How to copy data from one Xiaomi to another: from contacts to apps

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to saving all data from the old device. Even if both gadgets are from the same manufacturer, the transfer process can raise questions: which files are copied automatically and what you will have to monitor manually? In this article, we will examine all possible ways of data migration between Xiaomi devices – from official tools to alternative solutions that will help transfer not only contacts and photos, but also application settings, messages and even data from games.

Xiaomi’s ecosystem has a few built-in synchronization mechanisms, but not all users are aware of their nuances. Mi Cloud doesn’t copy all file types, for example, and Mi Mover may not work on devices older than 2019. We tested each method on different models — from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra — and found out which way is suitable for specific tasks. If you want to save time and avoid data loss, read further: there are no general tips, only proven instructions based on the latest MIUI 2026 updates.

1. Official method: Mi Mover (wire transfer)

The most reliable method from Xiaomi itself is the use of the built-in Mi Mover application. It is pre-installed on all smartphones with MIUI 9 and later, and also supports data transfer between devices on Android 6.0+. The main advantage is the speed and lack of volume restrictions (unlike cloud services).

To use the Mi Mover, you will need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (adapter USB-C to USB-C, If both smartphones are modern)
• 📱 Two Xiaomi smartphones with a battery charge of at least 50% (transfer can take up to 30 minutes)
• 🔓 Unlocked screens (passwords or graphic keys must be disabled during the procedure)

Step-by-step:

1. On an old smartphone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. Select the role of "Sender".
3. On the new device, run the same application and select Receiver.
4. Connect your smartphones with a cable. The old device will show up on the screen. QR-code - scan it with new ones.
5. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, videos, applications) and confirm the beginning of the process.

Battery charge >50% on both devices|

Free space on the new smartphone (at least 20% more data transfer volume)|

VPN and power saving modes disabled |

Original cable used (low-quality cables may interrupt the connection)-->

Mi Mover copies:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums, if saved locally)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📱 Annexes (APK-files and their data (e.g. game saves)
• 📅 Calendars and notes

⚠️ Note: If the new smartphone already has a Mi Account that is different from the old one, log out before transferring. Otherwise, the data may not sync due to account conflict.

2. Transfer over Mi Cloud (cloud storage)

Mi Cloud is a Xiaomi cloud service that automatically backs up data from your smartphone, which is convenient to use if you don't have a cable or the devices are in different places, but there are limitations to this method:

• 📉 Free rate provides only 5 GB (for photos and videos, this is often not enough).
• ⏳ Download speed depends on the Internet connection.
• 🔄 Not all data types are synchronized (e.g. saving games or settings for some applications).

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old smartphone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on sync for the desired categories (contacts, notes, photos, etc.) and wait until the backup is completed.
3. On the new device, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync in Mi Cloud.
4. Select “Restore from backup” and specify the last saved version.

Less than 5GB|

5-20 GB |

20 GB |

More than 50GB-->

Important nuance: If you used Google Photos for backup, do not duplicate the download to Mi Cloud - it will take up extra space. Just log into your Google account on a new device, and the photos will be uploaded automatically.

3. Alternative methods: Bluetooth, NFC and third-party applications

If you don't have cable or stable Internet, you can use alternative methods, which are less convenient, but sometimes they help in emergency situations.

📲 Bluetooth portability

Suitable for transferring small files (contacts, a few photos) and low speeds of about 1-2 MB/s, so it is ineffective for large volumes.

• 🔹 On an old smartphone, select files → "Send" → "Bluetooth".
• 🔹 On the new device, turn on Bluetooth and confirm reception.

🔄 Transfer through NFC (support-model)

Not all Xiaomi smartphones (e.g., not available in the Redmi 9A, but Xiaomi 13 Pro) have NFC feature, which allows you to quickly transfer contacts or links, but is not suitable for media files.

How to use:

1. Enable NFC on both devices (Settings → Connection & Sharing → NFC).
2. Open the contact or file you want to transfer.
3. Hold the smartphones with the back covers to each other (the NFC antenna is usually located at the top).

📱 Third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)

These programs create a local network between devices and transmit data without the Internet, speeds are faster than Bluetooth (up to 10-20 MB / s), but there are risks:

• 🛡️ Security: Some apps ask for unnecessary permissions.
• 📦 Advertising: Free versions often pop up banners.
• 🔧 Compatibility: On MIUI background processes may be blocked.

Recommendation: If you choose a third-party application, give preference to Send Anywhere – it does not require registration and encrypts the data transmitted.

4. Move through Google Account (for contacts, calendars, mail)

If you've used Google services on an old smartphone, most of the data is already synced to the cloud, and on the new device, just log in to the same account, and:

• 📇 Contacts will be downloaded from Google Contacts.
• 📅 Calendars from Google Calendar.
• 📧 Emails - from Gmail.
• 📷 Photo from Google Photos (if Autoboot was enabled).

How to check the synchronization:

1. On your old smartphone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for the right services.
3. On the new device, add the same Google account and wait until sync is complete (it can take up to an hour).

⚠️ Note: If your old smartphone only stores contacts in the device’s memory (not in your Google or Mi Account), they won’t be automatically transferred. VCF via the “Contact” annex".

5. Manual transfer of files through a computer

This method is suitable if you need to selectively copy files or if other methods have not worked. USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old smartphone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the desired folders (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, WhatsApp for messenger backups) to your computer.
3. Disable the old smartphone, connect the new one and transfer the files back.

Where to look for key data:

Important: Don’t copy the entire Android folder – it contains app data that may not work on the new device due to differences in the Android version or processor architecture.

1. Reconnect the cable (use the original one).

2. Enable “USB Debugging” in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on version, then return to “Additional” → “Developers”).

3. Update the drivers MTP on a computer (relevant to Windows).-->

6. Data transfer from applications and games

Game saves, instant messenger settings, and some app data (such as Xiaomi Home for Smart Home) are not portable in standard ways.

🎮 Preservation of games

• 🔹 If the game supports Google Play Games or Mi Account, sign in on a new device – progress will be automatically picked up.
• 🔹 For games without cloud sync (such as Genshin Impact), use built-in export/import saves or third-party tools like Helium.

💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

• 🔹 WhatsApp: Create a backup in Settings → chat → Backup, then restore to the new device after installation.
• 🔹 Telegram: All data is stored in the cloud – just log in to your account.
• 🔹 Viber: Backup is created in Settings → Account. → Backup copy.

🏠 Xiaomi Home (Smart Home)

To move smart home devices:

1. On an old smartphone, open Xiaomi Home and export the settings to the file (Profile → Settings → Backup).
2. On the new device, import the file through the same section.

💡

If the application does not have a backup function, try copying its data folder (/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/{name packet}) to a new device, but this will only work for applications that are not tied to unique device identifiers (IMEI, MAC-address).

7. Frequent 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 can't see the device": Check the cable (try another one). Turn off Battery Optimization for the Mi Mover app. Reboot both smartphones.
• ☁️ "Mi Cloud does not sync photos": Make sure there is enough space on your account. Enable "Suppress" in the Gallery settings. Check if the sync in your account settings is disabled.
• 📱 "Apps not recovered after porting": Install them manually from Google Play. If you need app data, use Titanium Backup (root rights required).

Critical error: If there is a failure during the transfer through Mi Mover, do not turn off the cable or restart the devices.

1. Check the free space on your new smartphone.
2. Repeat the procedure by selecting "Miss corrupted files".
3. If the error repeats, transfer the data in parts (for example, first contacts, then photos).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions