Moving WhatsApp to another Xiaomi phone: A complete guide to saving chats

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to porting WhatsApp with a history of correspondence that can go back years. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply install the messenger on a new device and everything will be the same. However, without proper preparation, you risk losing all media files, voice messages and chat archives older than 3 months that do not sync with the cloud automatically.

In this article, we will discuss 3 Proven ways to transfer WhatsApp between Xiaomi phones (including models on the phone) MIUI 14/15 Android 12-14), Given the peculiarities of the messenger with backups, we will pay special attention to the nuances that the manufacturer does not say: from differences in backup formats to problems with authorization on new devices with a new backup. MIUI Global and MIUI China.

If you use Xiaomi with a dual SIM- card or eSIM, the transfer process can be complicated by linking your WhatsApp account to a specific number. We will explain how to avoid errors such as “This device is not supported” or “Can not restore backup”, which often occur when switching between devices with different versions of Android.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do before the transition to the new Xiaomi

The first and most critical step is to create a full backup on an old phone, without which you can’t move chats, and WhatsApp will suggest starting with a clean account. Note: backup in Google Drive (for Android) has limitations — it does not include media files older than 3 months, unless they were downloaded manually.

There is an additional nuance on Xiaomi phones: by default, the system can block WhatsApp’s background work, which leads to failures when creating a backup.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → WhatsApp.
2. Choose the Battery. → No restrictions.
3. Enable Auto Start and Secondary Start option.

Also check the free space on the device – it will require at least 1.5-2 volumes of your correspondence for the backup. For example, if chats take 2 GB, free up 4 GB of memory. On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, you can use the built-in Cleaner (Settings → Memory) to quickly free up space.

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If you are using Xiaomi with MIUI China firmware, make sure to switch to MIUI Global or MIUI Europe before the WhatsApp perenosom.Local versions of China can block access to Google Drive, making it impossible to restore the backup.

Don't forget to use two-factor authentication (2FA) on WhatsApp. If it's enabled, you'll need a 6-valued PIN- code when you activate on a new device. Without it, it'll take 7 days (as per messenger rules).

1. Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Account → Two-step verification.
2. Click Disable (if you don’t want to use) or write down your current PIN.

2. Method 1: Transfer over Google Drive (official method)

This is the most common method, but it only works if:

• 📱 Both phones use the same number (SIM- card or eSIM).
• ☁️ An old device has a Google account with enough disk space attached.
• 🔄 The last backup on Google Drive was created no later than 7 days (otherwise WhatsApp will suggest starting from scratch).

Step-by-step:

1. On the old Xiaomi, open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Click Create a copy and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).
3. Install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi from Google Play (not via APK!).
4. When you first start, enter the same phone number and confirm it via SMS/call.
5. When a recovery request appears, select Google Drive and specify the account to which the backup is linked.

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Note: If the new Xiaomi is running MIUI China, Google Drive can be blocked. In this case, use Method 3 (manual transfer via PC).

Once restored, make sure all chats are in place. Sometimes WhatsApp doesn't restore voice messages and stickers - they'll have to be moved separately (see manual transfer section).

Created fresh backup (less than 7 days)|The new Xiaomi has the same Google account.|SIM-card activated and received SMS|There is enough space on the new phone (minimum 2 GB free)-->

3 Method 2: Local Transfer via MI Mover (for Xiaomi)

MI Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for transferring data between brand devices, and supports WhatsApp transfer, but with the caveats:

• 🔄 Works only between Xiaomi phones (not suitable for porting to other brands).
• 📡 Requires Wi-Fi Direct (both phones must be nearby).
• ⚠️ Does not transfer media files older than 90 days (text chat only).

How to use MI Mover:

1. On both phones, install MI Mover from Google Play or the App Store (for older models).
2. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → From another Android.
3. On an old phone, open MI Mover and select I am the source.
4. Scan the QR- code from the new device and confirm the connection.
5. In the data list for transfer, mark WhatsApp and click Transfer.

It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of chats you have. Don't delete WhatsApp from your old phone until you make sure everything works on the new one. Sometimes MI Mover forgets to move group chats, and you have to manually restore them.

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Note: On devices with MIUI 15 (2026), MI Mover may require permission to debug over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate Developer Mode).

Method 3: Manual transfer via PC (100% reliability)

This method is suitable for any device, including switching from iPhone to Xiaomi or between phones of different brands. You will need a computer (Windows/Mac) and a USB cable.

Steps for manual transfer:

1. On your old phone, create a local backup: Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Backup → Local copy. Wait for completion (the file will be saved in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases folder).

two-folder

• WhatsApp/Databases (with msgstore.db.crypt14 file)
• WhatsApp/Media (all media files)
• Install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi without running (don’t enter the number!).
• Connect the new phone to your PC and paste the copied folders into /sdcard/WhatsApp/.
• Launch WhatsApp on a new device, enter the number and confirm it. The messenger will automatically find the local backup.

If WhatsApp doesn’t see the backup, check:

• 📁 The WhatsApp folder is located in the root memory directory (not inside other folders).
• 🔑 The backup file is called msgstore.db.crypt14 (for newer versions of WhatsApp).
• 📱 The new phone has power-saving mode turned off for WhatsApp.

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Note: If you are migrating WhatsApp from your iPhone to Xiaomi, you should first convert your local backup from.iclouddrive to.crypt14. Use utilities like iMazing or Backuptrans (paid but reliable).

5.Mobilize WhatsApp Business and Multi-Accounts

If you use WhatsApp Business or multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same phone (via Parallel Apps in MIUI), the process becomes more complicated.

For WhatsApp Business:

1. Create a local backup (similar to a regular WhatsApp).
2. Copy the WhatsApp Business folder on your PC.
3. On your new phone, install WhatsApp Business from Google Play (not via APK!).
4. Restore data from the copied folder.

For multi-accounts (if you used dual apps in MIUI):

• 📌 On your old phone, open Settings → Apps → Dual apps and disable the duplicate WhatsApp.
• 🔄 Create a backup for the main account, then repeat for a duplicate (the backup folder will be called WhatsApp_1).
• 📱 On the new Xiaomi, first restore the main account, then enable dual apps and repeat the process for the second.

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Note: When you migrate WhatsApp Business to regular WhatsApp (or vice versa), the product catalog and business settings will not be saved.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If WhatsApp does not send messages after the transfer, check:

• 📶 The new Xiaomi has enabled mobile data for WhatsApp (Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data transfer → WhatsApp).
• 🔒 No locking according to IP (current when using VPN).
• ⏳ WhatsApp servers are not overloaded (check status on Downdetector).

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If you lose voice messages after the transfer, copy the WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Voice Notes folder manually. It is not included in the Google Drive cloud backup.

7.Moving to Xiaomi with iPhone: features

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi requires additional steps due to differences in backup formats. WhatsApp on iOS backs up iCloud that is not directly compatible with Android. You will need an intermediate step – backup conversion.

Step-by-step:

1. On iPhone, create a backup in iCloud (Whatsapp Settings → Chat → Backup).
2. Install a conversion program on your PC, such as iMazing (paid but supports all versions of iOS). Backuptrans (free trial).

iCloud

.crypt14

Xiaomi

Method 3

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Note: When converting backup from iPhone, you lose: 🎵 Voice messages (if not saved in iPhone Photos). 📅 WhatsApp call history. 🔖 Bookmarks and selected messages. To minimize losses, save important media files in iPhone Photos before perenosom and transfer them separately.

If you have an iPhone with a dual SIM- card, link WhatsApp to the main number before creating a backup. On Xiaomi, you can add a second number after recovery via WhatsApp Settings → Account → Change the number.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions