How to transfer all data from the old Xiaomi to the new: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but moving data from an old device can become a real headache if you don’t know the nuances. Even owners of phones of the same brand often have problems: somewhere lost contacts, somewhere out of sync notes, and applications have to be installed again. This article will help avoid typical mistakes and choose the best way to migrate depending on the model of your old and new Xiaomi.

We will look at all the current methods - from the official Mi Mover tool to manual transfer through the cloud, and also understand how to save the settings of system applications (Mi Home, Mi Fit) and game account data. MIUI 14/15 older versions of the firmware, where the process may be different.

1. Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before migrating, there are several critical steps to follow on both smartphones, and neglecting to prepare can lead to data loss, synchronization errors, or even a new device crash.

On the old Xiaomi:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – the transfer process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use cloud services) Mobile Internet is not recommended due to traffic restrictions.
• 🔒 Make sure the developer mode is off and there are no active devices on the device. VPN-Connections – they can block data transmission.
• 📁 Free up space in memory: delete unnecessary files, app cache and duplicate photos (use the built-in Cleaner app).

On the new Xiaomi:

• 📱 Complete the initial setup before the request to transfer data (don’t miss this step!).
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔐 Enter the same Mi Account as you used on your old device (if you plan to use Mi Cloud).

💡

If the new Xiaomi has already created data (photos, contacts), make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset to avoid merger conflicts.

Note: If your old Xiaomi runs MIUI 12 or lower and your new Xiaomi runs MIUI 14+, some system settings may not be portable due to changes in the firmware architecture, in which case it is recommended to use manual porting via Google Drive or Mi Cloud.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in data portability application designed specifically for Xiaomi devices and supports almost all types of data transfer, including:

• 📞 Contacts, call log and SMS
• 📸 Photos, video and audio files
• 📱 Applications (including data from some of them)
• 📝 Notes and calendar
• 🎮 Game data (if the game supports cloud storage)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On the new Xiaomi, at the setup stage, select Data Transfer → From another Xiaomi device.
2. On the old Xiaomi, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from the Play Market).
3. Select the role of sender on the old phone and receiver on the new one.
4. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use a direct connection via a Wi-Fi network. QR-code (will appear on the new phone).
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Make sure there is enough space on both phones.|Turn off battery saving|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Close all background applications-->

Limitations of Mi Mover:

• ⚠️ Does not transfer data of certain third-party applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram).
• ⚠️ It may not work between devices with very different versions. MIUI (for example, MIUI 10 → MIUI 15).
• ⚠️ The speed of transmission depends on the quality of Wi-Fi. With a weak signal, the process can be interrupted.

Method 3: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that allows you to sync data between devices, and the advantage of this method is that you can move data in stages without being tied to a single session.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On the old Xiaomi go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud account.
2. Enable synchronization for all required categories: 📞 Contacts 📝 Notes 📅 Calendar 📸 Gallery (if autoloading is enabled)

Storage management

Xiaomi

Mi

Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud

Important: the free Mi Cloud account only provides 5GB of storage, and if you have more data, you have to:

• 💰 Buy an additional seat (from 100 GB per ~100₽/month).
• 🗃️ Transfer data in parts (for example, first photo, then video).
• 🔄 Use Mi Cloud only for contacts and notes, and transfer the rest in other ways.

Up to 5GB|5-20 GB|20–50 GB|More than 50GB-->

Critical feature: if you reset the old Xiaomi to factory settings BEFORE the data is uploaded to the Mi Cloud, it will be irretrievably lost. Always check the sync status in the Mi Cloud → Storage Management section.

4. Method 3: Transfer through a Google Account

If you're a Google user, this may be the easiest method. It's suitable for porting:

• 📞 Contacts (via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar)
• 📝 Notes (Google Keep)
• 📸 Photo and video (Google Photo)
• 🎵 Music and Documents (Google Disc)

Instructions:

1. On the old Xiaomi, open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the right services.
2. Run Google Photos and wait for all media files to load (check Settings → Backup).
3. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and enable sync.
4. Install the Google Photos app and wait for all the data to load.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works on all devices, not just Xiaomi.
• ✅ Free 15 GB of memory (vs. 5 GB in Mi Cloud).
• ✅ Data is available from any device (PC, tablet, tablet).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Not tolerated. SMS, call log and some application data.
• ⚠️ Google Photos compresses photos and videos for free storage (to avoid this, select Original Quality, but it takes up space in your storage).

5. Method 4: Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

If you don't have access to Wi-Fi or cloud services, you can transfer data directly through the cable.

• 🔌 OTG-cable (to connect an old phone as a storage device).
• 🔌 adapter USB-C → USB-C (If both phones are Type-C).
• 💻 Computer (alternative).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the old Xiaomi to the new one OTG-cable.
2. The new Xiaomi will be notified USB-The drive is connected. Click on it and select Transfer files.
3. Open Explorer and copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.).
4. Use the application transfer APK Extractor (extract) APK-Files from your old phone and install them on your new one).

Alternative option via PC:

1. Connect an old Xiaomi to your computer and copy all the data to your hard drive.
2. Connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the files back.

💡

If the new Xiaomi doesn’t see the old device when connecting via OTG, try enabling USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the version, then return to Additional → For Developers).

This method is suitable for transferring large amounts of data (for example, video or music collections), but does not tolerate:

• ❌ System Applications (Mi Home, Mi Fit).
• ❌ Data from games and certain applications (such as WhatsApp).
• ❌ SMS call-book.

Method 5: Data portability of specific applications

Some applications require special attention because their data is not carried in standard ways.

Third-party applications can be used to transfer SMS and call log, for example:

• 📲 SMS Backup & Restore (Saves) SMS into XML-file).
• 📞 Call Logs Backup & Restore (for call logs).

💡

For applications with two-factor authentication (e.g. banking), disable the old device binding in the security settings before transfer, or you may lose access.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

⚠️ Warning: If you are using Mi Mover and the process is interrupted during the Preparation phase, check if the old phone is power-saving mode for the Mi Mover app. → Battery → Energy saving for applications.

Other common problems:

• 🔄 Mi Cloud data is not synced: Check that both devices share the same version MIUI (Make sure your old phone has Autoupload to the cloud for media files.
• 📱 New Xiaomi doesn't see old device through Mi Mover: Reboot both phones.Try using direct cable connection instead of Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 After the transfer, the contacts are lost: Check if they are duplicated in Google Contacts and Mi Contacts. Import contacts from the VCF-File (can be exported through Contacts) → Settings → Exports).

If some features (such as a fingerprint or Face ID) don’t work on the new phone after the transfer, do:

1. Reboot the device.
2. Resetting biometric settings to Settings → Passwords and security.
3. Update the firmware to the latest version.

8 What to do after data transfer

Data portability is only half the battle, and to keep the new Xiaomi running smoothly, follow these steps:

• 🔍 Check data integrity: Open the Gallery and make sure all photos and videos are in place. Check Contacts and Messages for duplicates. Run key applications (WhatsApp, banking programs) and log in.
• 🧹 Clear the cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management and clear cache for system applications.
• 🔄 Set up sync: Enable autosynchronization for Mi Cloud and Google. Configure backup to Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔒 Update security: Install a new one PIN-code and pattern lock. Set up face unlock/print in Settings → Passwords and security.

If after transfer the device began to brake or overheat, do:

1. Reboot.
2. Clean the cache through Security App (Optimization → Deep Cleaning).
3. Virus Check (use built-in Security or Dr.Web).

💡

After transferring data, it is recommended to watch the new Xiaomi for a week. If the battery goes down too quickly, check if background processes from the old phone (for example, synchronizing unnecessary accounts) are still active.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions