How to transfer applications from Xiaomi phone to another without data loss: full guide

Transferring data between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device. Even if you stay in the brand ecosystem, the risk of losing important settings, saving in games or correspondence remains, and it is especially difficult to migrate applications with user data: messengers, banking programs, fitness trackers or games where progress is not synchronized with the cloud.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to migrate apps between Xiaomi phones, from the official Mi Mover tool to manual backups. You’ll learn what is right for your model (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), how to avoid typical errors and what to do if data is not transferred, and at the end, a comparative table of all methods on speed, reliability and limitations.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution for data migration between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. the application is preinstalled on all modern models (starting with MIUI 9) and supports the transfer of not only contacts or photos, but also installed applications with their data (except for system programs).

How it works:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Migration (or find Mi Mover through search).
2. On the new phone, run the same sequence and select “I am a new user.”
3. Scanner. QR-In the new device, scan the code from the old one.
4. Confirm the connection over Wi-Fi Direct and select data to transfer (be sure to tick "Applications").

• ✅ Pros: does not require Internet, saves the folder structure, transfers Wi-Fi settings and accounts.
• ⚠️ Cons: Does not work between different brands (e.g. Xiaomi) → Samsung may be “hanging” on large amounts of data (>30GB).
• 🔄 Feature: on models with MIUI 14 and later supported background transfer – you can use the phone while copying.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has data, Mi Mover will suggest resetting it to factory settings.Cancel operation if you're not prepared to lose current information.

Charging both phones >50%|Same version MIUI (near)|Unplugged. VPN firewall|Free space on the new phone > portable-->

2. Move through Google Account (for synced apps)

If you use applications that support backup to Google (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Photos), some of the data can be transferred over the cloud.

• 📱 Messengers (messages, media files).
• 🎮 Google Play Games (e.g. Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars).
• 📅 Calendars, Contacts, Notes (Google Keep).

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Google → Backup and turn on the option.
2. Connect your new phone to the same Google account.
3. When you first start the system, select “Restore data from backup.”

Important: Not all apps sync automatically, for example, Viber requires manual backup in settings, and SberBank Online does not support data transfer between devices at all.

Manual transfer via APK+data (for power users)

If Mi Mover fails or the application doesn't sync with the cloud, you can manually migrate it, a method that requires developer rights and is suitable for saving progress in games or settings of rare programs.

Steps:

1. On your old phone, turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode). Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB to copy APK and app data: adb pull /data/app/com.example.app adb pull /data/data/com.example.app
3. On the new phone, install the APK and transfer the data to the same folders (root rights or Magisk required).

⚠️ Note: Transferring system applications (such as Mi Home or Security) may cause crashes.

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To simplify the process, use the App Backup & Restore utility from Google Play. It backs up APK+ data without ADB, but requires manual restoration on a new device.

4.Moving over cloud services (bypass)

If the application does not support backup, but allows you to export data, use cloud services:

• 📁 Google Drive / Yandex.Disk: Download a backup (such as a.zip file from Titanium Backup) and download it to a new phone.
• 🔗 Telegram Saved Messages: Send yourself settings or save files (suitable for small volumes).
• 🖥️ Mi Cloud: Upload data to Xiaomi cloud (Settings) → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud, but keep in mind that the amount of free storage is only 5 GB.

A critical nuance: some apps (such as banking) block work on devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights. If you used these backup tools, the new phone may not pass security checks.

5. Computer Transfer (for large amounts of data)

If the data is more than 50 GB, the best way to use a PC is to mediate.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB Type C C Cables (preferably original).
• 📂 Backup software (e.g. Xiaomi) PC Suite or Syncthing).

Algorithm:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/ (there is game and application data stored).
2. Connect a new phone and paste files into the same directories.
3. Install apps from Google Play – they will “grab” local data.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14+ file-access /Android/data/ It's locked by default. To open it, type the code into the number dials ##13491## Enable the option "Full access to files».

Mi Mover|Google Account|Manual transfer via PC|Cloud services|Another option-->

Comparative table of transfer methods

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For most users, Mi Mover is the best option, combining speed and reliability. If you want to migrate rare apps or games, use the manual method via PC or ADB.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users face problems. Consider typical scenarios:

• 🚫 Mi Mover does not see the device: Make sure both phones are enabled with Wi-Fi Direct (Settings) → Connections → If the problem persists, restart both devices.
• 🔄 Apps moved but data was lost: This happens if a newer version of the program is installed on the new phone.
• 🔒 You can't copy the folder. /Android/data/: Nana MIUI 14+ Enable "Full Access to Files" (see section) 5) or use FX File Explorer with root access.

If applications fly out or don’t open after transfer, try:

1. Clear the app cache (Settings → Apps → [Title] → Clear the cache).
2. Reinstall the program from Google Play.
3. Check permissions (Settings → Apps → Permissions).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions