Transfer data from the old Xiaomi to the new phone: the complete guide

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

You bought a new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO and you don't know how to move everything from your old device without losing money? The problem is that standard methods like copying to a memory card or sending files through messengers often lead to loss of folder structure, skipping hidden application files or even crashing new gadgets, especially for MIUI users, where some data (such as theme or lock screen settings) are stored in proprietary formats.

In this article, we have 5 proven portability methods, from official Xiaomi tools to universal solutions through Google and physical connection, we will discuss how to save not only photos and contacts, but also SMS/MMS, call history, passwords from Wi-Fi, app settings and even game data, and explain why transferring through Mi Mover can freeze by 99% and how to fix it without resetting a new phone.

Method 1: Official transfer via Mi Mover (fastest)

Mi Mover is an application built into MIUI that automatically copies almost all data from the old Xiaomi to the new one. It works even without the Internet (via Wi-Fi Direct), but there are nuances: both phones must be charged at least 20%, and the new device should not have a Mi Account (if it is already linked, log out in advance).

How to start the transfer:

• 📱 On a new phone: when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → If the phone is already set up, find the Mi Mover app in the menu.
• 🔄 On your old phone: Open Settings → The phone. → Data portability (or find Mi Mover through search).
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or select the option Without Internet (local area network will be created).
• 🔗 On the old phone, press I'm the sender, on the new phone, I'm the receiver. Wait until it appears. QR-code and scan it with an old device.

Both phones are charged. >20%|There is no attached Mi Account on the new phone|On. Wi-Fi/Bluetooth both-device|Released. ≥5 GB on a new phone-->

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is suspended 99% longer 10 Just a minute -- don't interrupt the process. MIUI 13/14 When copying large files (for example, video in the 4K). Decision:

1. Wait another 15-20 minutes (the indicator may not be updated, but the data is still copied).
2. If it doesn’t work, restart both phones, clear the Mi Mover cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Mi Mover → Clean the cache and try again.

Method 2: Transfer through your Xiaomi account (for backups)

If you have a Mi Account, you can back up your old phone and restore it to a new one, which is suitable for additional backups (for example, if Mi Mover has failed to handle some data), but note that Xiaomi’s free cloud storage is limited to 5GB – it may not be enough for a full copy.

Instructions:

1. On an old phone: Settings → About phone → Backup → Backup Mi Cloud.
2. Select the data to copy (contacts, SMS, notes, system settings) and click Create a backup.
3. On a new phone: log in to the same Mi Account, go to Settings → About Phone → Restore from backup and select the latest copy.

⚠️ Note: If a new phone already has data (for example, you have partially configured it), recovery from Mi Cloud can overwrite it.We recommend using this method before you first set up the new device or selectively restore only the desired categories (contacts, SMS etc.).

Mi Mover|Google Account|Cable OTG/PC|Cloud services (Dropbox, Yandex Disk)|Other-->

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universally, but not all are copied)

If you used Google on the old Xiaomi, some of the data is already synced to the cloud, a method that works for contacts, calendar, email, Keep notes, and some app settings, but you'll have to transfer photos, videos, and files separately through Google Photos or Google Drive.

How to move:

• 🔄 On your old phone: check that sync is enabled (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account).
• 📁 For photo/video: Open Google Photos, click on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 📱 On a new phone: Sign in to the same Google account when setting up or add it later to Settings → Accounts.
• 🔙 Wait for automatic synchronization (can take from a few minutes to hours depending on the amount of data).

💡

If you have Google Photos in High Quality mode, free storage is unlimited (photos are compressed to 16 MP, videos up to 1080p). For original quality, you will need a Google One subscription or free space manually.

What will not go through Google:

• 📁 Local files (documents, APK, load).
• 🎮 Game data (progress, preservation).
• 📶 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Devices Settings.
• 📱 System settings MIUI (topics, gestures, reading mode).

Method 4: Transfer over an OTG cable or computer (for large volumes)

If you have a lot of data (tens of gigabytes of photo/video) or Mi Mover refuses to work, the most reliable way is to physically copy it through a cable.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (If the new phone supports USB-C → USB-C) or computer (PC)/Mac) s USB-port.
• 📂 File Manager (built-in in the MIUI or third-party, such as Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step instructions for copying through a computer:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy all the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, MIUI for themes, etc.) to your computer.
3. Turn off the old phone, plug in the new one and transfer the data back.
4. For apps: Use APK Extractor (remove APK from your old phone) and install them manually on your new phone.

⚠️ Note: When copying through a PC, do not move the entire Android folder - this can disrupt the system applications on the new phone, Android/obb/ for additional game files).

Method 5: Transfer through third-party clouds (Dropbox, Yandex Drive, Telegram)

If you don’t have a cable or Mi Mover doesn’t work, you can use third-party cloud services, which is convenient for selective transfer (such as photos or documents only), but is not suitable for large volumes due to traffic and speed limitations.

Examples of services and their features:

• 📁 Yandex Disk: 10GB free, there is automatic photo upload (Yandex Photos.
• 🗃️ Dropbox: 2GB free, but there is a Camera Upload feature for auto-uploading photos.
• ☁️ Telegram: You can send files to yourself in Save Messages (limit - 2 GB per file.
• 📎 WeTransfer: up to 2 GB free without registration (files are stored for 7 days).

How to transfer via Yandex Disk:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On an old phone, upload files to the cloud (select folders → Download).
3. On your new phone, download files from the cloud to local storage.

💡

Cloud services are convenient for carrying small amounts of data (up to 10-20 GB), but are not suitable for full migration due to speed and traffic restrictions.

What to do if the data is not transferred or lost

Even if you transfer it correctly, some of the data may not be copied, and here are the typical problems and solutions.

If the new phone starts to brake or overheat after the transfer, the problem may be:

• 🔋 Background synchronization (disable it in Settings) → Accounts. → Synchronization).
• 🗑️ Duplicate files (use Files by Google to clean up).
• 📦 Incompatible applications (check in Settings) → Annexes → Application management).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi