How to transfer apps to another Xiaomi phone with all the data: 5 proven ways

Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but porting apps with all the data saved can be a real headache. Even if you use MIUI 14/15, standard synchronization tools do not always copy game progress, messenger settings or local application files. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring from the official Mi Mover to manual backup through ADB, taking into account the nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

We will pay special attention to the hidden limitations of MIUI: why some applications (for example, banking or DRM-protected) do not migrate through the cloud, how to bypass the backup limit of 5 GB, and what to do if the new phone does not see the old one through the Mi Mover.

If you have already tried to transfer data and encountered errors (for example, code) 10008 Mi Mover or “not enough space” when recovering from the cloud, there is a section with solutions at the end of the article. 90% And for rooted device owners, it's a bonus option with full partition cloning. /data through TWRP.

1. Official method: Mi Mover (without PC)

Mi Mover is a standard solution from Xiaomi for transferring data between phones to MIUI. It is pre-installed on all modern models (starting with the Redmi Note 8) and supports transfer:

• 📱 Annexes (including APK-files and data if the application supports backup)
• 💬 Messages, contacts, call logs
• 📷 Photos, videos and music, but not DRM-file-protection)
• 📅 Calendars and notes (only if synchronized with Mi Account)

However, there are critical limitations:

• ❌ Does not tolerate data from applications using Android Backup Service (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram – they need separate backups).
• ❌ Maximum transmission capacity – 5 GB (if exceeded, you will have to use alternative methods).
• ❌ In some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 12 Lite requires Mi Mover update to latest version via Google Play.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or search by settings).
2. Select a role: on the old phone - "Sender", on the new - "Receiver".
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point on an old phone.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old one.
5. Select data for transfer (applications marked separately) and confirm the transfer.

Update the Mi Mover on both phones|Battery charge >50%|Free space on the new phone ≥ volume|Turn it off. VPN/proxy|Check the stability of Wi-Fi-->

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If Mi Mover doesn't see the second phone, restart both devices and reconnect. On models with MIUI 15, it sometimes helps to turn off the Smart Transfer feature in Wi-Fi settings.

2.Move over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Xiaomi’s cloud backup is handy if you have a stable internet connection and a Mi Account with enough space (free 5GB, but it can be expanded to 200GB for 299).₽/The method is suitable for transferring to a new Xiaomi phone or even to devices of other brands (for example, Samsung), but with limitations.

What's moving through the cloud:

• 📲 List of installed applications (without data if the developer does not support backup)
• 📞 Contacts, SMS/MMS, call-book
• 🖼️ Photo and video (only if Auto Sync is enabled in the Gallery)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, network parameters)

How to make a backup and restore:

On an old phone:


Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup




- Select data and click "Backup"





On the new phone:




When you first turn on, select "Restore from backup"




- Illater: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore

⚠️ Warning: If you restore backup to a phone with another version MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 on MIUI 15), some applications may fail, in which case, after recovery, it is recommended to reset the network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

3. Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

Synchronization with Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer basic data, as it works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi.

• ✅ Contacts, calendars, tasks (Google Tasks)
• ✅ Wi-Fi settings and some system settings
• ✅ Apps from Google Play (list only) without data)
• ✅ Photo/video if sync is enabled in Google Photos
• ❌ Not tolerated: SMS, call log, local application files, settings MIUI.

How to set up:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts and sync → Google → Select an account → Sync everything.
2. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select “Copy Data” → “From Cloud Storage” → sign in to the same Google Account.
3. For apps: After logging in, open Google Play → Library → Installed → select “Install Everything.”

🔹 Gamer tip: If you need to move forward with game progress, check if the game supports sync through Google Play Games. To do this, open the game on your old phone, go to your account settings and find the option "Save progress to the cloud." On the new phone, after installing the game, log in to the same Google Play Games account.

4. Manual copying via PC (for power users)

If official methods are not suitable (for example, due to a 5GB limitation or incompatible versions of MIUI), you can transfer data manually through the computer, which takes longer, but gives you complete control over the process.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-Type C cables (better original from Xiaomi)
• 📂 Programs: Mi PC Suite (official) or ADB (for advanced users)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode (selected when you connect USB).
2. Copy folders: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – application data /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ – additional game files /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/ – photo and video /storage/emulated/0/Downloads/ – downloads

new phone

Google Play

/Android/data/

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For transfer SMS and call logs use the app SMS Backup & Restore (free on Google Play) saves data in the XML-A file that is then restored to a new phone.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as WhatsApp or banking) encrypt data and will not work after manual copying:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (saves to Google Drive).
• 🏦 Banking applications: usually require re-authorization (data is not portable).

5. Advanced Method: ADB Backup (full backup)

If you need to migrate all data without exception (including settings for applications that are not synced to the cloud), use ADB Backup. This method requires debugging over USB and working with the command line, but gives maximum completeness of copying.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (download from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version → Come back to the extra. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📡 Stable connection by USB (It is better to use the back port of the PC).

Backup and recovery teams:

# Create a backup (on PC, in the ADB terminal):


adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab




Restore the backup on the new phone:



adb restore backup.ab

🔹 Important nuances:

• The backup is created in.ab format and can weigh tens of gigabytes.
• Some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi K60) require OEM Unlock unlocking in the developer settings.
• When you restore, some applications may request a re-entering password (especially banking ones).

💡

ADB Backup is the only way to migrate data from applications that don’t support cloud sync (e.g., local databases or Termux settings).

6. Alternative applications for data transfer

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we tested 5 popular applications and made a comparison table:

🔹 Recommendation: For most Xiaomi users, the best choice is Clone Phone – it is preinstalled on new phones and works more stable than third-party counterparts. If you want to transfer only files (photos, videos, documents), Send Anywhere is suitable.

The official tools (Mi Mover, Mi Cloud)|Manual copying via PC|Third-party applications (SHAREit, Clone Phone)|ADB root-methods|I don't carry data, I install everything again.-->

Solving typical transfer problems

Even when following instructions, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

• 🚫 Mi Mover Mistake 10008: Delete the Settings app cache → Annexes → Application management → Mi Mover → If it doesn't work, reboot both phones.
• 🔄 Mi Cloud doesn't restore data: Check that the new phone has the same version MIUI, If the versions are different, use the same. ADB Backup.
• 📱 Apps don't recover after copying folders: Make sure the new phone has the same folder permissions (e.g, /Android/data/ should be available for recording).
• 🔒 Authorization requests in banking applications: It's normal, the data of these applications are not portable for security reasons.
• 🐢 Slow Wi-Fi Transfer: Connect your phones to a 5GHz router or use it USB-OTG direct copy adapter.

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from your phone to your phone MIUI Global on the phone MIUI China (or vice versa), there may be trouble recovering from firmware differences, in which case the only reliable way to do so is to make the most of the damage — ADB Backup or manual copying.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi