How to transfer applications with settings from Android to Android Xiaomi

Changing your smartphone is always perceived as stressful, especially when there is a huge amount of data stored on your old device. Users often worry less about contacts or photos than about saving authorizations in apps, progress in games and specific program settings. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem, and in particular Xiaomi’s MIUI shell, offers powerful migration tools to avoid manually reinstalling hundreds of programs.

The process of data transfer has become much easier in recent years, but it still has its nuances. If you switch from another Android smartphone to a Redmi or POCO model, there are several proven methods available to you. The choice of the specific method depends on the version of the operating system on both devices, the availability of stable Internet and the amount of internal memory.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the migration options available, focusing on how to save internal application data. We will look at the Mi Mover app, the backup capabilities of Google One, and the nuances of working with banking applications and instant messengers, which often require a separate approach.

Preparing devices before data migration

Before starting any copying process, it is critical to properly prepare both smartphones.The battery charge on both devices should be at least 60-70%, as active data transfer via Wi-Fi Direct or cable can significantly drain the batteries. Also make sure that the new Xiaomi phone has enough free space to accommodate all files from the old gadget.

Update the system software on both devices to the latest available version, which minimizes the risk of compatibility errors when transferring system settings and Wi-Fi passwords. On an old phone, it is advisable to close all background applications to free up the CPU resources for the migration task.

⚠️ Warning: If the old device is power-saving, turn it off before transfer. Aggressive battery optimization may interrupt the connection at the most inopportune moment, causing damage to the data archive.

Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning

The most effective and preferred way for owners of Xiaomi equipment is to use the built-in Mi Mover tool. MIUI HyperOS and for other brands, it can be downloaded from Google Play or installed via APK-The main feature of this method is the ability to transfer not only the file itself. APK-Application files, but also parts of their local data.

The process starts with running the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, you choose the role of "I am the recipient", and on the old one, you choose the role of "I am the sender", and the devices will create a direct Wi-Fi connection, which will provide high speed transfer without using mobile traffic. QR-You can select specific types of data, including apps, images, music and even desktop settings.

Importantly, Mi Mover is trying to migrate application data where Android’s security policy allows. However, for some system and high-security applications (such as bank clients), only shortcuts will be moved and authorization will have to be re-authorized. Once you complete copying on the new device, the installation process will begin, which can take considerable time depending on the number of programs.

Backup through Google Account and Google One

The universal method that works on any Android is synchronization through a Google account, which is ideal if you are switching from a device from another manufacturer where installing Mi Mover is impossible or inconvenient. When you turn on a new Xiaomi smartphone, the system will offer to restore data from the Google Drive cloud.

Unlike Mi Mover, Google’s standard backup often only stores a list of installed apps and their cloud-related settings (such as game progress through Google Play Games). Local files within apps may not be saved unless the developer has implemented support for the Google Backup API.

To activate the function, go to Settings → Google → Backup and click “Start Copy.” Make sure the Data Backup switch is activated. On the new device, log in to the same account when you first set up and select “Restore from the Cloud.”

⚠️ Note: Google’s standard backup does not store application passwords, banking app authentication data, or instant messenger content (History of WhatsApp or Telegram correspondence must be stored separately within these apps).

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Tip: Before selling or transferring an old phone, be sure to log out of all Google and Xiaomi accounts (Mi Account), and remove the device from the list of trusted in your account security settings.

Transfer of data messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber

Messengers require a special approach, as they store the history of correspondence and media files locally or in their own cloud, ignoring common system backups. WhatsApp has a regular backup mechanism. On an old phone, go to Settings → Chats → Backup chats and create a copy in Google Drive. When you install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the application will offer to restore the history from the found copy.

Telegram and Viber are easier because they store their correspondence history on their servers, you just need to install the app and enter your phone number, all chats (except secret ones in Telegram) will be downloaded automatically, but media files (photos, videos) that were not saved to the gallery may not download immediately and will be downloaded as you view them, unless the Save to the Gallery feature is enabled.

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Critical for WhatsApp: Backup is tied to a specific Google account. Make sure you logged in to the exact Google account where the copy was made on the new phone, otherwise recovery will be impossible.

To transfer Viber history, it is also recommended to use the built-in backup function in Settings → Account → Backup Viber. This is especially true if you want to save stickers and privacy settings. Once installed on a new device, Viber will request permission to restore from the found backup file.

Comparison of transfer methods: Table of possibilities

To make it easier for you to choose the best way, we have prepared a comparison table that shows what data can be transferred using different tools, and note that no method provides 100% guarantee of data transfer from secure applications.

As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the most comprehensive solution for the Android-Xiaomi pair. It even retains the desktop structure, which eliminates the need to re-arrange widgets and folders. Google Account is good as insurance, but relying on it alone when switching to Xiaomi is not worth it if you care about local settings.

Nuances of working with banking applications and security

Financial applications deserve special attention: Bank software (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alpha, and others) blocks transferring its data to new devices for cybersecurity reasons, and even if you use Mi Mover, the app on the new phone will require re-authorization.

This is normal behavior due to the account being linked to a unique device ID (Device ID). When you first log in to a new Xiaomi, the bank can request confirmation via SMS or Push notification on the old device, so the old device cannot be scrapped or reset until all settings on the new device are complete.

Additionally, some apps may require an update to Google Play Services or installing Android security updates before launching on a new device.Make sure that all system updates are installed on the new Xiaomi smartphone to avoid security certificate conflicts.

⚠️ Warning: Never try to manually transfer folders of bank application data through a file manager, which not only will not work, but can also lead to the bank’s security service blocking the account due to suspicious activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)