Buying a new Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is always a joyous event, but it is often overshadowed by the need to set up the system and install programs. The owners of the Chinese brand ecosystem are in a good position, as the company has developed powerful built-in tools for data migration.
There are several proven ways to transfer Xiaomi apps to another phone, and the specific method depends on your goals and the status of the old device. You can use cloud services, local wireless connection or even a wired connection via your computer. The key to success here is the pre-preparedness of both gadgets, which ensures that there are no errors in the synchronization process.
In this article, we will discuss in detail each available method, paying special attention to the nuances of working with the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS. You will learn what data is automatically transferred and what requires manual intervention, and how to avoid common errors that can lead to loss of information. Competent migration will take you no more than 30-40 minutes, after which the new smartphone will be fully ready for active operation.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before starting the transfer procedure, it is critical to make sure that both smartphones, both old and new, have sufficient battery power.The optimal solution is to connect both devices to a power source or have a charge of at least 60-70%.
You also need to check for free space on the receiving device. The amount of free memory of the new phone should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer from the old device. If you use cloud services, make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, as the transfer of large amounts of data over the mobile Internet can be slow or charged separately.
⚠️ Warning: Before launching any migration tools, be sure to back up critical data to an external medium or to the cloud, which will create an additional recovery point in case of unforeseen software failures.
Be sure to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version. Xiaomi developers are constantly improving data protocols, and older versions of Android or MIUI may experience compatibility conflicts. You can check for updates by going to the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version (or OS version).
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer Xiaomi apps to another phone is to use the Mi Mover tool, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s modern devices and allows you to transfer data over a direct Wi-Fi connection without using the Internet, while transferring speeds can reach 20-40 MB / s, which is much faster than standard cloud methods.
To get started, open the app on both smartphones. On the new device, select Recipient and on the old device, Sender. QR-code or connect to the access point you created. Once you have established the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for transfer.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
In the list of data to be selected, pay special attention to the “Applications” section, which will suggest migrating not only installation files, but also, in many cases, data within applications, including logins and settings. However, it is worth considering that some banking applications and programs with a high degree of protection may not migrate their data for security reasons.
- 📱 Select the category "Applications" and tick all necessary programs.
- 📸 Don’t forget to also choose Gallery, Contacts and Messages for a full migration.
- ⚙️ In advanced settings, you can select the transfer of system settings and alarm clocks.
- 🚀 Click the “Send” button and wait for the process to be completed without turning off the screens.
Synchronization with your Mi Cloud account
An alternative method that is ideal for regular backup is using Mi Cloud cloud storage.This method is good because your data is always up-to-date and can be restored to any Xiaomi device simply by entering a login and password.This is especially convenient if the old phone is already unavailable or faulty.
To set up sync, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. You need to activate switches for the types of data you want to save. Applications usually have the option of synchronizing the list of installed programs and their settings, unless the application developer has prohibited it.
| Type of data | Limit in the free version | Recovery speed | We need the Internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts and notes | 5GB (total) | Instantly. | Yes. |
| Photos and videos | 5GB (total) | Depends on the speed of the network. | Yes. |
| Annexes (list) | Not limited. | Tall. | Yes. |
| System settings | Not limited. | Medium | Yes. |
When you first set up your new Xiaomi phone, it will offer to restore data from the Mi Cloud. You will just need to log in to your account. An important nuance: free space of 5 GB may not be enough for a full backup of photos and videos, so for large amounts of data, it is better to use the local method through Mi Mover or purchase an extended subscription.
What if Mi Cloud doesn’t sync apps?
Transfer through Google Account and Play Market
Google's ecosystem offers its own, universal migration method that works on all Android smartphones, regardless of brand. When you first turn on a new device or reset to factory settings, the system will suggest recovering data from a Google One backup.
To activate the function, open on your old phone Settings → Google → Backup. Make sure the Google Backup switch is activated. You can also start forced sync by clicking the Start Copy button. In the cloud, you will save lists of installed apps, Google Chrome passwords, contacts and calendar.
- 🔒 Passwords and autocomplete data are saved in Google Password Manager.
- 📱 The list of applications is restored automatically when you log in to the account.
- 📞 Contacts are synced instantly when you add an account.
- 📸 Photos require separate sync enabled in Google Photos app.
The main advantage of this method is independence from the phone manufacturer. If you move from, for example, Samsung to Xiaomi, Google Account will be your main tool, but it is worthwhile to understand that the data inside the applications themselves (cache, save games that are not tied to the cloud) through this method is most often not transferred.
Nuances of transfer of banking applications and messengers
Financial apps and instant messengers deserve special attention, as they have increased security requirements. When migrating through Mi Mover or Google, often only the app shortcut is copied, and you have to log in again, this is normal behavior due to the binding of an account to a unique device ID (Device ID).
For instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, the situation is different. Telegram stores the entire history of correspondence on its servers, so simply enter the phone number and all chats will appear instantly. In the case of WhatsApp, you need to back up the chats inside the application itself (Settings → Chats → Backup), selecting a save on Google Drive or in local storage.
⚠️ Note: Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) may require re-binding the device when trying to transfer data. In some cases, you may need to confirm via SMS or call the bank to unlock access from the new hardware».
Some users have a problem when, after transferring, the banking application writes “Superuser Rights Received on the Device” or “Run on a Rooted Device” even if there are no root rights, which is because some system files may have been migrated with errors, in which case it is recommended to delete the application and download it again from the official GetApps store or Google Play.
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For WhatsApp on Android-to-Android, it’s better to use the built-in chat port feature when you initially set up the phone, which is requested by the app itself when you first start up.
Decision and possible errors
Users may encounter various technical difficulties during migration, and one of the common problems is a connection break when using Mi Mover. This can be due to interference in the radio channel or energy-saving algorithms that “drunk” the background process. To avoid this, keep the screens of both phones on and do not switch to other applications during transmission.
Another common mistake is to say, "Not enough space" even when you have free memory, which can be due to file system fragmentation or reserved space for system needs, so try to transfer data in parts, not in one array: first applications, then photos, then documents.
If the application does not work properly after transfer (flying out, slowing down), the best way to do it is to cleanly reinstall it. Cache files transferred from an old device with another version of Android can conflict with the new system. Deletion and reboot ensure compatibility of versions of libraries.
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The cleanest and most stable result is given by a combination of methods: system settings and contacts through Mi. Cloud/Google, a heavy applications and media files via local Mi Mover.