Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can become a real headache if you do not know the proven methods. Many users lose hours manually copying photos, restoring contacts or setting up applications, although the manufacturer offers several built-in tools for automatic synchronization. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from the branded Mi Mover to cloud services – and also explain how to avoid errors when transferring data between Redmi, POCO and Mi devices.
Synchronization between Xiaomi phones has its nuances: not all models support wireless transfer via Mi Mover, for example, and when using a Google Account, you can have problems with app backups. We tested each method on devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS to provide accurate instructions. Particular attention will be paid to transferring data from instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and game accounts - these are the most frequent requests for support.
If you’ve just purchased a new Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, this article will save you time and nerves. And if you’re planning to sell an old device, don’t forget to reset your settings properly after synchronization (we’ll talk about this at the end).
Why Regular File Copying Is a Bad Idea
Many users try to transfer data through Explorer or USB- cable simply by copying the folders DCIM, Downloads and Contacts. This method works only for media files, but has critical drawbacks:
First, you will lose the metadata of photos (film date, geolocation) and album structure in the Xiaomi Gallery. Second, contacts and messages are stored in system databases that cannot be copied manually. Third, applications and their settings (for example, save in games or chats in instant messengers) are not portable at all in this way.
Another trap is the difference in Android versions: If the old device runs Android 10 and the new one runs Android 14, manual copying can lead to compatibility errors, for example, Miui Backup's.bak backup files don't always recover on new firmware.
Finally, don’t forget about security: when connecting via USB to a computer, there is a risk of catching viruses, especially if you use public PCs. Xiaomi’s proprietary tools encrypt the data transmitted, which reduces such risks.
Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool for rapid transfer
Mi Mover
Xiaomi
- 📞 Contacts, call log and SMS
- 📷 Photos, video and audio files
- 📱 Applications (including data from some of them)
- 📍 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)
- 🎮 Game saving (if the game supports cloud backup)
The advantage of the Mi Mover is that you don't need a computer or a cable, but there are limitations.
⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the Mi Mover interface has changed. Now, to transfer data, you need to use the Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer section.
Step-by-step instruction
1. On both phones, open Settings → Additional → Mi Mover (or Data Transfer on new models).
2. On the old phone, select I am the source, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3 Scan the QR- code from a new phone on an old one (or enter the PIN- code manually).
4. Select data types to transfer. Tip: If the data volume exceeds 5 GB, connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network for acceleration.
5. Wait until the process is complete. Don't interrupt the connection, which can cause some data to be lost.
The speed of transfer depends on the volume of data and the model of the phones. For example, 30 GB of photos and videos from the Redmi Note 10 Pro to the Xiaomi 13T are copied for about 40-60 minutes.
Disable VPN on both devices |
Charge phones at least 50% |
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network|
Free up space on a new phone (at least 10% free space)|
Make sure both phones have the latest version of the MIUI-->
Method 2: Mi Cloud – Cloud Storage for Backups
Mi Cloud
Xiaomi
Data is stored in the cloud
But there are nuances:
- 🔄 Free is only 5 GB (that is about 1-2 thousand photos in high quality).
- 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords) are not backed up for security reasons.
- ⏳ Recovery of a large backup (10+GB) can take several hours.
How to make a backup and restore it
1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Accounts → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the data for backup (we recommend to note all points) and click Start backup.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and go to Settings → Xiaomi Accounts → Mi Cloud → Restore from backup.
4. Select the last copy and wait for the restoration to be completed.
If you have a POCO F5 or another HyperOS model, the path to cloud settings may be different: Settings → Users and Accounts → Mi Cloud.
What data is not stored in the Mi Cloud?
Method 3: Google Account is a universal way for Android
If you use Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos), then transferring data through a Google Account may be easier than through Xiaomi’s branded tools.
- 📱 You have phones from different brands (e.g. Samsung to Xiaomi).
- 🌐 You are actively using Google Photos, Gmail or Google Drive.
- 🔄 You only need to transfer contacts, calendars and mail.
There are drawbacks, however:
⚠️ Warning: Google only reserves apps as lists to install (without stored data).For example, progress in games or chats on WhatsApp will not be carried over.
Synchronization instructions
1. On your old phone, open Settings → Google → Backup and enable the option.
2.Click Create Backup Now and wait until completed.
3.On the new Xiaomi, when you first enable, select Copy Data from your old device → From the cloud and log in to the same Google account.
4. Select a backup and confirm the recovery.
If you missed the recovery step when setting up, do so later through Settings → System → Backup.
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Before migrating through Google, check if there is enough space in the cloud.15GB is available for free, but if you have a lot of photos in original quality, you may need a paid rate.
Method 4: Computer Transfer (for large amounts of data)
If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or other files, wireless methods can take too long, and then computer transfer is the most reliable option.
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS;
- 🔌 USB- cables (preferably original)
- 📂 Enough hard disk space.
Step-by-step instruction
1. Connect your old phone to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the desired folders (DCIM, Pictures, Downloads, etc.) to the computer.
3. Disable the old phone and connect the new one. Move the files to the appropriate folders.
4. For contacts, export them to the.vcf file via the Contacts app and import them on a new phone.
To port applications, use the APK Extractor (available on Google Play), but remember: installing APK- files manually may not be secure.
| Transfer method | Speed. | Max, volume of data | Difficulty | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Average (1–2 GB/h) | Unlimited. | ⭐⭐☆ | Transfer between Xiaomi |
| Mi Cloud | Low (depending on the internet) | 5GB (free) | ⭐⭐☆ | Backup |
| Google Account | High (for contacts) | 15GB (free) | ⭐☆☆ | Transfer of basic data |
| Computer (USB) | Very high (10+ GB/h) | Unlimited. | ⭐⭐⭐ | Big data sets |
Method 5: Transfer of data messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
Chats in instant messengers are some of the most valuable data users fear losing. Fortunately, both WhatsApp and Telegram provide tools for portability.
WhatsApp: Backup in Google Drive
1. Open WhatsApp on your old phone and go to ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Click Create a copy and wait until it is completed (make sure the phone is connected to Wi-Fi).
3.On the new phone, install WhatsApp, log in to the same account and restore chats from the backup.
If the copy is not restored, check:
- 🔹 Do you use the same Google account?
- 🔹 Does the new phone have enough space?
- 🔹 Has the download been interrupted (for example, due to weak internet)?
Telegram: Cloud synchronization
All chats and media files are stored in the cloud, so it is enough:
1. Install Telegram on a new phone.
2. log into your account (via phone number).
3. All chats and files will be downloaded automatically.
However, secret chats and local files (save in Telegram Files) are not synchronized, but must be transferred manually through a computer.
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To transfer WhatsApp between Android devices, make sure you use the same Google account. If you change email, backups will not be available!
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with proven methods, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.
1 Mi Mover does not find the device
- 🔹 Check whether Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on both phones.
- 🔹 Reboot both devices.
- 🔹 Update. MIUI last-minute.
2.Mi Cloud backup is not restored
- 🔹 Make sure there is enough space on the new phone.
- 🔹 Check that the MIUI version on the new phone is no older than the old one.
- 🔹 Try to restore a copy through Settings → System → Restore and Reset.
3.Google is not restoring apps
- 🔹 Enable AutoRestore in Settings → Google → Backup;
- 🔹 Check that the new phone has the same apps installed (opened at least once)
- 🔹 Some applications (e.g. banking) block backups.
4.Photos moved but not displayed in Gallery
- 🔹 Re-launch the Gallery app.
- 🔹 Check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder – sometimes thumbnails don’t get updated.
- 🔹 Use a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager) to manually update your media base.