How to Move WhatsApp Data from One Xiaomi to Another: A Complete 2026 Guide

Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t have to mean losing important WhatsApp correspondence, even if you’re swapping the Redmi Note 12 for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the Redmi Note 12 for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. POCO X5 on the Redmi K70, All messages, photos and videos can be transferred without loss, and the problem is that standard backups through Google Drive often run unstable on devices with a mobile device. MIUI, Manual file transfer requires knowledge of nuances.

In this article – current ways to transfer WhatsApp between Xiaomi smartphones, taking into account the features MIUI 14/15 Android 12-14. We will discuss official methods (including backup via Google Drive), alternative solutions for large amounts of data (up to the previous one). 100+ GB), as well as workarounds for cases where standard tools fail to work, and we will focus on data transfer between devices with different versions. MIUI — It's a frequent cause of failure.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start porting, make sure that both Xiaomi smartphones meet the key requirements, which will eliminate errors such as “failed to restore backup” or “files damaged”.

On your old phone, check:

• 📱 WhatsApp version – should be the latest (update to Google Play or via Google Play) APK).
• 🔋 Battery charge – at least 50% to ensure that the process is not interrupted.
• 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection (mobile internet is not suitable for large backups).
• 💾 Free space – the internal memory should be at least 1.5× The size of your WhatsApp archive.

On the new phone:

• 📲 Install WhatsApp from Google Play, but don’t launch it until the transfer is complete.
• 🔑 Use the same phone number and Google account as you used on your old device.
• 🛠️ Turn off battery optimization for WhatsApp in settings MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi already has a WhatsApp account, delete the app and clear its data through Settings → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the data, otherwise the backup will be impossible to restore.

2. Method 1: Official transfer via Google Drive (for the purpose of MIUI 14/15)

This is the cleanest method recommended by Meta (the WhatsApp developer), but it often crashes on Xiaomi due to the firmware. Follow the exact instructions to avoid errors.

Steps on the old phone:

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ (menu) → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Click Create a copy and select a Google account.
3. Wait until the process is completed (may take until the end of the process) 1-2 large-archive).
4. Make sure the date of the last backup appears at the top of the screen.

Steps on the new phone:

1. Install WhatsApp and launch it.
2. Confirm the phone number (must match the old device).
3. When a request for recovery appears, click Restore.
4. Wait until the data load is completed (don’t interrupt the process!).

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with regional firmware (e.g. China) ROM), Google Services can be disabled, in which case use method 3 (local backup).

Method 2: Local backup through internal memory (without cloud)

If Google Drive is not working (for example, due to restrictions in China) ROM Or slow Internet, you can transfer data through physical file copying, and this method works even on devices without Google Services.

Instructions for the old phone:

1. Create a local backup: Open WhatsApp → Settings → chat → Backup copy → Local copy.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
3. Go to the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases (If there is no folder, turn on the display of hidden files).
4. Copy the file. msgstore.db.crypt14 (or crypt12/13 for older versions on the computer.

Instructions for the new phone:

1. Install WhatsApp, but don’t run it.
2. Connect the new Xiaomi to your PC and create a folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
3. Move the previously copied file to msgstore.db.crypt*.
4. Launch WhatsApp and confirm the number – the system will automatically find a local backup.

If the WhatsApp folder is not displayed:

• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in Explorer (for example, in Mi File Explorer: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).
• 📁 If you don’t have a folder, create it manually (registration is important: WhatsApp, not whatsapp).

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If the backup file weighs more than 4GB, break it down using an archiver (e.g., a backup file, 7-Zip) formatted ZIP or RAR. This will help to avoid errors when copying FAT32-section.

Method 3: Transfer over PCs using Dr.Fone or MobileTrans

For users who don't want to mess with manual file copying, there are specialized programs that allow you to migrate not only chats, but also multimedia, settings and even WhatsApp call history.

Wondershare Dr.Fone (paid, but with a trial version)

1. Install the program on PC and connect both Xiaomi via USB.
2. Select the WhatsApp Transfer module.
3. Specify the source (old phone) and the target (new phone).
4. Press Start and wait until completion (takes up) 10-30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

MobileTrans (from Wondershare):

• 🖥️ Supports portability between Android and iOS (relevant if you are switching from iPhone to Xiaomi).

⚠️ Warning: Before using third-party programs, disable Mi-Protection in Xiaomi settings (Settings) → Memory. → Three points. → Special access → Debugging by USB). Otherwise, the PC will not be able to access the data.

5. Method 4: Transfer over Mi Mover (built-in solution from Xiaomi)

Xiaomi offers its own data migration solution, the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most devices with a mobile device. MIUI 10+ It allows you to transfer not only WhatsApp, but also other data (contacts, SMS, There are nuances, however:

How to use Mi Mover:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (if not, download from the App Store or APKMirror).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old one.
4. Select data for transfer (required to check WhatsApp).
5. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and wait until it is completed.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It doesn’t work if a WhatsApp account has already been launched on the new phone.
• 📶 Requires stable Wi-Fi (when the connection is interrupted).
• 🔄 It only transfers messages, but not always media files.

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Mi Mover is the easiest solution for Xiaomi users, but only works when you first launch a new phone.If WhatsApp has already been installed, use other methods.

Method 5: Manual transfer via ADB (for power users)

If none of the above methods work, you can use them. ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a versatile tool for working with the Android file system, but it requires technical skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB on your PC (download Google’s Platform Tools).
2. Connect the old Xiaomi to the PC and execute the command: adb backup -f whatsapp.ab -apk com.whatsapp On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (do not set a password!).
3. Turn off the old phone and plug in a new one. Restore the backup with the command: adb restore whatsapp.ab
4. Restart your new phone and check the data on WhatsApp.

Advantages of the method:

• 🛠️ It works even on devices with damaged firmware.
• 🔒 Does not require Google Services or MIUI-function-specific.
• 📦 Transfers all data, including notification settings.

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Do not interrupt the copying process - this can lead to loss of some data or even system failure.If the adb restore command gives an error, try first to delete WhatsApp from the new phone.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with accurate follow-up, Xiaomi users often encounter problems when porting WhatsApp, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

Error: "Can't restore backup"

• 🔹 Reason: Different versions of WhatsApp on devices.
• 🔹 Solution: Install the same version on the new phone APK, The same as the old one (download with APKMirror).

Error: "Backup file damaged"

• 🔹 Cause: Interrupted copying process or lack of space.
• 🔹 Solution: Delete the damaged file and create the backup again.

Error: “Impossible to connect to Google servers”

• 🔹 Reason: Google Play Services blocked in China ROM.
• 🔹 Solution: Install Google Framework manually or use local backup method.

Error: WhatsApp doesn't see backup on new phone

• 🔹 Reason: The backup file is in the wrong folder.
• 🔹 Solution: Check the way: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt14.

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If you are transferring data between devices with different versions of Android (for example, from Android 11 to Android 14), before restoring the backup, update WhatsApp to the latest version on both phones.

8. Additional tips for Xiaomi users

Moving WhatsApp is only part of the migration process to the new Xiaomi, and here are some tips to help avoid other problems:

Optimize WhatsApp after the transfer:

• 📁 Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Turn off autoload media in chat settings to save space.
• 🔒 Set up two-factor authentication on WhatsApp for security.

How to avoid future data loss:

• ⏰ Set up an automatic backup on Google Drive (weekly or monthly).
• 💾 Regularly copy the WhatsApp folder to your PC or external drive.
• 📱 Use Mi Cloud to back up your contacts and SMS (not WhatsApp!).

What to do if the transfer fails:

• 🔄 Try another method (for example, if Google Drive doesn’t work, use a local backup).
• 📧 Contact WhatsApp support via the feedback form in the app settings.
• 🛠️ If the problem is firmware MIUI, Consider the possibility of moving to Global ROM.

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On Xiaomi devices with China ROM You can’t transfer WhatsApp via Google Drive without first installing Google Services, in which case a local backup or a backup. ADB — only-stop-shop.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions