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

Transferring data from the old Xiaomi Redmi to a new Android smartphone is often a headache: contacts are lost, photos are saved in low quality, and applications have to be installed again. In practice, the process can be automated by 90% - if you know the nuances of MIUI, the limitations of Google Account and hidden Android features. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven migration methods, including a unique method for Redmi with an unlocked bootloader, which allows you to clone the system almost without loss.

Redmi users’ main problem is data fragmentation. Some of the information is stored in MI Cloud, some in Google Drive, and media files are scattered across /DCIM, /Download, and even /MIUI/Extra folders. We structure the process so that you don’t miss a single important point: from backing up SMS to transferring passwords from Wi-Fi. Particular attention will be paid to models with hybrid firmware (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ for the global and Chinese markets), where standard methods may not work.

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before copying

Before you start migrating, make sure both devices are ready for the procedure, and skipping this step often results in data loss or incomplete porting.

On the old Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – with a low charge, the system can interrupt the backup.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (not mobile data!) to sync with your mobile phone MI Google Drive or Cloud will require a stable connection.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Update of the system in older versions (below) MIUI 14) key transfer functions may not be available.
• 🧹 Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache (this will reduce the size of the backup).

On the new Android device:

• 📱 If it’s Xiaomi, activate Mi Account (the same as the old phone).For other brands, sign in to Google Account.
• 🔐 Turn off battery optimization for applications MIUI Backup or Google One in the battery settings.
• 📁 Release at least 10 GB of memory – a backup can weigh up to 8-12 GB (depends on the number of photos and videos).

⚠️ Note: If old Redmi has data encryption enabled (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Encryption, some transfer methods (e.g. via cable) OTG) In this case, use cloud services or ADB-backup (section 5).

Method 2: Automatic transfer via MIUI Migration (Xiaomi → Xiaomi only)

The fastest and most reliable method is if both devices are Xiaomi, and MIUI Migration not only clones files, but also:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including hidden.nomedia folders)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sound profiles, brightness)
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices
• 🎮 Game data (if supported)

Instructions:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Portability. If your phone is already configured, go to Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer.
2. On your old phone, open Settings → Additional → Data Transfer and select “I am a source.”
3. Scan the scanner on your new phone QR-code.
4. Select data for transfer (we recommend to note all points) and confirm.
5. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes for 30+GB of data).

Both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.|There is enough memory on the new phone|Power saving mode is turned off on the old phone|QR-code scanned correctly-->

⚠️ Note: If the new phone has custom firmware installed (e.g. Pixel Experience), MIUI Migration may not work, in which case use the methods in Sections 3 or 5.

💡

MIUI Migration is the only way to transfer passwords from Wi-Fi and MIUI settings (such as control gestures) to the new Xiaomi.

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (universal for any Android)

If the new phone is not Xiaomi (like Samsung or Realme), use Google sync.

• 📇 Contacts, calendars, notes (from Google Keep)
• 📁 Photos and videos (via Google Photos)
• 🎵 Music and Documents (from Google Drive)
• 📱 Some system settings (language, date/time)

Step-by-step:

1. On old Redmi, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all items.
2. Install applications: 📷 Google Photos for Media Files 📁 Google Drive for Documents 📱 Google One – for backups SMS (Android 8 only+)

Google Photo

"Photon settings" → "Backup and synchronization"

"High quality"

"Original."

new

Google Account

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not tolerated: SMS (without Google One, Wi-Fi passwords, settings MIUI.
• ❌ Photos in "Original Quality" take up space on Google Drive (15GB free).
• ❌ Applications will have to be installed manually through the Play Market → Library.

💡

To speed up the upload of photos in Google Photos, connect your phone to charge and turn on the “No Limits” mode for the application in the battery settings.

Method 3: Copying via OTG cable or adapter (without internet)

If you don't have Wi-Fi or mobile internet, you can transfer data directly through an OTG cable (for USB-C phones) or a computer, which is suitable for:

• 📸 Large media libraries (50)+ GB photo/video)
• 📄 Documents and APK-file
• 🎵 Music and podcasts

Option A: Direct phone connection (required) OTG-cable)

1. Buy it. OTG-Adapter (e.g. Xiaomi) USB-C to USB-C post ~300₽).
2. Connect the old Redmi to the adapter and the new phone to the adapter.
3. On the old phone, select the file transfer mode (a notification will appear).
4. On the new phone, open the File Manager (e.g. MI File Manager) and copy the data from the folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM (photos and videos) /storage/emulated/0/Download (downloads) /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Camera (screenshots) /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp (chat backups)

Option B: Through a computer (Windows/macOS/Linux)

1. Connect the old Redmi to your PC via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy all folders from the phone’s internal memory to your computer (for example, to a disk). D:\Redmi_Backup\).
3. Connect the new phone and transfer the data back.

⚠️ Note: When copying via PC, do not use a folder /Android/data/ — The files may not work on the new phone due to differences in the UID Also don't copy the folder. /MIUI/ — This can cause conflicts in the new firmware.

5. Method 4: Complete cloning through ADB Backup (for advanced)

This method creates a complete backup of all data, including:

• 📱 Application settings (e.g. progress in games)
• 🔐 Passwords and authorization tokens
• 📂 System files (except for /system/)

Required:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot (download here).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔓 Redmi has debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi to your PC and enter Adb devices in the terminal (the device should appear).
2. Create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\redmi_backup.ab (where C:\redmi_backup.ab — backup).
3. On the phone will appear a request for confirmation - enter the lock password and click "Create a backup".
4. Once complete, connect a new phone and recover the data: adb restore C:\redmi_backup.ab

⚠️ Note: This method does not work on phones with a locked bootloader (check through fastboot oem device-info – if Device unlocked: false, unlock the bootloader officially via Mi Unlock). Also, don’t restore the backup to a phone with another version of Android (for example, Android 12 on Android 14) – this will cause errors in the applications.

6. Method 5: Transfer over MI Cloud (if the phone is lost or broken)

If you don’t have physical access to the old Redmi but backup is enabled in the MI Cloud, you can recover data on the new phone:

1. On the new Xiaomi, sign in to the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Data Recovery.
3. Select the last backup from the list.
4. Tick the necessary data (contacts, SMS, photos) and click "Restore".

The limitations of MI Cloud:

• 📸 Photos are stored in a compressed format (maximum 16 MP for a free account).
• 📱 Applications are not portable – only their lists for installation through the Play Market.
• 📅 Backups are only stored 30 days after the last synchronization.

To check what data is stored in MI Cloud, go to i.mi.com → Cloud → Backup.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and here are the most common ways to correct them:

⚠️ Warning: If apps don’t work on the new phone after transfer (flying out or not opening), clear their cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the application.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions