How to transfer data from one Xiaomi to another Redmi: 4 proven ways

Why Data Transfers Between Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

The transition to a new smartphone Xiaomi Redmi is always exciting, but the joy of updating the gadget is often overshadowed by the need to transfer data. Unlike other brands, where the migration process can take hours, Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers several unique tools for fast and safe transfer. MIUI, Data volume and even battery status.

The main problem is that users lose contacts, photos or app settings when they don’t port correctly. For example, when using a standard Mi Mover over Wi-Fi Direct, some files can “hang” during transfer if the old device does not have enough free memory. And transferring through Google Account does not always preserve the folder structure in the gallery. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data between Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden settings and workarounds for older models.

We will focus on the nuances that are not written in the official instructions, for example, why the Redmi Note 12 may not see the Xiaomi Mi 11 when transmitting directly over cable, or how to transfer it to the new model. SMS From the old Redmi 5 to the new Redmi 13C, if MIUI All instructions are tested on the latest firmware versions and adapted to the Russian realities (including the restrictions of Google Mobile Services).

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an embedded data porting app that Xiaomi has positioned as the primary migration method. MIUI 9 and newer, but there are important limitations: the maximum amount of data transmitted is 4 GB in one session. If you have more photos or videos, you have to break the transfer into several stages.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On the old Xiaomi: Open Settings → The phone. → Transfer data (Mi Mover) and select "I am the source".
• 🔄 On the new Redmi: in the same menu, click "I am the receiver" and wait for the appearance QR-code.
• 📶 Scan it. QR-code with your old phone and confirm Wi-Fi Direct connection.
• 📁 Select data types to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, apps) and start the process.

The transmission speed depends on the MIUI version:

- Nana MIUI 14 and later – up to 10 MB / s (about 400 photos per minute).

- Nana MIUI 12-13 — before 5 MB/s, it is possible to hang when transmitting video to 4K.

- Nana MIUI 9-11 — speed 2 MB/s and applications are portable without data (only) APK-file).

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Free up 1 GB of memory on the old Xiaomi|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (if Wi-Fi Direct is not working)|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Make sure there is enough data on the new Redmi-->

⚠️ Warning: If you have a "failed to establish a connection" error when you connect, try restarting both devices and trying again. 9A) Helps disable the dual applications function in settings.

Advantages of Mi Mover:

- Keeps the folder structure in the gallery.

- Transfers system settings (wallpaper, sound schemes, brightness).

- Works without the Internet (direct transmission over Wi-Fi).

Disadvantages:

- Can't handle Wi-Fi passwords.

- On older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) It may not work due to lack of Wi-Fi Direct support.

Applications are transferred without cache (for example, saves in games will have to be restored separately).

Method 2: Transfer through the cable OTG — big-data

If you need to move 10+ GB photos, videos or music, Mi Mover won't work because of the space limit, and in this case, it's more reliable to use the cable. OTG (adapter USB-C to USB-C This method works for all new models. Xiaomi/Redmi, regardless MIUI, but requires prior preparation.

Instructions for transfer via cable:

1. Buy a cable. OTG supportive USB 3.0 (blue connector) – this will speed up the transfer to 40 MB / s.
2. On the old Xiaomi, turn on File Transfer Mode (MTP) in the connection settings USB.
3. Connect both phones with cable (you may need an adapter if the models have different connectors).
4. On the new Redmi, open the Explorer, select USB-device and copy the necessary files.

To port applications with data (for example, save in games) will require root access or use. ADB:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab


adb restore backup.ab

This command creates a full backup of all applications and their data, but only works on unlocked downloaders.

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If it's cable OTG If you don't know, try connecting your phones to your computer and copying files over your PC, it's slower, but it's more reliable for large amounts of data.

⚠️ Note: When copying a folder Android/data/ (where application data is stored) without root rights, new files may not be displayed. FX File Explorer with root mode enabled if available.

Method 3: Cloud Services – Xiaomi Cloud vs Google Drive

If you don’t have a cable or Wi-Fi Direct isn’t working, you can use cloud storage. Xiaomi offers its own cloud (Xiaomi Cloud), but it has limitations:

Only 5GB is available for free (versus 15GB in Google Drive).

Not all types of data are automatically synchronized (e.g. notes and calls are manually transferred).

In Russia, access to Xiaomi Cloud may be limited due to sanctions.

Comparison of cloud services for data transfer:

• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Quickly syncs contacts, photos and notebook, but does not carry apps.
• 📁 Google Drive: universal option, but requires authorization in Google (problems on Redmi without Google login) GMS).
• 🔗 Telegram: you can send files to yourself in "Saved messages" (limit 2 GB per file).
• 💾 Yandex Disk: an alternative for users in Russia (free 10 GB).

Step-by-step instructions for Xiaomi Cloud:

1. On the old Xiaomi: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
2. Enable synchronization for Contacts, Gallery, Notes and Notebook.
3. On the new Redmi: Log in to the same Xiaomi account and wait for sync to complete.
4. For photos: Open the Gallery → Albums. → Mi Cloud and upload files to your device.

For Google Drive:

1. On your old phone, set up Google Photos and turn on autoload.

2. wait for the sync to complete (check at photos.google.com).

3.On the new Redmi, log in to the same Google account and download photos through the app.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi without Google Mobile Services (e.g. models for China), Google Drive and Google Photos do not work. In this case, use Yandex Disk or physical cable transfer.

Method 4: Backup and Recovery through Recovery

It's the most reliable, but also the most complex, method, and it's suitable for power users who want to migrate the entire system with all the settings, including:

- SMS/MMS (including media files in messages).

- Time-stamped call logs.

Wi-Fi settings (including saved passwords)

Application data (e.g., game progress)

This method will require:

Unlocked loader (on some models).

- Established custom Recovery (e.g, TWRP).

- Enough space on the memory card (8-16 GB for full backup).

Instructions:

1. Install. TWRP Recovery on both phones (see instructions for your model) 4PDA).
2. On the old Xiaomi: boot into the Recavére (Off. → Power button + Loudness up).
3. Select Backup and select the Boot System Data Internal Storage (optional if you need to move files)
4. Save the backup to the memory card or OTG-accumulator.
5. On the new Redmi: boot in TWRP, Select Restore and point the way to the backup.

Mi Mover (Wi-Fi Direct)|Cable OTG|Cloud services (Xiaomi Cloud, Google Drive)|Backup through TWRP|Another way.-->

⚠️ Note: Recovery of backup through TWRP Redmi can lead to conflicts if the models run on different versions MIUI. For example, backup with MIUI 13 is not always correct to restore the MIUI 14.Pre-proceed the procedure to check the compatibility of firmware on forums.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔌 "Device not detected" when connected via cable: Check if File Transfer mode is enabled (MTP) on both phones. OTG If it doesn't work, try another cable (cheap Chinese adapters often don't support data transfers) on Redmi Note 10 Pro and later, you may need to unlock it. OEM Unlock in the Developer Settings.
• 📶 Mi Mover freezes 99%: This is a problem when transferring large video files. Solution: break the transfer into parts (photos first, then video) or use cable.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud does not sync photos: Check if Wi-Fi-only Sync is enabled in the cloud settings. If photos still don't load, clear the cache of the Mi Cloud app and restart your phone.
• 🔄 After the transfer, the contacts were lost: Most likely, the contacts were saved on the SIM-You can use a map or a Google account, not a phone memory. → Settings → Accounts and import them from there.

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Always check the space available on your new phone before transferring data, and if Redmi has less than 10% of the memory left, the system can automatically delete temporary files, which will result in the loss of some data.

If none of these methods worked, try a combination approach:

1. Move the contacts and SMS via Xiaomi Cloud.

2. Copy photos and videos via cable OTG.

3. Install applications manually from the Play Market or APK-file.

4. Restore your Wi-Fi settings via QR-codes (in the settings of each network there is an option "Share").

Data transfer from old models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1, Mi Max)

Devices on MIUI 8 and older (e.g. Redmi) 4X, Mi A1, Mi Max) does not support Mi Mover and has compatibility limitations with new firmware:

• 📱 Bluetooth: Slowly but reliably for contacts and small files. In Bluetooth Settings, select Send Contacts or Send Files".
• 💾 Memory card: Transfer files to a microSD, then paste it into a new phone. Suitable for photos and music.
• 🖥️ Computer: Connect both phones to a PC and copy the data through My computer.
• 🔧 ADB: For advanced users, create a backup through the command: adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all Then restore on the new phone: adb restore backup.ab

On Mi. A1 And other Android One devices, the Mi Mover doesn't work. Instead, use Google Account:

1.On an old phone: Settings → System system → Backup (enable data backup).

2.On the new Redmi: When you first turn on, select Restore from Backup and log in to the same Google account.

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On very old models (e.g. Redmi). 3S) You may not have enough memory to create a backup, in which case, delete unnecessary applications or transfer files to a memory card before backing up.

⚠️ Note: When transferring data from the old Xiaomi to the new Redmi MIUI 14+ If the names are displayed in hieroglyphics after import, export the contacts to a.vcf file and import it through Google Contacts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions