How to transfer apps to the new Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the transfer of applications can turn into a real headache if you do not know the nuances. Even experienced users have questions: how to save game data, do not lose the settings of messengers or migrate rare applications that are not in Google Play. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of migration, from standard MIUI tools to little-known life hacks.

Xiaomi phones have a few built-in data porting solutions, but not all of them are equally effective. Mi Mover, for example, is great at handling contacts and photos, but often forgets about some applications. And the Mi Cloud service may not be suitable if you have limited traffic or slow Internet. We tested all methods on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra models - and we are ready to share the results.

Importantly, if you switch from Android to Android (like the old Samsung to the new Xiaomi), the process will be easier than if you change the platform (from iOS to MIUI), in which case some applications will have to be installed again.

1.Moving over Mi Cloud: Pros and Cons of Cloud Method

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage service that automatically syncs data between devices, and to move apps through it, you’ll need to:

• 🔹 Mi Account (if not, register in advance).
• 🔹 Stable Wi-Fi connection (the volume of data can reach several gigabytes).
• 🔹 Enough free space in the cloud (free is given 5 GB, but for applications this is not enough).

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the Appendix item (may be called Application Data).
3. Wait until the download is complete (time depends on the speed of the Internet).
4. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync.

⚠️ Note: Mi Cloud is not a problem APK-The files of the apps themselves are their data (such as saving games or settings), and the programs themselves will have to be installed again from Google Play or GetApps.

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If you don’t have much space in Mi Cloud, clear unnecessary backups in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage Management before synchronizing.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔸 Automatic update of data when changing on one of the devices.
• 🔸 Selective synchronization (no unnecessary applications can be excluded).

Disadvantages:

• 🔸 Volume limit (5 GB free).
• 🔸 Not all applications support cloud sync (for example, some banking programs block this feature).

2.Using Mi Mover: Local Transfer Without Internet

Mi Mover is a direct-connection application built into MIUI that works even without internet, making it ideal for users with limited traffic.

How to transfer applications through Mi Mover:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (if not, download from GetApps).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the source, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Connect devices via Wi-Fi Direct (a local area network is automatically created).
4. On an old phone, tick the Apps and click Transfer.

⚠️ Note: If some of the portable apps are already installed on the new phone, Mi Mover may suggest replacing their data, which will result in the loss of current settings on the new device!

Install Mi Mover on both phones|Charge both devices at least 50 times%|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (if there is no Wi-Fi Direct)|Free up space on a new phone (minimum 20% free memory)|Shut down. VPN both-device-->

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data, for example, 10 GB of applications can be transmitted from 20 to 40 minutes, and if the process is interrupted, you can resume it from the same place — Mi Mover saves progress.

3. OTG Cable Transfer: For Power Users

If you have OTG-cable USB-C to USB-C), You can connect your old phone to your new one as an external drive and manually copy it. APK-This method is suitable for rare programs that are not available on Google Play, or if you want to save specific versions of apps.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-cable.
2. On the new phone, open Explorer and select the connected device.
3. Go to /data/app/ (may need root access!).
4. Copy folders with the names of the desired applications (for example, com.whatsapp-1).
5. Put them in the same folder on the new phone.

⚠️ Note: Without root rights, you will not be able to access the folder /data/app/. Alternatively, use apps like App Backup & Restore that can extract. APK rootless.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔸 Full control over the transferred files.
• 🔸 Ability to save specific versions of applications.

Disadvantages:

• 🔸 Requires technical skills.
• 🔸 Do not transfer application data (only themselves) APK).

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4.Move over Google Account: Universal but limited method

If you use a Google Account, some of the apps and their data can be transferred through Google Play and Google Drive, which is suitable if you are switching from another Android device (not necessarily Xiaomi).

What exactly is being transferred:

• 📱 List of installed applications (but not the application itself) APK).
• 🔧 Some app settings (if they support syncing with Google Drive).
• 🎮 Save games (if the game uses Google Play Games).

How it works:

1. On your old phone, check that sync with Google Account is enabled (Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync).
2. When you first launch a new Xiaomi, log in to the same Google Account.
3. In Google Play, go to the Library → Installed – here will be a list of your apps.

Important: Some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) require separate backups, and their data is not transferred through a Google Account!

Third-party applications for transfer: when standard methods do not work

If the built-in tools Xiaomi does not suit you, you can use third-party programs.

• 📲 ShareIt (Fast Wi-Fi Direct Transfer).
• 📲 Xender (similar to ShareIt but with support for large files).
• 📲 App Backup & Restore (Create Backups) APK data).
• 📲 Cloneit (specializes in transferring applications and their data).

Example of transfer via App Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On an old phone, select the desired applications and create a backup.
3. Export the backup to your new phone (via cloud, Wi-Fi Direct, or cable).
4. On the new phone, restore the data from the backup.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking or with) DRM-protection) can block backups through third-party programs, in which case the data will have to be manually transferred or synchronized through official channels.

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The portable side of the app is convenient, but not always reliable. Check reviews on Google Play before using it, as some programs may contain ads or collect data.

6.Moving apps from iPhone to Xiaomi: features and pitfalls

If you're moving from an iPhone to Xiaomi, the process of porting apps is complicated by the different platforms.

• 🍎 Apps from the App Store are not portable – they will have to be installed again from Google Play.
• 🔄 Application data (e.g. game saves) can only be transferred if the program supports cross-platform synchronization (e.g., via Facebook or Google Account).
• 📱 Mi Mover doesn’t work with iOS – use Move to iOS to transfer contacts and photos (but it doesn’t work backwards!).

Algorithm of action:

1. Back up your iPhone in iCloud or iTunes.
2. To transfer contacts, export them to Google Account (via Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add a Google Account).
3. Install the right apps on Xiaomi from Google Play.
4. To transfer these games, check if the game supports sync via Google Play Games or social networks.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like WhatsApp) allow you to transfer chats from your iPhone to Android, but you need to use official tools to do so. For example, WhatsApp offers the feature to Move chats to Android when you first start on a new phone.

7 Post-Mobile Optimization: What to Do If Applications Are Not Working Right

Even after a successful port, some applications may behave strangely: fly out, don't open, or lose data.

• 🔄 Clear the problem app's cache (Settings) → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📥 Update the app to the latest version on Google Play.
• 🔧 Check the permissions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).
• 🗑️ Reinstall the app if nothing helps.

If the app doesn't run at all, it may not be compatible with the Android version on your new Xiaomi. Check the OS requirements in the program description on Google Play.

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After the transfer, it is recommended to make a cache reset system: go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Cleanup → Cash. This will help avoid lags.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving apps to Xiaomi