How to transfer apps from one Xiaomi phone to another: a complete guide

Transferring data between smartphones of the same brand seems like a simple task — until you encounter nuances. Xiaomi owners often face the situation when buying a new device (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro).+ POCO X5) You want to keep all the installed programs, their settings and even progress in games, but standard methods like Google Account carry far from everything: many applications (especially Chinese or modified) ignore cloud sync, and manual installation of each one. APK-file takes a clock.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer applications between Xiaomi devices, from official tools (Mi Mover, Mi Account) to alternative solutions like ADB or third-party backup managers. Particular attention will be paid to porting applications with data storage (cache, logins, progress), which is critical for instant messengers, banking programs and games. Also, we will reveal the pitfalls of each method: why Mi Mover may not see some applications, how to circumvent the limitations of Google Play Protect backups, and what to do if a new smartphone on MIUI 15 refuses to take backup from the old version.

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

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for data migration between devices, preinstalled on all of the brand’s smartphones (starting with MIUI 9) and promises to port apps, contacts, messages and even some settings.

• 🔄 Not all apps are portable (especially those not installed from Google Play).
• 📱 New devices (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra) may require an update to the latest version of the Mi Mover.
• 🔒 Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords or Mi Home settings) are not migrated due to security policies.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On both smartphones, open the Mi Mover app (you can find it through a search on the system or in the Tools folder).
2. On the old phone, choose I am the source, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use a direct Wi-Fi Direct connection (recommended for large amounts of data).
4. On an old phone, tick the data category for transfer (select Applications).
5. Confirm the transfer on both devices and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the volume).

⚠️ Note: If the new smartphone is installed MIUI 14/15, And the old version is below. MIUI 12, Mi Mover may give you an incompatibility error, in which case update the firmware on your old device or use alternative methods.

2. backup via Mi Account: cloud-based, but incomplete

Cloud backup in Mi Account is another official way that works even when devices are physically far apart, but it has critical limitations:

• ☁️ Only system data (contacts, messages, notes) and settings of some applications (e.g. Mi Browser or Mi Music) are transferred).
• 🚫 Sam Sam Sammy. APK-Application files are not saved, only their configurations (if the application supports synchronization with Mi Account).
• 📦 Cloud storage is limited to 5GB for free accounts.

Instructions for the creation and restoration of the backup:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup your device.
2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save (make sure System Settings is enabled – it contains information about some applications).
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and restore data from the cloud (Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore from backup).

Once restored, the app will have to be manually installed from Google Play or other sources, and some programs (such as Xiaomi Community or Mi Fit) can automatically adjust their settings from the cloud after the first run.

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Before creating a backup in Mi Cloud, check if there is enough space in the cloud. If not, delete old backups or increase storage (for a fee).

3. Google Account Transfer: Universal, but not for all apps

Syncing through Google Account is the most versatile method, but it only works with applications that support automatic data recovery (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, most games from Google Play).

• 🔄 Only application data is transferred, not the application itself. APK-The applications will have to be re-installed.
• 📱 Both devices must have the same Google Account, linked as the primary account.
• ⚙️ Some apps (especially Chinese or modified ones) ignore Google’s cloud sync.

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for Contacts, Calendar, Application Data, and other appropriate categories.
3. Sign in to the same Google Account and wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 24 hours).
4. Install the apps you want from Google Play, and some of them will recover data automatically when you first start.

For applications that don’t support cloud sync (such as Mi Home or Xiaomi Community), you’ll need to use other methods, such as manually copying data files (which we’ll discuss later).

4. Manual copying of APK and data: for power users

If official methods are not suitable (for example, you need to transfer modified applications or save progress in the game without linking to the account), you can use manual copying. APK-This method requires access to the file system and may require root rights on the old device.

You'll need:

• 📱 Two Xiaomi smartphones (old and new).
• 🔌 Cable OTG file-transfer.
• 🛠️ File Manager with access to system folders (e.g. MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
• 📂 Data backup app (e.g. Swift Backup or Titanium Backup) for root users).

Step-by-step:

1. Create an app backup: Download to an old Swift Backup phone (for rootless work) or Titanium Backup (requires root). In the app, select the right programs and create a backup (.apk +.data format). Copy the files you receive to a computer or external drive.

Transfer to the new device:

• Transfer backup files to your new smartphone (via OTG, Bluetooth or cloud).
• Install the same backup app (Swift Backup or Titanium Backup) on your new phone.
• Restore data from the backup (root rights may be required for Titanium Backup).

⚠️ Note: When recovering data from some applications (such as banking or instant messengers), you may need to re-authorize, and Google Play Protect may block installation. APK-Files from unknown sources – be sure to allow installation from files in the security settings (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications).

Download a file manager with access to system folders

Create a backup of applications and their data

Copy the backup to an external media or to the cloud

Allow installation from unknown sources on new phone

Install a backup recovery application on a new device-->

5.Use of ADB: for advanced users

If you need to migrate all the data applications (including system ones) and you have experience with ADB, this method is the most reliable one, allowing you to create a full copy of the /data/app folder and restore it to a new device.

• 🔧 Requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights on both devices.
• 🚨 Mistakes can result in data loss or system failure.
• 📱 On new devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro) may not work due to changes in security policy MIUI.

Instructions for transfer via ADB:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer (you can download from the official website of Android Developers).
2. Connect your old smartphone to your PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (this will create a backup.ab file with all applications and their data).
3. Connect your new smartphone and recover data: adb restore backup.ab

Once you restore, restart your device. Note that some applications (especially system ones) may not work properly, and you will have to manually reinstall them.

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Transfer over ADB is the most complete method, but requires root rights and command line experience. Not suitable for beginners!

6. Alternative ways: third-party backup managers and cloud services

If the official methods don't work, and manual transfer seems complicated, you can use third-party solutions.

To use Swift Backup or Titanium Backup, follow the manual copy instructions. APK-Files, Send Anywhere is suitable:

1. Install Send Anywhere on both devices.
2. On your old phone, select Send → Files and specify the folder with the APK (usually /data/app or /sdcard/Download).
3. Create a 6-digit code or QR-code.
4. On a new phone, enter a code or scan a QR to get the files.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of transfer method depends on your goals and technical capabilities.

• 🔹 Mi Mover is the easiest, but it doesn't carry all apps. It's good for beginners.
• 🔹 Mi Account – convenient for synchronizing system data, but useless for transferring APK.
• 🔹 Google Account – Universal for Play Market apps, but not Chinese apps.
• 🔹 Hand backups are reliable, but they take time and knowledge, and they're better for power users.
• 🔹 ADB — the most complete transfer, but risky and difficult to perform.

If you need to migrate all the data applications and you are willing to spend time, the best option is a combination of Swift Backup (for backup) + Send Anywhere (for file transfer) Mi Mover is enough for fast transfer of basic programs + Google Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving apps to Xiaomi