How to copy apps on Xiaomi: backup, cloning and transfer to another phone

Why copying apps on Xiaomi requires a special approach

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones have a unique storage architecture that differs from “pure” Android.This affects how applications are backed up, cloned and ported. For example, Google’s standard Android Backup Service feature works unstable on devices with MIUI 12-15, and the built-in Mi Mover utility limits portability only between Xiaomi phones.

Another problem is application data protection. Many programs (especially banking and instant messengers) encrypt their files, making them inaccessible to simple copying through the file manager. In addition, Xiaomi blocks access to system folders without root rights, which makes manual backup difficult. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to copy applications to Xiaomi without data loss and synchronization errors, including methods for users without technical skills.

It is important to consider the version of MIUI: in firmware older than MIUI 14, the logic of working with backups has changed, and in MIUI 15 a new feature Cross-Device Clone has appeared, which makes it easier to transfer data between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. However, alternative solutions will be required to copy to devices of other brands or create local backups.

Method 1: Built-in Mi Mover utility (for transfer between Xiaomi)

The easiest method is to use the Mi Mover app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. The utility allows you to transfer applications, their data, contacts and even system settings without loss of quality.

To copy applications:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (if not, download from Google Play 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 Hotspot.
4. On an old phone, tick the apps you want to copy and click Send.
5. Wait until the process is complete (time depends on the amount of data).

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not copy data from some apps (such as WhatsApp or Viber) if they use their own cloud storage, and the utility may not transfer the settings of game accounts (such as Genshin Impact or the other). PUBG Mobile, as they are tied to Google Play Games or Mi Account.

Charging both phones > 50%|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Make sure there is enough memory on your new phone|Do not interrupt the connection until the process is complete-->

Method 2: Backup through MIUI Backup (local backup)

If you need to back up apps on the phone itself (for example, before resetting to factory settings), use the built-in MIUI Backup feature.

• 📱 List of installed annexes (APK-file)
• 📁 Application data (not for everyone)
• 🔧 System settings and user data
• 📞 Call log and SMS (optionally)

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create Backup and select data categories (be sure to tick Apps).
3. Set a password to protect the backup (recommended).
4. Wait until the file is completed (the file is saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).

To recover the data:

1. In the same menu, click Restore.
2. Select the right backup and enter the password.
3. Confirm the recovery of applications.

⚠️ Attention: Backup recovery MIUI Backup is only possible on the same device or model with the same version. MIUI. When you transfer to another phone (even the same series), compatibility errors may occur. For example, a backup with the Redmi Note 11 will not recover on the Redmi Note 12 if the firmware versions differ.

Method 3: Cloning applications via ADB (for power users)

If you need to accurately copy an application with all the data (for example, to transfer a game with saves or test a clone), use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and working with the command line, but guarantees full copying, including:

• 📦 APK-file
• 🗃️ folder /data/data user-data
• 🔑 Settings and cache

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
4. Open the command line in this folder and do:

adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all

Where:

• -apk — include APK-file
• -obb – copies additional files (e.g. game cache)
• -shared — store SD-map
• -all - backups all applications

To restore the backup on another phone:

adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Google Authenticator or Telegram) block copying their data through the Internet. ADB In such cases, backup is created, but the data may not be transferred during recovery, and it is not recommended to restore system applications (com.android.*) on another device, this can lead to failures.

Method 4: Third-party copying applications (without root)

If previous methods don’t work, use specialized utilities. We tested the top 3 data copying apps on Xiaomi:

Recommendations for use:

• 🔄 For a regular rootless backup, choose Swift Backup – it supports ADB Backup can save data from most applications.
• 👥 If you want to clone messengers (for example, have two Telegrams with different accounts), use App Cloner.
• 🛠️ Titanium Backup is suitable for full control (including system applications), but root is required.

⚠️ Note: Cloning applications may conflict with MIUI Optimization is a built-in Xiaomi feature that limits background activity. If the cloned app doesn't work, turn off optimization for it in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Battery → No restrictions.

💡

Before using third-party backup managers, disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings (Settings → Additional → Developer → Disable MIUI Optimization) to prevent background processes from automatically closing during copying.

Method 5: Manual copying of APK and data (for individual applications)

If you need to copy one or more applications without using complex tools, do it manually:

1. Download a file manager with access to system folders, such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to the folder. /data/app — stored APK-files of all installed applications (folder names are encrypted, but you can navigate by size).
4. Copy the folder of the desired application (for example, com.whatsapp-1) on SD-card.
5. To copy the data, go to /data/data/[packet name] and copy the content.
6. On the new phone, install it. APK-file and manually transfer data to the appropriate folder (root rights required).

⚠️ Note: Without root, you will not be able to access the folder /data/data — It's protected by the system, and manual copying can disrupt an application if you don't respect file rights, and it's only suitable for advanced users!

To simplify the process, use ADB to extract APK:

adb shell pm path com.example.app


adb pull /data/app/com.example.app-1/base.apk

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When copying applications on Xiaomi, users face typical problems:

• 🚫 "Application not installed" - the reason may be incompatibility of versions MIUI Solution: Check the compatibility of devices before porting.
• 🔒 "Data not recovered" - some apps (e.g. Google Pay or Netflix) block copying of their data.Solution: use the built-in export/import features in the app itself.
• ⚡ "The phone overheats when copying - long operations with ADB Solution: connect your phone to a charger and make sure it doesn't heat up above 40.°C.
• 📱 "The app crashes after recovery, because of version conflict or missing permissions.Solution: Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → [Name of name] → Clear the cache) and restart the phone.

If you copy apps before resetting to factory settings, make sure that:

• IMEI saved (on some Xiaomi models it is reset – check using *#06#).
• Mi Account binding is disabled (if the phone is locked, unlocking may be required).
• NV Data backup is created (for models with Mediatek, use MTK Engineering Mode).

💡

Before copying any application, check the MIUI version on both devices. Differences in even one subversion number (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5 vs MIUI 14.0.6) can lead to compatibility errors.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions