How to download data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all ways of 2026

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from one device to another can become a real headache if you do not know the proven methods. Unlike the iPhone, where everything is synchronized through iCloud, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several alternative ways – from the Mi Mover brand tool to manually copying through cable. In this article, we will discuss 5 current ways to transfer data between Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), taking into account the nuances of different versions of MIUI and the amount of information.

It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on the type of data (contacts, photos, applications or system settings), volume (gigabytes of video or several megabytes of notes) and available tools (whether there is a cable at hand, whether Wi-Fi works). For example, it is better to use a cable to transfer 50 GB of photos and videos, and for synchronizing contacts and SMS, the Xiaomi Cloud service will suffice. We will also consider the hidden limitations of Mi Mover, which are not mentioned in the official documentation, for example, why applications can not be portable even if you transfer successfully.

If you have previously used smartphones from other brands, be prepared for the fact that Xiaomi does not always offer universal solutions. For example, unlike Samsung Smart Switch, Mi Mover does not support data transfer from iOS or Huawei - only between devices on MIUI. Xiaomi has unique features like transferring themes and screen time settings that are not available from competitors.

1. Mi Mover: The Official Way From Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in data porting app that Xiaomi has positioned as the main migration tool, pre-installed on all smartphones with MIUI 9 and later (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.). The main advantage is that it does not require a computer or cable (works on Wi-Fi Direct), but there are pitfalls.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On your old smartphone, open Settings → The phone. → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
• 🆕 On the new device, select Me New User when you first turn on or find Mi Mover in the settings.
• 🔗 Click Send data on the old phone and Receive data on the new one. Confirm the connection via QR-code.
• 📁 Select data types to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, applications (not all supported!).

⚠️ Attention: Mi Mover is not tolerated:

• 🚫 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks) – you need to add them manually.
• 🚫 Data of some applications (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, banking applications).
• 🚫 Files from folders that are not in the standard categories (for example, downloads from the browser).

Charge both phones at least 50% |

Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (not necessary, but speeds up the process)|

Free up space on a new smartphone (transfer takes up temporary space)|

Shut down. VPN Firewalls (they can block the connection)-->

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the stability of the connection. For example, 10 GB of photos can be carried from 15 minutes to an hour. If the process is stalled during the Preparation stage, try:

1. Reboot both phones.
2. Turn off battery savings in settings.
3. Use a USB-C to USB-C cable (if supported).

Mi Mover|

Cable and computer |

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) |

Manual copying (flash drive, OTG)|

Another option-->

2. Transfer via OTG cable or computer

If Mi Mover refuses to work or you need to transfer large files (such as movies in 4K or backup games), it is more reliable to use a direct connection via cable, which is universal and works even on older models like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (If you are copying directly between phones, or USB-cable.
• 💾 File Manager (built-in in the MIUI or third-party, such as Solid Explorer).
• ⏳ Time – Copying 64GB can take up to 30 minutes.

Instructions for copying via computer:

1. Connect your old smartphone to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to your computer.
3. Turn off the old phone, plug in the new one and transfer the data back.

⚠️ Note: When copying through a computer, do not use the exFAT format for flash drives — MIUI It may not display files more than 4 GB correctly — FAT32 (despite a 4GB limit per file, or NTFS (if the phone supports).

* In practice, failures are possible at >30 GB.

3. Cloud services: Xiaomi Cloud vs Google Drive

If you have a slow computer or no cable, cloud storage is a lifeline. Xiaomi offers its own service, Xiaomi Cloud, but it has limitations that few people know about. For example, the free tariff allows you to download only 5 GB of data, and photos and videos are compressed to a resolution of 1920×1080 (even if the original is in 4K).

How to transfer data through Xiaomi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, gallery, notes).
3. On the new device, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the sync to complete.

The alternative is Google Drive or Yandex Disk.

• 📁 Upload files to the drive from your old phone (via app or browser).
• 📥 Download them to a new smartphone.
• ⚡ Use Wi-Fi 6 or cable connection to router to speed up.

💡

If you need to migrate data-saving apps (such as game progress), use Google Play Games for games or Swift Backup (requires root) for other apps. Xiaomi Cloud does not store third-party apps data!

⚠️ Attention: When you upload photos to Google Photos in High Quality mode, they are compressed to 16 MP, and in Original Quality they take up space in your Google account. If you have a Pixel smartphone, the original quality is free, but this does not apply to Xiaomi.

4. Transfer of applications and their data

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is the transfer of installed applications along with their data (for example, saves in games, chat history in Telegram or settings in Nova Launcher). Unfortunately, Mi Mover does this only partially: it can transfer.apk files of applications, but does not guarantee the safety of user data.

Methods of transferring applications:

• 🔄 Backup via Mi Cloud (works only for system applications and some third-party ones, such as Mi Fit).
• 📦 APK-extractor (e.g., extractor, APK Extractor) + hand-mounting on a new phone.
• 🔧 Titanium Backup (requires root rights) – portes both applications and their data.
• 🎮 Google Play Games – to save progress in games (if the developer supports cloud saving).

For most users, the best option is:

1. Create a list of installed applications through Settings → Applications → Application Management → List Export.
2. Reinstall them from Google Play on your new phone.
3. Recover data through built-in app features (for example, WhatsApp does this through a backup in Google Drive).

💡

Most banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) block the transfer through backups for security reasons, and they will have to be re-installed and authorized.

5. Transfer of contacts, SMS and calls

Contacts and messages are the data that is most often lost when switching to a new phone, and fortunately Xiaomi offers several ways to transfer them, but they are not all equally reliable.

Methods of transferring contacts:

• ☁️ Synchronization with Google (the most reliable method):
• 📱 Export to file VCF:
• 🔄 Mi Mover (transfers contacts, but can duplicate them).

For SMS and call history, you can:

• 📧 Backup via Mi Cloud (enable option in Settings) → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Synchronization).
• 📄 Apps like this SMS Backup & Restore (Saves) SMS into XML-file).

⚠️ Note: If you have used double-digits SIM-Maps on an old phone, contacts could be saved on different accounts (SIM1, SIM2, Before transferring, check where your contacts are stored so you don’t lose some of them:

1. Open Contact.
2. Press on. ⋮ → Contact management → Display settings.
3. See which accounts are marked with ticks.

6. Transfer system settings and personalization

Few people know, but Xiaomi allows you to transfer not only files, but also system settings: themes, wallpaper, notification options, even navigation gestures.

How to move the settings:

• 🎨 Themes and wallpaper:
• ⚙️ System settings:
• 🔔 Notifications and sounds are synced through Mi Account if the option is enabled in Xiaomi Cloud.

Please note that not all settings are portable.

• 🚫 Wi-Fi passwords are not synced via Mi Cloud (you need to re-enter them or use Google Password Manager).
• 🚫 Performance settings (such as background restrictions for applications) are reset.
• 🚫 Sensor data (stepper, compass) are calibrated again.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users have problems with data transfer.-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

If none of these methods work, try alternative tools:

• 🔧 Send Anywhere – transfer files over Wi-Fi without restrictions.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions