Transferring data from Android to Xiaomi: a complete guide with step-by-step instructions

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to protecting personal data. Photos, contacts, messages and app settings accumulate over the years, and losing them due to improper transfer is the last thing a user wants. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several reliable ways to migrate data, most of which do not require technical skills.

Not all methods are equally effective, however, such as Google Account Transfers for basic data (contacts, calendar) but are helpless with multimedia or system application settings. On the other hand, Mi Mover’s proprietary solution can handle most tasks, but can slow down on large amounts of files. In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods of transfer, their pros and cons, and give recommendations on choosing the best method depending on your needs.

Particular attention will be paid to data transfer between devices with different versions of Android (for example, from Android 10 to Android). MIUI 14), as synchronization errors often occur, you will also learn how to bypass the restrictions on porting certain types of files (for example, notes from Samsung Notes or messages from Viber) and what to do if the process is interrupted in the middle of the file.

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Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating data, make sure both devices are ready for the procedure.Neglect of preparation is the main cause of failures when files are not fully transferred or compatibility errors occur.

On your old Android device (data source) check:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 50%. It can take hours to transfer large amounts of data (such as 30 GB of photo) and discharging in the process will lead to data loss.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (if you use cloud services) If you have a weak Wi-Fi or mobile signal, files can be downloaded with errors.
• 📁 Free space – the old device should have at least 10% free space for temporary files.
• 🔒 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock) for the transfer time if you use Mi Mover or cable OTG. Some versions MIUI require an unlocked screen to establish the connection.

On the new Xiaomi (data receiver):

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → System Update: Older versions of firmware may not support new port protocols.
• 🧹 Reset to factory settings (optional). If the device is new, it is better to transfer the data to a "clean" system to avoid conflicts with pre-installed applications.
• 🔌 Connect to charging. new Xiaomi (like Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5) They can be quickly discharged during intensive data transmission.

⚠️ Note: If the old device has data encryption enabled (e.g. Samsung with Knox), some transfer methods (e.g., via cable) OTG) In this case, use cloud services or Mi Mover.

Also, you should decide in advance what data you need on a new smartphone.

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2. Method 1: Mi Mover – a proprietary solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an integrated application on all Xiaomi smartphones designed to quickly transfer data from other Android devices. It supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music and even some application settings. The main advantage is that it does not require Internet (data is transmitted over a local Wi-Fi Direct network).

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On the new Xiaomi, open the Mi Mover app (usually it’s on the desktop or in the Tools folder).
2. Select I am a new user.
3. On your old device, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not on the system) and select Send Data.
4. On both phones, confirm the connection via QR-code PIN.
5. Select the data types to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 High speed - up to 20 MB / s (depending on the model).
• 📱 Supports most Android devices (including Samsung, Huawei, Realme).
• 🔄 Keeps folder structure (photos and videos remain in the same albums).

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Cannot tolerate some apps (such as WhatsApp or banking software due to security restrictions).
• 🔌 Requires a stable connection – if the Wi-Fi Direct signal is interrupted, the process will have to start again.
• 📉 Can brake on large volumes (over 50 GB).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Mi Mover may not see older Android 8 and lower devices, in which case update the firmware of the old smartphone or use alternative methods.

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Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and email)

If you only need to migrate contacts, calendar events, Google Keep notes and email, syncing through Google Account is the easiest and most reliable way to do this, and it works on any Android device and doesn’t require any additional apps.

Instructions:

1. On the old device, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google.
2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for Contacts, Calendar and other data you need.
3. On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google Account through Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account.
4. Enable synchronization for the same data categories.

What is carried over Google:

• 📇 Contacts (including profile photos).
• 📅 Calendar (events, reminders).
• 📝 Google Keep (Notes, Lists).
• ✉️ Gmail (letters, tags, drafts).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 I can't stand it. SMS, MMS, photo-appendage.
• 🔄 Synchronization can take up to 24 hours with a large amount of data.
• 📱 On some Xiaomi devices (e.g. Redmi Note 11 with a MIUI 13) Contact synchronization is unstable - check the settings in Contacts → Contact management → Synchronization.

If the contacts are not synchronized:

1. Delete your Google account on your new device and add it again.
2. Check if the synchronization is disabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
3. Update the Contacts app via Google Play.

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

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music and your internet connection is unstable, the best option is to use a cable. OTG (adapter USB-C to USB-C). This method allows you to copy files directly, as from a flash drive, without intermediaries in the form of clouds or applications.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Adapter or adapter if the ports on the devices are different).
• 📱 File Manager (e.g., built-in Explorer on Xiaomi or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old smartphone to the new Xiaomi via cable OTG.
2. On the new device, open Explorer and select the connected device (it will appear as an external drive).
3. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photos, downloads, etc.) to internal memory or SD-map.

Advantages:

• 🚀 Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s per USB 3.0).
• 📁 Full control – you choose which files to copy.
• 🔒 Security – data is not transmitted via the Internet.

Disadvantages:

• 🔌 I need a cable. OTG (not always complete).
• 📱 Does not transfer applications and their data (files only).
• 🛠️ Requires manual copying – you can skip important folders.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) when connected via OTG You may need to unlock Developer Mode and enable Debugging USB, Otherwise, the files will not be displayed.

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5. Method 4: Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Disk)

If you don't have a cable. OTG Or you prefer wireless, cloud services are a good alternative, and they allow you to upload data to a server from one device and download it to another.

Comparison of popular services:

How to transfer data via Google Drive:

1. On the old device, open Google Drive and click + → Download.
2. Select files or folders to download.
3. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download files via Drive.

The advantages of cloud services:

• ☁️ No need to connect devices – everything via the Internet.
• 🔄 Automatic sync (e.g. Google Photos can continuously back up photos).
• 📱 Access from any device (not just a smartphone).

Disadvantages:

• 🌐 Requires good internet – with a slow connection, downloading can take hours.
• 💾 Volume limit – free fares are often not enough for a full backup.
• 🔒 Privacy – files are stored on third-party servers.

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Method 5: Transfer applications and their data (for advanced users)

Standard methods (such as Mi Mover or Google Account) do not always cope with the transfer of applications and their internal data (for example, save in games, setup messengers or data of banking programs).

Application portability options:

• 📱 Titanium Backup (requires root access) – saves applications and their data as backups.
• 🔄 Helium (Carbon Backup) – works without root, but does not support all applications.
• ☁️ Built-in App Features – Some programs (such as WhatsApp or Viber) allow you to backup your application in the cloud.

Instructions for Titanium Backup (if root is available):

1. Install Titanium Backup on your old device.
2. Create a backup of the desired applications (backup / recovery) → Package action → Backup of all user applications).
3. Transfer the backup file to the new Xiaomi (for example, via the OTG-cable).
4. Install Titanium Backup on your new device, provide root access, and restore data.

For rootless applications:

• Use Helium (requires a PC connection to activate).
• Check if the application itself has a function of exporting / importing data (for example, in Telegram you can save chats to the cloud).

⚠️ Note: Data transfer of banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may disrupt their operation due to device-specific binding. In most cases, it is easier to re-install the application and log in.

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7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you do the instructions right, the data transfer can go wrong, so let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn’t see the old device.

• 🔄 Reboot both smartphones.
• 📶 Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• 📱 Update the Mi Mover to the latest version.
• 🔌 Try connecting through QR-code PIN.

Problem 2: The photos are transferred but not displayed in the gallery.

• 🖼️ Check the folder. DCIM File Manager – the files may have been copied, but the gallery has not yet indexed them.
• 🔄 Restart your device or manually update your media library (in Google Photos click Update in the menu).

Problem 3: Contacts are duplicated after the transfer.

• 📇 Open Contacts. → Contact management → Combine duplicates.
• 🔍 Check if your contacts are synced with your Google and Mi Account at the same time.

Problem 4: When translating through OTG files are copied with errors.

• 🔌 Try another cable (probably the problem is damaged) OTG-adapter).
• 📁 Copy files in small batches (for example, 5 GB at a time).
• 🛠️ Format. SD-The card (if you copy it to it) is in exFAT format to support large files.

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8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions