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

Transferring apps from the old Xiaomi smartphone to the new one may seem like a trivial task – until you face the nuances MIUI, In 2026, users have at least 5 working ways to migrate data, but not all of them are equally effective. For example, the standard Mi Mover refuses to copy some system applications, and manually transfer through the Internet. APK-Files can cause installation errors due to differences in processor architecture (e.g. Snapdragon vs MediaTek).

This article will not just list the ways, but will help you choose the best method depending on your situation:

• 🔄 You need to transfer only applications or together with their data (saves, logins, settings)?
• 📱 Both phones on the phone MIUI 14/15 Or one of them is running on a custom firmware?
• 🚫 Is there a time limit (for example, you need to switch to a new device)?

We tested each method on pairs of Redmi Note 12 Pro devices+ → Xiaomi 14 Ultra and POCO X5 → Redmi K70E, to identify pitfalls and suggest workarounds.

We will pay special attention to the portability of applications with data storage without root rights – this is the most painful task for Xiaomi users, since it is a very important task for the users of the company. MIUI locks up the folder /data/app even ADB. Consider legal ways to circumvent this restriction, including using Xiaomi Cloud and third-party tools like Swift Backup (with nuances for the latest Android versions). 13/14).

1. Official way: Mi Mover - pros and hidden limitations

Mi Mover – a proprietary solution from Xiaomi for data migration between devices MIUI. The app is pre-installed on all modern smartphones of the brand (starting with Redmi 9 and Mi 10) and promises to transfer applications, contacts, messages and even some settings:

• ⚠️ Not all apps are portable: System utilities (Mi Home, Mi Fit, Themes) and games with cheating protection (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact are often missed.
• 🔌 Cable required USB-C → USB-C (Or an adapter for older models with Micro-USB. Wireless transfer over Wi-Fi Direct is unstable.
• 📵 On Android 13 devices+ It may be necessary to disable data protection MIUI In Settings → Special facilities → Improved security.

How to use Mi Mover correctly:

1. On both phones, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or find the app through search).
2. Select a role: on the old phone - "Sender", on the new - "Receiver".
3. Connect the devices with a cable and confirm a trusted connection on both screens.
4. In the data list for transfer, mark "Applications" (optionally - "Application Data", if you need to save logins and settings).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).

Charge both phones at least 50% |

Use the original Xiaomi| cable

Turn off VPNs and firewalls |

Free space on the new phone ≥ data transferability|

Check the compatibility of versions MIUI (difference of not more than 2 versions)-->

An important caveat: if the new phone already has some of the portable apps installed, Mi Mover will suggest either overwrite them (with loss of current data) or skip them. Choose carefully!

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Mi Mover interface changed. To find the feature, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Data portability.

2.Move over Google Account: Automatic synchronization

If both of your Xiaomi phones are linked to the same Google account, some apps can be restored automatically when you first turn on a new device.

• 📱 Apps from Google Play (not system-based or installed through Google Play) APK).
• 🔑 Logins and passwords (if synced via Google Smart Lock is enabled).
• 📁 Some user data (e.g., game progress if the developer supports Google Play Games).

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Google accounts → Synchronization of the account.
2. When you first turn on your new phone, select the option “Copy Data” and log in to the same Google account.
3. In the data list for recovery, mark "Applications" (optional - "Application Settings").

The main disadvantage of this method is that not all applications are restored, for example, banking applications (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff) and instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) require re-authorization, and Google does not sync:

• 📌 Annexes established from APK (Play Market).
• 🎮 Game data if the developer has not integrated Google Play Games Services.
• ⚙️ Setups of Xiaomi system utilities (for example, Mi Home or Security).

💡

If some apps haven’t appeared after being restored via Google, check the “Library” section of the Play Market – there may be hidden programs that were previously installed.

Manual transfer through APK: when nothing helps

If Mi Mover and Google fail, the manual method remains: extraction. APK-Files from the old phone and installing them on the new one, even for applications that are not recognized in other ways, but require caution:

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone, install a file manager with access to system folders, for example, FX Explorer or Solid Explorer (in settings, enable Root access if the phone is rooted).
2. Go to the folder. /data/app — stored APK-Note that without root, you will only see a portion of the folders.
3. Copy the right ones. APK The file name usually corresponds to the packet name (for example, com.whatsapp-1.apk).
4. Transfer files to a new phone and install them manually, allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔒 Application not installed: check the processor architecture. ARMv7, new to ARMv8, some APK The solution is to download the universal version from APKMirror.
• 📛 No access to /data/app: Without root, you can get it out. APK Only for custom applications (not system ones). Use App Backup & Restore from Play Market to create a backup.
• 🔄 These applications are not portable: this requires additional tools like Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup (obsolete for Android 12).+).

⚠️ Attention: Transfer APK Xiaomi system applications (such as MiuiHome or SecurityCenter) to a device with a different version MIUI It can cause system failures. Install only compatible versions!

4.Cloud Services: Xiaomi Cloud and Alternatives

Xiaomi Cloud offers a backup of applications and their data, but with serious limitations:

• 📦 The amount of free storage -- everything. 5 It's about GB. 20-30 data-driven).
• 🔐 Not all applications support backup to the cloud (e.g. banking or gaming).
• 🌐 It only works with a stable Internet connection (not suitable for large amounts of data on a slow connection).

How to make a backup in Xiaomi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for "Applications".
3. Click on "Sync Now" and wait until it's finished.
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and recover data from the cloud.

Alternative cloud services:

For maximum reliability, we recommend combining methods: for example, use Xiaomi Cloud for system applications and Google Drive for user data.

💡

Cloud backups are good for backups, but don't replace full portability. Always check what data was saved before you reset your old phone!

5. PK-assisted portability: ADB and specialized utilities

For advanced users, the most reliable way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge, or third-party utilities like Wondershare's MobileTrans, allows you to migrate even apps that are blocked in other ways.

Instructions for ADB:

1. Install ADB on your PC (download Google’s Platform Tools).
2. On both phones, turn on the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
3. Connect your old phone to your PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (password is not mandatory, but it is recommended).
4. Connect your new phone and recover data: adb restore backup.ab

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 All applications, including system applications (unless blocked) are ported MIUI).
• 📂 Application data is stored (if not encrypted).
• 🖥️ It works even on devices with damaged screen (control via PC).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires command line skills.
• 🔒 Nana MIUI 14+ Access to some system applications may be blocked.
• ⏳ The process takes a long time (up to a few hours for a full backup).

Alternatively, the MobileTrans program:

• 🖱️ Intuitive graphical interface (no need to enter commands).
• 📲 Supports a transfer between Xiaomi and other brands (Samsung, Huawei).
• 💰 Paid license (about 30)$ yearly).

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB on Android 11 devices+ and MIUI 12+ Some system applications (MiuiSystemUI, SecurityCenter) may not recover due to the limitations of the Android Backup Service. APK.

6. Transfer to devices with different architectures (ARM vs x86)

If you are switching from a phone with a Snapdragon processor (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro) to a device with MediaTek (such as the Redmi Note 12), or vice versa, compatibility issues may arise. APK-This is because applications are compiled to a specific processor architecture:

• armeabi-v7a — An outdated standard for 32-bit processors.
• arm64-v8a — 64-bit standard for most smartphones.
• x86/x86_64 — It is used in emulators and some tablets.

How to solve the problem:

1. Check the processor architecture of old and new phones with the app CPU-Z (section").
2. If the architectures are different, download the general-purpose versions of the apps from APKMirror (look for files marked "universal" or "bundle").
3. For games and heavy apps (such as Photoshop or Lightroom), use official sources (Google Play or the developer’s website) as they will automatically pick the correct version.

Examples of incompatibility:

If you are migrating apps to an Android emulator (like BlueStacks or MuMu Player), keep in mind that most emulators are required. x86-version APK. In this case, manual transfer through APK It is almost useless – it is easier to install apps again from Google Play.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when you follow the instructions, you're going to have some common problems.

Mistake 1: "Mi Mover can't see the second phone"

• 🔌 Check the cable – use the original USB-C Xiaomi (cheap cables often don’t support data transfer).
• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📵 Turn it off. USB-debug VPN both-device.

Error 2: “Applications are moved but not running”

• 🔒 Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [name] → Permits.
• 🔄 Update apps through Play Market or GetApps.
• 📛 If the app is system-based (e.g. MiuiCamera), download the compatible version from Xiaomi Community.

Error 3: “There is not enough space on the new phone”

• 🗑️ Clear the cache: Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📁 Move some applications to the memory card (if supported): Settings → Annexes → [name] → Warehouse → Change.
• ☁️ Use Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos to free up space (photos/video take up the lion’s share of memory).

Error 4: Application data is not transferred (logins, saves)

• 🎮 For gaming: check if your Google Play Games or social network account is linked.
• 📱 For messengers: use the built-in backup (WhatsApp) → Settings → chat → Backup copy).
• 🔑 For passwords: export them through Google Smart Lock or Bitwarden.

💡

If the application is unstable after the transfer, try to clear its data (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Warehouse → Clear the data) and re-authorize. This often solves synchronization problems.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions