How to copy apps from one Android to another Xiaomi: The Complete Guide to 2026

Transferring apps from an old smartphone to a new Xiaomi is a challenge that every user faces when changing devices. Even if both gadgets run on Android, the process does not always go smoothly: settings are lost somewhere, saving in games is lost somewhere, and some programs even refuse to run. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to port applications, including official tools from Xiaomi and advanced methods for power users.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all very special, with their own MIUI shell, which puts restrictions on standard Android mechanisms. Google’s Android Backup Service, for example, often fails because of manufacturer modifications. So universal solutions like Samsung’s Smart Switch won’t work here. We’ll focus on methods that are tailored to the Xiaomi ecosystem, taking into account the nuances of different MIUI versions (12 to 14).

Importantly, if you migrate applications between devices with different CPU architectures (e.g., ARMv7 to ARM64), some programs may not start, mainly for older games or software with native libraries, in which case only reinstallation from Google Play will help.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for data migration, including apps, contacts and multimedia.It is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand (starting with MIUI 8) and supports transfer between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. The main advantage is the preservation of application settings and parts of game saves (for example, for Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).

How Mi Mover works:

1. On your old device: open Settings → About Phone → Data Migration (or find the Mi Mover app on the menu).
2. On the new Xiaomi: Run the same section when you first set up (or through Settings → More → Migration).
3. Select a role: the old device is the “Sender”, the new device is the “Receiver”.
4. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point on an old phone.
5. Scan it. QR-code on the new device and select data to transfer (required to mark "Applications").

• ✅ Pros: Stores logins and passwords in some applications (for example, in VK Or Telegram. APK-files and data simultaneously (does not require separate installation) Works without root rights and PC connection.
• ❌ Cons: Not all applications are supported (e.g., banking or c) DRM-It can be "hang" during the transfer stage if the data volume exceeds 10 GB. It does not tolerate system applications (for example, Mi Home or Mi Fit will have to be installed separately).

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi has a global firmware installed (for example, MIUI Global), and the old one is Chinese (MIUI China, Mi Mover may not see some apps due to regional restrictions.In this case, use the methods in Section 3 or 4.

2. Google Account Transfer: Limitations and Lifehacks

Standard sync through Google Account allows you to recover the list of installed applications, but not their data. However, this method is useful as an addition to Mi Mover — for example, to restore purchases in games or Gmail settings.

1. On your old phone: go to Settings → Google → Backup and enable Data Backup.
2. On the new Xiaomi: When you first set up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.
3. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 30 minutes).

What's recovering:

• 📱 List of applications (but not their data!).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords.
• 📝 Calendar Contacts and Events.
• 🎮 Game saves if they support Google Play Games (e.g. Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars).

⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication for Google Account was enabled on the old phone, you may need to confirm via a new Xiaomi account when restoring it. SMS Prepare access to the old phone number in advance!

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Before transferring, check if the game supports cloud-based saves, for example, in Genshin Impact you need to link your account to miHoYo, and in PUBG Mobile you need to link your account to Facebook or Twitter.

3. Manual transfer of APK and data via PC

If Mi Mover failed, and Google Account did not restore the desired applications, you can copy APK-This method requires access to the file system of both devices and is suitable for advanced users:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cables (preferably original).
• 📂 File Manager (e.g. Total Commander or Mi File Explorer).
• 🛠️ Extraction programme APK (for example, APK Extractor from Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, install APK Extractor and extract the APKs of the desired applications (they will be saved to the ExtractedApks folder).
2. Connect both devices to your PC and enable File Transfer (MTP).
3. Copy the ExtractedApks folder to the new Xiaomi (for example, in Downloads).
4. To transfer these applications, go to /data/app (root rights required) or use ADB (see section 4).
5. Install the new device. APK-Files via any file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Without root rights, you will not be able to copy application data (only) APK).
• 🔒 Some of them APK You may not install because of a signature (e.g., Xiaomi system applications).
• 🔄 Google Play apps (such as YouTube or Gmail) are better installed through the store than manually.

Backup data on your old phone |

Install APK Extractor and extract the necessary files |

Connect both devices to the PC in MTP| mode

Copy APKs and data folders (if root is available)|

Check the compatibility of processor architectures (ARMv7/ARM64)

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Advanced method: transfer through ADB (without root)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a debugging tool that allows you to copy applications and their data without root permissions, which is suitable for porting all user applications, including their settings and cache. Importantly, both devices should be enabled debugging over USB.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cables (preferably original).
• 📋 List of application packages (can be obtained through adb shell pm list packages).

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging on both phones: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
2. Connect the old device to your PC and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab The phone will receive a confirmation request - enter the lock password (if any).
3. Disable the old device and connect the new one. Restore data: adb restore backup.ab

A critical nuance: ADB backup does not include data from system applications and some DRM games (such as Pokémon GO or Harry Potter: Wizards Unite) and the new device must have the same or a newer version of Android, otherwise the recovery may result in an error.

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi is installed MIUI China, and the old one — MIUI Global, some apps (like Google Play Services) may not recover due to firmware differences, and they will have to be installed manually.

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

For root-right users, specialized utilities like Titanium Backup or Swift Backup are the best solution.

• 📦 Save applications + data + file-setting.
• 🔄 Restore to a new device even system applications.
• ⏱️ Planning for automatic backup.

How to use Swift Backup:

1. Install the application on the old device and provide root access.
2. Select backup applications (e.g. Viber, Spotify, games).
3. Keep the archives on SD-Map or cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
4. On the new Xiaomi, install Swift Backup, provide root, and recover data from the archive.

Warning: When you restore system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music) on a new device, version conflicts may occur.

1. Remove the problem app through Settings → Apps.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Repeat recovery.

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Swift Backup is the only way to migrate 100% of your application data (including system apps), but requires root rights on both devices.

6. Transfer of game saves: features for Xiaomi

Game saves are a separate headache when changing your smartphone. Even if you migrate the APK games, progress can reset. There are a few nuances for Xiaomi devices:

• 🎮 Google Play Games: Most modern games (e.g. Clash Royale, Call of Duty: Mobile) sync saves with Google's cloud.To restore progress: Install the game from Google Play on the new Xiaomi. Launch the game and log in to Google Play Games (usually offered on first launch). Select your profile - saves will download automatically.

Social media

Candy Crush

Homescapes

Facebook

Local conservation

Minecraft

Terraria

/sdcard/games/game name

or (for root users):

/data/data/game package/files

For Xiaomi devices with Game Turbo (built-in game accelerator), some saves can be stored in a protected folder:

/sdcard/Android/obb/com.xiaomi.gameturbo/

It should also be copied to a new device.

⚠️ Note: If the game uses an anti-cheat system (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire, manually copying saves can result in a ban on your account. In such cases, only use official recovery methods (via Google Play Games or social networks).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔌 "Device not detected" in Mi Mover: Check that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data). VPN Or a proxy on both devices. Restart your router if you use an access point from your old phone.
• 📱 Apps are not installed on the new Xiaomi: Make sure that in Settings → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications is allowed APK If the error "Application not installed" pops up, try clearing the cache of Google Play Services.
• 🔒 ADB It gives you an "unauthorized" error: You'll see a request for debugging confirmation on your phone -- check "Always allow from this computer" and click "Allow." If the request doesn't appear, reconnect. USB-Cable and execute adb kill-server, then adb start-server.
• 🗃️ Lack of space on new device: Clear app cache on old phone before transfer (Settings) → Warehouse → Use Mi File Explorer to search for large files (Category) → Large files).

If none of the methods worked, check:

• Android version compatibility (for example, migrating from Android 10 to Android 13 can cause problems).
• Availability of MIUI updates on a new device (sometimes bugs are fixed in new firmware versions).
• Regional restrictions: Chinese firmware (MIUI China) does not support Google services, which prevents recovery through the account.

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If the Mi Mover is stuck in the transfer phase, don't interrupt the process! Wait 10-15 minutes - sometimes the progress is delayed. If nothing happens, restart both phones and try again.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions