Transferring data to the new Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways to save all files

Introduction: Why migrating data to Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach

The transition to a new smartphone is always exciting, but for owners of Xiaomi Redmi, this process may be easier than it seems. The brand offers unique migration tools that competitors do not have, but there are pitfalls. For example, not all models support wireless transfer via Mi Mover, and when using OTG cable, synchronization errors are possible. In this article, we will discuss the only officially recommended way for Xiaomi models 2023-2026 – and alternative methods if the standard one does not work.

Data loss is the main problem when migrating. Service centers report that 28% of users lose some contacts or photos when migrating on their own, most often due to an interrupted Wi-Fi Direct connection or incompatibility of MIUI versions. We tested all current methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 13C and POCO X5 Pro, the results in the comparison table below.

Important: If your old phone is not from Xiaomi (like Samsung or iPhone), the transfer algorithm will be different.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary migration app pre-installed on all Redmis with MIUI 10 and later, and uses Wi-Fi Direct technology to transfer data without the Internet, which speeds up 3-5 times the process compared to cloud services.

• 📱 It only works between Xiaomi devices (including the POCO and Black Shark)
• 🔄 It requires at least 20% charge on both phones.
• 📶 Speed depends on version. MIUI: on MIUI 14 to 10 MB/s, by MIUI 12 - up to 5 MB/s
• 🚫 Does not tolerate passwords from Wi-Fi and some application settings

How to use:

1. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer in the settings menu.
2. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone or connect via device search.
4. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, applications).
5. Wait until it is completed – the process can take from 10 to 40 minutes depending on the volume.

Both phones charged >20 percent |Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled | On the old phone enough free space (minimum 1GB) | VPN and power saving modes turned off-->

⚠️ Note: If the new Redmi already has a Mi Account, Mi Mover may not offer data portability when you first turn on. In this case, reset the phone to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings) and repeat the procedure.

Method 2: Transfer through a Google account (universal method)

This method is suitable if:

• 🌍 You don’t have a Xiaomi phone (like an iPhone or Samsung)
• 🔄 Mi Mover is not working or is making an error
• ☁️ You prefer cloud backups.

Google automatically syncs:

• 📇 Contacts (via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and events
• 📎 Notes (if you use Google Keep)
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos – requires separate settings)
• 🎮 Data from some games (if they support Google Play Games)

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync Make sure all the necessary items are enabled.
2. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select Copy Data and log in to the same Google account.
3. To transfer photos: Settings → Google → Backup → Backup Google Photos Enable the function and wait for the download to complete.
4. To transfer messages, use the SMS Backup & Restore app (available on Google Play).

Method 3: Transfer over OTG or USB cable (for large volumes)

If you have more than 50GB of data (like a RAW photo collection or 4K video), wireless methods can take hours. OTG cable (or USB-C to USB-A adapter) solves this problem, providing transfer speeds of up to 40-60MB/s.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (for the new Redmi with USB-C)
• 📱 Old regime-supported phone USB Mass Storage (on Android 10)+ You may need to include a debugging USB)
• 💾 Memory card (optional if you want to transfer data through it)

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-cable.
2. On the new Redmi, select File Transfer Mode (may be called MTP).
3. Open Explorer on a new phone – the old phone will appear as a removable drive.
4. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) to the memory of your new device.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11 phones+ and MIUI 13+ You may need permission to access files through Settings → Annexes → Conductor → Permits → Without it, the system will block the copying.

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If the OTG cable is not recognized, try connecting the phone to your PC and copying files through your computer — sometimes it’s more reliable than a direct connection between phones.

Method 4: Cloud services (Dropbox, Yandex.Disk, Telegram)

Cloud storage is convenient if:

• 🌐 You have a slow internet connection, but you have time (the transfer can be extended for a few days)
• 📱 Phones of different brands (for example, iPhone) → Redmi)
• 🔒 Security is important to you (data is encrypted during transmission)

Comparison of services:

* Telegram allows you to send files to Saved Messages, but they are stored only until you delete them.

How to transfer data via Yandex.Disk:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On an old phone, upload files to the cloud (Download → Select files).
3. On the new Redmi, download files through the menu → Downloads.
4. To automatically sync photos, enable Autoboot in the application settings.

Method 5: Transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi (features)

The transition from iOS to Android is always more difficult because of Apple's closed ecosystem.

• 🍎 iMessage and FaceTime are not portable – they must be disabled manually or messages will not arrive at the new number.
• 🎵 Music purchased on iTunes won’t work on Android without it DRM-conversion.
• 📱 Apps from the App Store will have to be re-installed (even if they are on Google Play, the data will not be transferred).

Step-by-step algorithm:

1. Turn off iMessage: Settings (on iPhone) → Messages → iMessage → Turn off
2. Export contacts: Settings → Contacts → Accounts → iCloud → Export to vCard Send the file to your email and import to Redmi via Google Contacts.
3. Move photos: Use Google Photos or iCloud for Windows (if you have a PC).
4. Messages: Install the Move to iOS app on your iPhone (yes, it works backwards for some data too).

⚠️ Note: If you’ve used Apple Music, download tracks to your PC via iTunes, then convert to Apple Music. MP3 (For example, through Audacity, and transfer it to Redmi, otherwise the music will be unavailable.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1. Mi Mover can't find the device: Check that both phones have Wi-Fi Direct on. Reboot both devices. Update MIUI to the latest version.
2. Transfer is interrupted by 99%: This is a MIUI 12-13 bug — try to transfer data in parts (contacts first, then photos). Use an OTG cable instead of Wi-Fi.

Passwords from Wi-Fi are not transferred:

• Take a picture. QR-Network codes from old phone (Wi-Fi settings) → Share the web).
• Use the WiFi Password Viewer app (requires root on your old phone).

If nothing helps, try alternative apps:

• 📲 Clone Phone (from Huawei, but it also works on Xiaomi)
• 📲 Samsung Smart Switch (portable data even from iPhone)
• 📲 Send Anywhere (direct link without cloud)

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If the data transfer took more than 2 hours, interrupt the process and choose another method. Long transfer often leads to errors and loss of files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions