.

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Note: If you experience an error when you restore "Incompatible version of MIUI", try this: Update the firmware on the new phone to the latest version. Use the Mi PC Suite program for recovery (see section 5). manually transfer only critical data (contacts, SMS) through Mi Mover.

4. Computer Transfer: Reliable but Long

If you have a Windows PC or Mac, you can transfer data through the Mi program. PC Suite or manually through Explorer. This method guarantees 100% file security, but takes time and time to complete. USB-cable (preferably original).

Method 1: Mi PC Suite (official software)

• 🖥️ Download the program from the official website and install.
• 📱 Connect your old phone to your computer, unlock the screen and allow debugging. USB.
• 🔄 In the program, select Backup. → Full backup.
• 💾 Once complete, turn off the old phone, connect the new one and select Restore.

Method 2: Manual transfer through a conductor

1. Connect your old phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy folders: DCIM (photos and videos), Download (downloads) Pictures, Music, Movies Android/data (app data, but not all)

contact SMS

• 📇 Contacts: export to.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 💬 SMS: use the app SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play.

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Note: When you manually copy your Android/data folder to a new phone, some apps may not see their data.This is due to changes in Android 11+ security policy. Solution: After copying, reinstall the problematic apps.

5.Moving through the Xiaomi cloud: an alternative for small volumes

Xiaomi has its own cloud storage, the Mi Cloud, which gives 5GB for free, which is enough for contacts, notes and photos, but this method is not suitable for full data transfer due to limitations:

• 📁 Maximum size of one file – 50 MB.
• 📸 Photos are uploaded in compressed quality.
• 🔄 No synchronization. SMS and call logs.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On the old phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired data (contacts, notes, photos).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the sync to complete.

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Note: If you used Mi Cloud to back up on your old phone, the system will prompt you to restore data when you log in to your new device. Don't agree right away - first check that the MIUI version on the new phone is backup compatible (see Section 3).

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Mi Cloud is only suitable for partial data transfer. For full migration, combine it with Mi Mover or manual copying.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when you follow the instructions, users encounter errors.-5 problems and ways of solving them:

1. "Unable to connect" error in Mi Mover

• 🔌 Check that both phones have Wi-Fi Direct enabled (Settings) → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📶 Turn off mobile internet on both devices.
• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.

2. Wi-Fi passwords are not portable

This is a well-known MIUI 12-15 problem.

• 📱 On your old phone, install the WiFi Password Viewer app (root rights required).
• 📋 Copy passwords manually or export them to a file.
• 🔄 On your new phone, connect to the networks manually.

3. Applications do not see the transferred data

If you have copied your Android/data folder manually, but the apps won’t “see” your data:

• 🔄 Reinstall the problem app.
• 📂 Check the access rights: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Warehouse.
• 🔧 For games, use Google Play Games to sync saves.

4.There is not enough space for backup

• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 💾 Use it. SD-card.
• ☁️ Break the backup into parts (for example, separately media files and separately settings).

5 New phone 'hangs' after recovery

If, after data transfer, the device brakes or overheats:

• 🔄 Restart your phone to Safe Mode (press the power button) → "Restarting in Safe Mode").
• 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Warehouse → Cache data. → Clean up.
• 🔧 Reset to factory settings and restore only critical data.

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If you lose wallpaper or lock screen settings after the transfer, check the MIUI/theme folder on your new phone. Sometimes the themes don't automatically recover - you need to apply them manually to Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions