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

Why data transfer between Xiaomi smartphones requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of copying data can turn into a headache if you do not know the nuances. Unlike other brands, Xiaomi phones have unique migration tools integrated into the MIUI firmware. This is both a plus and a minus: on the one hand, there are built-in solutions for fast transfer, on the other – they do not always work stably, especially if we are talking about models of different generations (for example, Redmi Note 10 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

The main problem is data loss due to incorrect copying. According to service centers, 38% of requests after self-migration are associated with missing photos from the gallery or malfunctioning of applications. Another trap: many use cloud services, not considering that Xiaomi Cloud has a restriction on free storage (only 5 GB), which is often not enough for a full backup. In this article, we will examine all the current methods of transfer – from official tools to alternative methods that work even on older models.

Method 1: Official migration via MIUI (fastest method)

The built-in MIUI Migration feature is the first tool worth trying out. It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones from MIUI 10 and up. The main advantage of the method is direct data transmission over Wi-Fi without the need for an Internet connection or cable. However, there are nuances: if the old phone has a very outdated firmware version (for example, Redmi 4X with MIUI 9), the feature may be missing or not work correctly.

To take advantage of migration:

• 📱 On the new phone, during the initial setup, select Import Data from another device (if the setup is already complete, go to Settings. → The phone. → Migration of data).
• 🔄 On your old phone, open Settings. → Additionally. → Migrating data and selecting the role of the sender.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point on an old phone.
• 🔍 Scan on your new phone. QR-code that appears on the screen of the old device.

Once you've successfully connected, you can choose which data to copy: contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps, or system settings. Importantly, if a new phone already has data, it will be overwritten without the possibility of rollbacks, a point that users often miss, and it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of information.

Make sure both phones have enough charge (at least 50%)

Turn off VPNs and firewalls – they can block the connection

Check that the new phone has enough memory for the data to be transferred

Close all background apps, especially instant messengers and cloud services-->

⚠️ Note: If the migration is interrupted during the transfer phase, some applications may not be installed correctly. In this case, manually remove them and reinstall them from Google Play.

Method 2: Transfer over Xiaomi Cloud (cloud storage)

Xiaomi Cloud is a proprietary cloud storage that offers 5GB for free (for comparison, Google Drive gives 15GB, but with mail and other services included). This method is suitable if you need to copy contacts, notes, photos or call recording, but is not suitable for porting applications or system settings.

Instructions for transfer through the cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired data categories (contacts, gallery, notes, etc.).
3. Wait until the download is complete (time depends on the speed of the Internet).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync in Mi Cloud.

If you need to move more than 5 GB, you will either have to buy space in the cloud (cost from 100 rubles per month for 50 GB), or use alternative methods. Also consider that Xiaomi Cloud may not save the folder structure in the gallery - all photos are merged into one Camera folder.

Less than 5GB

5-20 GB

20–50 GB

More than 50GB-->

Method 3: Copying via OTG cable or adapter

If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or the cloud, the most reliable way is to connect directly via cable, either with a USB-OTG adapter (for newer USB-C models) or a dedicated USB-A to USB-C cable (if the old phone has a microUSB connector), which works on 100% of Xiaomi devices, including older models like the Redmi 3S or Mi A1.

Step-by-step:

• 🔌 Connect the adapter. OTG to the new phone, and the old phone to the adapter via cable.
• 📁 A notification will appear on the new phone USB-the device is connected. tap it and select File Transfer (or MTP).
• 🔍 Open any file manager (such as Google Files or standard Explorer) MIUI).
• 📂 Copy the right folders (DCIM For photos, downloads, etc.) from the internal memory of the old phone to the new one.

The advantage of this method is that you have complete control over the process, you can see which files are being copied, and you can choose only the files you need.

• ⚠️ Application settings and game data are not copied (e.g., progress in Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
• ⚠️ Contact and SMS You will have to transfer separately (through export to.vcf or.xml file).
• ⚠️ The speed of copying depends on the version USB: on USB 2.0 (older models) 30GB transmission can take up to 2 hours.

💡

If the phone doesn't recognize the connected device, try using another cable or adapter. OTG-scalable, especially on budget models like Redmi 9A

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to different versions of MIUI or hardware limitations), you can use third-party utilities.

• 📲 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi) – an alternative to built-in migration, but with advanced settings.
• 🔄 ShareMe (Mi Drop) – allows you to transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct without connecting to the network.
• 📂 Send Anywhere – a cross-platform solution for transferring large files (up to 10 GB at a time).
• 🔗 Google Files – a simple file manager with Shared Access.

Let’s take a closer look at ShareMe, as this app is pre-installed on most Xiaomi phones:

1. Open ShareMe on both phones.
2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new phone, Receive.
3. Select files to transfer (you can mark several folders at the same time).
4. Confirm receipt on the new phone – the data will be transmitted over Wi-Fi Direct.

ShareMe transfer speeds up to 20MB/s, which is 2-3 times faster than a USB 2.0 cable. However, there is a limitation: the application does not carry system data (for example, Wi-Fi settings or desktop wallpaper).

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for full backup)

If you need to back up your old phone before selling or dumping, the best option is to use a computer, a method that is suitable for transferring all data, including hidden files from system applications.

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Enough hard disk space (at least 50 GB of free space is recommended).

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy all folders from internal memory (DCIM, Pictures, Download, etc.) to your computer.
3. To back up contacts, export them to the.vcf file via the Contacts app.
4. To copy SMS, use the SMS Backup & Restore app (saves messages to.xml file).
5. Connect your new phone and transfer all files back.

For advanced users, there is a more powerful tool called ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which can create a complete backup system, including application settings, but this method requires command line knowledge and can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This command will create a backup.ab file with a full copy of the data (except for some protected system files).

adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Do not interrupt the backup process, this can cause file damage. Also note that some applications (for example, banking) block work on rooted devices or when using debugging tools.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when using official tools, users are faced with problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

Another typical situation is that after the transfer, the wallpaper or desktop settings disappear, and this is because MIUI stores this data in a secure /data/system folder that is not copied by standard methods. To restore personalization, you can:

• Take screenshots of the current wallpaper and manually install them on the new phone.
• Use themes from the Mi Theme Store (they sync with your account).
• Restore settings via Mi Account if theme synchronization was enabled.

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Before you start transferring data, always check the MIUI version on both phones. If the difference is greater than 2 versions (e.g. MIUI 12 and MIUI 14), use a computer or cloud instead of direct migration.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions