How to transfer WhatsApp data from Android to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why WhatsApp to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to saving years of correspondence on WhatsApp. Unlike the iPhone, where data migration is simplified thanks to iCloud, owners of Android devices face nuances: different versions of firmware, features and features. MIUI For example, WhatsApp backups on Google Drive are not compatible between devices with different Google accounts or when changing a phone number, a key trap that many people learn about too late.

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi series, POCO And Mi have a unique storage architecture that affects the recovery process. /sdcard/WhatsApp On a new phone, the messenger may not see the backup because of differences in the structure of internal memory, MIUI Often blocks access to system folders without additional permissions, making manual transfers more difficult.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods of data transfer – from official (via Google Drive and local backup) to alternative (using third-party tools like Dr.Fone or MobileTrans). We will pay special attention to the typical errors that cause users to lose chats, and show how to avoid them on Xiaomi smartphones with a mobile phone. MIUI 12/13/14.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you migrate, make sure that both devices meet the key requirements, which will save you 80% of the problems during the recovery phase.

• 📱 Old phone: WhatsApp upgraded to the latest version (check Google Play), enough free space to create a backup (minimum 1.5)× From the chat size, Google account is tied and synced.
• 📱 New Xiaomi: The same version of WhatsApp as the old device (or newer), Google account is identical (if you use Google Drive), all battery optimizations for the messenger are disabled in Settings → Annexes → Battery management.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Both phones are at least 50% charged – the transfer process can take from 10 minutes to several hours (depending on the amount of data).
• 📶 Internet: Stable Wi-Fi connection (mobile internet is not recommended due to traffic restrictions) USB-cable (Type-C or adapter).

⚠️ Note: If you change your phone number when you transfer, first link the new number to your WhatsApp account on your old device (in profile settings!

Xiaomi users are critical to disable the function MIUI Optimization in the Developer (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additional settings → For developers → Shut down. MIUI This will prevent backup recovery failures due to background system optimization.

Method 1: Officially move over Google Drive (for one account)

This is the most reliable way to use the same Google account on both devices, but it has limitations: backup is created only when you connect to Wi-Fi, and the archive size should not exceed 15 GB (for a free Google account).

Step 1: Create a backup on an old phone

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup.
2. Click Create a copy (if the last copy is older than 7 days, it is recommended to create a new one).
3. Select a Google account to save (make sure the new Xiaomi uses the same account!).
4. Wait for the process to be completed (time depends on the volume of chats and Internet speed).

Step 2: Recovery on the new Xiaomi

1. Install WhatsApp on your new phone and open it.
2. Confirm the phone number (should match the number on the old device!).
3. When a recovery request appears, select Restore from Google Drive.
4. Wait for the data download and unpacking to be completed (don’t close the application!).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later, before recovery, disable the function Automatic Memory Management in Settings → It can interrupt the process because of the "optimization" of background tasks.

Make sure that Google accounts on both phones are the same

Check that the phone number has not changed

Free up at least 2 GB of memory on the new Xiaomi

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network

Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp-->

Method 2: Local backup via WhatsApp folder (for power users)

This method is suitable if you do not want to use Google Drive or have large chats (over 15 GB), however, it requires manual copying of files and can cause errors when data is transmitted incorrectly.

Step 1: Create a local backup on your old phone

1. Open WhatsApp. → Settings → chat → Backup → Local backups.
2. Click Create a copy (the file will be saved in the folder) /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases name-name msgstore.db.crypt14).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and copy the entire WhatsApp folder to your computer (including Media, Databases, Backups subfolders).

Step 2: Transfer files to the new Xiaomi

1. Connect the new Xiaomi to your PC and move the WhatsApp folder to the root directory of internal memory (not to the Download! folder).
2. Install WhatsApp on your new phone, but don’t open it right away.
3. Use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) and rename the backup file with the file. msgstore.db.crypt14 on msgstore.db.crypt12 (This bypasses the restriction on the encryption version).
4. Now open WhatsApp and confirm the number – the app should automatically detect the local backup.

If WhatsApp doesn’t see the backup, check:

• 🔍 WhatsApp folder is at the root of memory (/storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp, not /sdcard/Download/WhatsApp).
• 🔍 The backup file has the correct name (msgstore.db.crypt12 for MIUI).
• 🔍 There is plenty of room on the new phone (backup) + doubled-size media files).

Method 3: Transfer through third-party programs (Dr.Fone, MobileTrans)

If the official methods don't work, specialized tools come to the rescue, they are paid, but they offer additional features: transferring between different numbers, selecting individual chats for migration, and even recovering deleted messages.

Top.-3 Programs for transferring WhatsApp to Xiaomi:

Instructions for Dr.Fone (on the example of Xiaomi Redmi Note 12):

1. Install Dr.Fone on PC and connect both phones USB (Turn on the debugging. USB developer-setting).
2. Select the WhatsApp Transfer module → Transfer WhatsApp messages.
3. Specify the source (old phone) and the target (new Xiaomi).
4. Press Start and wait until it is completed (the process can take up to 1 hour for large chats).
5. Once completed, turn off the phones and check the chats on the new device.

⚠️ Note: When using MobileTrans on Xiaomi with MIUI 14 may appear error "Failed to detect device." Solution: in the developer settings, disable Verify apps over USB and reboot the phone.

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Before using third-party programs, back up chats via Google Drive or locally. Some utilities (like Backuptrans) can delete data on the original device after porting.

Method 4: Move over Xiaomi Cloud (only for Mi Account holders)

If you use a Mi Account, you can use Xiaomi Cloud, a branded cloud storage method that is less popular, but is suitable for backing up not only chats, but also other data (contacts, notes).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It only works between Xiaomi devices (not suitable for porting from Samsung, Huawei, etc.).
• ❌ The volume of free storage is only 5 GB (for chats with media this is not enough).
• ❌ Recovery is possible only on a new phone with the same Mi Account.

How to transfer chats through Xiaomi Cloud:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup → Select WhatsApp and click Create a Backup.
2. On the new Xiaomi: Sign in to the same Mi Account and go to Xiaomi Cloud → Recovery.
3. Select the last backup and wait for the download to be completed.
4. Install WhatsApp and confirm the number – chats should appear automatically.

If the chats have not recovered, check:

• 🔄 The new phone has synchronization with Xiaomi Cloud (Settings) → Mi Account → Synchronization).
• 🔄 Backup is created no later than 30 days ago (otherwise the system will not show it).
• 🔄 Both devices use the same version. MIUI (or the difference is not more 1major-version).

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Xiaomi Cloud is a convenient way for owners of several Xiaomi devices, but due to the 5GB limit, it is only suitable for text chats without media files.

Method 5: Manual transfer through ADB (for advanced users)

This method requires command line knowledge and is suitable if other methods have not worked.It allows you to transfer all WhatsApp data, including settings and cache, but requires root or unlocked bootloader rights to Xiaomi.

Warning: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause data loss or system failure, and we recommend you to create a full backup of the phone before starting.

Step 1 Installation ADB and phone connection

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it on PC.
2. On both phones, turn on the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect your old phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: Adb devices (the device name should be displayed).

Step 2: Copying WhatsApp data

1. Copy the folder. /data/data/com.whatsapp From an old phone: Adb pull /data/data/com.whatsapp C:\WhatsApp_Backup\
2. Turn off your old phone and connect a new Xiaomi.
3. Transfer the data back to: adb push C:\WhatsApp_Backup\com.whatsapp /data/data/
4. Access rights: Adb shell chmod -R 777 /data/data/com.whatsapp

Step 3: Restoring chat rooms

Install WhatsApp on your new phone and confirm the number. The app should automatically detect the transferred data. If the chats do not appear, check:

• 🛠️ Folder rights. /data/data/com.whatsapp (must 777).
• 🛠️ The new phone has disabled the function MIUI Optimization (see section "Preparation").
• 🛠️ WhatsApp versions on both devices are the same (if not, upgrade to the latest one).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader, the adb push command may not work due to restrictions MIUI. In this case, use TWRP Recovery for manual file copying.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when you follow instructions, users have problems. TOP-5 Mistakes when transferring WhatsApp to Xiaomi and how to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative approach:

1. Export important chats to.txt via Settings → chat → Chat history → Chat exports.
2. Save media files manually (copy folder) WhatsApp/Media PC-only).
3. On a new phone, import chats through Google Keep or another note manager.

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If you port WhatsApp to Xiaomi with Chinese firmware (without Google services), first install Google Play Services via APKMirror.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions