How to copy apps to Xiaomi: porting APK, data and settings

Porting apps between Xiaomi devices or backing them up is a challenge that every user faces, POCO or Mi, want to share a game with a friend or just save a rare app before resetting your settings – the ability to copy correctly APK-files and related data will save time and nerves. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from built-in functions. MIUI Advanced methods with the use of ADB and third-party tools.

It is important to understand the difference between yourself APK-file (installation package) and application data (saves, cache, settings) for example, by copying only APK If you play games, you lose progress, and if you move the messenger without a messaging database, it'll be useless. MIUI Backup of system applications.

This article is relevant for all modern Xiaomi devices based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, as well as models with an unlocked bootloader. If your smartphone runs on an older version of the firmware (for example, MIUI 11 and below), some methods may require adaptation, we will mention this too.

Method 1: Built-in backup in MIUI

The easiest and most secure method is to use the standard MIUI Backup feature, which allows you to save both the applications themselves (as APKs) and some of their data.

• 📱 It only works for user applications (system copying is not possible).
• 🔄 Not all data is saved (for example, cache or settings of some games may be lost).
• 🔒 Backups are encrypted and not read on other devices without MIUI.

To create a backup copy:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
2. Click Create Backup and select copying apps.
3. Wait until the process is complete (the file is saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).

To recover, go to the same section and select the right backup. Important: when you restore on another Xiaomi device, the MIUI version must match or be newer, otherwise errors may occur.

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If the backup list doesn’t have the right application, check if it’s system-based. root or ADB will be required to copy system APKs (see Method 4).

Method 2: Copy APKs through Application Management

If you only need to copy an installation file (APK) without data, use the built-in application manager:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application and click on the three dots in the top corner.
3. In the menu, select Share - the system will create APK-file and offer to send it via messenger or save it in memory.

This method is suitable for:

• 📎 Quick transfer. APK on another phone.
• 🔗 Save rare apps removed from Google Play.
• 📥 Transfer games or utility to friends (without data!).

Limitations:

• ❌ Does not work for pre-installed system applications (e.g. Mi Browser or Security).
• ❌ Does not save application data (only by yourself) APK).
• ❌ Some applications (e.g. banking) block this feature for security reasons.

Method 3: Use of third-party applications (APK Extractor, App Backup & Restore)

For more flexible backup management, it is convenient to use specialized utilities from Google Play.

APK Extractor (to extract APK)

The application allows you to extract APKs of any installed programs, including system (if there is root access).

• 📌 Displays a list of all applications with versions.
• 📤 One tap saves the APK file-file.
• 🔍 Shows the path to the file after extraction.

App Backup & Restore (to copy APK+ data)

A more advanced tool that can:

• 📦 Save. APK with data (root required for full backup).
• 🔄 Restore applications to a new device.
• ☁️ Download backups to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).

Method 4: Copying through ADB (for power users)

If you need to copy system applications or make a full backup of data, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires a connection to a computer, but gives you maximum control.

Preliminary steps:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.
3. Install ADB Tools on your computer.

Copy commands:

• 📋 List of all applications: adb shell pm list packages -f It will show the way to APK format package:/data/app/com.example.app-1/base.apk.
• 📥 Copying APK on PC: adb pull /data/app/com.example.app-1/base.apk Replace the path with the current one from the previous team.
• 🗃️ Backup of the application with data: adb backup -f backup.ab com.example.app Creates a backup.ab file in the current folder.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Enable debugging on USB|Download ADB Tools|Unlock the boot loader (for system) APK)-->

⚠️ Note: When using adb backup, some applications (such as WhatsApp or bank clients) may block backups for security reasons, in which case root or manually copying files from the data can help. /data/data/com.example.app.

Method 5: Copying via TWRP (for devices with unlocked bootloader)

If your Xiaomi has custom recovery TWRP installed, you can create a full /data partition backup that includes all the apps and their data.

• 🔧 Transfer applications between firmware.
• 🛠️ Recovery after a failed update.
• 📦 Preservation of all user data.

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to the Backup section.
3. Check the Data section (optional System if you need to save system applications).
4. Click Swipe to Back Up and wait until it is finished.
5. Copy the backup file (usually in the TWRP/BACKUPS folder) to your PC or cloud.

⚠️ Note: Backup of the Data section in TWRP It can take up to 10-20 GB depending on the number of applications installed. Before creating a backup, make sure that the device has enough free space (at least 30% more than the size of the memory used).

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Backup via TWRP is the only way to save all application data (including system data) without root, but requires an unlocked bootloader and installed recovery.

How to transfer copied applications to another Xiaomi

Once you have copied the APK and/or data, it needs to be properly transferred and restored to the new device.

1. Portability of APK only (without data)

If you only copied the installation files:

1. Move the APK to your new phone (via Bluetooth, messenger, or cloud).
2. Open the file through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
3. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Install unknown applications.

2. APK+ Data Transfer

If you have a full backup (like one created through App Backup & Restore or ADB):

1. Install the app on your new device (via APK or Google Play).
2. Restore data from the backup using the same utility that created the backup.
3. For ADB backups, use the command: adb restore backup.ab

If the data is not recovered:

• 🔄 Check the compatibility of the application versions and MIUI both-device.
• 📋 Make sure there is enough memory on your new phone.
• 🔒 Some applications (such as secure games) may require re-authorization.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When copying applications on Xiaomi, users often encounter typical errors.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions