How to transfer applications from one Xiaomi phone to another: all working ways

Moving apps from the old Xiaomi smartphone to the new one is a challenge that every user faces when upgrading the device. MIUI, Not all data migrates automatically: some apps will have to be re-installed and their settings and cache restored manually. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer applications between Xiaomi phones, including official tools and workarounds for rare cases.

It is important to remember that you just copy the folder with APK-File (as some “craftsmen” do) is not enough: modern applications store data in protected partitions, and their work depends on the correct permissions in the system. So we're going to focus on methods that save not only the programs themselves, but also their settings, accounts and cache, where possible. If you move from Android to iOS or vice versa, some of the ways won't work: this manual is focused exclusively on Xiaomi devices running iOS. MIUI 12–14.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Versions MIUI on both phones (a difference of more than 2 years may cause compatibility issues).
• 🔋 Battery charge – transfer process can take up to 30 minutes, especially with a large amount of data.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (for cloud or backup download methods).

1.Official method: transfer via Mi Account (Mi Cloud)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use the built-in Mi Cloud service, which allows not only to transfer the list of installed applications, but also to restore their data (if the application supports backup to the cloud).

• ☁️ Cloud storage: only 5GB is available for free, which is enough for backup system settings and some applications. ₽/month).
• 🔄 Account Sync: Both phones must be linked to the same Mi Account. If you use different accounts, log out of your old phone and log in to the right one.
• ⚡ Recovery speed depends on the Internet connection. On slow Wi-Fi, the process can take hours.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup your device.
2. Select Backup and tick the App Items and Application Data (if available). Click Start Backup.
3. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Mi Account. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → The phone. → Recovery and discharge → Restore from backup copy.
4. Select the last backup and wait until the process is complete. The applications will start installing automatically.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps support data recovery via Mi Cloud. For example, WhatsApp, Telegram and banking apps require a separate backup (see section 4).

Sign in to one Mi Account on both phones

Check the space available in Mi Cloud (minimum 2 GB)

Connect both phones to charging

Disable battery optimization for Mi Cloud in application settings

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2.Move through Google Account (for apps from Play Market)

If you use Google Play as your primary source of apps, you can use the built-in Google Account Sync, which is suitable for transferring a list of installed apps, but not their data (except for apps that sync themselves to Google Drive, such as Chrome or Gmail).

Advantages of the method:

• 🌐 It works on all Android devices, not just Xiaomi.
• 🔄 Automatically updates the list of applications when adding new ones.
• 🆓 No additional cloud space (uses Google Play data).

How to move:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Google → Backup and enable Data Download to your Google account.
2. Make sure that in the Google Account section → Data and personalization → The device displays your phone.
3. On the new phone, when you first start, select Copy data from the old device. → You can't use an old device? → Restore from Google backup.
4. Log in to the same Google Account and select backup. Apps will start installing from the Play Market.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not tolerated. APK-files installed from third-party sources (for example, via APKMirror).
• 📱 Apps removed from Play Market will not be restored.
• ⏳ The process can take several hours if there are many applications (they are installed sequentially).

💡

If some apps don’t show up after recovery, check the Play Market section. → Library → Installed. It can display programs that were not automatically installed due to incompatibility with the new version of Android.

3. Local cable transfer OTG adapter

If you don’t have internet access or want to migrate applications without cloud services, you can use a direct cable connection. OTG A special adapter (such as Xiaomi Type-C to Type-C) is suitable for porting.apk files and parts of data, but requires manual installation.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Micro-USB phones or Type-C to Type-C (for modern models).
• 📂 File Manager (e.g., built-in file manager) MI File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• ⚙️ Permission to install applications from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications).

Instructions:

1. Connect the old phone to the new one via cable. On the screen of the old device, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. On your new phone, open the file manager and go to the folder. /storage/emulated/0/ (internal memory of the old phone).
3. Copy the folder. Android/data/ (here are stored application data) and files with the.apk extension from the folder Download/ or APK/ (If you have saved them before).
4. On the new phone, install.apk files manually by opening them through the file manager.

⚠️ Attention: Application data (Android/data/) It will only be transferred to programs that don’t use encryption or device binding, such as WhatsApp or banking applications that can’t be recovered in this way, requiring a separate backup through export within the app itself.

4. Transfer over a local area network (Xiaomi Share or Mi Drop)

Xiaomi offers its own solution for wireless file transfer between devices, Xiaomi Share (formerly Mi Drop), which allows you to send.apk files and even folders with application data, but has limitations:

• 📶 It only works between Xiaomi devices (or Redmi/Poco) s MIUI 10+.
• 🔒 Not all apps can be ported: some block the transfer of their data through third-party services.
• 📱 Both phones should include Xiaomi Share and Wi-Fi Direct.

How to use:

1. Open up on the old phone. MI File Manager, select application files (.apk) or folder Android/data/ (If you need to postpone the preservation).
2. Press Share. → Xiaomi Share.
3. On the new phone, confirm receipt of files in the notification.
4. After transfer, install the.apk files manually and copy the data to the appropriate folders (if required).

Alternatively, if Xiaomi Share doesn’t work, use third-party file transfer apps like Send Anywhere or LocalSend. They don’t require registration and work via direct Wi-Fi transfer.

5. Full root-right backup (Titanium Backup or Swift Backup)

If your phone is unlocked (root-enabled), you can use professional tools to create a full backup of apps and their data.

• 🛠️ Titanium Backup (Paid version supports cloud sync).
• ⚡ Swift Backup (more modern analogue support for Android 10)+).
• 📦 OAndBackupX (open source, runs without root on some firmware).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Transfer all application data, including settings and cache.
• 📱 It works even for system applications (unless they are protected). MIUI).
• 🔒 You can create an encrypted backup for security.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Requires root rights, which deprives of warranty and can disrupt the work MIUI.
• ⚠️ Some banking apps refuse to work on phones with root.
• ⏳ The backup and recovery process can take several hours.

Instructions for Swift Backup:

1. Install Swift Backup from Play Market or F-Droid.
2. Provide root access (if requested).
3. Select backup apps, click Create backup and wait for completion.
4. Transfer the backup file to your new phone (via cloud or cable).
5. On the new phone, install Swift Backup, provide root, and recover data from the backup.

⚠️ Note: After obtaining root rights, some functions MIUI They may not work properly, such as: Mi Pay and Mi Home are not available. OTA (Reset the Face Unlock and Fingerprint settings, and we recommend using this method only for advanced users.

💡

If you don’t need root rights but need to migrate specific application data (like games), check if it supports export/import settings through the Settings menu. → Exporting data within the application itself.

6. Transfer of applications by means of ADB (power-user)

If you are familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), You can move applications and their data through the command line, and this method doesn't require root, but it involves working with the console and basic knowledge. ADB.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable.
• ⚙️ Included Debugging by USB on both phones (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock Developer Settings, then enable Debugging by USB).

Backup and recovery teams:

# Application backup and its data (example for WhatsApp)


adb backup -f whatsapp.ab -apk -obb -shared com.whatsapp




Recovery on a new phone



adb restore whatsapp.ab

Limitations ADB-backup:

• 🔒 Some apps (like Google Play Services) block backup creation.
• 📱 Nana MIUI You may need to disable the protection. MIUI (Settings → Special facilities → Protection MIUI → Shut down).
• ⏳ The process takes a long time if there are many applications.

If you have never worked with ADB, We recommend using simpler methods (see sections 1-4). For automation, you can use scripts, for example, Android Backup Extractor.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When migrating applications, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🚫 "Application not installed": Check if installation is allowed from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights. Make sure the.apk file is not corrupted (try to download it again) If the application is designed for a different architecture (arm64 vs x86), It won't install. Check compatibility on the developer's website.
• 🔄 "Application data not recovered”: Some applications (e.g, VK or Instagram) store data on servers - it does not need to be manually transferred, it is enough to log in. For games, check whether they support Google Play Games or its own cloud (for example, Genshin Impact has a cross-platform account).
• ☁️ "Mi Cloud doesn't see backup": Make sure both phones share the same region in Mi Account (e.g. Russia, not China). check if there's enough cloud space. If not, clear old backups or buy extra space. Reboot both phones and try again.

If nothing helps:

• 📞 Contact Xiaomi for support with phone models and a description of the problem.
• 🔧 Try resetting your network settings on your new phone (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions