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

Transferring data between Xiaomi smartphones: what you need to know before you start

The transition to a new Xiaomi is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to saving all the important data from the old device. Contacts, photos, messages, call histories and even app settings can all be transferred without loss if you choose the right method. Unlike the iPhone, where the sync process is standardized through iCloud, Android devices (and Xiaomi in particular) have several alternative ways, each of which has its own nuances.

The main problem that users face is data fragmentation, such as contacts can be stored in a Google account, and photos can be stored in the Mi Cloud, with notes and SMS only in the phone’s local memory. To avoid chaos, it is important to determine in advance what data should be transferred and what method is best for this. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including Xiaomi’s proprietary tools (Mi Mover, MIUI Clone) and universal solutions like Google Account or adb backup.

Before proceeding with the transfer, make sure that:

• 🔋 Both phones have enough battery power (minimum 50%).
• 📶 Both devices are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network (for wireless methods).
• 📱 The new Xiaomi has the latest version MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔐 You have access to Google and Mi Accounts linked to your old phone.

Method 1: Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official wireless porting tool

Mi Mover is a built-in application from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer almost all data from your old smartphone to your new one wirelessly, this method works only between Xiaomi devices (or Redmi/POCO) and supports the transfer of:

• 📞 Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS) call history.
• 📷 Photos, videos and audio files (including screenshots and downloads).
• 📱 Installed applications (without data, only) APK-file).
• ⚙️ Some system settings (wallpaper, sound profiles).

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On the new phone, select Data Transfer → Mi Mover during the initial setup.
2. On your old phone, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from the Play Market).
3. Select the role of the device: new - Receiver, old - Sender.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the new phone on the old one or enter PIN-link-code.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

The speed of the transfer depends on the volume of data and the stability of Wi-Fi. On average, 10 GB of information is copied in 15-30 minutes.

• 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords and stored application data (e.g., game progress).
• 📂 Files from folders protected MIUI (for example, DCIM/.thumbnails).
• 📌 Notes and reminders from Mi Notes (better synced separately via Mi Cloud).

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has dual space enabled, Mi Mover will only copy data from the main profile. To transfer information from the second space, temporarily turn it off to Settings. → Special facilities → Double space.

Method 2: MIUI Clone – Cloning a Phone via an OTG Cable

MIUI Clone is an alternative method from Xiaomi that works through direct phone connection using the help of a mobile phone. OTG-cable (or adapter) USB-C to USB-C). The main advantage of this method is a high data transfer speed (up to 50 MB / s) and no dependence on Wi-Fi:

• ✅ Supports transfer of all file types, including hidden folders.
• ❌ Does not work on phones with damaged connector USB-C.
• ⚠️ Requires original Xiaomi cable (cheap analogues may not be recognized).

Instructions for using MIUI Clone:

1. Connect your phones with a cable. On the new device, select Receiver mode, on the old one, Sender mode.
2. From the MIUI Clone menu, select data categories to copy (you can mark everything).
3. Confirm the start of the transfer. The process will take 5 to 20 minutes depending on the volume.
4. Once completed, turn off the cable and restart the new phone.

If you already have data on your new phone (for example, you’ve been using it for a while), MIUI Clone will offer two options:

• 🔄 Combine data (recommended if there is important information on the new phone).
• 🗑️ Replace everything (completely rewrite data on a new device).

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If MIUI Clone doesn’t see a connected phone, try using Developer Mode: Enable Debugging over USB in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you prefer not to depend on Xiaomi’s branded tools, the most reliable way is to sync through your Google account, which works on any Android device and allows you to transfer:

• 📇 Contacts, calendars and tasks (Google Contacts, Google Calendar).
• 📧 Posts and Notes (Gmail, Google Keep).
• 📱 Installed applications (list from Play Market).
• 📍 Data from some applications (e.g. Chrome, Google Maps).

To transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account during setup or manually to Settings → Accounts.
3. Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to an hour).
4. Install the missing apps from the Play Market in the Library → Installed previously.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Photos and videos are not automatically synced (you need to use Google Photos separately).
• 📱 SMS and call history is not transferred (third party software is required, for example) SMS Backup & Restore).
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, shortcuts) are not saved.

⚠️ Note: If encryption was enabled on the old phone (Settings) → Security → Encrypting your phone, before the data penos through Google, be sure to decrypt the device. Otherwise, some files (for example, downloaded documents) may not be copied.

Method 4: Manual transfer via USB cable and computer

If you need to transfer selective files (like only photos or documents), the easiest way is to connect both phones to your computer and copy the data manually, a method that doesn’t require internet access and works even on phones with a damaged screen (assuming the sensor is functional).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to your computer.
3. Turn off the old phone and connect the new one by re-selecting MTP.
4. Transfer the copied files to the new phone to the appropriate folders.

Important Xiaomi folders that are worth copying:

• 📸 DCIM/Camera — photo and video.
• 📄 Documents - documents and PDF.
• 🎵 Music and Ringtones - audio files.
• 📥 Download – downloads from the browser.
• 📁 MIUI — screenshots and screen recordings.

You can use adb backup to migrate applications and their data (developer rights required).

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


adb restore backup.ab

Note that this method does not work for system applications and data protected by MIUI (e.g. Mi Wallet or Mi Fit).

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Manual transfer via computer is the only way to selectively copy files without loss of quality (e.g., photos in the original resolution).

Method 5: Cloud Services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex Disk)

If you have slow internet or no cable access, you can use cloud storage. Xiaomi offers its own service - Mi Cloud (5 GB for free), and also supports Google Drive, Yandex Disk and others.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, turn on sync: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync.
2. Select data types (contacts, notes, photos) and wait for the download to complete.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable synchronization.

Comparison of cloud services for Xiaomi:

To transfer photos and videos, it is most convenient to use Google Photos:

1. On your old phone, install Google Photos and enable Backup and Sync.
2. Wait for all media files to download (you can speed up the process via Wi-Fi).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account and wait for sync.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud to carry notes (Mi Notes), make sure the new phone has the same version of the app installed. Otherwise, files may not open. Update Mi Notes via Play Market before recovering.

What to do if the data is not transferred or not fully transferred

Even with official Xiaomi tools, there are sometimes problems with the data penos, and here are the typical situations and solutions:

Problem 1: Mi Mover or MIUI Clone is either 0% or 99%

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📶 Switch to another Wi-Fi network (or use a mobile hotspot).
• 🔌 For MIUI Try another cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).

Problem 2: Contacts or SMS were not transferred

• 📇 Check if your contacts are synced with Google or Mi Cloud.
• 📱 For SMS Use third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore.

Problem 3: Applications are not restored or working

• 🔍 Check the compatibility of the application with the new version MIUI.
• 📥 Reinstall apps from the Play Market (sometimes it’s enough to update).
• 🔐 If the application requires a license, log in to the same account.

Problem 4: Photos or videos damaged after transfer

• 🖼️ Check the file format (for example, HEIF It is not supported by older versions. MIUI).
• 💾 Transfer files again through the computer (without compression).

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If the new phone has lost wallpaper or notification sounds after transfer, check the MIUI/theme folder on the old device and copy its contents to the new phone in the same directory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi