How to copy apps on Xiaomi smartphones: a complete guide with instructions and life hacks

Porting apps between Xiaomi devices or backing them up is a task that every user sooner or later faces, POCO Or Mi, you want to share the game with a friend, or just save the data before resetting the settings — there are several options for this task, and each has its own nuances. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to copy applications on Xiaomi devices, including built-in tools. MIUI, command-line ADB, Third-party utilities and cloud services.

It is important to understand that simply copying a.apk file is not enough: modern applications store data in secure folders, use it. OBB-We'll show you how to transfer not only the executable file, but also save, setup and cache, so that after copying the application works as if it was installed from Google Play. Particular attention will be paid to the difference between copying for personal use and transferring applications to third parties (taking into account licensing restrictions).

1. Built-in tools MIUI: backup and cloning of applications

Firmware MIUI It offers two official ways to copy applications: through Local Backup and Application Cloning (Duplicate). The first method is suitable for transferring data to a new device, the second is for creating a second copy of the application on the same smartphone (for example, a second account in the messenger).

To make a backup copy:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
• 🔄 Select Applications in the list of data for reservation (specific programs can be noted).
• ☁️ Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed. the file will be saved in the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
• 📤 Move the folder to another smartphone and restore through the same settings section.

Note that this method only copies the application data, not the.apk files themselves. To transfer the application itself, you will need to extract it through the application. ADB Also, not all applications support backup – some (such as banking) block this feature for security reasons.

⚠️ Attention: Backup copies MIUI They are encrypted and may not be restored on devices with a different firmware version or model. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Charge your smartphone at least to 50%|Release me. 1-2 GB memory|Connect to Wi-Fi (for cloud backup)|Remember the password from your Mi Account (if you use the cloud)-->

2. Extraction APK-File Manager via File Manager

If you need to copy the application itself (the.apk file) rather than its data, the easiest way to use a file manager with access to system folders is to use a standard Files application or third-party utilities like Solid Explorer or Xiaomi for this. FX File Explorer.

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to the folder /data/app (Root rights or access through ADB).
2. Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, com.whatsapp-1).
3. Copy the file. base.apk (sometimes called app.apk) safe-haven.
4. For games, copy the folder as well. /Android/obb/[name packet] (e.g, /Android/obb/com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM for Asphalt 9).

Without root rights, access to /data/app closed, but this restriction can be avoided:

• 🔧 Use it. ADB (instruction).
• 📲 Install the App Cloner app or APK Extractor from Google Play – They Remove.apk Without Root Access.
• 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC and use programs like Apk Extractor (PC) or 3uTools.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) Check the.apk signature and may not start after manual transfer, in which case you will need to reinstall via Google Play.

Built-in backup MIUI|File Manager with root rights|ADB-team|Third-party utilities (APK Extractor, etc.)|Cloud services-->

3. Copying applications through ADB (power-user)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — It's a powerful tool for working with the smartphone file system through the command line, and it can extract the.apk of any application, including system ones, even without root rights. It requires a connection to a PC, but guarantees 100% efficiency of copied files.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive on your PC.
2. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI In Settings → About the phone) and turn on the debugging USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute on the command line: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. Copy the.apk application command: adb shell pm path com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the desired application, for example, com.whatsapp).
5. In the answer, you will receive a path to the file (for example, /data/app/com.whatsapp-1/base.apk). Copy it on PC: Adb pull /data/app/com.whatsapp-1/base.apk

To copy application data (sets, cache) use:

adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all

This command will create a backup.ab file with a full copy of the selected applications. To recover data on another device, use:

adb restore backup.ab

4.Use of third-party utilities to copy applications

If you work with ADB It seems complicated, you can use specialized applications that automate the process of extracting.apk and data, and some even allow you to install copied applications on other devices without losing functionality.

Top.-5 utility:

For copying games with saves, we recommend Swift Backup or Titanium Backup - they are correctly processed. OBB-file /Android/data. If root-rights are not available, use Send Anywhere: it allows you to send a folder with the game (including.apk and.obb) to another smartphone over the local network.

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Before using Titanium Backup, turn off MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Turn off optimization MIUI). This will prevent failures in data recovery.

5. Cloud services: copying and synchronizing applications

If you want to not just copy an app, but sync it between devices, use cloud services. Xiaomi offers its own solution, Mi Cloud, but it has limitations. Alternatives are Google Drive, Dropbox or specialized services like App Backup & Restore.

How to copy applications through Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the Application section (if available).
3. On the second device, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for synchronization.

Disadvantages of the method:

• 🚫 Not all apps are supported (banking, some games).
• 📦 Only data is synchronized, not the.apk files themselves.
• ☁️ Limitation on the volume (5 GB for a free account).

For full copying, use a combination of cloud and manual transfer:

1. Copy.apk through APK Extractor.
2. Upload the file to Google Drive or Dropbox.
3. On the second device, download.apk and install it, then restore the data via Swift Backup.

💡

Cloud services are convenient for data synchronization, but do not replace full copying of applications. Always use manual methods to port games or applications with a license (for example, Netflix).

6.Move apps between Xiaomi devices via Mi Mover

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official utility for migrating data between the brand’s smartphones, copying not only contacts and photos, but also apps (including their data), which works without root rights and is suitable for switching to a new Redmi or a new one. POCO.

Instructions:

1. Install Mi Mover on both devices from Google Play or the App Store.
2. On the old smartphone, choose I am the sender, on the new one, I am the receiver.
3. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use Hotspot.
4. Scan it. QR-code on a new phone from an old one.
5. Select the Applications in the data list for transfer and confirm the transfer.

Limitations of Mi Mover:

• 🔄 It only works between Xiaomi devices (not supported by other brands).
• 📦 Not all applications are portable (depending on developer policy).
• 🕒 The process can take up to 30 minutes with a large amount of data.

⚠️ Note: If a newer version of the app is already installed on the new device, Mi Mover may miss the transfer. ADB or Swift Backup.

7. Features of copying applications on different Xiaomi models

The process of copying applications may differ depending on the smartphone model and version. MIUI. Below are the key nuances for popular lines:

On devices with MIUI 14+ There are additional restrictions on access to system folders if standard methods don't work:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (instructions on the official website).
• 📲 Install custom recovery (TWRP) Full access to the file system.
• 🔄 Use the Mi. PC Suite for backup via PC.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When copying applications, users often face problems that lead to the failure of copied programs or loss of data.

1. the application is not installed after copying

Causes and solutions:

• 🔐 Signature mismatches: Copyed.apk has a different signature than the original from Google Play. ADB flag-headed -r: adb install -r -t app.apk
• 📱 Incompatibility with architecture:.apk is designed for arm64, The device supports only arm. Check the architecture through CPU-Z.
• 🔄 Outdated version: Copyed application older than the current installed version. uninstall it before installing.

2. Lost saves or settings

If the application is launched after copying, but there is no progress in games or settings, then it is not copied:

• 📁 folder /Android/obb/[package (for games).
• 🗃️ folder /data/data/[package (requires root).
• ☁️ Cloud data (for example, WhatsApp needs to copy the folder as well) /sdcard/WhatsApp).

Error "Not installed"

Most often it occurs due to:

• 🚫 Lock installation from unknown sources. Allow installation in Settings → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications.
• 🔒 Protections MIUI. Turn off Virus Protection in Security during installation.
• 📦 Damaged. APK. Check the checksum of the file or download it again.

Compatibility of Android versions (on old and new devices)

- Availability of free space (copyed application) + data may be taken up in 2-3 More space than the original.apk).

- Installation permits from unknown sources.-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions