How to Transfer All Information From Your Old Xiaomi Phone to Your New One: The Complete 2026 Guide

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often turns into a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, apps, and even screen settings all need to be saved and moved correctly. If you're afraid of losing important data or spending hours manually porting, this article will help avoid typical errors.

Xiaomi’s current smartphones offer a few built-in migration tools, but not all of them are equally effective. For example, Mi Mover works quickly but can skip some settings, and cloud backup requires a stable Internet, and we will analyze all the current ways, from official to alternative, and help you choose the best option depending on the amount of data and phone models.

Particular attention will be paid to the hidden nuances of the transfer between devices with different versions. MIUI (like the old one. MIUI 12 for new MIUI 14), and we will also tell you how to avoid data loss when you change your Mi Account. If you have files on the internal memory of an old phone that no longer turns on, you will find a solution for this situation.

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you start migrating, make sure both phones are ready for the procedure. On an old Xiaomi device, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50% on both phones, and transfer can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (for cloud methods) If you use mobile Internet, turn off background restriction for the Mi Mover app.
• 📁 Free space – the new phone should have at least 20% more memory than the data taken up by the portable.
• 🔒 Unlocking the screen – if there is a pattern lock on the old phone or PIN, It will have to be re-injected during the transfer.

On the new Xiaomi, once enabled, the system will offer to migrate data from the old device, which is the most convenient moment. If you have already missed this step, do not worry: all methods work after the initial setup. However, note that after migrating through Mi Mover, some system applications (for example, Theme or Security) may require re-authorization.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone used Mi Account with reference to the region of China, and the new phone is purchased for another region (eg Global), transfer through official tools can block some functions.

Also, remove unnecessary files from your old phone in advance, which will speed up the process. For example, clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Manage applications and remove duplicate photos in the gallery, and you can use the built-in Security tool to do this. → Cleaner).

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi for wireless data transfer between devices on the Internet. MIUI. It supports contact, message, photo, video, audio, apps (including their data), call records, and even some system settings, with the main advantage of not requiring internet (data is transmitted over a direct Wi-Fi connection between phones).

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer. If the phone is already configured, open the Mi Mover app (can be found through a system search).
2. On the old phone, also run Mi Mover and select I'm a sender.
3. On the new phone, click I'm a receiver and wait until it appears. QR-code.
4. Scan it. QR-The devices will connect to each other via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select data types to transfer (you can mark everything or select individual categories).
6. Confirm the start of the transfer on both phones. Do not interrupt the connection and do not block the screens!

The speed of transfer depends on the amount of data. For example, 30 GB of photos and videos can be transmitted from 20 to 40 minutes, after completion, the new phone automatically reboots, and the old one will show a report on the transferred data.

Make sure that both phones have the latest version installed. MIUI|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Close background applications that consume the Internet|Make sure there is enough room on the new phone.|Connect both phones to charging-->

⚠️ Note: If you have an old phone MIUI 11 or older, and on the new — MIUI 14, some system settings (such as navigation gestures or the settings of an always active display) may not be transferred.

Mi Mover supports portability between most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO, But there are limitations:

Method 2: Transfer through a Google account (for contacts, photos and apps)

If you use Google, this method will allow you to move most of the data without additional applications, the main advantage is cross-platform: you can transfer data not only between Xiaomi phones, but also from Samsung, iPhone and other devices.

What can be transferred via Google:

• 📇 Contacts (synchronized automatically if the option is enabled in the account settings)
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos with original quality or compressed)
• 🎵 Music and Documents (via Google Drive)
• 📱 Application list (restored from Google Play after logging in to your account)
• 📅 Calendar and notes (if Google services were used)

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the right categories (contacts, calendar, Chrome, etc.).
2. Upload all photos and videos to Google Photos (open the app) → tap on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization).
3. On the new phone, when you first turn on, sign in to the same Google account. If the phone is already configured, add the account to Settings → Accounts.
4. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (it can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).
5. Install the missing apps from Google Play (all previously installed programs will be displayed in the Library section).

Note that application data (such as saving in games or settings messengers) will only be transferred if the developer supports backup in Google Drive. For most applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), you will have to do a separate backup.

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If you have slow internet, select “High Quality” instead of “Original Quality” before transferring your photo to Google Photos. After transferring the originals can be copied to the new phone via cable.

Method 3: Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

If you don’t have Wi-Fi access or prefer a wired connection, you can use a cable. OTG (adapter USB-C to USB-C This method is suitable for carrying large amounts of data (such as movies or backups) and works even if one of the phones is not turned on (but is recognized by the computer).

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (For modern Xiaomi or MicroUSB to USB-C (If you have an old phone with a MicroUSB connector).
• 💻 Computer (optional, but simplifies the process).
• 📂 File Manager (e.g., embedded Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer via cable and select File Transfer mode (MTP).
2. Copy all the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, WhatsApp for chats, etc.) to your computer.
3. Turn off the old phone and connect the new one, also selecting File Transfer mode.
4. Transfer the previously copied files to the new phone to the appropriate folders.

For direct transmission between phones without a computer:

1. Connect the phones with a cable through OTG-adapter.
2. On the old phone, select File Transfer in the connection notification.
3. On your new phone, open the file manager and find the connected device in the Devices or USB section.
4. Copy the files you need manually.

⚠️ Warning: When you copy WhatsApp, remember to move the Databases folder inside it, which is where your messages are stored!

This method takes longer to manually sort files, but you control what it portes, such as selecting only the photos from the last year or eliminating heavy videos, and the main disadvantage is that applications and their data will have to be transferred separately (for example, through the backup in the application itself).

5. Method 4: Using Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that offers 5GB for free (extra space is available for purchase) and is convenient for transferring contacts, notes, call records and some settings, but is not suitable for large amounts of photos/video due to traffic restrictions.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, SMS, notes, gallery).
3. Wait until the data is uploaded to the cloud (progress is displayed in the same menu).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync in the Mi Cloud.
5. Wait for the data to be downloaded to the new device.

Important nuances:

• 📸 Photos and videos in Mi Cloud are stored in compressed format (originals are not saved).
• 🔄 Contact syncs can conflict with Google contacts.If you have duplicates, use the Contacts app → Contact management → Unite.
• 🚫 Some data (e.g., call history) are only synchronized when active. SIM-map.

Mi Cloud is convenient for backup, but not as the main method of transfer. For example, applications and their data through the Mi Cloud are not portable, only system information. It is also worth remembering that when you change the region of your account (for example, from Chinese to global), access to the cloud may be limited.

Method 5: Transfer through SD-map (for older models)

If your old Xiaomi phone supports microSD cards (like Redmi Note) 4X or Mi A1), This is a method that is relevant for devices with small internal memory or if other methods are not available.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-card.
2. Open the file manager and copy the folders you need (DCIM, WhatsApp, Music, etc.) on the map.
3. Remove the card and insert it into a new phone.
4. Copy files from the card into the internal memory of the new device.

Limitations of the method:

• 📱 Applications and their data cannot be transferred through SD-map (media files and documents only).
• 🔄 If the card is formatted as internal memory (in the phone settings), it can’t be simply removed – format it as portable storage first.
• 🛑 Some phones (such as the Xiaomi Mi 6) don’t support the phone. SD-cardage.

To transfer contacts through SD-map:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Exports to SD-map.
3. Select contacts for export (all are possible) and save the file in.vcf format.
4. Transfer the file to a new phone and import contacts through the same menu.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-card as a temporary storage, after transfer format it in the phone (Settings) → Warehouse → SD-map → Format. This will delete all data, but prevent reading errors in the future.

7 What to do if the old phone does not turn on

When the old Xiaomi doesn’t respond to the power button or is stuck on the logo, it makes it difficult to transfer data.

Option 1: Connect to PC in Fastboot mode

• 🔌 Connect the phone to your computer by holding the Power button + Volume down (to enter Fastboot).
• 💻 Install Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers on PC.
• 📂 Use the fastboot device command to make sure your phone is being identified.
• 🔄 Try flashing your phone without clearing data (fastboot flash... --no-erase), then extract the files.

Option 2: Data extraction through TWRP (requires an unlocked loader)

• 🔓 If the phone has unlocked the bootloader, click TWRP Recovery via Fastboot.
• 📁 V TWRP Connect your phone to your PC and copy files from the folder /data/media/0/ (It's an internal memory).
• 🔄 If the phone is encrypted, you will need to enter the screen lock password in the TWRP.

Option 3: Contacting the service centre

If the phone is physically damaged (such as a broken screen or a flooded board), self-manipulation can make things worse.

• 📍 Find an authorized Xiaomi service (list at mi.com).
• 💰 Clarify the cost of data extraction – usually it is 1500-3,000 rubles depending on the complexity.
• 📋 Provide proof of phone ownership (checks, box) – this will speed up the process.

In the most critical cases (for example, if the phone drowns) you can contact the data recovery laboratory (for example, the data recovery laboratory, ACE lab HDD However, it is expensive (from 5000 rubles) and not always successful.

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If the phone is not turned on but is defined by the computer as an “unknown device”, try installing drivers manually through Device Manager (select “Update driver" → "Perform a search on this computer" → Specify the folder with Xiaomi drivers).

8. Check of transferred data and final setting

After transferring the data, be sure to check:

• 📞 Contacts - open the Contacts app and make sure all numbers are in place. If contacts are duplicate, use the merge function.
• 📸 Photos and videos - check folders DCIM If the photos don't show, restart the Gallery app.
• 💬 Messages - in SMS WhatsApp and Telegram (check the history of chats.
• 🎮 Applications – run key programs (banks, social networks, games) and make sure that saves and settings are saved.

If something hasn't moved:

• 🔄 For WhatsApp: Remove the app on your new phone, copy the WhatsApp folder from your backup, and install the app again – it will offer to restore chats.
• 📥 For a photo: if they don't show up in the gallery, check the.thumbnails folder - sometimes thumbnails don't get updated. Rebooting the phone usually helps.
• ⚙️ For settings: some settings (for example, Do Not Disturb or Gestures) will have to be adjusted manually.

It is also recommended that:

• 🔒 Set up a screen lock on a new phone (print, Face) ID or PIN).
• 🔄 Update all apps in Google Play or App Store.
• 📡 Check your mobile network settings (especially if you change operator).

If after the transfer the phone began to brake, perform optimization:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory and start cleaning the cache.
2. B Settings → Check which applications consume the most energy.
3. Reboot your phone, and it will help the system adapt to new data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi