Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but porting apps can become a real headache if you donโt know the right methods. Many users lose data, settings or encounter errors when trying to migrate. This article will help avoid typical mistakes and choose the best way to transfer depending on your situation.
Todayโs Xiaomi offers a few built-in tools for migration, but they donโt always work perfectly. Weโll look at both the official solutions from the manufacturer and the universal methods that are suitable for all Android devices, and weโll focus on saving data inside apps, which is what causes problems for users most of the time.
1.Official method: Mi Mover by Xiaomi
The easiest way to migrate apps is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all new Xiaomi smartphones, which is optimized to work with the brand ecosystem and supports the transfer of not only apps, but also contacts, messages, photos.
To use the Mi Mover, both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On the old device, you need to download the application from Google Play (if it is not the default), and on the new Xiaomi it will already be installed.
- ๐ฑ Supports portability between any Android device (not just Xiaomi)
- ๐ Stores application settings and account data
- โ ๏ธ Does not work with some banking applications due to security restrictions
- ๐ถ Requires a stable Wi-Fi connection (do not use mobile Internet!)
Important: Mi Mover does not transfer data from applications that use their own authorization systems (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), which will require a separate backup procedure.
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Before you start the transfer, turn off battery optimization for the Mi Mover app on both devices, which will prevent the process from interrupting due to energy saving.
2. Transfer through Google Account
If you have an active Google Account synced with your old phone, you can restore most of the apps on the new Xiaomi automatically.This method works for all Android devices and requires no additional programs.
When you first turn on a new smartphone, the system will prompt you to log in to Google Account and restore data. Select the option โRestore Appsโ โ this will download all the programs that were installed on the previous device. However, note that the data inside the applications (for example, save games or settings messengers) is not always fully restored.
| Type of data | Transferred via Google | Needs additional action |
|---|---|---|
| List of installed annexes | โ Yes. | โ No. |
| Contacts | โ Yes. | โ No. |
| SMS and call history | โ No. | โ Yes (Separate backup required) |
| Photographs and videos | โ Yes (via Google Photos) | โ No. |
| Application settings | โ No. | โ Yes (depending on the app) |
For full portability, it is recommended to combine this method with others, for example, use Google Account for applications and Mi Mover for the rest of the data.
Manual transfer through APK-file
If you only need to migrate specific apps, not all data from your phone, you can use the.apk extraction method, which is suitable for applications that are not available on Google Play or have regional restrictions.
This will require:
- Install a file manager with APK retrieval function on an old phone (e.g. APK Extractor)
- Find the right apps in the list and save them APK-file
- Transfer files to the new Xiaomi via Bluetooth, cloud or cable
- Install APK on new device by allowing installation from unknown sources
โ ๏ธ Attention: Installation APK Before you use the penos, check the files with an antivirus and make sure they come from a reliable source. Some applications (such as banking) can block work on uncertified devices.
This method does not store application data, only the programs themselves, and additional backup or cloud-based application services will be required to transfer data.
Download APK Extractor to an old phone
Check for free space on both devices
Disable antivirus during file transfer
Allow installation from unknown sources on the new Xiaomi
Backup of important application data-->
4. Computer-assisted transfer
For those who prefer complete control of the process, computer-transfer is a good option, and this is especially true if you have slow Internet or large amounts of data. USB-cable.
The most popular programs for this task:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Xiaomi PC Suite โ the official solution from the manufacturer
- ๐ MobileTrans โ universal software for migration between devices
- ๐ Syncios โ allows selective data transfer
- ๐ Dr.Fone โ supports transfer even to iOS on Android
The process usually involves:
- Connecting both phones to your computer
- Selection of data for transfer in the program interface
- Starting the migration process (can take up to an hour)
- Checking the integrity of data on a new device
โ ๏ธ Warning: When using third-party software, always download it from official sites. Fake versions of such utilities often contain malware that can compromise data on both devices.
The advantage of this method is that it can be selectively transferred and process controlled, but it requires more time and technical skills than wireless solutions.
What data cannot be transferred through a computer?
5. Data transfer within applications
Many popular apps have their own backup systems that allow data to be transferred regardless of the overall migration, which is especially important for instant messengers, games and work tools.
Hereโs how it works for the most popular services:
- ๐ฌ WhatsApp: Create a backup in Settings โ chat โ Backup. On your new phone, install WhatsApp and restore data when you first start up.
- ๐ฑ Telegram: All data is stored in the cloud. Just log in to your account on a new device
- ๐ฎ Games: Use Google Play Games binding or your own save system (e.g., Genshin Impact has cross-platform saves)
- ๐ Google Authenticator: Transfer is only possible through backup (configure it in advance in the application settings)
Banking applications usually require re-authorization, as they are tied to a particular device through security certificates. Some banks (e.g. Sberbank or Tinkoff) allow data to be transferred through a network of banks. SMS-code.
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Always check for backup in the app settings BEFORE the port starts. Some services (like Viber) require manual backup creation, which you then need to manually download to the new device.
6.Moving to phones with different versions of Android
If you upgrade from an old Android (like version 8-9) to a new Xiaomi with Android 13/14, there may be compatibility issues.Some older apps may not work on newer versions of the OS, and data may not be properly restored.
Here's what to consider:
- ๐ฑ Apps compiled for Android 8 and below may not run on Android 12+ refreshed
- ๐ Some security settings (such as camera permissions) are reset when you transfer
- ๐ File Storage Structure Changed in New Android โ This Could Impact File Managers
- ๐ For mission-critical apps, check for updates in Google Play before the penos
If you encounter compatibility errors, try:
- Update problem applications to the latest versions
- Use Compatibility Mode (if available in Xiaomi settings)
- Contact the support of the application developer
For Xiaomi, MIUI 14/15 features โMode for Older Appsโ that emulates earlier versions of Android, and can be activated in Settings โ Special Features โ Compatibility Mode.
7. Frequent errors and their solutions
Even with proven methods, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Apps are not installed on the new phone | Incompatibility of Android versions or processor architecture | Check for updates or use APK for your architecture (arm64/x86) |
| Application data has not recovered | There is no backup or reset settings | Check if backup is enabled in Google settings |
| Mi Mover is 99% frozen | Antivirus conflict or unstable connection | Turn off the antivirus and reconnect to Wi-Fi |
| Banking applications are not portable | Security Restrictions (SafetyNet) | Install the application again from an official source |
If none of the methods worked, try a factory reset on the new Xiaomi and repeat the transfer procedure.