How to make a copy of a Xiaomi phone on another phone: 5 proven ways

Contents

• Introduction: Why you need a copy of your phone
• Method 1: Backup with Mi Cloud
• Method 2: Transfer data over cable
• Method 3: Third-party cloning applications
• Method 4: Sync through Google Account
• Method 5: Manually transfer important data
• Typical problems and their solution
• Frequent questions

Shifting data from one Xiaomi smartphone to another is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device. Even if you stay in the MIUI ecosystem, copying can be difficult: settings get lost, messages are not transferred, and sometimes photos disappear. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to create a full copy of a phone, from official tools to third-party solutions.

It's important to understand that a phone copy is not just a touch transfer, it's about full-fledged cloning: data apps, SMS/MMS, call log, system settings, media files, even desktop wallpaper. We tested each method on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra — instructions are relevant for all models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS.

Method 1: Backup with Mi Cloud

Xiaomi’s official cloud storage is the most reliable way if you have a stable internet connection. Mi Cloud stores almost all of your data, including:

• 📱 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photographs and video (galleries)
• 🎵 Notes, calendar, reminders
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi networks)
• 📱 List of installed applications (without data)

However, there are limitations: Mi Cloud does not store application data (e.g., correspondence in Telegram or progress in games), as well as files stored outside of standard folders (/DCIM, /Downloads, etc.).

Step-by-step:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Sign in or create an account if you don’t have one.
3. Select Backup and click Create Backup.
4. Check all the necessary categories (we recommend leaving everything).
5. Click Start and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours).

On the new phone:

1. Log in to the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.
3. Select the latest backup and confirm the recovery.

Connecting to Wi-Fi (not mobile internet)

Enough space in the cloud (free – 5 GB)

Battery charge > 50%

Background restrictions for Mi Cloud are disabled (Settings → Applications → Permissions)

-->

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS), the Mi Cloud feature may not work properly or at all. In this case, move to method 3 (third-party apps).

Method 2: Transfer data over a cable (Mi Mover)

If you don’t have internet access or data is more than 5GB (free Mi Cloud limit), use the built-in Mi Mover app, which works on a phone-to-phone basis via a USB-C/OTG cable or wireless network.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔌 No Internet access (except initial authorization)
• 📦 Transfers all data, including application files (where possible)
• ⚡ Faster cloud copying (up to 50 MB/s over cable)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (available in Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer or via Play Market).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the source, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Connect devices via OTG cable (or select wireless mode).
4. On an old phone, mark the data for transfer and confirm the beginning.

💡

If Mi Mover doesn’t see the new phone over the cable, try using the original Xiaomi cable and enable File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.

Method 3: Third-party cloning applications

If you don't like the built-in tools of Xiaomi, use specialized programs. We tested the 3 most reliable solutions:

1. Clone Phone (from Xiaomi)

The official app, similar to Mi Mover, but with advanced features, supports data transfer from iPhone and other Android devices.

2. Samsung Smart Switch

Although it’s an app from Samsung, it works great with Xiaomi, and even carries data from some apps (like WhatsApp).

3. Dr.Fone — Phone Transfer

A paid trial solution that clones all data, including game and instant messenger accounts.

Instructions for Clone Phone:

1. Download the app to both phones from the Play Market.
2. On the old phone, select Send data, on the new phone, Receive data.
3. Connect devices through QR-code.
4. Select categories for transfer (we recommend to note everything).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start, otherwise the process may be interrupted.

Method 4: Sync through Google Account

If you don’t want to depend on the Xiaomi ecosystem, use Google’s standard tools.

• 📇 Contacts, calendar, notes (Google Keep)
• 📎 Photos (Google Photo)
• 📱 Some system settings (language, Wi-Fi networks)
• 🎮 Game data (if linked to Google Play Games)

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Turn on synchronization for all the categories you need.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account and wait for automatic sync.

For the transfer of photos:

1. Install Google Photos on both phones.
2. On your old phone, enable Backup and Sync in the app settings.
3. On the new phone, wait for photos to be uploaded from the cloud.

💡

Google synchronization doesn't carry SMS, call log, or most apps' data. For full cloning, combine this method with others.

Method 5: Manually transfer important data

If you only need to migrate individual files or settings, do it manually, which is the most time-consuming, but gives you complete control over the process.

What can be transferred manually:

• 📁 Any files (documents, music, videos) – via cable or cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Drive).
• 🔑 Passwords from the browser – export through Settings → Google → Account management → Security → Passwords.
• 📱 APK-Application files - use APK Extractor for extraction and subsequent installation.
• 🎨 Launcher settings – some launchers (e.g. Nova Launcher) allow you to export configuration.

How to transfer files over the cable:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB.
2. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
3. Copy the required folders (DCIM, Downloads, Documents) to your computer.
4. Connect the new phone and paste the files into the appropriate folders.

To transfer SMS and call logs, use applications like SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on your old phone.
2. Create a backup (backup) copy.
3. Transfer the backup file to the new phone.
4. Restore the data (Restore).

Typical problems and their solution

Even if you do the right things, you can have a lot of problems.

1. Mi Cloud does not back up the reason: Not enough space in the cloud or sync is disabled Solution: Clear unnecessary data in Mi Cloud → Storage Management or buy additional space (from 100 GB for ~300 rubles / year).

2. Mi Mover freezes 99% Reason: Big data or battery optimization conflict Solution: Connect both phones to charging and disable optimization for Mi Mover in battery settings.

3. Application data is not portable Reason: Most applications block data portability for security reasons Solution: Use built-in app backup features (e.g. Telegram or Viber) or specialized tools like Titanium Backup (requires root).

4.The new phone does not recover wallpaper or sounds Reason: Some system settings are not portable due to differences in the MIUI version. Solution: Manually copy wallpaper from /MIUI/theme folder and sounds from /system/media/audio (root rights required).

💡

If after transfer on the new phone lost communication, check the settings APN. Often they don't automatically copy. Type them manually into Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).

Frequent questions