How to transfer applications from Xiaomi Redmi to another Android phone without data loss: 5 proven ways

Transferring apps from the old Xiaomi Redmi to a new smartphone is a task that seems simple only at first glance.In practice, users face lost saves in games, no data in messengers or completely broken programs after moving, the problem is complicated when it comes to models with different versions of MIUI or switching to a device from another manufacturer (for example, from Redmi Note 12 to Samsung Galaxy).

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to port apps, from official tools (Mi Mover, Google Backup) to manual methods for power users, and focus on storing data within apps (like WhatsApp correspondence or progression to Genshin Impact), because standard backups often ignore this information. If you’re afraid of losing important files or settings, read on.

1.Official method: Mi Mover for Xiaomi devices

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution, optimized for data transfer between the brand’s smartphones. It is built into MIUI firmware and supports the transfer of not only apps, but also contacts, messages, photos. However, there are nuances: for example, on new models (Redmi 13, POCO X6), the utility interface has changed, and for Android 14 devices, additional permissions are required.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Make sure that both phones have the latest version installed. MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔌 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or use the hotspot on your old smartphone).
• 📲 On the new phone, when you first turn on, select the Data Portability option (or find Mi Mover in Settings). → Additionally).
• 🔄 On the old device, confirm the data transfer by scanning QR-screencode.

Important: Mi Mover only transfers apps that are installed from Google Play. APK-Manual files (such as modified versions of YouTube Vanced or Spotify Premium) will have to be transferred separately, and the tool does not store data of certain games (such as Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars) unless they are linked to a Google Play Games account.

Charge of both phones > 50% | Disable VPN and firewalls | Clear cache in Settings → Storage | Check free space on the new device (needs at least 2 GB)

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2.Moving through Google Account: Pros and Limitations

Sync with Google account is a universal method that works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi Redmi, and the advantage of this method is that it automatically restores most apps from Google Play after first logging in.

• 🚫 Application data is not transferred (for example, game saves, settings) VLC Chrome history).
• 📥 Not all programs support backup (e.g., Telegram or Signal store data locally).
• ⏳ Recovery can take several hours if you have many apps installed.

How to set up backup:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup on your old phone.
2. Enable the option “Google Drive Backup” and select your account.
3. Click on “Create a backup now” and wait for the process to be completed.
4. On the new phone, when setting up, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google account.

If some apps don’t automatically recover, check them in Google Play under the Library section, which shows all previously installed programs, even if they were removed.

Mi Mover|Google-account|Manual portability APK|Other programs (Titanium Backup, etc.)|Not portable data

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Manual transfer APK-Files: for experienced users

If you need to migrate applications that aren’t on Google Play (such as modified APKs or regionally blocked programs), you’ll have to do it manually, a method that requires access to the file system and may seem tricky for beginners, but it ensures that all installed applications, including system ones, are portable.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) on your old phone.
2. Go to /data/app/ (root! rights required) or /sdcard/Android/data/ for user data.
3. Copy folders with application package names (e.g. com.whatsapp) to an external drive or to the cloud.
4. On the new phone, install these APK-Manually allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights).

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of systems APK (folder /system/app/) This can cause a new phone to run in an unstable way. Don't copy files with the.odex extension, they're tied to a specific firmware.

To simplify the process, you can use utilities such as APK Extractor (available on Google Play) that automatically creates APK-However, remember that some programs (such as Netflix or banking apps) may block work on uncertified devices after manual installation.

4. Data transfer within applications: games, instant messengers, social networks

Even if you successfully transferred APK-If you file, it doesn't guarantee that you're safe inside the app, like WhatsApp doesn't have a history of correspondence, and Clash Royale doesn't have progress:

For games, be sure to check if the game supports cross-platform saving. For example, in Genshin Impact, progress is synced through a miHoYo account, and in Brawl Stars, through Supercell ID. If the game does not support cloud storage, use manual file copying from the /Android/obb/ folder (for large games) or /Android/data/ (for saves).

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5. Alternative transfer programs: Titanium Backup, Clone App and others

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities that offer advanced features, but often require root rights or a paid subscription.

• 🔧 Titanium Backup is the most powerful backup solution, but it only works on rooted devices, and it saves application data, system settings, and even more. SMS.
• 📋 Clone App – creates duplicate applications with their data (useful for testing on a new phone without losing the original).
• ☁️ Swift Backup is an alternative to Titanium Backup with a more modern interface.
• 🔄 Send Anywhere – transfers files between devices over Wi-Fi Direct without size restrictions.

For the Titanium Backup:

1. Install the application and provide root access.
2. Select “Reserve/Restore” and select the desired applications.
3. Create a backup in.tar.gz format and transfer the file to a new phone.
4. On the new device, restore data through the same Titanium Backup.

⚠️ Note: When you restore system applications (e.g. com.android.providers.contacts), your phone may crash. Always check for compatibility between the Android versions on your old and new device.

6. Transfer to devices from other manufacturers (Samsung, Honor, Realme)

If you’re switching from Xiaomi Redmi to a smartphone from another brand (like Samsung Galaxy or Honor), official tools like Mi Mover won’t work.

1. Apps: Use your Google account to recover from the Play Market or transfer the APK manually.
2. Application Data: For each application, look for a separate backup method (see Section 4).
3. Files and Media: Move it through Google Photos, Dropbox or physically (OTG cable, memory card).
4. Contacts and SMS: Export via Settings → System → Import/export to.vcf (for contacts) or.xml (for SMS).

On Samsung devices, you can use the Smart Switch utility, but it does not transfer data from applications installed outside the Galaxy Store. Phone Clone will suit Honor and Huawei, but with the same restrictions.

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7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔌 «Unable to connect to Mi Mover": Check that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data!). VPN firewalls.
• 📱 «Apps are not restored from Google account: Make sure the new phone has Auto-Restore option enabled (Settings) → Google → Backup).
• 🔒 «Not installed. APK-Files: Enable permission to install from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).
• 🎮 «Gaming progress is gone": Before transferring, link the game to your account (Google Play Games, Facebook or developer service).

If applications are unstable after transfer (for example, they fly out or do not open), try:

1. Clear the app cache (Settings → Apps → [Name] → Storage → Clear the cache).
2. Reinstall the app via Google Play (even if it’s already installed).
3. Check the compatibility of the app version with the new firmware (for example, some APKs for Android 10 do not work on Android 13).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions