How to transfer apps to Xiaomi’s new phone: Full Guide 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting event, but porting apps can turn into a headache if you don’t know the nuances: Many users lose data, face synchronization errors, or simply spend hours manually installing each app. This article will help you avoid common mistakes and choose the best way to migrate depending on your model (Redmi Note 13 Pro).+, POCO X6, Mi 14 Ultra, etc.) and versions MIUI.

We will cover all the current methods – from automatic synchronization via Mi Account to manual transfer using cable. USB-C/OTG. We're going to focus on keeping game progress, messaging settings, and banking app data that often block backups. If you're switching from an iPhone or other Android device, you'll find solutions here, too.

⚠️ Critical warning: Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) may block access when transferred via backups. SMS push-notification.

Before starting the procedure, check:

• 🔋 Charging both phones >50% (transfer can take up to 2 hours)
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile Internet) 4G/5G)
• 📱 The new Xiaomi should have the latest version installed. MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Updating the system)

1. Automatic transfer via Mi Account (recommended for Xiaomi) → Xiaomi)

The most reliable way for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO — Using the built-in Mi Mover feature, which runs through the cloud service Mi Account, which stores not only the list of applications, but also the list of applications:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS call-book
• 📷 Photo and video (optional)
• 🎮 Progress in games (if maintained)
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sound profiles, Wi-Fi passwords)

Step instructions:

1. On your old phone: go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Select the data to save (required to mark "Applications").
2. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, the system will offer to restore data. Select "Restore with Mi Account." If the phone is already configured, go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account → Data recovery.
3. Sign in with the same Mi Account as your old device.
4. Select the latest backup and confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone was enabled with the function Application Protection (in Settings) → Annexes → Application lock, some data may not be transferred.Before backing up, disable this option.

Disable app locking on your old phone

Check the space available in Mi Cloud (minimum 5 GB)

Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network

Charge devices to 70%+

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Important for owners POCO: on certain models, for example, POCO F5) The Mi Mover function can be called "POCO Mover, but the algorithm is identical.

2. Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you are switching from another Android device (such as Samsung or Realme) or want to use a universal method, sync through Google Account is suitable.

• 📋 List of installed annexes (APK-files are not copied, only download links from Google Play)
• 🔑 Data from some applications (if they support Google Backup)
• 📅 Calendar, contacts and tasks

How it works:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Google → Backup. Enable the option and click "Create backup now".
2. On the new Xiaomi: when setting up, select Copy data from an old device" → "From cloud storage" → Sign in to the same Google Account.
3. Confirm the data recovery. Apps will start installing automatically from Google Play.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. APK-Files (you will have to wait for each application to be downloaded)
• ❌ Data from some apps (such as Viber or WhatsApp) is not restored.
• ❌ Game progress is synchronized only if the game supports Google Play Games

3. Manual copying via OTG cable or PC

For users who prefer full control of the process, manual transfer through the USB-cable OTG-This is an adapter:

• 📁 Move over APK-Application files (including those removed from Google Play)
• 🔄 Save application data (for example, save games in a folder) Android/obb)
• 🚫 Bypass cloud service limitations (for example, for banking applications)

Instructions for porting via PC:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy folders: Internal Storage/Android/data/ — Internal application data Storage/Android/obb/ — Additional internal game files Storage/Download/ — APK-files (if they are saved)
3. Connect a new Xiaomi and paste the copied files into the same folders.
4. Install applications manually or through a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) block the work during manual installation APK Because of the Google Play Protect check, you'll have to download them officially from the store.

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If the new Xiaomi doesn't see the folder Android/data When connecting to a PC, enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer (View) → Hidden elements) or use a file manager on your phone (e.g. Solid Explorer).

4.Move from iPhone to Xiaomi (special tools)

The transition from iOS to Android is always more difficult due to Apple’s closed ecosystem, and Xiaomi offers the official Mi Mover app, which can carry:

• 📱 Contacts, photos and videos
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📅 Calendar and notes

But there are nuances: apps can’t be moved in principle — you have to manually install them from Google Play, but you can save the data of some messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) through their built-in export functions.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Mover to the new Xiaomi from the App Store (yes, it’s also available for iPhone!).
2. On your iPhone, open the app and select "This is an old device."
3. On Xiaomi, select “This is a new device” and scan. QR-iPhone-screen code.
4. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions on the screen.

🔹 Alternative instruments:

• 📲 Move to iOS (from Apple) – only works backwards (Android)→iPhone is not suitable for us.
• 📲 Copy My Data – Moves contacts and calendars, but not apps.
• 📲 Sharet - can transmit APK-files, but often slows down on large volumes.

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When switching from iPhone to Xiaomi, be sure to turn off iMessage before extracting it. SIM-cards, otherwise SMS You may not be coming to the new phone. → Communications → iMessage.

5. Transfer of game data and progress

For gamers, losing progress on Genshin Impact, Honor of Kings or Call of Duty Mobile can be a tragedy. Fortunately, most modern games support synchronization through social media accounts or special services.

How to save game data:

• 🎮 Google Play Games: If the game supports this service, progress is automatically synced when you sign in to the same Google account.
• 📘 Social Media: Many games (like Clash of Clans) allow you to link progress to Facebook, VK Apple ID.
• 💾 Manual Copy: For offline games (like Minecraft) copy the save folder (Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe) cable OTG.

⚠️ Attention: Some games (for example, PUBG Mobile) locks your account when you switch between devices frequently. If you play Xiaomi and iPhone at the same time, use different accounts to avoid bans.

Example for Genshin Impact:

1. On your old phone, open the game and go to Settings. → Account. → Link the account.
2. Link the game to email, Facebook or Twitter.
3. On the new Xiaomi, install the game, log in through the same account and download saves.

6. Data transfer of banking applications and instant messengers

Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online) and instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) require a special approach, since they store confidential data. Here is how to transfer them without loss:

Banking applications:

• 🏦 Official way: Remove the application on the old phone, install on the new one and log in via SMS Most banks (e.g. Alfa-Bank) link a session to a device.
• 🔐 Backup: Some banks (like Raiffeisen) allow you to backup your cloud services.
• ❌ What not to do: copy the folder Android/data/ru.sberbankmobile Manually, it violates security policies: use third-party backup managers (e.g. Titanium Backup) for banking applications.

Messengers:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Use built-in backup in Google Drive (see spoiler above).
• 📎 Telegram: All chats and media files are stored in the cloud – just log in to a new phone.
• 🔵 Viber: Backup is created manually in Settings → Account. → Backup and saved to Google Drive or SD-map.

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If you are using two-factor authentication (2FA) In messengers, before perenosom, disable it or save backup codes. For example, in Telegram, this is done in Settings. → Confidentiality → Two-step authentication.

7. Checking of transferred data and elimination of errors

After transferring applications, be sure to check:

• 🔍 Application Checker: Open Settings → Annexes → Manage applications and make sure all programs are installed.
• 🔄 Update: Go to Google Play and click “Update All” – some apps may need to be updated.
• 📥 Data recovery: For games and instant messengers, check that progress and chats have loaded (sometimes you need to restart the app).

Common mistakes and their solutions:

⚠️ Warning: If after transferring the phone began to brake, check the active processes in Settings → Battery → Battery usage: Sometimes background data synchronization (e.g. Google Photos) loads the system.

8. Alternative methods: third-party applications and services

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools, the best ones are:

1.SHAREit (free, cross-platform)

• 📲 Supports application transfer (APK + data) between Android devices.
• 🚀 Speed is higher than Bluetooth (up to 20 MB / s).
• ⚠️ Disadvantages: Shows ads and can slow down on large files.

Instructions:

1. Install Sharet on both phones from Google Play.
2. On the old phone, select "Send" → "Annexes".
3. On the new one, "Get" and scan. QR-code.

2. Clone Phone (from Xiaomi, for transitions from other Android)

• 📱 Developed specifically for Xiaomi, supports the transfer of applications and their data.
• 🔗 It works with Wi-Fi Direct (no internet required).
• ❌ It does not tolerate some system settings.

3. Titanum Backup (Root Users Only)

• 🛠️ Allows you to create a full backup of applications + data + settings.
• 🔐 Requires root rights on both devices.
• ⚠️ The risk of blocking certain applications (for example, banking).

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Third-party data porting apps may collect information about your files. Before using, check permissions on Google Play and reviews from other users.