How to transfer programs from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Why Standard Data Transfer Methods Don’t Always Work

The transition to Xiaomi’s new smartphone is a joyous but often overshadowed by the need to migrate dozens of apps, game saves and personal settings. Even if both devices are from the same manufacturer, the process doesn’t always go smoothly: account data is lost somewhere, notification settings fly off somewhere, and games require rebooting from scratch, and this is complicated when it comes to models with different versions of MIUI (for example, from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) or transferring between devices with different processors (Snapdragon vs Mediatek).

The main problem lies in the Android architecture: applications can store data in secure partitions that are not available for standard tools like Mi Mover. PUBG Mobile) link saves to a Google Play account, not a local storage, which means that even after the transfer, APK-The game will start from scratch if you do not sync your profile. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways of transferring programs between Xiaomi smartphones, including little-known methods for advanced users.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s built-in solution for data migration, including apps, contacts and SMS. It works on all devices with MIUI 9 and newer, but has limitations: not all applications are ported correctly, and some system settings can be reset.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Install Mi Mover on both smartphones (available in Settings) → The phone. → Mi Mover or Google Play).
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or use an access point).
• 📲 On the old phone, select the role of “Sender”, on the new one – “Recipient».
• 🔍 Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone with an old device.
• ✅ Select data categories for transfer (required to mark "Applications»).

Charge both phones at least 50% | Disable VPNs and firewalls | Make sure the new phone has enough memory | Check compatibility of MIUI-->

Important: Mi Mover does not transfer data from some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) due to security policies, and there may be problems with games that use anti-cheat (e.g. Call of Duty Mobile), in which case you will have to use alternative methods.

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If Mi Mover is stuck in the Prep phase, try restarting both phones and repeating the process, often solving the problem.

Method 2: Backup through Google Account

Android offers a built-in backup feature that stores installed apps, Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper and some app data. This method is universal, but has a significant drawback: not all apps support recovery from backup, for example, instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram require a separate backup.

How to back up and restore it to the new Xiaomi:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the option “Backup to Google Drive”.
3. Click on “Create a backup now” and wait until it is completed.
4. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google account.

Once restored, apps will automatically install from Google Play, but their data (such as saving in games) may not be transferred, and you will have to combine this method with others to fully transfer.

Method 3: Local backup via MIUI

If you don’t trust cloud services or have a slow internet connection, you can create a local backup right on your smartphone. Xiaomi offers a Local Backup tool that saves apps, their data and system settings to a file on internal memory or SD-map.

Instructions for creating a backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click on “Create a Backup” and select categories (be sure to tick “Applications” and “Application Data”).
3. Specify the location of the storage (internal memory or SD-map).
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 10–30 minutes).

To recover data on the new phone:

1. Copy the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder from your old phone to your new phone (via OTG cable, computer or cloud).
2. On the new device, open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Select the backup file and click "Restore".

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Local MIUI backup is the only way to migrate system settings (such as gestures or power saving modes) that are not saved to Google Account.

Please note: this method does not tolerate APK-The files of the apps themselves are just their data and settings, and once they're restored, you'll have to manually install programs from Google Play.

Method 4: Transfer over ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — A tool for low-level management of Android devices. APK-file (/data/app), It requires command line skills and can disrupt system stability if used incorrectly.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on both phones (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect your old phone to your PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab On the phone, confirm the backup (password cannot be set).
4. Disconnect the old phone, connect the new one and restore the data: adb restore backup.ab

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Not all applications are properly restored through ADB (particularly systemic).
• ⚠️ Data from certain games (e.g. anti-cheat games) may be blocked.
• ⚠️ On phones with different versions of Android, compatibility errors are possible.

Mi Mover|Google Account|Local backups MIUI|ADB/manual|I can't stand it, I'm setting it up again.-->

Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup)

Powerful tools like Titanium Backup or Swift Backup are available for users with root rights or unlocked downloaders, which allow them to port not only applications but also their data, including saving games and settings, but these methods require deep technical knowledge and can lead to loss of warranty.

How to transfer data using Swift Backup:

1. Install Swift Backup on both phones (requires root or ADB to unlock features).
2. On your old phone, back up your desired apps (select Apps + Data).
3. Export backup to SD-map.
4. On the new phone, import the backup and restore the apps.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Ability to selectively transfer individual applications.
• 📦 Save game data (including those that do not support cloud sync).
• 🔧 Transfer system applications and settings (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home).

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If you don’t have root rights but have an unlocked bootloader, you can use Swift Backup with ADB connectivity. Select “ADB Mode” in the app settings to do this.

Comparison of transfer methods: what to choose?

Each method has its pros and cons. Below is a comparison table that will help you choose the best option depending on your needs.

For most users, the best solution is the Mi Mover combination (for basic applications) + Google Account (for synchronizing contacts and data parts) + manually transferring game saves through the cloud or SD-If you have to move everything, including system settings, you have to master it. ADB or Swift Backup.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you do the instructions right, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn’t see the new device.

• 🔌 Check that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (do not use mobile internet).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices and try again.
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN, firewalls and energy saving modes.

Problem 2: Applications have been moved, but are not being launched.

• 🔄 Reinstall problematic apps from Google Play.
• 📂 Clear the cache and application data in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔧 Check the compatibility of Android versions (some of them are not available). APK They do not work on new versions. MIUI).

Problem 3: The games have lost saves.

• 🎮 Make sure the game is linked to a Google Play or social network account.
• 📁 Manually copy the folder with the saves (usually located in the /Android/obb or /Android/data).
• 🔄 If the game supports the cloud, sync your data before the perenosom.

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If apps fly out after transfer, try disabling MIUI optimization for them: Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autostart and Battery → Battery Optimization.

If none of these methods work, the last option is to manually install applications and then restore data from cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), which will take longer, but ensure that all programs work.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions