How to transfer data apps from the old Xiaomi to the new: 5 proven ways

Why Data Transfers Between Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, but the process of transferring data often turns into a headache. Unlike other brands, MIUI-based phones have unique migration tools that do not always work predictably. For example, the standard Mi Mover may refuse to copy some applications due to manufacturer restrictions, and backing up through Google Account does not always restore the settings of system utilities.

Application data is particularly complex: saves in games, chat history in messengers, login passwords in browsers or bank programs. Normal synchronization through the cloud will not help here - specialized methods are required. In this article, we will analyze all current methods of transfer, including hidden MIUI functions and circumventing restrictions for secure applications that are not documented in official instructions.

It’s important to consider the firmware version, too: Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ has changed its migration algorithm from MIUI 12, and HyperOS (2026) has new limitations, and we’ve tested all the methods on models from Redmi Note 10 Pro to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and you can see the results in the comparative table below.

1.Official method: Mi Mover - fast, but with limitations

Mi Mover is Xiaomi's built-in wireless data transfer solution, available on all MIUI and HyperOS smartphones, but it has some critical nuances that the manufacturer doesn't mention, such as the app doesn't copy:

• 🔒 Secure data of banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) due to security policy.
• 🎮 Save games if they are not synced to Google Play Games or the game’s own cloud.
• 📱 System utilities settings (e.g. Security) → Application authorizations).
• 📁 Files in protected folders (for example, MIUI/Private).

To use Mi Mover, follow the steps:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On the new device, run the same menu and select I am a new user.
3. Scan it. QR-code from an old phone or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Select data categories for transfer (contacts, SMS, photos, applications).
5. Confirm the beginning of the process – it will take from 10 to 40 minutes depending on the volume.

Battery charge for both phones > 50%

Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or Wi-Fi Direct is used).

There is enough free space on the new phone (at least 20% more than the data takes up)

VPNs and firewalls are disabled (they can block transmission)

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⚠️ Note: If the new phone is HyperOS installed, and the old one — MIUI 13 or lower, the transfer of applications may result in the error Version Incompatibility.In this case, use alternative methods from the following sections.

2. backup via MIUI Backup: save system settings

MIUI Backup is a hidden firmware feature that allows you to create a full system snapshot, including:

• 📱 Interface settings (themes, wallpaper, shortcuts).
• 🔧 Network settings (Wi-Fi passwords, VPN-configuration).
• 🔑 Accounts (except Google and Mi Accounts).
• 📂 Data from some system applications (e.g. Notes or Calendar).

To create a backup:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create Backup and select categories (we recommend marking everything except the Application – it is better to carry them separately).
3. Wait until the process is completed (up to 15 minutes).The backup file is saved to /MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
4. Copy the AllBackup folder to a new phone (for example, via a new phone). USB-cable).
5. On the new device, repeat the Settings → Local Backup path and select Restore.

⚠️ Note: If you are restoring a backup to a phone with another model (e.g., with the Redmi Note 11 on Xiaomi) 13T), Some settings may be reset due to incompatibility of hardware configurations, such as camera modes or sound profiles.

3. Google Account Transfer: Universal, but not for everything

Syncing through Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer basic data, but it works selectively:

To sync your data through Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all categories.
2. Wait until completion (check in Settings → Accounts → Sync).
3. On a new phone, add the same Google account when you first turn on or through Settings → Accounts.
4. In Google Play, click on your profile avatar → App and Device Management → Library and install the programs you need.

Mi Mover|Google Account|Manual Cable Transfer |Cloud Services (Dropbox, Yandex Drive)|Another way-->

⚠️ Note: If your old phone used Mi Account for backup and you are logged in to Google Account on the new phone, the data may be duplicated, for example, contacts from Mi Contacts and Google Contacts will merge in a chaotic manner. Before perenosom, we recommend exporting contacts to.vcf via Contacts. → Settings → Exports.

4. Manual transfer of data applications: for advanced users

If you need to migrate data from a particular application (such as in-game saves or chat history in Telegram) and standard methods don’t work, use manual methods:

Method 1: Copy application folders through ADB

Many applications store data in folders /data/data/{package_name} or /Android/data/{package_name}. To move them:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press → Additional → For Developers → USB Debugging).
2. Install ADB on your computer and execute the command: adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all This will create a backup.ab file with all application data.
3. Connect your new phone and recover data: adb restore backup.ab

adb backup -f telegram.ab -apk com.telegram

This will create a Telegram-only backup with the chat history saved (unless it is encrypted).-->

Method 2: Titanium Backup (requires Root)

If you have root access on your phone, Titanium Backup allows you to transfer:

• 📦 Data of user and system applications.
• 🔄 Settings and cache.
• 🔑 Application licenses (for example, for paid versions of games).

Instructions:

1. Install Titanium Backup on both phones.
2. On the old device, create a backup of the desired applications (Backup / Restore → Click on the application → Save).
3. Transfer backup files (Titanium Backup folder) to your new phone.
4. Restore data via Titanium Backup on your new device.

⚠️ Note: Transferring data from banking applications (e.g. Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) via Titanium Backup may result in account locking due to device change protection. SMS-code).

5. Transfer of protected data: chats, games, passwords

Some applications block data exports through standard methods, and here's how to circumvent restrictions on popular services:

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

• 💬 Telegram: Chat history syncs automatically when you log in to your account. For local backup: Settings → Data and memory → Export history (creates a.zip file).
• 💬 WhatsApp: Backup is created in Google Drive (⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup. Important: phone number must remain the same!
• 💬 Viber: Chat export is only possible through Settings → Account. → Backup (saves media and messages in.vcf and.zip).

Games (with saves)

• 🎮 Google Play Games: If the game supports cloud saves, they are linked to a Google account.
• 🎮 Local saves: Look for the game folder in /Android/obb or /data/data (For example, for Genshin Impact, this is /GenshinImpact.
• 🎮 Emulators: For PPSSPP Or Dolphin copy the folders. PSP Dolphin Emulator, respectively.

Passwords and bookmarks (browsers, managers)

• 🔑 Google Chrome: Synced through Google Account (⋮ → Settings → Synchronization).
• 🔑 Mi Browser: Export bookmarks to HTML through ⋮ → Bookmarks → Exports.
• 🔑 1Password/KeePass: Use built-in export in.csv or.kdbx.

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For online-save games (such as Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars), just log in to your Supercell ID or Google Play Games account on your new phone – progress will recover automatically.

6. Transfer of media files: photos, videos, music

Media files usually do not cause problems when transferring, but there are nuances:

• 📸 Photos and video: Folder DCIM/Camera — standard pictures. Pictures/Screenshots — Screenshots. MIUI/Camera — Photos with Xiaomi effects (such as Magic Clone or Document Mode).
• 🎵 Music and sounds: Music folder -- audio files. Ringtones folder -- custom ringtones. Folder MIUI/sound_recorder — tape-recording.

Modes of transfer:

1. Through USB cable: Connect both phones to your PC and copy folders manually.
2. Through Mi Share: Enable Mi Share on both devices (Settings → Connection & Sharing → Mi Share) and select files to send.
3. Through the Cloud: Upload files to Google Drive, Yandex Drive, or Mi Cloud, then download to a new phone.

⚠️ Note: If you transfer photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi via Mi Cloud,.heic files may not open on devices with the same file format. MIUI 12 and below. Convert them to.jpg through the Gallery app (Edit → Save how JPG).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions