How to copy all data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

Why Data Transfers Between Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

Xiaomi’s new smartphone is always a joy, but data porting can be a headache if approached unprepared. Unlike other brands, Xiaomi phones have a unique MIUI ecosystem that offers both standard and exclusive migration tools. For example, the built-in Mi Mover app can automatically transfer up to 90% of data, but it doesn’t work consistently on older models, and Xiaomi Cloud and Google Drive have free storage limitations, which is critical for users with large media libraries.

Another trap is different versions of MIUI. If you switch from Redmi Note 8 Pro (MIUI 12) to Xiaomi 14 Ultra (MIUI 15), some settings may not be portable due to changes in the system architecture. In addition, many users forget about the binding of the Mi Account, without which it is impossible to restore purchases in the Mi Store or settings of a smart home. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transfer — from official to alternative — and also explain how to avoid typical errors that lead to data loss.

Method 1: Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official tool for painless transfer

Mi Mover is an embedded application that Xiaomi has developed specifically for data migration between its devices, which supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, applications (including their data), notes and even some system settings, the main advantage is that you do not need the Internet or computer: data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi Direct.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Install the Mi Mover app on both devices (unless it is preinstalled). Download from the Mi App Store or Google Play.
• 🔄 On the old phone, select the option “I am the sender”, on the new one – “I am the receiver».
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use an access point.
• 🔍 Scan on your old phone. QR-code that will appear on the new.
• ✅ Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Charge both phones at least 50% |Free the new device 2 times more space than the data you carry | Disable VPN and firewalls | Make sure both phones have the latest version of MIUI | Close all background apps

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The speed of the transfer depends on the volume of data and the model of the phones. For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro with UFS 4.0 can cope with 64 GB of data in 20-30 minutes, whereas Redmi 9A with eMMC 5.1 can take more than an hour.

• 🔄 Restart both devices and try again.
• 📶 Switch from Wi-Fi to Mobile Access Point.
• 🗑️ Free up extra space on the new phone.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already had data, it can be overwritten! Before penos, back up on the new device via Settings → The phone. → Backup.

Method 2: Xiaomi Cloud – Cloud portability with limitations

Xiaomi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that offers 5GB of free space (up to 100GB for Chinese accounts under certain conditions) and is suitable for transferring contacts, notes, calendar entries, photos and some settings, but does not support applications and their data.

Instructions for using Xiaomi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired data types (e.g. Contacts, Gallery).
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 synchronization.

If you need to move more than 5GB, consider Xiaomi Cloud’s paid rates (from 100GB for ~300 rubles per year) or use alternative clouds, such as Google Drive or Yandex Disk.

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Before uploading photos to Xiaomi Cloud, turn off the option “Storage Optimization” in the gallery settings, otherwise compressed versions of the images will enter the cloud, not the originals.

Method 3: Manual transfer via OTG cable or computer

If you don't have access to Wi-Fi or data is too large (like a 4K video collection), the best option is to copy directly via cable.

• 🔌 USB-Type-C cable (for new models) or OTG-adapter (for older ones).
• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS (Optionally, if you copy via PC).
• 📁 File Manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Total Commander).

Step-by-step instructions for copying without a computer:

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-cable.
2. On your new phone, open Mi File Manager and select the tab «USB-device».
3. Go to DCIM (photo/video), Download (download), Pictures (images from instant messengers).
4. Select the files you want and click Copy, then select the internal memory of the new phone.

For copying via computer:

1. Connect both phones to the PC.
2. Enable file transfer mode (MTP) on both devices.
3. Copy data from one phone to a computer, then to a new phone.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t copy the entire Android folder, which can lead to conflicts in the work of applications, it is better to transfer only media files and documents, and install the applications again through Google Play.

Method 4: Backup and Restore through MIUI

Local Backup in MIUI allows you to create a full system snapshot, including apps, settings, SMS and call logs, which is suitable if you want to keep your phone current before resetting or selling.

How to make a backup copy:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Click “Create a backup” and select the data to save.
3. The storage location: internal memory or SD-map.
4. Wait until it is completed (can take up to 1 hour for 128GB of data).

How to restore on a new phone:

1. Copy the backup file (MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder) to your new phone.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup → Restore.
3. Select the file and confirm the recovery.

Please note:

• 🔄 Recovery is only possible on devices with the same or newer version. MIUI. For example, backup with MIUI 13 won't recover on MIUI 12.
• 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords) are not restored for security reasons.
• 📱 If the new phone has a different processor (for example, switching from Snapdragon to MediaTek), some applications may not work properly.

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Local backup is the only way to migrate SMS and call logs without Mi Mover, but it does not store data from some system applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home).

Method 5: Alternative programs – when standard methods don’t work

If Mi Mover refuses to port data due to incompatibility of MIUI versions or other errors, third-party utilities come to the rescue.

To use Swift Backup without root:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb -d shell pm grant org.swiftapps.swiftbackup android.permission.BACKUP
3. Run Swift Backup and create a backup.

If you choose Dr.Fone, follow the instructions:

• 🖥️ Install the program on your computer and connect both phones.
• 🔄 Select the Source mode (old phone) and Receiver mode (new).
• ✅ Tick the data types and click “Start transfer».

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

• 🚫 Mi Mover does not see the device: Check that both phones are enabled with Wi-Fi Direct (Settings) → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct. Turn off the power saving mode, it can block the background transmission. Reboot both devices and try again.
• 🔌 Cable OTG It doesn't work: Try another cable -- cheap adapters often don't support data transfer (MTP) plug-in.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud does not sync photos: Make sure that the gallery settings include the option “Autoboot to the cloud).
• 📱 Apps don’t recover from porting: Install them again via Google Play – some data (such as cache) may conflict. For games, use Google Play Games or Mi Account binding.

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from your phone to Chinese firmware MIUI (For example, Xiaomi 14 for the Chinese market, many Google services (including Google Play) will be missing. In this case, install Google Installer before the penos. 4PDA) and log in to your account.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions