How to transfer applications from Xiaomi Redmi to another Android with data and passwords

The transition to a new smartphone is always accompanied by the risk of losing important data: saves in games, passwords from accounts, settings of applications or even correspondence in messengers. This issue is especially acute for owners of Xiaomi Redmi, where the manufacturer actively uses its own services for synchronization. MIUI, brand-name.

Many users are faced with a situation where standard methods of transfer (for example, through Google Account) do not save data from Chinese applications or customers. Others fear that copying through adb backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup will disrupt the work of system components. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transfer, from official Xiaomi solutions to advanced methods for power users, taking into account password saving, game progress and application settings.

We will pay special attention to the problems specific to Redmi: why data from Mi Browser or Mi Video is sometimes not transferred, how to circumvent the restrictions on copying system systems. APK, And what if the new phone is on a different version of Android? All instructions tested on Redmi Note models. 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and flagships of the K series, but suitable for other Xiaomi devices on the MIUI 12–14.

Before you start the transfer, make sure that both devices have enough battery charge (at least 50%), and the old smartphone has a minimum of 2-3 GB of memory to create a backup. USB-C — On some Redmi models, it can be damaged after active use.

1.Official method: transfer via Mi Account

The most reliable and recommended Xiaomi method is synchronization through a branded Mi Account, which allows you to transfer not only installed applications, but also:

• 📱 Contact list and call log
• 🔑 Passwords from Mi Browser and System Manager
• 📁 Notes, calendars and tasks from Mi Notes
• 🎮 Game data (for supported games via Mi Game Center)
• 📷 Background wallpaper and design themes

To use this method, on the old Redmi smartphone, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account and log in (if not already done).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Click Create a Backup and select the items to save (be sure to tick Apps and System Settings).
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

On the new device:

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account when you first enable or through Settings → Accounts.
2. In the Backup section, select the created copy and click Restore.
3. Confirm the recovery of applications and data.

⚠️ Note: If the new smartphone is a newer version MIUI, Some apps may not recover due to incompatibility, and in this case, they will have to be installed manually through the Mi App Store.

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If after recovery some applications do not open, clear their cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management. This often solves the problem of crashes after transfer.

2. Transfer through Google Account (for non-system applications)

If you use mainly apps from Google Play (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail), the easiest way is to sync through Google Account.

• 📱 List of installed applications (without data)
• 🔑 Passwords from Google Smart Lock and Chrome
• 📅 Calendars and Contacts (if synced with Google)
• 📎 Notes from Google Keep

Instructions for the old smartphone:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and enable sync for all the services you need (especially Contacts, Calendar and Drive).
3. Go to Settings. → System system → Backup and enable backup in Google Drive.
4. Click Create a backup copy now.

On the new device:

1. When you first turn on, log in to the same Google Account.
2. In the Recovery and Reset section, select a backup from your old phone.
3. Confirm the recovery of applications.

Note that this method does not transfer data from Chinese applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video, Xiaomi Cloud), as well as save most games.

3.Local backup via Mi PC Suite (for Windows)

If you prefer to work with a computer, then the proprietary utility Mi PC Suite will allow you to create a full backup of Xiaomi Redmi and transfer it to a new device:

• 💾 All applications with data (including system) are saved)
• 🔄 Selective recovery capability
• 🖥️ It works even if the new smartphone is on a different version of Android

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Mi. PC Suite to a Windows computer.
2. Connect the old Redmi over the cable USB and allow debugging (when requested).
3. In the program, select the Backup section and click Create a Backup.
4. Check the Applications and Application Data, then start the process.
5. Once completed, turn off the old smartphone and connect the new one.
6. In Mi PC Select Suite Restore from Backup and specify the file you created.

⚠️ Note: When restoring to a new device with a different version MIUI Some system applications (such as Mi Security or Mi Pay) may not work properly, and will need to be manually updated through the Mi App Store.

If Mi PC Suite doesn’t recognize a smartphone, try it:

• 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable (not all) USB-cables support data transmission).
• 🔄 Switch the connection mode in the notification curtain to File Transfer (MTP).
• 🖥️ Install Mi drivers USB Driver manually (you can download on the official website).

Install Mi. PC Suite on PC|

Connect your smartphone with the original cable|

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings |

Release 5+ GB on PC disk for backup|

Disable the ad blocker (it can interfere with the work of the utility)-->

4. Transfer through ADB Backup (for experienced users)

Adb backup is suitable for those who are ready to work with the command line. It allows you to create a full backup of all applications and their data, including system, but requires the presence of a complete backup of all applications and their data. ADB (Android Debug Bridge on a computer. This is especially useful if you want to use it:

• 📱 New smartphone not from Xiaomi (for example, Samsung or Realme).
• 🔒 You need to move data from applications that are not synced through the cloud.
• 🛠️ Selective recovery of individual applications is required.

Instructions for Windows/macOS/Linux:

1. Download Platform Tools and unpack into any folder.
2. On your smartphone, turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
3. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and in the command line (terminal) perform: adb devices (should appear a device with a serial number).
5. Create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f Backup.ab On your smartphone, confirm the creation of a backup copy (password can not be set).
6. Once completed, turn off the old smartphone and connect the new one.
7. Recover the data: adb restore backup.ab

Important: on new versions of Android (11)+) The adb backup command may not work for system applications due to security limitations, in which case use alternative methods such as Titanium Backup (requires root).

5. Use of third-party utilities (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup)

If standard methods do not fit (for example, due to different versions of Android or the lack of Mi Account), you can use third-party utilities.

• 🛡️ Titanium Backup (requires root)
• ⚡ Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware)
• 📦 App Backup & Restore (for backup) APK + data)

Consider the process using the example of Swift Backup (does not require root on Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader):

1. Download Swift Backup from Google Play.
2. Open the app and give access to the Android Backup Service (the system window will appear).
3. Select the Backup tab and tick the desired applications.
4. Click Backup and wait until the file is completed (files will be saved in the file). /sdcard/SwiftBackups).
5. Copy the backup folder to a new smartphone (for example, via Mi Share or cable).
6. Install Swift Backup on your new device and recover data from the copied folder.

Titanium Backup requires root access, and if it's not, you can use an alternative method:

• 📲 Create a backup through Titanium on an old smartphone.
• 💾 Copy the folder. /sdcard/TitaniumBackup PC-only.
• 📱 Transfer it to a new smartphone and restore data via Titanium.

⚠️ Note: When restoring system applications (such as Mi Security or Mi Account)-Xiaomi They may not work or cause errors, and then they have to be manually removed.

6. Transfer of passwords and browser data

Special attention should be paid to the transfer of saved passwords and data from browsers, depending on the browser used, the process will differ:

For Mi Browser (branded browser Xiaomi):

• 🔑 Passwords are synced via Mi Account (if the option is enabled in the browser settings).
• 📁 Bookmarks and history are transferred with the backup of the Mi Account.
• 🔄 If synchronization is not working, export bookmarks to the file HTML via browser settings → Imports/Exports.

For Google Chrome:

• 🔑 Passwords are synced through Google Account (check in the chrome://settings/passwords).
• 📁 Bookmarks and history are transferred automatically when you log in to your account.
• 🔧 If the data is not synchronized, check the settings in chrome://settings/syncSetup.

For other browsers (Firefox, Opera, Edge):

• 🔑 Use built-in synchronization through your browser account.
• 📁 For Firefox, you can export data via about:preferences#sync.
• 🔄 In Opera, enable synchronization in Settings → Opera Account.

If you have used password managers (for example, 1Password, KeePass or Bitwarden, the data is transferred through their own cloud services, for example, for Bitwarden, it is enough to log into an account on a new device, all passwords will be automatically downloaded.

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If you have used a built-in password manager MIUI (Settings → Passwords, then the only way to transfer is through a backup of Mi Account or Mi PC Suite.

7. Transfer of game data and saves

Game retention is one of the most difficult categories to transfer, and it depends on the game itself.

• 🎮 Cloud-based games (such as Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile automatically sync progress through your Google Play Games account, Facebook or your own server.
• 📱 Offline games (e.g. Minecraft, Stardew Valley) require manual transfer of save files.
• 🔑 Games from Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Game Center) synced via Mi Account.

To transfer the saves of offline games:

1. with the help of Root Explorer or FX File Manager Find a folder with saves (usually this one) /sdcard/Android/data/[title of the game] or /data/data/[play-off]).
2. Copy the folder to your PC or cloud.
3. On the new device, install the game and place the save files in the same folder (root may be required to access the game). /data/data/).

For cloud-saving games:

• 🎮 Make sure that the game is linked to your account on your old device (Google Play Games, Facebook, Mi Account).
• 📱 On the new device, install the game, log in to the same account and wait for synchronization.
• ⚠️ Some games (such as Clash of Clans) require manual transfer through Settings. → Tie the device up.

If the game is not synchronized, try:

• 🔄 Reinstall it on a new device.
• 📧 Write in support of the game with a request to restore the account (attach screenshots of purchases or progress).
• 🔗 Use utilities like GameGuardian (for power users only, risk ban!).

8. Frequent errors and their solution

When transferring data from Xiaomi Redmi to another Android, users often face problems, and we will analyze the most common and ways to solve them:

Problem 1: Applications are not restored from backup

• 🔹 Make sure that the new device has enough memory.
• 🔹 Check the compatibility of versions MIUI/Android (if the difference is greater 2 versions may be errors).
• 🔹 Try to recover data selectively (for example, only contacts and apps).

Problem 2: Passwords from Mi Browser are not portable

• 🔹 Enable password synchronization in browser settings → Passwords.
• 🔹 Export passwords to the file CSV through settings → Export (if option is available).
• 🔹 Use third-party password managers (such as Bitwarden) to migrate.

Problem 3: Games are not keeping progress

• 🔹 Check if the game is linked to an account (Google Play, Facebook, Mi Account).
• 🔹 For offline games, copy the folder with manual saves (see section 7).
• 🔹 Contact us to support the game with proof of account ownership (screenshots, purchase checks).

Problem 4: Mi PC Suite doesn’t see the smartphone

• 🔹 Install the latest Mi drivers USB Driver.
• 🔹 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 🔹 Turn on Debugging. USB Allow access to data when connected.
• 🔹 Reboot your smartphone and PC.

Problem 5: Xiaomi’s system apps don’t work on the new device

• 🔹 Remove them manually (if you don’t need them).
• 🔹 Update via Mi App Store (if available).
• 🔹 Use alternative apps (e.g. Google Messages instead of Mi) SMS).

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If neither method worked, try a combined approach: move apps through Google Account and data through local backup (Mi). PC suite ADB).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions