How to transfer an application from Android to Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Migrating apps between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every second user faces when buying a new device or changing a gadget. Unlike iOS, where the synchronization process is standardized through iCloud, the Android ecosystem offers several alternative paths, from built-in MIUI tools to manual methods for power users. However, not all methods are equally effective: some lose application data, others require root rights, and others can block the work of transferred software due to a conflict of signatures.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for transferring applications between Xiaomi devices (including Redmi models, POCO We compare them in terms of speed, reliability and security of data, as well as warn against typical errors. We will pay special attention to the portability of applications with the preservation of their data (for example, progress in games or messaging settings) - this is a key point that is often missed in standard instructions. APK-files, but also related files in /data/data/, This guide is for you.

1.Mi Share Integrated Tool: Fast but Limited Way

Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for wireless file transfer between the brand’s devices. MIUI Since version 10 and supports the transmission APK-First, Mi Share does not store application data (cache, settings, accounts), but only the.apk packets themselves. Second, some system applications (for example, Mi Home or Mi Fit) can block installation due to a signature conflict.

To take advantage of Mi Share:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Connection and sharing → Mi Share on both devices.
• 🔄 Select the “Send” mode on the original smartphone and “Get” on the target.
• 📂 In the list of files, find the App folder (or use keyword search "APK").
• ⚡ Confirm transfer – speed depends on the version of Wi-Fi (up to 20 MB / s on Wi-Fi 5).

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If Mi Share doesn’t find the second device, check if Developer Mode is turned on and turn off the VPN/proxy on both smartphones, and make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even if you’re using direct transmission).

The main disadvantage of the method is that it doesn't synchronize data, for example, if you transfer Telegram over Mi Share, you have to log in again and download media files, which is critical for instant messengers and games.

2.Move over Google Account: Automation with pitfalls

Syncing through Google Account is the most versatile way, but it doesn’t work with all apps. By default, MIUI reserves only:

• 📋 List of installed applications (without APK-file).
• 🔑 Some app settings (if the developer supports Android Backup Service).
• 📱 Data of system applications (contacts, calendar, SMS).

To restore applications on the new Xiaomi:

1. Sign in under the same Google Account when you first set up your device.
2. In the recovery menu, select a backup from the previous smartphone.
3. Confirm the installation of applications – they will download from Google Play automatically.

A key disadvantage of the method is developer dependency, such as WhatsApp reserving chats in Google Drive separately, and Instagram does not save the history of Stories, and recovery can take hours if the list of applications is large.

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (for example, LineageOS), recovery through Google Account may lead to the error "Can not restore backup.

3. Manual transfer of APK+ data via ADB: for advanced users

If you need to move not only APK, but also application data (e.g. game saves or Kodi setups), the only reliable way is to use the data. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires USB-Debugging and basic command line knowledge, but guarantees 100% transfer of information, including files to /data/data/.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode on both devices: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Turn it on. USB-debugging → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Connect the original smartphone to the PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab On the smartphone screen, confirm the reservation (password is not required, but is recommended).
4. Connect the target Xiaomi and recover the data: adb restore backup.ab

Install. ADB-drivers (download from) [developer.android.com](https://developer.android.com))

Check the MIUI version on both devices (must match or differ by no more than 1 version)

Disable the antivirus on your PC (it can block adb.exe)

Charge both smartphones at least 50% (the process can take 30+ minutes)

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Importantly, some apps (such as banking or DRM-protected) may fail after such a transfer, in which case you will have to reinstall them through Google Play.

4.Manager Applications: Titanium Backup and Alternatives

For root-right users, the best solution is Titanium Backup or its analogues (Swift Backup, OAndBackupX).

• 📦 Create backup copies APK + data.
• 🔄 Restore applications to a new device.
• 🧹 "Freeze system applications before transfer.
• 🔒 Password encrypting backups.

Example of Titanium Backup Transfer:

1. Install the app on both devices (root required).
2. On the original smartphone, select Packet Action → Backup all user applications + data.
3. Copy the TitaniumBackup folder (located at the root of the storage) to a new device.
4. On the target Xiaomi, recover data through Recovery → Select Everything → Run.

⚠️ Note: If the new device version MIUI However, some system applications (such as Mi Security) may not recover due to changes in the structure. /system. In this case, use ADB selectively reinstated.

The advantage of the method is flexibility, for example, you can only transfer WhatsApp data without the APK itself (if it is already installed on a new smartphone), but without root rights, functionality is limited.

5. Cloud services: Dropbox, Telegram and others

If you need to migrate multiple applications without using a PC, you can use cloud services.

1. On the original device, copy. APK-Application files (for example, through ES Files by Google or Files by Google from a folder /data/app/.
2. Upload files to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, Telegram Saved Messages).
3. Download the APK to a new device and install manually (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access).

To transfer application data (for example, game saves), use specialized clouds:

• 🎮 Google Play Games – for games with support for cloud storage.
• ☁️ Helium (Old but Works on the Resource) MIUI 12 and below).
• 📁 FolderSync – for folder synchronization /Android/data/.

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Cloud services are convenient for transferring a small amount of APK, but are not suitable for mass transfer due to limitations on file size (for example, Telegram — up to 2 GB).

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ones:

Error 1: "Not installed"

Reason: APK signature conflict (for example, if you port a modified app to a smartphone with Google Play Services).

• Remove the old version of the application from the target device.
• Install the original version from Google Play, then move it over.

Mistake 2: Data loss after transfer

Reason: Incompatibility of MIUI or Android versions.

• Check the Android version on both devices (should match or differ by no more than 1 major version).
• For critical data (such as WhatsApp), use official backup tools.

Mistake 3: Mi Share doesn't see the second device

Reason: different versions of Mi Share or firewall lock.

• Update MIUI to the latest version on both smartphones.
• Turn off the Adaptive Battery in the battery settings for Mi Share.

FAQ: Frequent questions about app portability