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

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but porting apps can be a real headache if you don’t know the nuances. Many users lose game saves, messaging settings, or even in-app purchases simply because they chose an inefficient migration method. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to migrate apps between Xiaomi phones, from official tools to workarounds for complex cases.

Xiaomi’s ecosystem has a few built-in synchronization solutions, but not all of them work perfectly, such as Mi Mover copying apps but skipping their data, and Mi Account only synchronizes system settings. We tested each method on devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS so you can choose the best option for your situation.

If you are switching from the Redmi Note 12 to the Xiaomi 14 Pro or just want to copy apps to a spare phone, this guide will help save hours. The main thing is not to start transferring at random: some methods can conflict with each other or lead to duplication of data.

1.Official method: Mi Mover - fast, but with limitations

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for data migration between the brand’s devices, pre-installed on all smartphones with a mobile phone. MIUI It's also HyperOS, but it's not perfect. 10-15 minutes and does not require a connection to the PC, but there are critical nuances.

The app copies:

  • 📱 Installed annexes (APK-file)
  • 📁 Photographs, videos and music
  • 📞 Contacts and call log
  • 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS)

However, Mi Mover does not tolerate:

  • 🚫 Application data (save games, chats in messengers)
  • 🚫 Account settings (for example, logins in social networks)
  • 🚫 Files from protected folders (e.g., files, DCIM/.thumbnails)

To take advantage of the Mi Mover:

  1. On both phones, go to Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover.
  2. Select a role: on the old phone, “I am the sender,” on the new phone, “I am the receiver.”
  3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone with an old device.
  4. Select data for transfer (required to mark "Applications").
  5. Confirm the start of the transfer and wait for the completion.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has data, Mi Mover will suggest resetting it to factory settings. This will delete ALL of the device's contents.

📊 What data transfer method do you use more often?
Mi Mover
Google Account
Manual transfer via PC
Other cloud services

2. synchronization via Mi Account – for system data and some applications

Mi Account (Xiaomi account) automatically syncs some data between devices, but its capabilities are very limited.

  • 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness)
  • 📅 Calendar and Notes (Mi Notes)
  • 🔄 Call log and contacts (unless you use Google)
  • 📁 Files from Mi Cloud (if downloaded there)

However, Mi Account does not tolerate:

  • 🚫 Installed apps (only listing them in the Mi App Store)
  • 🚫 Data from third-party applications (such as WhatsApp or VK)
  • 🚫 Files not uploaded to Mi Cloud in advance

To activate synchronization:

  1. On both phones, sign in to one Xiaomi account (Settings) → Xiaomi account).
  2. Go to Settings. → Synchronize and turn on all switches.
  3. Click on "Sync Now" and wait until it's finished.

To transfer the list of applications (without data):

  1. Open the Mi App Store on your old phone.
  2. Go to the Management. → My apps".
  3. Click "Export List" and save the file.
  4. On a new phone, import the list through the same section.

💡

If you are using Xiaomi 13T Or later, check the Settings section. → Memory. → Backup – there may be an option to transfer data over the Mi Cloud.

3. Google Account Transfer – Universal, but not for all apps

If you use Google services, some of the data can be transferred through a Google account, which works on all Android devices, but has its limitations:

  • ✅ Transferred: contacts, calendar, some application settings (such as Gmail or Google Maps).
  • ❌ Not portable: most third-party apps and their data (e.g. Telegram or TikTok).
  • ⚠️ Partially portable: Some games (if tied to Google Play Games).

Synchronization instructions:

  1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
  2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for Contacts, Calendar and Application Data.
  3. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account.
  4. On Google Play, open the "Library" → Installed – here will be a list of applications from the old device.

To restore game saves:

  1. Install Google Play Games on both phones.
  2. On your old phone, open the app and check that the games are tied to your account.
  3. On the new phone, launch the game and select “Sign in via Google Play”.

⚠️ Warning: If your old phone is disabled syncing with Google, the data may not be transferred. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.

Manual transfer through APK-Files for experienced users

If you only need to migrate applications without data, you can extract them. APK-You can use the files from the old phone and put them on the new one, and this is a technique that requires a little bit of technical skill, but it gives you complete control over the process.

You'll need:

  • 📱 Old and New Xiaomi Phone
  • 💻 Computer (optional, but more convenient)
  • 🔌 USB-cable
  • 🛠️ Extraction annex APK (for example, APK Extractor or App Backup & Restore)

Step-by-step:

  1. On the old phone, install it. APK Extractor from Google Play.
  2. Launch the application and select the desired programs for export.
  3. Copy the resulting.apk files to your computer or to the cloud (e.g. Google Drive).
  4. Transfer the files to the new phone.
  5. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications.
  6. Install. APK-manually.

Advantages of the method:

  • ✅ Even rare or modified applications are portable.
  • ✅ No link to Xiaomi or Google accounts.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Application data is not transferred (settings, saves).
  • ❌ You need to manually update the apps through Google Play.

Backup data on an old phone

Install APK Extractor from Google Play

Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network

Enable debugging on USB (if you use a PC)

Download Xiaomi drivers for PC (if necessary)-->

5. Transfer of application data via Titanum Backup (required) ROOT)

If you need to migrate not only apps but also their data (e.g. save games, setup messengers), the best way is to use Titanium Backup. However, this method requires root rights on both phones, which voids the warranty and can disrupt the system.

Titanium Backup allows you to:

  • 🔄 Transfer applications along with their data and cache.
  • 📦 Create backup copies of system settings.
  • 🔄 Restore data to a new device.

Instructions:

  1. Install Titanium Backup on both phones (root required).
  2. On your old phone, select "Reserve/Restore".
  3. Mark the desired applications and click "Save".
  4. Transfer backups (Titanium Backup folder) to your new phone.
  5. On the new phone in Titanium Backup, select Restore.

⚠️ Attention: Restore system applications (MIUI) You can crash on your new phone! Restor only custom programs.

Alternatives for devices without root:

  • 🔹 Swift Backup (works on some firmware without root).
  • 🔹 OAndBackupX (requires) ADB, rooted).
How to get root on Xiaomi?
Getting root rights on Xiaomi requires unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, installing custom recovery (for example, TWRP) And Magisk's firmware, and it's a risky process, because you lose your warranty, and if you make a mistake, your phone can turn into a brick. On HyperOS devices, unlocking is harder, you have to wait. 7-15 days after the account is linked. 4PDA or XDA Developers, but remember: we do not recommend doing this without experience!

6. Transfer via PC: ADB and specialized programmes

If you prefer to work through a computer, you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge or software like Xiaomi PC Suite. This method is suitable for advanced users and allows you to transfer data selectively.

Method 1: Through Xiaomi PC Suite

  • 🖥️ Download and install Xiaomi PC Suite from the official website.
  • 🔌 Connect both phones to the PC via USB (Turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers).
  • 📤 In the program, select "Reserve" for old phone.
  • 📥 Connect your new phone and select Restore".

Method 2: Through ADB (skilled)

  1. Install. ADB Tools on PC (e.g. Minimal) ADB and Fastboot).
  2. Connect your old phone and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
  3. Connect your new phone and recover data: adb restore backup.ab

Warnings when working with ADB:

  • ⚠️ Not all apps support backup through ADB (WhatsApp blocks backup of its data).
  • ⚠️ Restore to a new device can cause conflicts if the Android version or MIUI distinctly.
MethodMoves appsTransferring application dataPC requiredDifficulty
Mi Mover✅ Yes.❌ No.❌ No.⭐⭐☆
Mi Account❌ No, just a list)❌ No.❌ No.⭐☆☆
Google Account❌ No, just a list)⚠️ Partially (games)❌ No.⭐☆☆
Handheld APK transfer✅ Yes.❌ No.⚠️ Desirable.⭐⭐☆
Titanium Backup✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.⭐⭐⭐ (root)

7. Portability of specific applications: WhatsApp, Telegram, games

Some applications require a special approach to portability, and let's look at the most popular cases:

WhatsApp:

  • 🔹 Use the built-in backup in Settings → chat → Backup copy.
  • 🔹 Move the backup file (msgstore.db.crypt14) s /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases new phone.
  • 🔹 Install WhatsApp on your new phone and restore chats when you first start.

