How to copy data from your phone to your Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Contents

• Introduction: Why Data Transfers to Xiaomi Need a Special Approach
• Method 1: Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official migration tool
• Method 2: Cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex.Disk)
• Method 3: Direct cable transfer through OTG-adapter
• Method 4: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct – when there is no internet
• Method 5: Transfer over a computer (Xiaomi Suite, Windows Explorer)
• Method 6: Third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)
• Problem Solving: Copying errors, data loss, slow transfer
• Frequent Questions (FAQ)

Transferring data between Xiaomi smartphones may seem like a trivial task – until you face the limitations of the new model. MIUI, It's not like the iPhone, where Apple's ecosystem allows seamless migration, or Samsung with its Smart Switch, the owners of Redmi, POCO Mi has to choose from several tools, each of which has its own nuances.

For example, the official Mi Mover app only works when you first turn on a new phone, and cloud services can limit the amount of data you transfer for free. Cable transfer requires adapters, and wireless methods suffer from low speed. This article will help you figure out which way is right for you, taking into account the phone model, the amount of data and the tools available.

We tested all the methods on devices from Redmi Note 10 Pro to Xiaomi 13 Ultra to provide up-to-date data on transfer speeds, compatibility and typical errors. MIUI, which speed up the copying process by 30-40% (for example, disabling compression when transmitting over Wi-Fi Direct).

Method 1: Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official migration tool

Mi Mover is a built-in solution from Xiaomi, optimized for data transfer between devices on the Internet. MIUI. It works by cloning an old phone to a new one, keeping folder structure, app settings, and even desktop wallpaper:

• 🔹 It only works when you first turn on your new phone (after setting up). MIUI-Account function is blocked).
• 🔹 Not all models are supported: for example, POCO F1 redmi 7A They may not see each other.
• 🔹 Maximum transmission speed — ~15 MB/s (depending on version) MIUI).
• 🔹 Does not copy passwords from Wi-Fi, data from some banking applications and files from protected folders.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. Turn on the new Xiaomi phone and get to the “Data Transfer” stage in the master setup.
2. Select the Mi Mover option → I am the sender (on the old phone) and I am the receiver (on the new phone).
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new device with an old phone.
4. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, videos, applications).
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the connection is completed (do not interrupt the connection!).

Shut down. VPN both phones|Charge devices to a minimum of 50%|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Free up 10-15% of memory on a new phone|Make sure that both devices have the latest version installed. MIUI-->

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), Mi Mover will refuse to work due to lack of Xiaomi certificates.

Transfer speed depends on the phone model and version MIUI. Below is a table with test results on different devices:

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Mi Mover is the most reliable way to transfer system data (SMS, call log, setup), but is not suitable for large media files due to speed limits.

Method 2: Cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex.Disk)

Cloud services are convenient because they don't require physical phone connections and allow you to move data in the background, but each service has its limitations:

• 🔹 Mi Cloud: 5GB free, but only syncs contacts, notes, photos and some settings.
• 🔹 Google Drive: 15GB free, but compresses video and photos when downloading (unless you use Google Photos in its original quality).
• 🔹 Yandex.Disk: 10 GB free, there are no restrictions on file types, but download speed depends on the tariff.

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

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

For Google Drive:

1. Install Google Drive on both phones.
2. On the old device, upload files to My Drive folder (or use Backup in Settings). → Google → Backup).
3. On the new phone, download files from Drive or restore the backup.

⚠️ Note: When using Google Photos in High Quality mode (Settings) → Backup and synchronization of photos and videos are compressed to 16 MP resolution and 1080p To avoid loss of quality, select Original Quality (but this will take up space in your Google repository).

Comparison of cloud services for data transfer:

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If you need to move apps through the cloud, archive them in the cloud. APK Use App Backup & Restore (available on Google Play) and upload the archive to the cloud. APK-files manually, but note that some applications (such as banking) may require re-authorization.

Method 3: Direct cable transfer through OTG-adapter

Cable transfer is the fastest method (up to 40-60 MB/s), but requires additional accessories.

• 🔌 OTG-adapter (Type-C) → Type-C or MicroUSB → Type-C, depending on the port of the phone).
• 🔌 Cable USB-A → USB-C (if the adapter is not bilateral).
• 📱 Both phones should be supported OTG (Check in the settings → The phone. → Specifications).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to the new phone (receiver).
2. Connect your old phone to the adapter via cable.
3. A notification will appear on the new phone USB-The drive is connected. Click on it and select File Transfer.
4. Open Explorer on a new phone, find a folder with an old device (usually displayed as USB-accumulator).
5. Copy the files you need to store your new phone.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (3-5 times faster than Wi-Fi).
• 📁 There are no restrictions on file types (you can even transfer system files). APK).
• 🔒 Data is not transmitted over the Internet (important for privacy).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) function OTG It's disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Regime. OTG and switch on the switch.

If the phones can't see each other:

• Check that the cable supports data transmission (not all charging cables are suitable).
• Reboot both devices.
• Try another one. OTG-Adapter (cheap adapters may not work with the device) MIUI).
• On the old phone in Settings → System system → For developers, turn on debugging by USB (if the option is available).

Method 4: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct – when there is no internet

Wireless methods are convenient on the road or in the absence of access to the cloud / cable, but they are extremely slow (Bluetooth 5.0 speeds up to 2 MB / s, Wi-Fi Direct - up to 10 MB / s).

Instructions for Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
2. Pair the devices (click on the phone name in the list of available and confirm the code).
3. On your old phone, select files to transfer (for example, in Gallery or Explorer) → Share. → Bluetooth.
4. Select a new phone from the list and confirm the file acceptance.

Instructions for Wi-Fi Direct:

1. Activate Wi-Fi Direct on both phones (Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct).
2. Connect devices to each other (may require input) PIN-code).
3. Use Explorer or Gallery to send files via the Send via Wi-Fi Direct option.

Limitations of methods:

• 🐢 Bluetooth: Maximum file size — ~50 MB (otherwise the transmission will be interrupted).
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: Can be turned off when the screen is locked (turn off Battery Optimization for the Explorer app).
• 🔋 Both methods severely drain the battery (up to 1-2% per minute during active transmission).

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To speed up Wi-Fi Direct transfer, go to Settings before sending files → Special facilities → Wi-Fi speed and select Maximum performance, which will temporarily turn off the power saving for wireless modules.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (Xiaomi Suite, Windows Explorer)

Using a PC as an intermediary is relevant if:

• 🖥️ You don't. OTG-adapter, but there's a computer.
• 📂 We need to move big data (>50GB).
• 🔧 You need to edit files before copying (e.g., converting videos).

Method 1: Through the Conductor Windows/macOS

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode on your phone).
2. Copy data from your phone to your computer (for example, in a folder on your desktop).
3. Disable the old phone, connect the new one and transfer the files back.

Method 2: Through Xiaomi PC Suite (official utility)

• 🔹 Download Xiaomi PC Suite from the official website.
• 🔹 Connect both phones to your PC (you will need two). USB-port).
• 🔹 In the program, select Backup for the old phone, then Restore for the new one.
• 🔹 Advantage: not only files are copied, but also application settings (for example, progress in games).

Transmission speed comparison:

⚠️ Note: When connecting Xiaomi to a Mac, use the official Android File Transfer software, not the Finder. Otherwise, the phone may not appear in the system or the copy will end with an error Not enough rights.

Method 6: Third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)

Third-party data applications are popular due to their ease of use and cross-platform (even between Xiaomi and iPhone).

• 📡 SHAREit: Up to 20MB/s, but shows ads and collects device data.
• 🔗 Xender: No File Size Limits, but Requires Connection to a Single Wi-Fi Network.
• 🌍 Send Anywhere: Transfer via a unique 6-digit code, but the free version is limited to 10 GB per day.

Instructions for SHAREit:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play or Mi App Store.
2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new phone, Receive.
3. Select files to transfer and wait for generation QR-code.
4. Scan the code with your new phone and confirm acceptance.

Instructions for Send Anywhere:

1. On the old phone, click Send → select files → Generate code.
2. On the new phone, enter the 6-digit code in the Receive field.
3. Confirm the transfer (files are sent directly over Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Warnings when using third-party applications:

• 🛡️ Some applications (e.g. SHAREit) request access to contacts, messages, and geolocation – opt out of unnecessary permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 📉 Transfer speed may drop if the phone is power saving mode enabled.
• 📱 Apps like Xender may conflict with MIUI Optimization, causing crashes. In this case, disable optimization for the application in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Xender → Battery → No restrictions.

Problem Solving: Copying errors, data loss, slow transfer

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can get errors, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

If the data is lost after the transfer:

• Check the folder. MIUI/Backup/AllBackup On a new phone, sometimes files are saved there.
• Use data recovery applications such as DiskDigger or Recuva (root required).
• If your contacts are missing, check sync with your Google account or Mi Cloud in Settings → Accounts.

If the transmission speed is too low:

• Turn it off. VPN Modem mode on both phones.
• Switch from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz in Wi-Fi settings (if using Wi-Fi Direct).
• Close the background apps that consume traffic (such as YouTube or Telegram).
• If you copy via PC, use the port. USB 3.0 (blue connector) and high speed cable.

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If neither method works, try resetting the network settings on both phones (Settings) → System system → Reset → Network resetting. This often solves Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth connection problems.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)