How to transfer Android apps to Xiaomi without losing data: full guide

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting can be a real headache if you don’t know the key nuances. Especially when it comes to saving not only contacts and photos, but all installed apps with their settings, progress in games and authorizations. Unlike iOS, where data migration is standardized, the Android ecosystem offers several paths, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party solutions.

The main problem when migrating between different manufacturers (for example, from Samsung or Huawei to Xiaomi) is the incompatibility of branded backups. For example, a backup via Samsung Smart Switch will not be restored to the Redmi Note 12. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to migrate applications, including hidden MIUI functions, cloud services and manual methods for power users.

1. Built-in MIUI tool: Data migration

The easiest and most official way is to use the MIUI-built Data Migration feature, which works on all modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 12) and supports transferring not only contacts, but also most applications with their data. Importantly, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz for speed).

How it works:

• 📱 On the new Xiaomi, select Data Transfer when you first enable it → Android.
• 🔗 On your old phone, install the Mi Mover app (available on Google Play).
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same network and scan. QR-code from a new smartphone.
• 📦 Select data for transfer: applications, their settings, SMS, callbook.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Not all apps support data portability (especially banking and some games).
• 🔄 The process can be interrupted if the old phone has little memory or weak Wi-Fi signal.
• 📱 Does not work with Android Go devices or heavily outdated versions (below Android 8.0).

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If the migration is stuck in the Prep phase, restart both devices and repeat the process, often by turning off the VPN or switching to the mobile Internet.

2. Google Account Transfer: What is Transferred and What Is Not

Syncing through Google Account is a universal method, but with serious limitations.

• 📇 Contacts, calendars and notes (if standard Google apps were used).
• 📁 Photos and videos (if you have autoloaded in Google Photos).
• 🎮 Progress in games (only if the games support Google Play Games).
• 📱 List of installed applications (but not their data!).

What's NOT tolerable:

• ❌ App settings (such as Telegram themes or Instagram filters).
• ❌ Local application files (caches, downloads inside messengers).
• ❌ Bank Application Data (for security reasons).

How to turn on synchronization:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync → Enable all items.
2. On the new Xiaomi: When you set up, log in to the same Google account and wait for the sync to complete.
3. Install the missing apps manually through Google Play.

Third-party programs: Titanium Backup and alternatives

For advanced users ready for manual settings, Titanium Backup (or its analogues) remains the most powerful tool.The program creates full backups of applications along with their data, including:

• 🎮 Save Games (even without cloud support).
• 📱 Settings of system and user applications.
• 🔑 Local databases (such as WhatsApp chat history if no cloud is used).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Titanium Backup on your old phone (root rights required!).
2. Create a backup of the desired applications in the format.apk + data.
3. Transfer files to the new Xiaomi (via MIUI File Manager or PC).
4. Install Titanium Backup on your new phone and recover the data.

⚠️ Attention: Without root on the new device, you can not recover application data! On Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, you can get root through Magisk, but this will void the warranty.

Alternatives without root:

• 📦 Swift Backup (works on some firmware without root).
• 🔄 App Backup & Restore (Saves only) APK, data-free).

4. Transfer over PC: ADB and manual copying

If you only need to migrate selective applications or data, the ADB method gives you maximum control.

• 📱 Apps with their data (such as WhatsApp with chat history).
• 🎵 Music and playlists from local folders.
• 📁 Configuration files (e.g., Termux or Kodi settings).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Install ADB drivers and Platform Tools from Google’s website.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on both phones (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock Developer Mode).
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 (leave the password empty).
4. Connect the new Xiaomi and recover the data: adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) block work on devices with enabled debugging. USB. After the transfer, turn off the developer mode in the settings.

5. Cloud Services: MI Cloud vs Google Drive vs Yandex Disk

If you prefer cloud solutions, Xiaomi has its own service, MI Cloud, but it is inferior to Google Drive in functionality.

How to transfer data via MI Cloud:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → MI Cloud → turn on backup.
2. On the new Xiaomi: log in to the same Mi Account and recover the data.

The critical nuance is that MI Cloud doesn’t carry applications with their data, only system information. To fully port it, combine it with other methods (for example, ADB for applications + MI Cloud for SMS).

6. Data transfer in games and instant messengers: individual cases

Games and instant messengers often store data on servers, but some require manual transfer.

• 🎮 Games with support for Google Play Games: 📱 Automatic sync when logging into the same Google account. 🔄 Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars, Genshin Impact.
• 💬 WhatsApp: 📁 Backup in Google Drive (set up in WhatsApp) → Settings → chat → Backup copy). ⚠️ Use the same number and Google account on your new phone.
• 📱 Telegram: ☁️ All data is stored in the cloud – just log in to your account. 🔑 Local secret chats are not portable!
• 💰 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.): 🚫 Data transfer is prohibited for security reasons. 📱 You will have to reinstall and re-authorize (sometimes you need to visit the bank).

Make sure the game is linked to your account (Google Play, Facebook, built-in)

Create a backup manually (if there is an option in the game settings)

Write down the game ID or nickname (in case of recovery problems)

Check if the game supports cross-platform portability (e.g. from Android to iOS)-->

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when you follow instructions, users have problems. TOP-5 mistakes and their solutions:

• 🔌 "Devices can't see each other" when migrating over Mi Mover: Check that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data!). VPN Reboot the router if the transmission speed is too low.
• 📱 "Applications installed but data lost": Use Titanium Backup or ADB For games, check if progress is tied to your account.
• ⚠️ "Lack of space on new phone": Clear cache on old device before transfer (Settings → Use the cloud to temporarily store large files.
• 🔒 "Banking application does not start after transfer": Remove it and reinstall it from an official source (not through backup!). Check if Developer Mode is enabled - some banks block work on "uncertified" devices.
• 🔄 "Google Sync is frozen": Delete your Google account on your new phone and add again. check if Google Drive is crowded (clear the place if needed).

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If the data transfer is interrupted by half, DO NOT start the process again from the same place, completely delete the partially transferred data on the new phone and start the migration from scratch.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions