How to Transfer Apps from One Android Smartphone to Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide to 2026

Transferring apps to a new smartphone is a challenge that every Xiaomi Redmi user faces when updating their gadget. Even if you save data in the cloud, you can save it yourself. APK-Files, app settings, and cache are often lost, and manually installing each takes hours. In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to migrate apps between Android devices, including Xiaomi’s proprietary tools, third-party utilities, and hidden system features.

The Redmi series features a modified MIUI firmware that offers unique portability options (like Mi Mover), but also has limitations. We tested each method on Redmi Note 12/13 Pro, Redmi 10C and POCO X5 models to find the only way that stores 100% of these applications, including logins and game progress, as described in the TiBackup section.

Important: if you are switching from a device of another brand (for example, Samsung or Google Pixel), some methods will require additional actions – we will warn you about this in advance. MIUI.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary data porting app pre-installed on all Redmi and POCO. It works on a point-to-point basis via Wi-Fi Direct, without requiring cloud storage. It is suitable for migrating between devices in the same Xiaomi ecosystem (for example, from the old Redmi 9 to the new Redmi Note 13 Pro+).

How to use:

• 📱 Install Mi Mover on both smartphones (on the new it already exists, on the old download from Google Play).
• 🔗 On the old phone, select "I am the sender" and on the new one, "I am the receiver".
• 📶 Connect to the created Wi-Fi network (password will appear on the screen of the new device).
• ✅ Select "Applications" in the data list for transfer and confirm the transfer.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not transfer data to some system applications (for example, Mi Fit or Mi Home).
• ❌ Android 12.+ Permission to install from unknown sources may be required.
• ❌ Does not work if the old phone has custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).

⚠️ Note: If the new Redmi already has a Mi Account, log out before transferring – otherwise Mi Mover will block the installation of applications due to a conflict of rights.

2. Cloud sync through Google Account

The most versatile method, working on any Android device, including Xiaomi Redmi. Suitable if you are switching from a phone of another brand (like Honor or Realme).Google automatically syncs the list of installed apps, but not their data (cache, settings, saves).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Google → Backup and turn on “Download to Google Drive”.
2. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google account.
3. In the backup list, select the last one and confirm the recovery.

What will be rescheduled:

• ✅ List of applications (installed from Google Play automatically).
• ✅ Contacts, calendars, notes (if synchronized).
• ❌ Not transferred: game data (for example, progress in Genshin Impact), settings of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), cache files.

💡

If some apps are not installed after recovery, check the “Not Installed” list in Google Play → Library and start installing manually.

Manual transfer APK-file + data-driven ADB

This is a way for experienced users who are willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge, which allows you to move more than just APK-files, but also application data (such as game saves or settings) VLC). It is suitable for all devices, including Redmi. MIUI 14.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and drivers for Xiaomi.
• 📁 Access to the folder /data/app (requires an unlocked bootloader or root rights).

Instructions:

1. Connect the new Redmi and restore the data: adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Attention: MIUI Adb backup is disabled by default for system applications. To get around this, do adb shell settings put global shell settings before creating a backup. adb_backup_enabled 1

4 Third-party programs: Titanium Backup and Swift Backup

To fully control the transfer of applications, use specialized utilities. APK-Files, data, settings and even system applications.The best options for Xiaomi Redmi:

Instructions for Swift Backup (recommended for Redmi):

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On the old device, create a backup (Menu → Backup).
3. Move the backup file to the new Redmi (via Mi Share or the cloud).
4. On the new phone, restore the data (Menu → Restore).

Turn off MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings

Install Magisk (if root is required)

Create a backup copy of the SD-card

Check the space available on the new device (at least 2 required)× backup)-->

5. Transfer over a local area network (F-Droid or LocalSend)

If you don't have a computer or cables, you can transfer applications over Wi-Fi using open utilities, which requires no root rights and works on any version of Android, including MIUI 14.

The best apps for this:

• 📲 LocalSend – an open alternative to AirDrop with encryption.
• 📲 F-Droid – a software catalogue with the possibility of export APK.
• 📲 Send Anywhere – Transfer of files QR-code.

How to transfer applications through LocalSend:

1. Install LocalSend on both phones from Google Play or F-Droid.
2. On your old phone, open Settings → Applications, select the desired one and click "Export APK" (some firmware will require APK Extractor).
3. Send. APK-file via LocalSend to the new Redmi.
4. Install the resulting file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access).

⚠️ Note: Apps downloaded from Google Play may not install due to license verification.In this case, use APKMirror Installer to bypass restrictions.

6. Transfer of games and applications with saves

It's critical for gamers to keep not only APK, but also progress in games. Most modern games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) link data to an account, but some (e.g. Minecraft or Stardew Valley) store saves locally. Here's how to transfer them:

Methods depending on the type of game:

• 🎮 Online games (e.g. Call of Duty Mobile): log in to the same account (Google Play Games, Facebook, Mi Account) – progress will be automatically picked up.
• 📱 Offline games (e.g. Alto’s Odyssey): copy the save folder (usually /Android/data/name.package) via Mi File Manager or ADB.
• 🖥️ Emulators (e.g., emulators, PPSSPP): Export the game state through the emulator menu and transfer the.pps file to the new phone.

For games with local saves (e.g. Terraria):

1. On your old phone, find a folder with saves (usually in /Android/obb or /data/data).
2. Copy it to your PC or cloud.
3. On the new Redmi, install the game from Google Play, then replace the folder with saves (use MiXplorer with root access).

💡

For cloud-based save games (such as Clash of Clans), log in to the same account is enough. Local saves require manual file transfers!

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your tasks and technical capabilities. Below is a table with a comparison of key parameters:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔄 Xiaomi to Xiaomi: Use the Mi Mover + Swift Backup for Data.
• 📱 Switching from another Android: Google Account + Titanium Backup (if there is root).
• 🎮 Game portability: check if the game supports cloud saves, if not – use it ADB.
• ⚡ Maximum speed: LocalSend for APK + Mi Account for synchronization.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When migrating applications, users of Xiaomi Redmi often encounter typical errors.

"App not installed" ("App not installed"):

• 🔹 Check the processor architecture: if the old phone is on arm7, new on arm8, some APK Solution: download the compatible version with APKMirror.
• 🔹 Turn off Play Protect on Google Play → Settings.
• 🔹 Remove the remnants of the old version: Settings → Annexes → [name] → Delete the data.

"Application data not transferred":

• 🔹 For WhatsApp: Make a backup in Settings → chat → Backup and restore it to your new phone.
• 🔹 For gaming: check if progress is tied to an account (e.g. Google Play Games).
• 🔹 For system applications (e.g. Mi Fit): log in to the same Xiaomi account.

"Mi Mover can't see the old device"

• 🔹 Reboot both phones.
• 🔹 Turn on "Debugging by" USB" Developer settings on an old phone.
• 🔹 Update the Mi Mover to the latest version.

💡

If applications are unstable after transfer, clear their cache: Settings → Apps → [name] → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions