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

Introduction: Why Standard Methods Don't Always Work

Moving apps between Xiaomi smartphones only at first glance seems like a trivial task.In practice, users face a lot of pitfalls: from the limitations of the smartphone. MIUI pass on APK-For example, many people do not know that when using Mi Mover (the built-in tool of Xiaomi), only system settings and contacts are transferred, but not the applications themselves with their cache.

Another common mistake is trying to copy /data/app manually through the file manager. This won't work because of the dynamic ART compilation that Android applies to installed applications. APK files in this folder are stored in an optimized form and can't be easily transferred to another device. In this article, we'll break down 5 proven methods with MIUI 14/15 features, including bypassing the restrictions for root and non-root devices.

Method 1: Transfer via Mi Account (Official Xiaomi Method)

The safest, but also the most limited, way is to use a Mi Account, which is suitable for transferring in-app purchases, some settings, and a list of installed programs (but not the apps themselves). APK-Here's how it works:

• 📱 On your old phone: Open Settings → Mi Account → Synchronize and enable the option "Applications".
• 🔄 On a new phone: Sign in to the same Mi Account and wait until sync is complete (may take up to 10 minutes).
• 📥 The Mi App Store will have a tab called "My Apps" with the installation history, and you can quickly restore the list of programs.

⚠️ Note: This method does not carry application data (for example, save in games or configure messengers). → The phone. → Backup. Also note that some applications (e.g. banking) may not be displayed in history due to security policies.

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If there are not enough programs in the My Apps list, check if they were installed from third-party sources (not through the Mi App Store). APK non-synchronize.

Method 2: Transmission via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct (for APK-file)

If you need to migrate application installers (APKs) rather than their data, you can use the built-in MIUI tools.This method is suitable for transferring up to 10-15 applications at a time, but has a file size limit (usually up to 1 GB).

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open Files → Categories → Applications.
2. Select the desired APK (long press → ticks).
3. Click "Send" and select Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct.
4. On the new phone, confirm the receipt of files.
5. After transfer, open the files and install them manually (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Rights).

⚠️ Note: When transmitting via Wi-Fi Direct on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) You may have a "failed to send" error:

• 🔌 Shut down. VPN proxy-server.
• 📶 Switch to 5GHz Wi-Fi (if supported).
• 🔄 Reboot both phones before transfer.

Method 3: Using Google Drive or another cloud

Cloud services are suitable for transfer as APK-The main advantage is that there are no restrictions on the distance between devices.

The following steps are provided for Google Drive:

Download APK-extractor (e.g., extractor, APK Extractor) on an old phone|

Export APK-file-to-folder on the device|

Download the APK folder to Google Drive|

Download files to a new phone |

Install APK via file manager-->

For backup of app data (e.g., Telegram messages or game progress):

1. In the application settings, find the option "Data Export" or "Backup".
2. Save your backup to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Dropbox).
3. On the new phone, install the app and recover data from the backup.

🔹 Important: Some apps (like WhatsApp) require that the phone number on the new device match the number on the old one, otherwise restoring chats may not work.

Method 4: Transfer over an OTG or PC cable

The most reliable method for transferring a large number of applications is using an OTG cable (for direct connection of phones) or a computer as an intermediary, which is suitable even for devices with damaged Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module.

Option 1: Direct OTG connection (requires a USB-C/Micro-USB adapter → USB-C):

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-cable.
2. On your old phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. On the new phone, open the files. → USB-storage.
4. Copy. APK-file /storage/emulated/0/APK_Extractor (if used APK Extractor or /data/app (Root rights are required).

Option 2: Computer:

• 🖥️ Connect both phones to the PC.
• 📂 Copy. APK-files from an old phone to a folder on your computer.
• 📱 Transfer files to a new phone.
• 🛠️ Install. APK through the Files → Local storage.

⚠️ Note: When copying from a folder /data/app without root rights, you will only get the application shells without their data:

• 🔓 Root access on both devices.
• 📦 Backup app like Titanium Backup (for older Android versions) or Swift Backup (for newer versions).
• 🔄 Restore backup on new phone with same root rights.

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To transfer these applications (not only APK) without root rights, use the built-in backup tools in the programs themselves (for example, Export Chats in WhatsApp or Sync in Google Photos).

Method 5: Local area network (FTP or HTTP-server)

For advanced users, the method with the deployment of the bowel is suitable HTTP/FTP-This allows you to transfer files at a speed close to Wi-Fi speed, without any size restrictions.

Instructions for HTTP-server (Simple application) HTTP Server):

1. Install Simple HTTP Server on an old phone from Google Play.
2. Open the server and specify the folder with APK-files (by default) /sdcard/Download).
3. Connect your new phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. On a new phone, open your browser and enter the address specified in Simple HTTP Server (e.g. http://192.168.1.100:8080).
5. Download the right ones. APK-files and install them.

For FTP-server (Solid Explorer application):

1. Open Solid Explorer on your old phone.




2. In the side menu, select "FTP-server" → "Run."




3. On the new phone, connect to FTP at the address of the view:




ftp://192.168.1.100:2221




Login: anonymous




Password: Leave blank




4. Copy files through the file manager.

🔹 Note: Transmission speeds over a local network can reach 50-70 MB/s (depending on the router) that 5-10 However, some antiviruses (such as Avast) can block such connections, so temporarily turn them off.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of the method of transfer depends on three key factors:

1. Type of data portable: APK only, APK+ data, or full backup system.
2. Root rights: without them, it is impossible to transfer data of some applications.
3. Equipment restrictions: for example, broken Bluetooth or no OTG-cable.

🔹 Recommendations for selection:

• 📱 For a quick transfer 5-10 Applications without data: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📦 To transfer application data (chats, games): Google Drive + export-in.
• 🔌 For a full backup with root rights: Titanium Backup + OTG-cable.
• 🚀 For mass transmission (50+ APK): Local area network (HTTP/FTP).

FAQ: Frequent Questions and Problems