Transfer applications from one Xiaomi to another: the full guide 2026

Migrating apps between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or resetting an old one. Unlike the iPhone, where the synchronization process is most automated via iCloud, Android devices (and Xiaomi in particular) have several ways to migrate data, from the Mi Mover proprietary solution to manually copying.apk files. Each method has its limitations: application settings are lost, cache data is not transferred, and sometimes root access is required.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to migrate apps between Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), compare them in speed, reliability and data security, and focus on hidden nuances that are not covered in the official instructions – for example, why the Mi Mover can “hang” by 99% or how to get around the limitation on porting system applications. If you want to save time and avoid data loss, read on.

1.The official way: Mi Mover - pros and pitfalls

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for data migration between the brand’s devices, preinstalled on all modern Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO smartphones, promising to port not only apps, but also contacts, messages, photos and even system settings.

• 🔄 Not all applications are portable. System utilities (such as Mi Remote or Security) are often skipped.
• ⚡ Long preparations: on devices with large amounts of data (100)+ GB) scanning may take 30+ minute.
• 🔌 Cable required OTG. Wireless transfer over Wi-Fi Direct is unstable and often interrupted.
• 📱 Restriction by version MIUI. If one of the devices is outdated firmware (for example, MIUI 12), compatibility errors may occur.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On both smartphones, open the Mi Mover app (you can find it through a search system).
2. Select the device role: Sender (old smartphone) and Recipient (new).
3. Connect devices through USB-OTG-Cable (original from Xiaomi is recommended).
4. On an old smartphone, tick the data for transfer (including the item in the Application).
5. Confirm the start of the process and wait until the connection is completed (don’t interrupt!).

⚠️ Warning: If Mi Mover is hanging during the Preparation phase, try turning it off VPN (If it's on, or reboot both devices, 30 percent of the time, the problem is solved by changing. USB-cable.

2. Google Account Transfer: What is Transferred and What Is Not

Syncing through Google Account is a universal method that works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, but there is a critical limitation: only lists of installed applications are transferred, not their data, so after recovery, you will have to re-sign in to accounts, configure notifications and download cache.

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old smartphone, go to Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable the option to back up in Google Drive and wait for the process to be completed.
3. On the new device, when you first start, select Restore Data from a backup and log in to the same Google Account.
4. In the list of available copies, select the freshest and confirm the recovery.

What exactly is synced through Google:

⚠️ Note: If you restore data from your Google Account on a new Xiaomi smartphone and then try to use Mi Mover, duplicate data conflicts may arise.

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Before you restore your Google Account, check if there is enough space on your new device. A backup can weigh tens of gigabytes, especially if it includes photos and videos.

Manual transfer APK-File: When is the only way out

If Mi Mover refuses to port the right applications (like large-cache games or modified APKs), the only option left is manual copying, which takes longer, but gives you complete control over the process.

• 📁 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• 🔌 USB-cable OTG-adapter.
• 💾 Sufficient space on the new device (applications) + their data may be taken up in 2-3 more space than yourself APK).

Step-by-step:

1. On an old smartphone, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager (Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to /data/app/ (root rights required) or /sdcard/Android/data/ (for some applications).
3. Copy folders with the names of the desired applications (for example, com.whatsapp) to an external drive or PC.
4. Connect a new smartphone and insert APK-file (/data/app/ or /sdcard/Android/data/).
5. Install applications manually (via file manager or adb install command).

To transfer application data (such as game saves), copy folders from:

/sdcard/Android/data/[package_name]/


/sdcard/Android/obb/[package_name]/

⚠️ Note: Without root rights, you will not be able to copy files from /data/data/ — It stores the settings and cache of most applications. If root is not available, the data will have to be reconfigured.

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the free space on the new device|Download the file manager with root support (if needed)|Prepare. OTG-cable-->

4. ADB Transfer: For Power Users

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can migrate apps and their data using the command line. This method saves all the settings (unlike Mi Mover or Google Account), but requires terminal skills.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and drivers for Xiaomi.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on both smartphones (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer menu, then turn on Debugging by USB).
• 📡 Stable connection (it is better to use the original cable).

Transfer commands (executed in cmd or terminal):

1. Connect both devices to your PC and check their visibility: Adb devices (two serial numbers must be displayed).
2. Create a backup of the application on an old smartphone: adb -s [device1_serial] backup -f app.ab -apk -obb -shared com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the desired application).
3. Restore backup on your new device: adb -s [device2_serial] restore app.ab

To find out the batch name of the application, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, for WhatsApp:

adb shell pm list packages | grep whatsapp

5. Game data transfer: how not to lose progress

Games are a separate headache when you move between devices, and even if you copy the APK and the OBB folder, the saves may not go. Here's what to do depending on the type of game you play:

• 🎮 Google Play Games: Automatically sync progress through the cloud. Just log in to the same Google account on a new device.
• 📱 Locally saved games (such as Minecraft): You need to manually copy the folder /sdcard/games/[name game] or /data/data/[package_name] (root).
• 🔄 Games with your own cloud (e.g. Genshin Impact): Link your account to email or social media in your game settings before porting.
• ⚠️ Games without sync: Try using Titanium Backup (root required) or Swift Backup.

For popular games, there are special instructions:

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If the game doesn't support cloud sync, the only reliable way to migrate is to back up through Titanium Backup or manually copy folders with saves. Without root rights, you risk losing progress.

6.Mobilization of system applications: bypassing the limitations of Xiaomi

Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Remote, Security, Themes) are not usually ported through Mi Mover or Google Account. There are two ways to restore them:

Method 1: Installation via APK

1. Download the APK of the desired system application from a reliable source (for example, APKMirror).
2. Transfer the file to a new smartphone and install manually (permission to install from unknown sources may be required).
3. Reset the device.

Method 2: Backup via TWRP (unlocked bootloader required):

1. Install custom recovery TWRP on your old smartphone.
2. Create a backup of the /system partition in TWRP.
3. Copy the backup to your new smartphone and restore it via TWRP.

⚠️ Warning: Manual installation of system applications may lead to conflicts with the current version MIUI. If the application does not work after the transfer, delete it and install the update via GetApps (branded Xiaomi store).

7. Problem Solving: Why Apps Aren't Portable

If you encounter errors during transfer, check the following points:

• 🔋 Battery charge: Both devices must have at least 50% charge.Mi Mover can interrupt the process when battery levels are low.
• 📶 Version. MIUI: New smartphones (such as Xiaomi 14) can be installed MIUI 15, which is incompatible with older versions of the Mi Mover.Refresh the firmware on both devices.
• 🔒 Lockdown OEM: If the new smartphone is enabled lock OEM Unlock (Settings) → Special facilities → For developers, some applications may not be installed.
• 🗃️ Memory Lack: Free up at least 20% of free space on the new device before transferring.

Common mistakes and their solutions:

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If Mi Mover constantly gives an error "Disconnected", try to turn off Bluetooth on both devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)