Transferring data from one Xiaomi to another: 5 proven ways

Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can become a real headache if you don’t know the nuances. Even between phones of the same brand, the process does not always go smoothly: somewhere you lose settings, somewhere you don’t transfer Wi-Fi passwords, and sometimes even synchronization errors. This article will help you avoid typical problems and choose the best way to migrate depending on your tasks.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply copy files to a flash drive or send them via a messenger. In practice, this approach leads to loss of folder structure, duplicate contacts, and even damage to certain types of files (for example, notes or application data), We will analyze official methods from Xiaomi, alternative solutions for complex cases, and also explain how to save data that usually “forget” to transfer.

We will focus on three key points: transfer speed (from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the method), data safety (risks of loss of information when interrupting the process) and complete migration (what exactly will be transferred and what will have to be adjusted manually). For owners of devices with MIUI 14+, we have prepared separate recommendations - new versions of the shell have features that significantly simplify the process.

1. Official method: Mi Mover (built-in application)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is the Mi Mover built-in tool, which is available on all devices with MIUI 9 and up, supports transferring almost all types of data (except for some system settings), and works without an Internet connection, with the main advantage of preserving the structure of folders and file metadata.

To start migrating through Mi Mover, on both phones, go to Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover. On the old device, select the role of "Sender" (Source), on the new one - "Receiver".

• 🔗 Cable. OTG — Fastest method (up to 50 MB/s), but requires an adapter USB-C to USB-C or micro-USB to USB-C depending on the port of the device.
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct – convenient if there is no cable, but the speed is limited (10-15 MB/s) and is dependent on airborne interference.
• 🌐 Mi Cloud – Suitable for small data (up to 5 GB) but requires a stable Internet connection.

Important: if you choose to transfer over cable, do not use cheap uncertified adapters - they can cause an "Unidentified device" error and interrupt the process. Xiaomi official accessories or adapters from proven brands (Anker, Baseus) work more stable.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone already has data (for example, you started using it before transferring), Mi Mover will suggest erasing it before migrating!

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Make sure there is enough memory on the new device|Shut down. VPN and energy-saving regimes|Prepare the cable. OTG (If the method is chosen)|Write down Wi-Fi passwords (they are not automatically transferred)-->

2. Transfer via backup to Mi Cloud

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud service allows you to back up your old phone and restore it to a new one, which is convenient if the devices are in different locations or you don’t have physical access to the adapters.

• 📁 Free account provides only 5 GB of cloud storage (this is enough for contacts, notes and photos, but not for all media files).
• ⏳ The speed of downloading/unloading depends on your Internet connection. With slow Wi-Fi, the process can take hours.
• 🔒 Some data (such as app passwords or Google Pay settings) are not backed up for security reasons.

Instructions for creating a backup copy:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Select data categories to save (we recommend that you mark everything except System Settings if you don’t want to carry old wallpaper and sounds).
3. Click "Start backup" and wait until it is completed.
4. On the new phone, log in under the same Mi Account and restore data from the cloud in the same menu.

If the data volume exceeds 5 GB, you can temporarily purchase additional space (from 200 rubles / month for 50 GB) or split the backup into parts, for example, first save contacts and messages, then photos and videos.

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Before you back up in Mi Cloud, clear the app cache (Settings → Memory → Clean up) – this will reduce the backup size by 10-30%.

3. Move through Google Account (alternative for minimalists)

If you use Google services, you can transfer basic data through your Gmail account, which is suitable for those who do not want to install additional apps or encounter errors in Mi Mover, minus only basic information:

• 📇 Contacts (if synced with Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar)
• 📎 Notes (Google Keep)
• 📖 Chrome bookmarks and browser history
• 📱 Some system settings (wallpaper, language, date/time)

To activate synchronization:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. Turn on the switches for all necessary categories.
3. Sign in to the same Google account on your new phone – the data will start to be downloaded automatically.

You can use Google Photos to transfer photos and videos:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On the old device, turn on autoboot (Settings → Backup and Synchronization).
3. On the new phone, wait for the synchronization to be completed (can take from several hours to a day depending on the volume).

⚠️ Attention: Free storage of Google Photos from June 2021 is limited to 15 GB per account (together with Gmail and Google Drive).If you already have more than 80% of the space occupied, new photos will be uploaded in reduced quality!

4. Manual file transfer: when automation doesn't work

In some cases, automatic methods may not work:

• 🔄 Devices on different versions MIUI (For example, an old phone on the MIUI 12, new on. MIUI 14).
• 🛠️ On one of the phones installed custom firmware.
• 📱 The phone is not turned on, but files need to be saved.

In such situations, manual transfer through a cable, flash drive or computer will help.

Method 1: Through cable USB (MTP-regime)

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB-cable.
2. In the phone notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Copy the desired folders (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, WhatsApp for messenger backups) to your computer.
4. Connect the new phone and transfer the files back.

Method 2: Through a memory card (if there is a slot)

1. Insert microSD into your old phone.
2. Transfer data to the map through Explorer or Files.
3. Remove the card and insert it into a new phone.
4. Copy the files into internal memory.

To port applications and their data (for example, save in games), you can use utilities like App Backup & Restore or Titanium Backup (requires root rights).However, note that some applications (for example, banking) block work on a new device after such a transfer for security reasons.

5. data transfer messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Messages from messengers are not carried in the standard ways (Mi Mover or Mi Cloud ignore them).

WhatsApp:

1. On your old phone, open WhatsApp and go to the ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Create a backup in Google Drive (requires a linked Google account).
3. Install WhatsApp on your new phone and log in with the same number.
4. Restore chats from backup when you first start.

Telegram:

• 📱 Cloud chats are automatically transferred when you log in to a new device.
• 💾 Local data (uploaded files, stickers) must be copied manually from the folder /Telegram/Telegram Images.

Viber:

1. In Viber settings on your old phone, select Settings → Account → Backup.
2. Save a copy to Google Drive or to a memory card.
3. On the new phone, install Viber, log in and restore data.

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp backups in Google Drive don’t take up space in your cloud storage, but they are tied to your phone and number. If you change your number or phone, it won’t be possible to restore chats!

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Before transferring messengers, check if they are not tied to SIM-For example, in some countries, WhatsApp requires confirmation via the map. SMS, without the old SIM Recovery of the account is more difficult.

6. Transfer of passwords, bookmarks and other “trifles”

Many users forget about small but important data that is not automatically transferred:

• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords: You can export them via the WiFi Password Viewer app (requires root) or manually rewritten from an old phone.
• 🌐 Browser bookmarks: in Chrome or Mi Browser they sync with the account Google/Xiaomi, But if the sync is disabled, you will have to export manually through Settings. → Bookmarks → Exports.
• 🎵 Music service playlists: Spotify, Yandex Music or Apple Music playlists are tied to an account, but offline cache needs to be transferred separately.
• 📱 Smart Home Settings: Xiaomi Mi Home devices are tied to your account, but if you’ve used third-party hubs (like Home Assistant), you’ll have to reconfigure them.

To transfer passwords from sites and applications:

• If you have used Google Smart Lock, the passwords will automatically be loaded onto the new phone after you log in.
• For third-party password managers (1Password, KeePass) it is enough to install the application on a new device and log into the account.
• Passwords saved in the browser are exported through Settings → Passwords. → Export (in Chrome, input is required) PIN-device-code).

7.What to do after the transfer: verification and optimization

Once the data transfer is complete, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid problems in the future:

1. Data integrity verification:

• Open the Gallery and make sure all photos and videos are in place (check DCIM/Camera and Pictures/Screenshots folders).
• Run messengers and check the message history.
• Call another number to make sure your contacts are saved.

2. Optimization of the new phone:

• Go to Settings → Memory → Clean up and delete unnecessary files (cache, duplicates).
• Update all apps through the Play Market or App Store.
• Set up the battery. → Energy saving regimes for your needs.

Safety:

• Delete data from your old phone via Settings → Additional → Resetting (if you sell or give away the device).
• Change passwords from important services (banks, social networks) if the old phone could fall into the wrong hands.
• On your new phone, turn on Settings → Lock and Protect → Lock applications for sensitive data.

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Do not delete data from your old phone within a week of transferring – sometimes “loss” (such as missed photos or contacts) is detected and easier to recover from the original device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer between Xiaomi