Telegram:

  • 🔹 All chats are synced through the cloud automatically when logged in to your account.
  • 🔹 To transfer local files (photos, videos) copy the folder /sdcard/Telegram.

Games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile)

  • 🔹 Most games are linked to a Google Play Games account, Facebook account, or your own account (e.g. miHoYo).
  • 🔹 Install the game on your new phone and log in to your linked account – progress will pick up automatically.
  • 🔹 For offline games, use Titanium Backup (root required).

Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff):

  • 🔹 Backup transfer prohibited for security reasons.
  • 🔹 Remove the app on your old phone, install it on a new one, and log in again.
  • 🔹 Some banks (e.g. Alfa-Bank) allow data transfer through the QR-code.

💡

For most instant messengers and games, you just need to log into a linked account on a new phone, the data will be downloaded automatically, with the exception of offline applications and banking services.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When migrating apps, users often face typical problems, and here's how to prevent them:

1. apps are not installed on a new phone

  • 🔹 Check if the app is compatible with the Android version on the new device.
  • 🔹 Enable installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights).
  • 🔹 If APK It is not installed, download it again from APKMirror.

2. Application data is not transferred

  • 🔹 For games and messengers, use the binding to the account.
  • 🔹 Downloads for root and Titanium backup.
  • 🔹 Check if the app supports backup (for example, WhatsApp makes backups, and Viber does not).

3. Mi Mover freezes or gives an error

  • 🔹 Make sure that both phones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
  • 🔹 Restart both devices before starting the transfer.
  • 🔹 If the error is "Unable to connect", try using Mi Mover via cable. OTG (need an adapter).

4.The new phone is running out of space

  • 🔹 Before transferring, clear the cache on your old phone (Settings) → Memory. → Cleanup).
  • 🔹 Transfer only the necessary applications, not everything.
  • 🔹 Use Google Drive, Mi Cloud for temporary storage.
What if Mi Mover doesn’t see a new phone?
1. Check that both phones have the latest version of Mi Mover installed (update via Google Play). 2. VPN and firewall (they can block the connection). 3. Try connecting via a mobile hotspot instead of Wi-Fi. 4. If nothing helps, use alternative methods (ADB hand-carry APK).

Can I transfer applications from Xiaomi to another brand phone (Samsung, iPhone)?
On Android (Samsung, Pixel, etc.): Use Google Account to sync apps from Google Play or Smart Switch (for Samsung). App data is more difficult to transfer — you will need a manual backup. On iPhone: Direct portability is impossible. You can only transfer data through cloud services (for example, WhatsApp via iCloud). Most Android applications will have to be installed again from the App Store.
Will purchases in games and apps be transferred?
Shopping is tied to a Google Play account, not a device. If you log in to the same account on a new phone, purchases will be restored automatically when you install the app, except for offline apps without linking to your account.
How to transfer applications if the old phone broke?
If the phone doesn't turn on but you have access to its memory: Remove the memory card (if the data was on it) and connect it to a new phone. If the phone responds to a PC connection, use it. ADB Data extraction (adb pull) /sdcard/). If the phone is completely dead, data can only be recovered through specialized services (expensive and not always possible).
Do I need to untie my old phone from my Mi Account before transferring?
No, it's not necessary. You can use one Xiaomi account on multiple devices at the same time. However, if you're selling an old phone, we recommend: Make a factory reset (Settings) → Additionally. → Reset and restore your device from account.xiaomi.com.
Can I transfer apps from my phone to my Xiaomi tablet?
Yes, all the methods described (Mi Mover, Google Account, manual transfer) APK) They also work for Xiaomi tablets (such as the Xiaomi Pad 6.