Changing a smartphone, especially in the Xiaomi ecosystem, is often accompanied by a desire to quickly and painlessly transfer all digital life to a new device. Users often face the problem when the files themselves move easily, but installed applications are empty shells without saved progress, passwords and settings. This is especially critical for games, banking customers and instant messengers, where every detail of the configuration is important.
Owners of Redmi and Poco devices have the unique advantage of having deeply integrated system tools that allow them to clone not only program shortcuts but also their internal data structure. However, standard methods don’t always work perfectly, especially if you’re switching from Android to another brand or trying to migrate specific system applications. It’s important to understand the architecture of the Android file system so you don’t lose access to your accounts.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the current migration options, from built-in Mi Mover to advanced backup methods via Google One and manual transfer via ADB. You’ll learn which data is automatically transferred and where manual intervention will be required to make your new phone a complete replica of the old one.
Using the Mi Mover tool for full migration
The most effective and native way for Xiaomi app owners is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for the MIUI and HyperOS shell, allowing it to bypass many of the limitations of standard Android security when copying data between devices of the same brand.
The process starts with the launch of the utility on both smartphones, and on the old device you need to select the role of "Sender", and on the new one - "Receiver". QR-If you have a code or connection through a Wi-Fi Direct hotspot, you'll be asked to select data types. If you want to transfer programs properly, you need to tick the box next to the "Applications" and, critically, "Application Data».
⚠️ Note: When transferring banking applications via Mi Mover, they may require re-authorization or biometrics setup on the new device for security reasons, even if the data has been copied.
Mi Mover’s algorithm involves creating a temporary tunnel through which the transmissions are transmitted. APK-Unlike cloud-based methods, the speed is limited only by the power of Wi-Fi modules, allowing you to transfer tens of gigabytes of information in minutes without consuming Internet traffic.
It is worth noting that when transferring between different versions of Android (for example, from Android 11 to Android 13), some old applications may not display their data correctly, in which case the system may suggest updating the program via Google Play immediately after the migration is completed.
Backup methods through a Google account
Google’s ecosystem offers a versatile, but less detailed way to save data: When setting up a new Xiaomi phone, it will offer to recover data from the cloud, a good way to do so because it is independent of the smartphone manufacturer, but has its own features in working with application data.
The main mechanism here is Google Drive. Many modern applications use Google's backup API, automatically saving game progress, settings and contact lists to the cloud, but this only works for developers who have explicitly implemented this support in their products.
- 📱 Automatic synchronization: Occurs in the background when connecting to Wi-Fi and charging.
- 🔒 Encryption: Data is encrypted with your account key, which ensures a high level of security when transferring.
- ⚙️ Limited volume: The 15GB free limit could run out quickly if apps take up a lot of space.
To activate this method on an old phone, you need to go to Settings → Google → Backup. Here you should make sure that the Data Backup switch is active. It is also useful to check the list of applications that will be saved by clicking on the corresponding button in the menu.
Why are some apps not recovering from Google Backup?
When recovering on a new Xiaomi device, the process can take considerable time, as the phones will be downloaded. APK-Files from the Play Market and then customizations. This requires a stable and fast Internet connection.
Manual creation of local copy of applications and data
For users who want to have full control over their data or do not trust cloud services, there is the possibility of creating a local backup. In the shells of MIUI and HyperOS, a powerful local backup feature is hidden, which allows you to save the state of the system at a particular time.
To use this method, you need to go to the Settings menu → About Phone → Backup and Restore. This selects the backup type “Mobile Device” and the system will suggest selecting the data to save: system settings, messages, calls and, most importantly, applications.
The path to backup files:
MIUI/backups/AllBackup/Once a copy is created, a file weighing several gigabytes will be stored in internal memory, which must be manually copied to a computer or transferred to a new phone via a new phone. USB-If you have a cable or Bluetooth, if you have a device nearby, you put the file in the same directory on the new device, and you restore it.
⚠️ Note: Local application backup may not work if you are trying to recover data from an application built for another CPU architecture (e.g., with a different CPU architecture). x86 on ARM), Although in modern smartphones Xiaomi this is rare.
This method is especially useful for storing offline game data or specific utilities that do not have their own cloud sync, and ensures that you get an exact copy of the program status at the time of backup creation.
Transfer of data messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
Messengers deserve special attention because they store huge amounts of personal correspondence and media files. Standard methods of transferring applications often copy the program itself, but not the history of messages unless pre-configured.
For WhatsApp, the most reliable way is to back up the app itself before transferring. In chat settings, select “Chat Backup” and click “Backup.” When you install WhatsApp on a new Xiaomi phone, the app will find a copy in Google Drive or local storage and prompt you to restore the history.
- 💬 Telegram: It doesn't require complicated manipulations, because all the history is stored on servers.
- 📞 Viber: Requires you to create a local or cloud copy before resetting or changing your device, otherwise the history will be lost.
- 📸 Media files: Photos and videos from instant messengers often take up more space than text, so make sure you have enough free memory.
☑️ Checklist before changing the phone
Always check for all chats after the first program launch on the new device.
Comparison of transfer methods: performance table
The best way to choose depends on your priorities: speed, data volume or type of information being transmitted. Below is a comparison of the basic methods available to owners of Xiaomi smartphones.
| Method | Speed. | Completeness of data | Network dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | Maximum | Not required (Wi-Fi Direct) |
| Google Backup | Medium | Partial (depending on the application) | A stable Internet is required |
| Local backup | Tall. | Complete (systemic) | Not required |
| Manual APK + Data | Low. | Requires Root for full data | Not required |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the leader in terms of the totality of indicators for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem. It combines high speed transfer of large files and deep integration with the system, allowing you to transfer even the placement of icons on the desktop.
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For the transition between phones Xiaomi Mi Mover is the leader in speed and completeness of stored data.
However, if you’re switching from an iPhone or another brand’s phone, the combination of Google Backup and manually saving instant messenger data is the most reliable option.
Advanced Level: Using ADB for Migration
For technically trained users who need to migrate data from apps that ignore standard backup rules, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and having drivers.
The idea is to execute a command that forces the system to pack the application and its data into one archive, and on the computer you need to open the terminal or command line and enter the command:
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.abA request for backup confirmation will appear on the phone screen, set a password (or leave blank) and click "Create a backup"; the process can take a long time depending on the amount of data.
⚠️ Note: Starting with Android 14 and newer versions of HyperOS, the adb backup feature can be limited or completely disabled by system developers for security purposes, making this method non-universal.
Recovery is done by adb restore backup.ab. This method bypasses many of the limitations that applications impose on standard backup, but requires caution, as an error in the commands can lead to data loss.
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Use the original. USB-The cable that came with the phone to connect to the PC, and the cheap charging cables often don't support data transmission, which will lead to errors when working with the phone. ADB.
If standard methods don’t help you migrate a mission-critical application, turning to ADB methods remains the last hope of getting a full copy of the program with all the settings.