How to transfer all the data from the old Android to Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old Android device can become a real headache if you don’t know the nuances. Even with the Mi Mover branded tool, users face synchronization errors, loss of contacts or incomplete transfer of photos. And if you are talking about switching from Samsung, Huawei or other brands, the process is complicated due to the difference in firmware and manufacturers’ limitations.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data, from the official Xiaomi solution to universal methods through Google Account and physical connection. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden MIUI settings, which speed up the process by 2-3 times, and also explain why some files (for example, WhatsApp messages or game saves) require separate processing. If you are afraid of losing important information or have already experienced errors during migration, this guide will help to avoid typical problems.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi that automatically transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos and even some settings of system applications. It is pre-installed on all Redmi, Poco and Mi smartphones, but there are nuances: for example, on devices with MIUI 14+, the algorithm has changed, and for older models (before the Redmi Note 8), you may need to manually configure.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On the new Xiaomi Redmi: when you first turn on, select Data Portability from the settings menu. If the smartphone is already configured, find the Mi Mover app in the list of utilities.
• 🔄 On your old phone: download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it's not the default one) Launch the app and select the Sender role).
• 📶 Connect: Connect devices via Wi-Fi Direct (create an access point on your old phone) or use it QR-pairing.

Charging the battery of both phones >50%|Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.|Power saving mode is turned off on the old phone|Free space on the new Redmi (at least 20% of the data transfer volume)-->

It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data you have, and it's important that if you stop the transmission, don't start it again right away, wait 5 to 10 minutes and try again, otherwise you might lose some files, and also note that Mi Mover can't stand:

• 🔒 Passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts (they will have to be re-entered).
• 🎮 Save games (except for cloud-based games via Google Play Games).
• 📁 Files from the root folder /storage/emulated/0/ (only multimedia from the gallery).

2.Move over Google Account: Universal Method

If Mi Mover refuses to work or you prefer cloud solutions, sync through Google Account is the most reliable way. It is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes, mail and some applications. However, there are limitations: photos and videos will be uploaded to Google Photos in compressed quality (if you do not pay for additional space), and SMS and calls are synced only on Android 8.0+ devices.

Step instructions:

1. On your old phone: open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the right categories (contacts, calendar, drive, etc.).
2. SMS Export: If you need to save messages, install the SMS Backup & Restore app and back up to Google Drive.
3. On the new Xiaomi Redmi: when you first turn on, log in to the same Google Account. If your phone is already set up, add an account to Settings → Accounts and wait for sync.

Mi Mover|Google Account|Cable OTG/PC|Manual transfer (flash drive, cloud)|Other-->

Advantages of the method: data is available on any device with your Google Account, no brand binding. Disadvantages: limited free space (15 GB), there may be problems with restoring some applications (for example, banking).

⚠️ Note: If the old phone used a Huawei account ID or Samsung Account, data from these services are not synced with Google, they need to be exported separately (for example, contacts from Samsung Contacts can be uploaded to a file.vcf).

3. Physical transfer via OTG or PC cable

For users who don’t trust cloud services or have wireless transmission errors, direct cable connectivity is a good option, which guarantees 100% file transfer without loss of quality, but requires additional accessories:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Connecting an old phone to a new one like a flash drive).
• 💻 Computer (if) OTG Not supported or files need to be sorted).
• 📁 Memory card (alternative – transfer via microSD).

Method 1: Through the OTG cable

1. Connect the OTG cable to the new Xiaomi Redmi.
2. Connect the old phone to OTG standard USB-cable (file transfer mode).
3. The new device will open a file manager (MIUI File Manager) and copy the folders (DCIM, Download, Pictures, etc.) to internal memory.

Method 2: Through the PC

1. Connect both phones to your computer and enable file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Copy data from the old device into a folder on the PC.
3. Transfer files from your PC to the new Redmi.

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If the new Xiaomi Redmi doesn’t see the old phone through OTG, try plugging it in PTP mode instead of MTP. Select the appropriate option from the USB connection menu on the old device.

4. Transfer of applications and their data

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is to keep the apps installed and their settings, and standard methods like Mi Mover can only be used to save the apps. APK-files, but not game saves, cache, or authorization data:

• 📲 Google Play Games: Keeps progress in games (if the developer supports this feature».
• 🔄 Titanium Backup (root): full backup of apps and their data, but requires superuser rights. on new Xiaomi, root is difficult due to blocking MIUI.
• 📂 Swift Backup: Titanium without root (works on some firmware).
• ☁️ Cloud services: some applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) store data in the cloud.

To transfer WhatsApp, do the following:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Chat → Backup and create a backup in Google Drive.
2. Install WhatsApp on the new Redmi and log in with the same number.
3. When requested, restore chats from Google Drive.

⚠️ Note: If you use WhatsApp Business, the backup is created separately from the regular WhatsApp. Don't confuse accounts, otherwise you will lose your correspondence history!

To transfer banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) is usually enough:

1. Install the app on a new phone.
2. Sign in via SMS or biometrics (if linked).
3. Restoring access to the bank’s instructions (sometimes a call for support is required).

5.Transfer of photos and videos without loss of quality

Photos and videos are the most voluminous data, and portability often causes problems. If you use Mi Mover or Google Photos, the quality can deteriorate due to compression. To avoid this, follow these tips:

• 🖼️ Original Quality in Google Photos: Select “Quality of Original” in the app settings (requires a paid subscription or free space in your account).
• 💾 Local Copy: Connect your phone to your PC and manually copy folders DCIM and Pictures.
• 📁 Cloud Storage: Upload files to Yandex Drive, Mega or Dropbox (gives free registration space).
• 🔌 Cable OTG + Adapter: if the old phone has a microUSB connector and the new one has a microUSB connector — USB-C, use the adapter.

How to save metadata (date, geolocation)?

When you copy through a PC or OTG, metadata (EXIF) is saved automatically. If you use the cloud, check your download settings — some services (like VK Cloud) delete geotags. Use applications like EXIF Editor to restore your shooting dates after transfer.

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Never transfer photos via instant messengers (Telegram, Viber) – they compress images to 1200px and delete metadata.

6. Transfer system settings and personalization

Even after the successful data transfer, the new Xiaomi Redmi will be “alien” without the usual settings: wallpaper, sounds, widgets and gestures. Unfortunately, MIUI does not support a full backup of system parameters, but some personalization can be restored:

• 🎨 Wallpaper and themes: if you used standard wallpaper MIUI, You can download them again in the settings. → For custom wallpaper, copy files from the folder. /Pictures/Wallpapers/.
• 🔔 Sounds and notifications: Move custom tunes from /Ringtones/ and /Notifications/.
• ⚙️ Launch settings: in MIUI You can export the home screen configuration. To do this, hold your finger on your desktop. → «Settings» → «Backup of the layout».
• 👆 Gestures: Configure again in Settings → Additionally. → Gestures.

To transfer SMS and call history (unless you have used a Google Account):

1. Install the Super Backup & Restore app on both phones.
2. On the old device, create a backup SMS and calls to the file.
3. Transfer the file to the new Redmi and restore the data.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when you follow instructions, users have problems. TOP-5 errors and ways of solving them:

If nothing helps:

• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support via Settings → The phone. → Feedback.
• 🛠️ Reset the new Redmi to factory settings and repeat the transfer (sometimes helps with Mi Mover errors).
• 🔧 Use the alternatives: Clone Phone (from Huawei but works with Xiaomi) or Smart Switch (from Samsung).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions