How to quickly and safely transfer applications from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Migrating apps between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or sharing a program with a friend. Unlike transferring contacts or photos, apps require a special approach: they can not simply be copied as normal files due to the limitations of Android and Google Play security policy. Fortunately, Xiaomi owners have several unique tools that other brands do not have, from the built-in Mi Mover feature to the Mi Cloud storage.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways of transferring applications, from official solutions to workarounds for power users, you will learn how to transfer not only the programs themselves, but also their data (for example, saving in games or setting up messengers), which methods work without the Internet and which require a connection to Wi-Fi. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors, for example, when the application is not installed on a new phone due to incompatibility of MIUI versions or lack of root rights.

Importantly, not all methods are equally reliable. APK-Files can disrupt an app if it is linked to a Google account (like WhatsApp or banking programs), and we will mark these nuances in each section so you can choose the best option for your situation.

1. Official method: Mi Mover – transfer applications via cable

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is the use of the built-in Mi Mover utility, which allows you to transfer not only applications, but also their data, contacts, messages and even some system settings, the main advantage is support for all Xiaomi models on MIUI 10 and later, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark.

How it works:

• 🔌 Connect both phones to charge (important: battery should be charged at least 20 times%).
• 📱 On your old phone, open Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
• 🔄 On the new phone, select a similar path, but in the Data Transfer menu, click "I am a new user».
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use a direct cable connection OTG (Recommended for large amounts of data).

Once connected, select the Apps category and confirm the transfer. The process can take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the number of programs. Please note: Mi Mover does not tolerate system applications (such as Camera or Gallery) or DRM-protected programs (such as Netflix or banking clients).

Charge both phones at least 20 times%|Make sure there is enough memory on your new phone|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (or use a cable) OTG)|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Check the compatibility of versions MIUI (Must be different from no more than 2 versions)-->

⚠️ Note: If the new phone has a global firmware installed MIUI, The old one is Chinese, and some apps (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home) may not be portable due to regional restrictions, and you'll have to manually install them from Google Play or the Mi App Store.

2. Transfer via Mi Cloud: Cloud Backup

If you don't have a cable or your phones are in different places, you can use Mi Cloud cloud storage, which is suitable for transferring the list of installed applications (but not the apps themselves). APK-files and their data – provided that the programs support backup to the cloud.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Select “Backup” and tick “Applications” (optional – “Application Data”).
3. Click “Start Backup” and wait until it’s completed (it can take up to an hour with slow internet).
4. On the new phone, log in under the same Mi Account and restore the data from the backup.

Advantages of the method: does not require physical connection of devices, works over the Internet. Disadvantages: not all applications support backup data (for example, Telegram or Viber only save chats, but not media files). In addition, the free tariff of Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB, which may not be enough for a full backup.

Mi Cloud|Google Drive|Local storage (computer)|Other cloud service |I don't backup-->

3. Transfer APK-files via Bluetooth or local area network

If you only need to transfer the apps themselves (without their data), you can use standard Android tools such as Bluetooth or specialized programs like Xender or ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop), which is suitable for one-time transmissions when you can not use Mi Mover.

Step-by-step instructions for Bluetooth:

• 📲 On the sender phone, open Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the app you want, click on it and select Share (or Export) APK» firmware).
• 📤 Select Bluetooth and connect to the second phone.
• 📥 On the receiving phone, confirm the file acceptance and install it manually (permission to install from unknown sources may be required).

To speed up the process, it is better to use Xender:

1. Install Xender on both phones from Google Play or Mi App Store.
2. On one phone, click “Send” and on the other, “Get”.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point.
4. Select the applications to transfer (the “Apps” tab) and confirm the sending.

⚠️ Attention: Transmission APK-Files do not guarantee the functionality of the application on a new phone, such as WhatsApp or VK Banking programs (e.g. SberBank Online) generally prohibit installation from third-party sources for security reasons.

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Before the transmission APK-For example, applications for the Redmi Note 8 may not work on the Xiaomi 13 Pro due to different processor architectures (ARMv7 vs ARMv8).

4.Move over Google Account: Synchronize installed applications

If both phones are linked to the same Google account, you can sync the list of installed apps, which doesn’t carry the programs themselves or their data, but allows you to quickly restore the list to the new device.

How to do this:

• 📱 On your old phone, open Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
• 🔄 Make sure that the “Apps” (or “App Data” sync in English firmware) is enabled).
• 🆕 Sign in to the same Google account on your new phone and wait for sync to complete.
• 📥 Open Google Play, go to the Library → Installed" and click "Update All" (this will restore the list of applications).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Application data (e.g. game saves or chat history) is not transferred).
• ❌ Some apps (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home) may not appear on the list due to regional restrictions.
• ❌ Requires an Internet connection to download applications again.

5. Alternative methods: ADB and third-party backups

For advanced users willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to back up applications with their data, a method that requires a computer and basic command-line knowledge, but allows you to migrate even programs that are not supported in other ways.

Instructions:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB Fastboot Tools on the computer.
2. 📱 On your phone, turn on Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include “Debugging by” USB».
3. 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer and execute the command: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (this will create a backup.ab file with all applications and their data).
4. 📤 Copy the file to a new phone and restore it with the command: adb restore backup.ab

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Not all applications are properly restored through ADB (particularly systemic).
• ⚠️ On the new versions MIUI (14+) It may be necessary to unlock the loader.
• ⚠️ Data from some apps (such as WhatsApp) may not recover due to encryption.

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ADB-Backup is the only way to migrate apps with their data without root rights, but it requires technical skills and does not guarantee 100% success.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When migrating apps between Xiaomi phones, users often face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

Error 1: The app is not installed on the new phone

• 🔹 Reason: Incompatibility of Android versions or processor architecture (e.g., Android version, arm64 vs x86).
• 🔧 Solution: Check supported devices on Google Play or download compatible version APK APKMirror.

Mistake 2: Mi Mover doesn't see second phone

• 🔹 Reason: Different versions MIUI (Differences of more than 2 versions or unstable Wi-Fi connection.
• 🔧 Solution: Update the firmware on both phones or use a cable OTG.

Error 3: After transfer, the application crashes

• 🔹 Reason: Damaged data or lack of necessary permits.
• 🔧 Solution: Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps or reinstall it.

Mistake 4: There is not enough space on the new phone

• 🔹 Reason: Transferring large numbers of apps or junk files.
• 🔧 Solution: Clear the cache on your old phone before transfer (Settings) → Warehouse → Cleaning up) or select only the desired applications.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions