How to transfer Android apps to Android Xiaomi with data and passwords: 5 proven ways

Contents

• Introduction: Why Data Transfers to Xiaomi Need a Special Approach
• Official way: MIUI Migration for Xiaomi devices
• Transferring to Google Account: What is saved and what is not
• Local backup: how to save everything to a memory card
• Third-party utilities: Titanium Backup, Swift Backup and their analogues
• Manual transfer: When automatic methods don't work
• Security: How to Avoid Losing Passwords and Two-Level Authentication
• FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Transferring apps between smartphones to Android is a task that seems easy only at first glance, especially when it comes to Xiaomi devices with a proprietary shell. MIUI. The fact is that standard Google mechanisms do not always work correctly with Chinese firmware, and some data (for example, the data is not always correct, SMS You may not be able to adjust your system applications, but in this article we will discuss 5 working ways of migration, from official tools to manual methods for experienced users.

The main problem with porting is saving passwords and application data, and many users are faced with the fact that after switching to the new Xiaomi, they have to re-enter logins into banking applications, configure two-factor authentication or lose progress in games. We will show you how to avoid these problems using built-in features. MIUI 14/15, and third-party solutions.

It's important to understand that there's no one-size-fits-all method, like Google's account is great for contacts and calendars, but it's useless for saving. SMS Or the Mi Home settings. MIUI Migration only works between Xiaomi devices, but it even copies system data, and the choice of method depends on what data you need to save and which devices are involved in the transfer.

Official way: MIUI Migration for Xiaomi devices

The most reliable method of transfer between Xiaomi smartphones is the use of a built-in tool MIUI Migration. It's available on all devices with MIUI 12 and newer (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, and allows you to transfer:

• 📱 Installed applications (including data if the application supports backup)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and network settings
• 💬 SMS, MMS call history
• 📁 Files from internal memory (photos, videos, documents)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness, etc.)
• 🏠 Data from Mi Home, Mi Fit and other Xiaomi services

To take advantage MIUI Migration, follow the following steps:

1. On the old device, go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Data portability (MIUI Migration).
2. On the new smartphone, run the same section (if the phone is new, the setup wizard will offer the transfer itself).
3. Select a role: on the old - "Send", on the new - "Get".
4. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use a direct connection via a Wi-Fi connection. QR-code.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Important nuances:

• ⚠️ If the new device already has data, it will be overwritten (do backup!).
• 🔌 For large amounts of data (10)+ GB is better to use cable OTG local-network.
• 🔒 Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online) may block access after transfer – re-authorization will be required.

MIUI Migration does not transfer data from applications that explicitly prohibit backup (such as WhatsApp or Telegram – they need to be stored separately through chat exports).

Transferring to Google Account: What is saved and what is not

The standard backup through Google Account works on all Android devices, but it has serious limitations — especially for Xiaomi smartphones.

• 📇 Contacts (if synced with Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendars (Google Calendar)
• 📧 Letters and settings Gmail
• 📱 List of installed applications (but no data!)
• ⚙️ Some system settings (language, Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper)
• 📷 Photo and video if Google Photos are enabled)

Here's what won't happen:

• 💬 SMS and call history (on Xiaomi it is a separate feature in Settings) → Google → Backup)
• 🎮 Game and App Data (except for Google Play Games)
• 🔐 Application passwords (unless you use Google Smart Lock)
• 📱 Settings MIUI (Topics, gestures, system applications)
• 🏠 Mi Home, Mi Fit and other Xiaomi services

To enable backup via Google:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the switch "Backup to Google Drive".
3. Click on “Create a backup now” (wait until completed).
4. On the new device, when setting up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same account.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Google backup can be disabled by default. You need to turn it on:

1. Install Google Play Services and Google Play Store (if not available).
2. B Settings → Annexes → App management find Google Play Services and give all permissions.
3. Reboot the phone.

Local backup: how to save everything to a memory card

If you don't trust cloud services or you have slow Internet, you can make a full backup to a memory card or computer. MIUI There is a built-in tool that saves:

• 📱 All installed applications (including data if the application supports backup)
• 💬 SMS, MMS call history
• 📁 Files from internal memory
• ⚙️ System and application settings

Instructions for creating a local backup:

1. Insert a memory card (exFAT is recommended or FAT32).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Click "Create a backup" and select the data to save.
4. Specify the way to save (memory card or internal memory).
5. Wait until it is completed (may take a while). 10-30 minute).

For recovery:

1. Move the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup new-up.
2. In the same backup settings, select "Restore" and specify the backup file.
3. Confirm the recovery and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: The local backup is not encrypted -- if the memory card falls into the wrong hands, the data can be recovered:

• Use an encrypted folder on the card (for example, through Solid Explorer).
• After transferring, remove the backup from the memory card.

Third-party utilities: Titanium Backup, Swift Backup and their analogues

If embedded tools MIUI They can't handle it (for example, they can't handle the data of a particular application), you can use specialized utilities:

• 🛠️ Titanium Backup (requires root) – saves all application data, including system data.
• 🔄 Swift Backup (without root) MIUI) — Supports backup to the cloud.
• 📦 App Backup & Restore is a simple backup tool APK data.
• 🔐 OAndBackupX (open-source) is an alternative for users who do not trust closed solutions.

Consider Swift Backup as the most versatile option for Xiaomi:

1. Install Swift Backup from Google Play (or download it) APK official website).
2. Open the app and give access to "Special Features" (in Android settings).
3. Select the Backup tab and mark the applications to save.
4. Click “Create Backup” and select a save location (cloud or local).
5. On the new device, install Swift Backup, transfer backup files and recover data.

The advantages of third-party utilities:

• 🎯 Exact control over what data to keep.
• 🔄 Backup capability in Google Drive, Dropbox or PC.
• 🔧 They even work with applications that block the standard backup.

⚠️ Note: When using Titanium Backup on Xiaomi MIUI 14/15 There may be problems due to the limitations of the shell:

• Turn off "Data Protection" MIUI" In Settings → Special facilities → Data protection.
• Use it. ADB granting:

adb shell pm grant com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS


adb shell pm grant com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup android.permission.BACKUP

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Before using third-party backups, check if the app you want to save supports backups. Some banking and instant messengers (like Viber) block access to their data even for root users.

Manual transfer: When automatic methods don't work

If none of the automated methods are suitable (for example, you need to transfer data from one particular application or you have custom firmware), then you have manual transfer. It takes longer, but gives you complete control.

What can be transferred manually:

• 📁 Application files (usually stored in the /Android/data/[package annexes] or /Android/obb/).
• 🗃️ Databases (files with.db or.sqlite extension).
• ⚙️ Settings (often in files) shared_prefs/[attachment]_preferences.xml).
• 📂 Media files (photos, videos, music from application folders).

Instructions for manual transfer:

1. Connect your old smartphone to your PC through USB (file transfer mode").
2. Copy folders with data from: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/[package] /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/[package]
3. Install the same app on your new device (don’t run!).
4. Connect the new smartphone to your PC and paste the copied files into the same folders.
5. Restart the device and check the application.

Examples of paths for popular applications:

⚠️ Note: Manual transfer may disrupt the application if:

• Files copied from another version of Android or MIUI.
• The application uses device binding (e.g. banking applications).
• Data is encrypted with a reference to hardware (for example, keys) DRM Netflix).

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Manual transfer is the only way to save data from applications that block a standard backup (such as some games or encrypted messengers).

Security: How to Avoid Losing Passwords and Two-Level Authentication

One of the most critical issues with data transfer is loss of access to accounts, especially in the following areas:

• 🔑 Passwords from applications (banks, social networks, mail).
• 🔐 Two-factor authentication (2FA) (SMS, Google Authenticator, Mi Account).
• 💳 Payment system data (Google Pay, Mi Pay).

How to save passwords:

• 🔑 If you use Google Smart Lock or Mi Account, they sync automatically when you sign in to your account.
• 📝 For other passwords, export them from the password manager (e.g. Bitwarden or the password manager). 1Password).
• 🔄 In Chrome, passwords are synced through Google Account (check in the Google Account). chrome://settings/passwords).

Transfer of two-factor authentication (2FA):

• 📱 For Google Authenticator: On your old phone, open the app menu → "Export accounts. Generate QR-Import your keys on your new phone using Import Accounts".
• 🔐 For Mi Account: Check if your phone number is tied to Settings → Xiaomi account → Security: If a hardware key is used, it needs to be reconfigured on a new device.
• 💬 For SMS-Authorization: Move over SIM-map or activate redirection SMS Use backup codes (if they were generated in advance).

⚠️ Note: If you use hardware security keys (e.g., YubiKey or TOTP Mi Account, you can’t transfer them – you need to untie the old phone and tie the new one manually in each service.

Checklist for security:

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions