How to Transfer Data from Android to Xiaomi via Google: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Transferring data between smartphones to Android often becomes a headache: files are lost, applications are not restored, contacts are duplicated. MIUI, But there's a universal way that works on 99 percent of devices, which is to transfer through a Google account, which doesn't require cables, third-party apps or technical skills, but it has its pitfalls, which we'll talk about.

In this article you will find not just the instruction "button A". → The B button and the real problems of Xiaomi users when transferring data through Google: why not sync SMS, How to avoid losing notes from Google Keep, and what to do if a new smartphone doesn't see a backup. We tested the process on Redmi Note 12 Pro models.+, Poco F5 Xiaomi 13T — nuances taken into account.

Why Google is the Best Option for Xiaomi

Among all the ways of data migration (cable) OTG, Bluetooth, third-party apps like ShareMe sync through Google Account has three key benefits for Xiaomi owners:

• 🔄 Automatic recovery – after logging into the account on the new device, the system itself will offer to restore data from the last backup copy.
• 📱 Compatibility with MIUI — Unlike the Mi Mover (a Xiaomi branded tool), which often glitches on older models, Google synchronization works consistently.
• 🛡️ Security – Data is stored encrypted on Google servers, not suspicious third-party services.

In addition, this method allows you to transfer not only contacts and photos, but also:

• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📝 Notes from Google Keep
• 🎵 YouTube Music Playlists (if you used the same account)
• 📱 System settings (Wi-Fi network, wallpaper, screen brightness)

⚠️ Warning: If the old smartphone has disabled the function of backup in Google Drive, all data except contacts will be lost!

The only downside is the cap on free storage (15GB per account), and if you have thousands of photos on Google Photos, you'll have to either clear the space or buy an extra one, but to move the basic data (contacts, SMS, 15 GB will be enough with the stock.

Preparing an old Android smartphone for transfer

Before you start the transfer, you need to make sure that all the data on the old device is properly synced with your Google Account, and skipping this step is the most common cause of loss of information.

1. Check your connection to your Google account: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and make sure your primary account is added and active.If your device uses multiple accounts, choose the one that will be the primary one on the new Xiaomi.
2. Enable backup: Open Settings → Google → Backup and activate the switch Upload data to Google Drive. Here you can manually start backup by clicking Create a copy now.
3. Sync specific data: In the same section Accounts → Google → Sync your account, check what types of data are enabled for synchronization: 📇 Contacts 📅 Calendar 📱 Application data (includes settings for some programs) 📁 Google Drive (for documents and files)

Pay special attention SMS And call histories. They're not synced to Google by default, and you'll need a third-party app like this to save them. SMS Backup & Restore (free on Google Play) After installation:

1. Launch the app and press Backup.
2. Select Local Backup or Google Drive.
3. Wait until it is completed and check the backup file in the SMSBackupRestore folder.

Checked the main Google account|Backup enabled in Google Drive|Synchronized contacts and calendars|Backup created SMS (if necessary)|Checked free space in Google Drive (minimum 1 GB)-->

Set up a new smartphone Xiaomi to receive data

When the old device is ready, it’s time to prepare a new Xiaomi.

1. First start and language selection: When you turn on a new smartphone, select the language of the system. For Google services to work correctly, we recommend using English or Russian - some regions (for example, China) have restrictions on Google services.
2. Wi-Fi connection: At the network setup stage, select a stable Wi-Fi connection. Mobile Internet data transfer can lead to errors due to traffic restrictions or an unstable signal. If Wi-Fi is not available, use SIM-free-rate.
3. Sign in to Google Account: When the system suggests adding an account, enter the same Google account that was used on the old smartphone. If you skip this step, the data will not be restored automatically!
4. Select recovery method: In the Data Copy phase, select Restore from Google Drive backup. The system will show the available copies - select the most recent (by date of creation).

If you missed the recovery step on the first turn on, don't worry.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Data Recovery.
3. Log in to Google Account and select the right backup.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) The recovery function from Google Drive may be hidden, in which case, use an alternative method: install the Google One app from the Play Market and restore data through it.

The recovery process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours, depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet.

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If some apps don’t show up after recovery, check the “My Apps and Games” section of Google Play, which will have a list of previously installed programs that can be installed in one click.

What data is transferred and what is not: full table

Not all data types are synced through Google Account, for example, photos are only transferred if they are uploaded to Google Photos, and Wi-Fi passwords are restored only on Android 10 devices.+. To avoid surprises, check out the table below:

The data of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) deserve special attention. They are not transferred through Google! For each messenger there is a mechanism:

• 📱 WhatsApp: Backup in Google Drive (setting up in Settings) → chat → Backup copy).
• 📱 Telegram: Cloud storage (messages are synchronized automatically when you log in to your account).
• 📱 Viber: manual backup via Settings → Account. → Backup copy.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with proper preparation, Xiaomi users face problems when migrating data, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

1. "There are no available backups in Google Drive"

Reason: The old smartphone didn’t have a backup feature enabled or the Google account is different.

Decision:

• Check that on the old device in Settings → Google → Backup is a fresh copy (the date of creation can be seen in the same menu).
• Make sure that on the new Xiaomi you are logged in to the same account that was used to create a backup.
• If there is a copy but it doesn’t show up, try manually updating the list by pulling the screen down in the recovery section.

“Contacts are duplicated or lost”

Cause: Conflict between local contacts (save on the SIM-map or phone memory) and synced via Google.

Decision:

• Before penos, export all contacts to.vcf: Contacts → Management → Exports.
• On the new device, import this file: Contacts → Management → Imports.
• If duplicates have already appeared, use the Contacts Optimizer app to remove them.

3. "Applications recovered, but without data"

Reason: Most apps don’t store user data in a Google backup, except for games that support Google Play Games.

Decision:

• For games: Check if your account is linked to Google Play Games or a developer service (e.g. MiHoYo for Genshin Impact).
• For instant messengers: use their built-in backup features (see the table above).
• For other applications: refer to their settings - some (e.g, 1Password) They have their own synchronization mechanisms.

Transfer of additional data: photos, music, documents

If you need to migrate not only contacts and apps, but also media files, there are a few proven ways to do this:

1. Google Photos for Images and Videos

The easiest way to transfer photos is Google Photos:

1. On your old smartphone, install the Google Photos app (if not).
2. Log in to your Google account and enable Backup and Sync in the app settings.
3. Wait for the download to be completed (you can check the progress in the Photo section). → Library → Devices).
4. On the new Xiaomi, install Google Photos, log in to the same account – all photos will appear automatically.

Note: As of June 1, 2021, Google has restricted free storage for high-quality photos. Now all new downloads take up space in your 15 GB.

• Pay for additional storage (from 139) ₽/month).
• Remove old backups or unnecessary files from Google Drive.
• Use the alternative – Mi Cloud (5 GB free for Xiaomi users).

2. Google Drive for Documents and Archives

To transfer documents (.pdf,.docx), archives (.zip,.rar) or other files:

1. On your old smartphone, open the Google Drive app.
2. Click + → Download and select the desired files.
3. On the new Xiaomi, download files through the same app.

For convenience, you can create a separate folder (for example, “Move to Xiaomi”) and upload files there.

3.Alternatives: Mi Mover and cable OTG

If you have more than 15GB of data or don’t want to use Google, use Mi Mover:

1. On both smartphones, install the Mi Mover app (available from the Play Market or App Gallery).
2. On the old phone, choose I give, on the new phone, I receive.
3. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use an access point.
4. Select data types to transfer and wait for completion.

For cable transfer OTG:

• Buy it. OTG-Adapter (if not included in the package).
• Connect the old device as USB-drive-by.
• Copy files manually through Explorer.

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To transfer photos and videos in original quality (without compression), it is better to use a cable OTG Mi Mover – Google Photos compresses images when downloading free of charge.

Optimizing the new Xiaomi after data transfer

After successfully transferring data, the new smartphone requires additional adjustments for comfortable operation.

1. Synchronization setting

To avoid future data loss:

• Activate Automatic Synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
• Enable backup in Google Drive: Settings → Google → Backup.
• For MIUI Also set up backup in Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.

2. Clearing cache and unnecessary data

After the transfer, temporary files may remain on the device to make room:

• Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Select Google Play Services and click Clear Cache.
• Repeat for Google Photos, Google Drive and Contacts apps.

3. Personalization MIUI

Xiaomi offers flexible interface settings:

• Change the subject: Settings → Theme (free and paid options available).
• Set up gestures: Settings → Display. → Full-screen display.
• Disable unnecessary system applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Disable (e.g. Mi Video if you don't use it).

4. Safety check

After data transfer:

• Update all apps on Google Play.
• Check permissions for applications: Settings → Confidentiality → Application authorizations.
• Set up screen locking: Settings → Screen lock and password (we recommend using a fingerprint) + PIN-code).

If you have transferred data from Samsung, Huawei or another brand, check to see if the new Xiaomi has any unnecessary services (such as Samsung Knox or Huawei Mobile Services) that can be safely deleted or disabled.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions