How to Transfer All Data from the Old Xiaomi to the New: The Complete 2026 Guide

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data transfer often turns into a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, app settings - how not to lose anything important? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of migrating between Xiaomi devices based on the use of the new smartphone. MIUI 14/15, including hidden functions and avoiding typical errors.

Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to simply copy files to a flash drive, and in practice this only works with media files — system settings, application data and accounts require special tools. We tested each method on models from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, so you can choose the best option for your situation.

If you are in a hurry, use automatic transfer via Mi Account (section 2). Manual export/import (section 4) is suitable for full control of data.

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Transfer

The first step is to sync your accounts, and without linking to Mi Account, you'll lose access to cloud backups. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account on both phones and make sure:

• 📱 The same account (email or phone number) is used)
• 🔄 Included synchronization of contacts, notes, calendar
• ☁️ Available enough space in the cloud (minimum 5GB for base reserve)

On your old phone, check the version. MIUI. If it's older than 12.5, some portability features may not work. → The phone. → System updates. MIUI 14+ Accelerated Wi-Fi Direct data transfer protocol is available (up to 20 MB/s vs 5 MB/s on older versions).

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi has already created a local account (without binding to Mi Account), reset to factory settings through Settings → Additionally. → Reset settings. Otherwise, the data from the old phone will not be transferred correctly.

Don’t forget about physical training:

• 🔋 Charging both phones >50% (transfer can take up to 1 hour)
• 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection (or mobile Internet with unlimited traffic)
• 🛠️ Cable USB Type-C (if you plan to transfer over the wire)

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Create a Wi-Fi hotspot on a new phone and connect the old one to it – this will speed up data transfer to the new phone. 2-3 compared to using a router.

2. Automatic transfer via Mi Account (the easiest way)

This method works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and later. The main advantage is the transfer of not only files, but also system settings (wallpaper, application shortcuts, network parameters:

1. On the new phone, select Data Transfer when you first turn on → Xiaomi.
2. Scanner. QR-Scan the screen of the old phone (it will appear in Settings) → Additionally. → Data portability).
3. Select data types for transfer: 📞 Contacts and call log 📸 Photo and video (galleries) 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS) 📝 Notes and calendar ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers)

Confirm the transfer on both devices.

It takes 10 to 40 minutes depending on the amount of data. Don't interrupt the connection, if the transmission is interrupted, you'll have to start over. Once complete, the new phone will automatically restart.

3. Cable transfer USB (fastest)

If you don't have time to wait for sync through the air, use a direct cable connection.

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C → Type-C (or adapter) OTG old-model)
• 📱 Both phones with a charge. >30%
• 🛠️ Developer mode enabled (optional, but speeds up the process)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phones with a cable. On the screen of your old device, select File Transfer.
2. On the new phone in the data port menu, select Connection by cable.
3. Sign in to Mi Account on both devices (unless previously done).
4. Select data for transfer (similar to the method of c) QR-code).
5. Confirm the transmission.

The speed of transmission by cable reaches 40-60 MB/s (against) 5-20 The main drawback is that some applications’ data is not portable (for example, WhatsApp or Viber require separate backups).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi models 9/10 and POCO X3 when connected USB You may have an error, "Device not supported." Solution: Enable Debugging by USB Developer settings on both phones.

Enable file transfer on your old phone|Sign in to Mi Account|Use the original Xiaomi cable|Shut down. VPN/proxy on both devices|Close the background annexes-->

4. Manual transfer: when the automation does not work

If the automatic methods did not work (for example, due to different versions) MIUI Or corrupted system files, you'll have to manually transfer data, which takes longer, but gives you complete control over the process.

Step 1: Exporting contacts

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
3. Select the.vcf format and save it to the memory card.

Step 2: Transfer of media files

• 📁 Connect your old phone to your PC via USB (File transfer mode).
• 🖥️ Copy the folders. DCIM, Pictures, Download to the computer.
• 📱 Connect a new phone and transfer files to the same folders.

Step 3: Save Messages

For SMS/MMS use the app SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Put it on both phones.
2. On your old phone, create a backup.
3. Transfer the backup file to your new phone (via cloud or cable).
4. Restore messages (Restore).

For WhatsApp and Telegram:

• 🔄 WhatsApp: ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup (save in Google Drive).
• 📥 In Telegram: export chats through Settings → Additionally. → Export of data.

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Manual transfer is the only way to save application data (such as game saves or banking application settings) that is not synced through Mi Account.

5. Cloud Transfer: If Phones Are in Different Places

If the old and new phones are physically in different locations, use cloud backup, which works even if one of the devices is lost or broken (assuming automatic backup was previously enabled).

Instructions for backup:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Select data for reservation (minimum 5 GB of free space in the cloud).
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.
4. On the new phone: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Restore from backup copy.

Important nuances:

• ⏳ Full backup takes 30 minutes to several hours.
• 📡 To speed up, connect your phone to charging and Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords) are only restored when a new phone is turned on for the first time.

If you don’t have a backup in the cloud, but your phone still works:

1. Create a local backup: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
2. Copy the backup file (located in the root folder) to the new phone.
3. Recover data through Local Recovery.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi local backups are encrypted by device binding. If you reset your old phone to factory settings before you transfer the backup file, it will be impossible to recover data.

6.Recover data from broken Xiaomi

If the old phone doesn't turn on, but was previously tied to the Mi Account, the chances of data recovery remain.

Method 1: Cloud Recovery

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account on the new phone as the old one.
2. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
3. Check the available backups in the Devices section.
4. Select the last copy and click Restore.

Method 2: Removal of the memory card

If the phone is not turned on, but the microSD card is working:

• 🔧 Remove the card from the broken phone.
• 📱 Insert it into a new phone or card reader.
• 🖥️ Copy the data from the folders DCIM, WhatsApp, Download.

Method 3: Connecting to a PC in Fastboot mode

For advanced users:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers on your PC.
2. Connect the phone to the PC, keeping Volume down + Power (Fastboot mode).
3. In the command line, execute: fastboot devices If the device is determined, try to extract data through: fastboot pull /sdcard/

If the phone is physically damaged (for example, a broken screen but the sensor is working):

• 🔌 Connect the charger – sometimes the phone turns on despite damage.
• 🖥️ Connect to the PC through USB and try to access files in file transfer mode.
• 📡 Use Mi Remote (if the screen responds to touch) to navigate blindly.

7.Transfer of specific data: what is usually forgotten

Even after a successful transfer, users often encounter lost data, and here's what to check further:

1. Application data

• 🎮 Game saves: Use built-in export features in games (e.g. Genshin Impact or GAI) PUBG Mobile is linked to accounts).
• 💰 Banking applications: reinstall from the official website of the bank – transfer via backups can block access.
• 📊 Fitanes Trackers: Export data from Mi Fitness or Google Fit manually.

System settings

• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords: Export through Settings → Wi-Fi → Save networks → Share (QR-code).
• 🎵 Sound settings: equalizer, individual volume profiles are not automatically transferred.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: The list of applications excluded from optimization will have to be reconfigured.

3. Multimedia.

• 🎵 Playlists in Mi Music: export to file.m3u.
• 📺 Mi Video Settings: View History and Favorites are only synced through Mi Account.

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To transfer data from Xiaomi Gallery with the preservation of albums and tags, use the built-in "Album Export" function in the gallery settings. This will preserve the folder structure, as opposed to simply copying files.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and we have collected the TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:

If the new phone brakes or overheats after transfer:

• 🛑 Give the system a go. 12-24 hours of optimization (background indexation of data).
• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

For Xiaomi models 13/14 hyperOS:

⚠️ Attention: HyperOS's new shell has changed the backup mechanism. MIUI On HyperOS, use only the cloud method – local backups may not be restored.

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Before transferring data, always check the compatibility of versions. MIUI/HyperOS And the difference is that it's both. 2 More versions can cause loss of data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions