How to copy apps from one Xiaomi phone to another: the full guide 2026

Introduction: Why Standard Methods Don't Always Work

Transferring apps between Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face the limitations of the system. Even the official Mi Mover tool does not always copy all programs, and manual installation is not always a problem. APK-The problem is complicated when a new device has a more recent version. MIUI, which blocks the installation of "old" APK because of security policy.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to port applications, from automatic to manual, taking into account the features of different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), paying special attention to the nuances that are not written in the official instructions: how to circumvent installation restrictions, what to do with application data (for example, save in games), and how to avoid losing licenses in paid programs.

Spoiler: The most reliable method depends on your target. You just need to copy APK? ADB. You need settings and data? You have to use TiBackup or cloud backup. And if the phone doesn't turn on, you can read the section on extracting APK via TWRP.

Method 1: Mi Mover – Official instrument with pitfalls

Mi Mover is a built-in solution from Xiaomi for data migration, including applications. It works on devices with MIUI 9 and later, but there are critical limitations:

• 📱 It does not transfer all applications – it ignores system and some third-party applications (for example, banking).
• 🔒 Requires the same version MIUI on both phones (or new on the target device).
• 📶 You need a stable Wi-Fi connection - when the break the process is interrupted without the possibility of restarting.
• 🔄 Does not store application data (for example, progress in games or settings messengers).

How to use:

1. On both phones, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover.
2. Select the role: "Sender" on the old phone and "Receiver" on the new one.
3. Scan it. QR-screencode.
4. Select the Applications in the data list for transfer and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: If you are on a new phone MIUI 14, and the old one — MIUI 12, Mi Mover may block the transfer due to "version incompatibility." In this case, use Method 3 (ADB).

Method 2: Manually export APK via file manager

If Mi Mover fails, you can manually copy.apk files from applications, which works on any version of MIUI, but requires manual file search and installation.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/app/ This is where the APKs of all user applications are stored. The folder names are encrypted strings (e.g., com.whatsapp-1).
3. Find the desired application by the name of the package (you can find out through Settings → Applications → Application Information).
4. Copy the file with the.apk extension to a new phone (for example, via Xiaomi Share or OTG cable).
5. On your new phone, allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Privacy → Special Permits) and install APK.

⚠️ Attention: If the application is using OBB-files (such as games) must be copied separately from the folder /Android/obb/[without them, the program will either not start or will work with errors.

Install a file manager with root access (optional)

Check the free space on the new phone

Disable Battery Optimization for File Manager

Copy APK and OBB-files (if any)

Allow installation from unknown sources-->

Method 3: ADB for advanced users

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to copy APK and application data without manual file search, requiring enabled USB debugging and works on all versions of MIUI, including MIUI 14.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Then go to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
2. Connect both phones to your PC and check the connection: Adb devices (serial number of devices should be displayed).
3. Create an app backup from an old phone: adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the package name).
4. Restore the backup on your new phone: adb restore backup.ab

Critical nuance: if the application uses DRM-protection (e.g. Netflix or banking programs), backup ADB You may not have to re-authorize your license, and you may have to re-authorize your license.

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, for WhatsApp: adb shell pm list packages | grep whatsapp-->

Method 4: TiBackup – Backup with data

Titanium Backup (or its Swift Backup analog) allows you to create a full backup of applications along with their data, the only way to transfer, for example, saving games or setting up messengers, but requires root rights on an old phone.

How to use:

• 📲 Install Titanium Backup from your old phone (available on Google Play or on Google Play) 4PDA).
• 🔧 Provide root access (if the phone is not rooted, use Method 3 or 5).
• 📦 Select backup applications and create an archive (.tar.gz format).
• 📤 Transfer the archive to a new phone and restore it through the same Titanium Backup.

⚠️ Note: On new Xiaomi phones (like the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13), backup recovery may require a shutdown MIUI Optimization in the developer settings, otherwise the system will block the installation.

Method 5: Removing APKs via TWRP (if the phone is not turned on)

If the old phone is not switched on or locked, but it has an unlocked bootloader, APK can be extracted via TWRP. This method is suitable for emergencies when other methods are not available.

What you need:

• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader on an old phone.
• 📱 Established TWRP Recovery (version for your Xiaomi model).
• 💾 USB-storage OTG-file-copying.

Instructions:

1. Upload the phone to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Find the file. /data/app/ and copy the ones you need. APK on USB-accumulator.
4. Connect the drive to your new phone and install the APK.

💡

Removing via TWRP is the only way to save applications from a broken phone, but requires prior preparation (unlocking the bootloader).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your situation. Below the table will help you determine:

For most users, the best option is a combination of Mi Mover + manual APK porting. If application data is important (for example, save in games), use ADB or TiBackup.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions