How to save all data from Xiaomi phone when switching to a new smartphone

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment: you want all settings, photos and applications to remain in place, and the process takes a minimum of time. However, many users face the problem of losing data when migrating improperly. According to statistics, 38% of Xiaomi owners lose some information (contacts, messages or media files) due to lack of backup or errors during porting.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can save data, from standard MIUI functions to manual file copying, and learn how to migrate not only basic data (contacts, SMS), but also system settings, call history, Wi-Fi passwords, and even game data, and what mistakes users often make and how to avoid them.

1. Preparation for data transfer: what to do in advance

Before you start backing up, make sure your old Xiaomi is ready for the procedure.

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 50%. Data transfer can take up to 1-2 hours, and discharging in the process will lead to failure.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (for cloud methods). If you use mobile Internet, check the traffic balance - a backup in Mi Cloud can weigh 5-15 GB.
• 📁 Free space on old and new devices, and local backups will require up to 30 percent free space.
• 🔐 Mi Account and Google login data, without which you can't recover from the cloud.

Pay special attention to applications with two-tier authentication (such as banking or instant messengers), many of which require re-association to a new device, and check in advance if you have access to backup codes or email to recover.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone is installed MIUI 12 or older, and on the new — MIUI 14+, Some system settings may not be carried over due to changes in the firmware architecture, in which case use Google's account for basic data and manual portability for the rest.

2. Method 1: Transfer via Mi Account (the fastest method)

Mi Account is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud that automatically syncs basic data between devices.

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that the synchronization is enabled for: 📇 Contacts 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS) 📅 calendar 📷 Galleries (optional if there is space in the cloud) 🔄 System settings

Synchronize

Mi Account

Advantages of the method:

✅ Fast (data appears on a new device in 5-15 minutes).

✅ Automatic update (if you add a contact on a new phone, it syncs with the old one).

✅ Free up to 5 GB (for photos and videos, this is not enough, but for contacts and other services). SMS enough).

⚠️ Note: If you have used Mi Account on multiple devices, check if you have reached the limit of connected gadgets (maximum - 5 pieces.

Sign in to Mi Account on both phones

Make sure there is enough space on the new phone

Enable synchronization for all necessary data

Connect to Wi-Fi (mobile internet may not be able to handle large files)

Check if your Mi Account password has expired-->

Method 2: Backup through Google (universal method)

If you don’t trust Mi Cloud or want to transfer data to a device of another brand (for example, from Xiaomi to Samsung), use a Google account.

• 📇 Contacts (from the Google Contacts app)
• 📅 Calendar and tasks
• 📍 Location data (histories of movements)
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi (on Android 10 devices)+)
• 🎮 Progress in games (if the games support Google Play Games)

Instructions for setting:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the option to back up in Google Drive.
3. Click Create a backup copy now.
4. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Restore from Google backup and log in to the same account.

The important thing is that Google doesn't save SMS, call history, or some of its settings, and you have to use Mi Cloud or manual portability, but it's reliable, and it's stored on Google servers, and it doesn't depend on the phone manufacturer.

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If you have two-factor authentication on Google, check the backup codes before transferring your data, and without them, you won’t be able to log in to your account on your new phone unless you have an SMS with the code.

Method 3: Local backup to PC (for full control)

If you don't trust cloud services or you have slow Internet, the best option is to create a full copy of your phone on your computer.

• 🖥️ Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi)
• 📂 Manual copying through a conductor Windows/macOS
• 🐧 ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

Instructions for Mi PC Suite:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite on your computer.
2. Connect your phone via USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers).
3. In the program, select Backup → Full Backup.
4. Specify the folder to save (recommended on a disk with free 20+ GB).
5. Once completed, turn off the old phone and plug in a new one, then select Restore.

Manual file transfer:

Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode and copy manually:

• 📸 DCIM (photo)
• 🎵 Music, Downloads, Movies
• 📄 Documents (Word documents, PDF, Excel)
• 📱 Android/data (Data from some applications, but not all!)

⚠️ Attention: Folder Android/data It contains game and app saves, but not all software programs allow you to simply copy it to a new device, for example, WhatsApp requires a separate backup through Settings. → chat → Backup copy.

5. Method 4: Transfer data via OTG cable or adapter (without PC)

If you don’t have a computer at hand, you can transfer data directly from one Xiaomi to another using:

• 🔌 Cable. OTG (Micro-USB/USB-C → USB-C)
• 🔄 adapter USB-C → USB-A + routine USB-cable
• 📡 Wi-Fi Direct (slower but wireless)

Step-by-step instructions for OTG:

1. Buy it. OTG-cable (costs 100-300) ₽) adapter.
2. Connect your old phone to your new one via OTG.
3. On the new phone, a Explorer will open – select File Transfer.
4. Copy the folders you need (DCIM, Downloads, etc.) to the internal memory of the new device.

Advantages of the method:

✅ No computer.

✅ Faster than Wi-Fi transmission.

✅ Suitable for large files (video) 4K, RAW-photo).

Disadvantages:

❌ System settings and application data are not transferred.

❌ Purchase required OTG-cable (if not available).

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OTG-cable is the only way to transfer data from a phone that has a broken screen or sensor is not working. USB-port.

Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods are not suitable, you can use specialized programs:

How to use Clone Phone:

1. Install the app on both phones from the Mi App Store.
2. On the old phone, select I am an old phone.
3. On the new one, I'm the new phone.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old one.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

Titanium Backup is only suitable if you have unlocked the bootloader and installed root rights. This is a risky method (you can lose the warranty), but it allows you to transfer all data without exception, including system settings and game saves.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with the right backup, users are facing problems.

• 🚫 Lack of cloud space – Mi Cloud only gives 5 GB, and Google Drive – 15 GB. Solution: clear the cloud of unnecessary files or buy additional space.
• 🔄 Version incompatibility MIUI — if on an old phone MIUI 11, and on the new one. MIUI 14, some settings won't move.Solution: Use a Google account for basic data.
• 📱 Untransferred SMS — if the messages are stored on SIM-So, the solution is: export. SMS file-by-app SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten, you can't recover your data without it. Solution: Restore your password in advance by email or phone number.

The most critical mistake is to reset an old phone before you make a backup. Many users format the device thinking that the data has already been transferred, and then they find the missing files. Always make sure that all the necessary data is copied before you dump the phone!

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Before resetting the old Xiaomi, take a screenshot of the list of installed apps (Settings → Apps → App Management) so you don’t forget what programs to install on the new phone.

8 What to do after data transfer

When all the data is transferred, there are a few important steps left:

1. Check file integrity: Open some photos and videos. Call another number to make sure your call history is preserved. Run key applications (banks, instant messengers, games).
2. Set up sync on your new phone: Enable auto sync for Mi Cloud and Google. Activate backup in Settings → System → Backup.

Remove unnecessary data from your old phone

• Make a reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
• If you sell a phone, take it out. SIM-memory-card.

Restrictions: SMS, call history and some system settings will not be transferred.

If you don’t have root rights, it’s easier to take a picture. QR-Network codes from old phone (Wi-Fi settings) → Share).