How to transfer programs from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but migrating all apps, games and settings can be a real headache, especially if you don’t want to lose progress in games, saved passwords or customized messenger settings. Fortunately, Xiaomi device owners have several proven ways to migrate data, from the built-in Mi Mover tool to manually transferring data through the device. APK-file.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for transferring programs between Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models, POCO And Black Shark, their pros and cons, and give specific recommendations for different scenarios – whether it’s an upgrade to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the transition from Redmi Note 10 to the new model. POCO F6. We will pay special attention to saving application data (for example, com.whatsapp or com.tencent.ig for the purpose of the application). PUBG Mobile, as standard copying methods are often ignored.

Important: if you transfer data from the device to the MIUI 14 and later, some methods (e.g., adb backup) may require additional permissions.

1.Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official data porting tool

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer not only applications, but also contacts, messages, photos and even some system settings. MIUI 9 and newer, including the latest versions of HyperOS.

To use Mi Mover, both smartphones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, which takes 10 to 40 minutes depending on the amount of data, and it is important that applications are ported without their data (for example, save in games or chat in instant messengers), if they do not support backup through Google Drive or their own clouds.

• ✅ Pros: simple interface, does not require root-rights, transfers system settings.
• ❌ Cons: Not all applications are supported, application data (e.g. com.vk.im) may not be portable.
• 🔧 Features: on new devices with HyperOS, the interface may be different - look for the Data Portability tab in the settings.

Step-by-step:

1. On an old smartphone, open Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On the new device, select "I am a new user" → "Get data from an old phone".
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old one.
4. Select data for transfer (required to mark "Applications").
5. Wait for the process to be completed and restart the new smartphone.

⚠️ Note: If the new smartphone already has some of the portable apps installed, Mi Mover will skip them. Before transferring, it is recommended to reset the new phone to factory settings (if it is empty) or manually remove duplicate applications.

Charge both smartphones at least on 50%|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (5 GHz is preferable)|Free up on a new phone at least 2 GB memory|Turn it off. VPN firewalls|Make sure that both phones have the latest version installed. MIUI/HyperOS-->

2. Backup through Google Account

If you use a Google Account on your Xiaomi, some of the apps and their data can be moved through the Google Drive cloud, a method that is suitable for instant messengers (com.whatsapp, org.telegram.messenger), some games and utilities that support synchronization.

Important: Not all apps store data in Google Drive, VK Tinkoff Bank or Tinkoff Bank use their own clouds, and games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail are tied to HoYoverse developer accounts. Before transferring, check if the application you want backs up in Settings. → Google → Backup.

• 📱 What is portable: list of installed applications, some settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper), data of supported applications.
• ⚠️ What's not tolerable: APK-Application files (only links to them in the Play Market), data of most games, cache files.
• 🔄 Restriction: Free Google Drive storage – 15GB (may not be enough for a full backup).

How to move:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Google → Backup → Create a backup copy now.
2. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google account.
3. If the phone is already configured: Settings → Google → Backup → Recover data.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI If you have Google services disabled (like Chinese firmware), it won't work. №3 or №4.

3. Transfer through APK-files (manual method)

If you need to migrate specific applications with all their data (e.g. modified) APK or games with local saves, you can use the manual method through extraction APK It takes a little bit more effort, but it gives you complete control of the process.

The work will require:

• File Manager with access to root folders (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)
• Extraction annex APK (for example, APK Extractor).
• USB-cable or cloud storage for file transfer.

Step-by-step:

1. On the old phone, take it out. APK application through APK Extractor (the file will be saved in the folder) APK_Extractor).
2. Copy the folder with the application data from /data/data/[name packet] (e.g, /data/data/com.whatsapp). This may require root access or adb pull.
3. Move it. APK and a folder of data on a new phone.
4. Install. APK (Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special access).
5. Copy the data to the appropriate folder on the new device (again, root may be required).

If the application is used OBB-files (such as games) must be moved separately from the folder /Android/obb/[without these files, the game will not start or will work with errors.

4.Use of third-party applications for migration

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't suit you, you can use third-party data porting utilities.

• 📱 Clone Phone (from Huawei) – works on Xiaomi, transfers applications, contacts, SMS.
• 🔄 Samsung Smart Switch – Despite the name, supports many Xiaomi models (needs an Android version).
• ☁️ Send Anywhere – transfer files and APK Direct Wi-Fi without cloud.
• 📂 Xender – Quick portability of apps and media files, but may contain ads.

Selection recommendations:

For maximum compatibility with MIUI It is better to use Clone Phone or Send Anywhere. Samsung Smart Switch may not port some Xiaomi system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter).

How to transfer via Send Anywhere:

1. Install Send Anywhere on both phones.
2. On the old phone, select "Send" → "Appendices" and mark the required.
3. Click "Send" and select the transfer method (Wi-Fi Direct or Wi-Fi Direct). QR-code).
4. On the new phone, confirm receipt and install applications.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in settings MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Application management → Battery optimization, otherwise the transmission may be interrupted.

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If you are playing with big games OBB-Files (e.g., Call of Duty Mobile or Free Fire), use Send Anywhere in Files mode, so you can select only the desired ones. OBB, non-copying.

5. Cloud services transfer (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Telegram)

Cloud storage is a universal portability method that doesn’t require direct phone connection, and the downside is that many apps (especially games) don’t store data to the cloud, so it’s more suitable for backup than for full migration.

Options for cloud services for Xiaomi:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud — Xiaomi's proprietary cloud (5GB for free) Suitable for contacts, notes, photos, but does not tolerate applications.
• 📁 Google Drive – for backup of the list of applications and data supported programs (see section 2).
• 📎 Telegram - can be sent APK-files in "Saved Messages" (limit 2 GB per file).
• 💾 Dropbox/OneDrive — hand-carry APK and OBB-file.

How to transfer APK Telegram:

1. On the old phone, take it out. APK the required application (for example, through APK Extractor).
2. Open Telegram, go to "Saved Messages" and send APK filelike.
3. Download the new phone. APK from Telegram and install it.

To transfer application data (such as WhatsApp chats), use built-in backup features:

• For WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (saves to Google Drive).
• For Viber: Settings → Account. → Backup (saves to the Viber cloud).

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Cloud services are convenient for porting individual applications or small files, but are not suitable for full migration of all data. For full portability, combine this method with Mi Mover or manual copying.

6. Data portability for corporate or modified applications

If you are using modified APK (For example, Spotify Premium, YouTube Vanced, enterprise applications (certified) or device-based applications (e.g. banking), standard portability techniques may not work:

• 🔐 For banking applications: usually requires re-authorization on a new device. APK It will not help – you need to install the official version from the Play Market or AppGallery.
• 🛠️ For modified APK: just carry on APK-file (without data) because the changed data may cause errors.
• 🏢 For enterprise applications: Re-registration of the device in the MDM-Systems (e.g. MobileIron or VMware Workspace) ONE).

Example of YouTube Vanced portability:

1. On the old phone, take it out. APK through APK Extractor.
2. Move it. APK To a new phone and install it.
3. Sign in to your Google account – Vanced settings are synchronized automatically.

For applications linked to IMEI or serial number (for example, some banking or government services) data transfer is not possible – re-registration will be required.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring programs between Xiaomi smartphones, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

Additional advice:

• 🔋 If the transfer is interrupted due to battery discharge, connect both phones to charging before the process begins.
• 📶 To speed up the transfer, use 5 GHz Wi-Fi or USB-OTG Adapter (if supported).
• 🔄 If the application is unstable after transfer, clear its cache (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Clear the cache).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions