How to migrate applications to Xiaomi: all methods of data migration

Changing a smartphone is always stress associated not so much with the loss of a familiar device, but with the risk of losing accumulated digital information. Xiaomi ecosystem owners are better off with built-in migration tools, but even they often have trouble keeping up with game progress, banking app authorizations, and system-specific customizations. The transfer process requires careful attention, since simple copying APK-Your files will not save your logins and passwords.

Modern MIUI or HyperOS-based smartphones offer multiple levels of backup, from basic contact synchronization to full system cloning. The choice of the method depends on whether you move from another Android device, from an iPhone, or just change one Redmi to a newer model. It is important to understand that no method provides a complete guarantee of transferring all cached data, so the combined approach is the most reliable.

In this article, we will take a look at all the migration options available, including Mi Mover, cloud services, and manual methods for complex cases. You will learn how to avoid the typical errors that cause applications to fail to start after moving. Proper preparation of old and new devices is the key to getting started on a new gadget instantly without spending hours reconfiguring.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before launching any transfer tools, you need to do basic training on both smartphones. Make sure that the battery charge on both devices is at least 60-70%, as the process of intensive data transfer can quickly consume energy. It is also critical to check the availability of free space on the receiving device: the amount of free memory should exceed the size of the data you plan to transfer.

Both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use a wireless transmission method. While modern Wi-Fi 5 and 6 standards provide high speeds, it is still recommended to use hotspot or direct connection created by special applications to transfer hundreds of gigabytes of data (especially photos and videos).

On an older device, you need to close all background applications that can consume traffic or block access to the file system, and it is also worth checking the operating system updates: sometimes the current version of Android or MIUI contains bug fixes that interfere with the correct operation of migration tools.

Remember that some banking applications and secure enterprise services may block backups for security reasons, and in such cases, two-factor authentication will require your personal intervention after the transfer, regardless of the method chosen.

Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning

The most effective and native way for the Xiaomi ecosystem is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover utility, which is designed specifically for deep integration with the MIUI file system and allows you to transfer not only application installation files, but also their data, desktop settings, alarm clocks and even call history.

To start, run the app on both devices, select the New Phone on the new phone, and the Old Phone on the old one, and the system will offer you to scan. QR-code or search for devices on the local network. After the connection, select the category "Applications" and check all the necessary programs.

Particular attention should be paid to compatibility of Android versions. If you move from a very old version of the system to a new one, some applications may not correctly transfer their data due to changes in the structure of access to files.

Once you have finished copying, the new device will begin the process of installing and optimizing applications, which can take a long time, especially if you are carrying heavy games or graphics editors, do not interrupt the process and wait for the full completion to avoid damaging files.

Migration through Google Account and Cloud Services

An alternative and often more reliable way is to use the Google Play infrastructure. When a new Xiaomi smartphone is first activated, the system will suggest recovering data from a Google Drive backup, a method ideal for saving a list of apps, contacts, calendar and passwords saved in Google's password manager.

However, this method has a significant limitation: it restores only the list of applications and their basic settings, if the developer did not provide for saving progress in the cloud. Local data, such as the cache of messengers without enabled synchronization or files in application folders, can be lost.

For users who are actively using Google Photos and Google Drive, this method is preferred for multimedia: make sure that the old device is fully synced before moving.

Importantly, recovering from Google’s cloud requires a stable and fast internet connection.Downloading tens of gigabytes of apps over a mobile network can take hours or lead to additional traffic costs.

Transferring data from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi

The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android is always difficult because of the closedness of iOS. Mi Mover has an iOS version that can be found in the App Store, but its functionality is limited. It allows you to transfer contacts, photos, videos and calendar events, but porting the apps themselves is impossible.

Apps purchased from the App Store are not available on Google Play. You will have to re-find their counterparts or official versions in the Xiaomi GetApps store or Google Play Store. Many popular services such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber have their own backup mechanisms that you need to activate on your iPhone before you switch.

WhatsApp on iPhone needs to back up chats to iCloud. However, you can’t restore them to Android directly via iCloud. You’ll need to use special features when you first set up your phone or third-party paid utilities on PCs that can convert WhatsApp databases.

⚠️ Note: When you migrate from iOS to Android, you will lose in-app purchases (In-App Purchases) unless they are tied to a cross-platform account. Apple Music or iCloud subscriptions will also not automatically migrate.

Passwords stored in the iCloud keychain will also not be available on Android directly, and it is recommended to export important passwords in advance or use a cross-platform password manager such as Google Password Manager or third-party solutions.

Manual transfer of APK files and data via PC

For power users who need to migrate specific modified applications or versions of programs that are not available in official stores, there is a manual method. APK-data-file /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/.

For extraction APK You can use file managers with application backup function or special utilities like APK Extractor. Once you get the installation file, you need to transfer it to a new phone through the new one. USB-cable.

The hardest part is data portability. On modern Android versions, access to /Android/data/ is limited. You may need to connect to your PC in USB debugging mode and use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to fully access the file system.

adb pull /sdcard/Android/data/com.example.app /backup_folder


adb push /backup_folder/com.example.app /sdcard/Android/data/

This method requires superuser (Root) rights on both devices for full cloning, including system settings. Without root rights, you can only transfer public files such as documents and media.

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Use USB 3.0 cable and USB 3.0 ports on your computer for maximum speeds for transferring large amounts of data when you manually copy.

Specifics of transfer of messengers and banking applications

Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank) will require re-authorization when installed on a new device, often with an SMS or through a push notification on an old device (if it is still active).

Telegram and Viber store their correspondence history on their servers (or in the cloud), so just log in to your account by phone number. WhatsApp stores the history locally, and it is critical to use the built-in backup function before resetting your old phone to transfer it.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) in code generator applications (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator) requires a special approach. Be sure to use the function of exporting accounts within these applications before switching, otherwise you may lose access to all your services.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the bank app or messenger from your old phone until you have fully checked your new phone. SIM-map already moved.

For games, it’s important to check whether progress is tied to a Google Play Games account or a developer account, and if the game only stores progress locally, it’s going to be extremely difficult to move it without root rights.

Possible problems and solutions

Users often experience errors during migration, and one of the most common is "Not enough space," even if there's a memory, because the system needs a temporary space to unpack the archives, and free up an additional 5-10 GB to complete the process successfully.

Another problem is “packet installation error,” which can occur if the Android version on the new phone is lower than the app requires, or if the APK file is corrupted during transfer, in which case it is better to download the app again from the official store.

Sometimes, after the transfer, applications may run unstable or quickly drain the battery. This indicates a cache conflict. In this case, cleaning the application data through the Settings menu → Applications → [App needed] → Memory → Clean will help.

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If the app doesn’t start after the transfer, try to delete it and install it “clean” again, then log in to your account – this often solves the compatibility issues of settings.

Don’t ignore app updates immediately after the port. Developers often release compatibility patches for newer versions of Android that come out at the same time as new Xiaomi smartphones.