How to save apps when changing your Android phone Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but many users are overshadowed by the fear of losing installed applications, their settings or game progress. Unlike the iPhone, where data migration is as automated as possible, owners of Android devices have to deal with the nuances themselves, especially in the Xiaomi line, where the proprietary shell MIUI adds its unique backup tools.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to save apps when changing phones, from standard Google and MIUI Cloud features to advanced methods using ADB and third-party utilities. You will learn how to migrate not only the programs themselves, but also their data (for example, save in games or configure messengers), as well as avoid typical errors that cause users to lose valuable information. We will pay special attention to the hidden functions MIUI 14/15, which are not written about in the official instructions.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do before changing the phone

Before migrating, there are several critical steps to follow on the old device, which can result in data loss or inability to restore applications on the new smartphone.

First, make sure that both devices share the same Xiaomi account (if you plan to use MIUI Cloud) and Google account. Without this, data synchronization will not be possible. You can check your account binding from the Settings → Accounts and Sync menu. It is also recommended to update MIUI to the latest version - new builds often fix backup errors.

Second, free up enough space on both devices, and a full backup will require at least 5 to 10 GB of free space (depending on the number of applications), especially if you plan to use local backup via MIUI Backup.

• 🔄 Update MIUI on both devices to the current version (check in Settings → About Phone → System Update).
• 🔐 Link accounts: one Xiaomi and one Google on both smartphones.
• 📱 Charge both devices to at least 50% – the transfer process can take several hours.
• 🚫 Turn off battery optimization for Google Play Services and MIUI Backup (in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).

⚠️ Warning: If you use root access or custom firmware on an older device, standard backup methods (MIUI Cloud or Google Backup) may not work, in which case you will have to use ADB or Titanium Backup (requires root).

2 Method 1: Automatic Transfer over MIUI Cloud

MIUI Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that allows you to save not only contacts and photos, but also installed apps along with their data, which works only if both devices are tied to the same Xiaomi account and have a stable Internet connection.

To take advantage of this function:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → MIUI Cloud.
2. Activate Backup Slider and select Applications in the data list to save.
3. Click Start Backup and wait for the process to complete (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours).
4. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Xiaomi account.

It is important to consider that MIUI Cloud has a limit on the amount of free storage - 5 GB. If your data takes up more space, you will either have to clean up unnecessary backups or purchase additional space (from 100 GB for ~ 300 rubles per year).

Is the date and time synchronized on both devices?

Is there enough space in the cloud (minimum 5GB free)

Are both phones connected to Wi-Fi (not mobile internet!)

Is the battery optimization switched off for MIUI Cloud-->

3. Method 2: Backup through Google Account

If you don’t trust MIUI Cloud or don’t have enough space, you can use Google’s built-in backup feature, which is less reliable for porting these applications, but is guaranteed to keep the list of installed programs and some of their settings (for example, accounts in messengers).

To activate the backup:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable backup slider in Google Drive.
3. Click Create a backup now and wait until it is completed.
4. On the new device, when you set up, select Restore from Google backup.

A key limitation of this method is that Google does not save APK- application files, but only a list of them.

• 📱 Apps removed from the Play Market will not be restored.
• 🔄 App data (e.g., game progress) will only be recovered if it supports Google Play Games Cloud Save.
• 🚫 Local files (e.g., saves in emulators) will not be migrated.

💡

If you use APKMirror or other sources to install apps outside of Google Play, export lists of installed programs using AppBrain or List My Apps before perenosom.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 14+, Google’s backup function is disabled by default to save battery. To activate it, go to Settings → Apps → App Management → Google Play Services → Battery → No Limits.

4 Method 3: Local backup via MIUI Backup

If you don’t want to rely on cloud services, Xiaomi offers a tool to create local backup directly on your device, which is suitable for transferring data via the OTG- cable, PC or SD- card, the main advantage is that there are no limits on volume (except free space on the media).

Instructions for creating a backup:

1. Connect the USB- drive to the phone or insert the SD- card.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Select Create a Backup and tick the Applications and Application Data.
4. Specify the storage location (internal memory, SD- card or USB- drive).
5. Wait until the process is completed (the process can take up to 1-2 hours).

To recover on the new device:

1. Copy the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder to the new phone (in the same directory).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Select the right backup and click Restore.

Local backup has several nuances:

• 🔄 Only those apps that are on Google Play on the new device are restored.
• 📁 Data from some system applications (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home) may not be transferred.
• 🔐 If a newer phone has a newer version MIUI, some of the settings may reset.

5. Method 4: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods are not suitable (for example, root or custom firmware), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to create a full copy of applications and their data. This method requires a PC and basic knowledge of working with the command line, but allows you to transfer 100% of data, including system applications.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
2. On the phone, activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the Build Number in Settings → About Phone) and enable Debugging on USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute a command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of the device).
4. Back up all applications and their data: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (the phone will have a confirmation request - set a password if necessary).
5. Once completed, disconnect the old phone and connect the new one.
6. Recover the data by command: adb restore backup.ab

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 All data is transferred, including system applications and settings.
• 📦 Works even on root or custom firmware devices.
• 🔒 Individual applications can be selectively restored.

Disadvantages:

• 🖥️ Requires PC and installation ADB.
• ⚙️ Some apps (such as WhatsApp) may block recovery due to security policies.
• 🔄 When you restore to a new version of Android, compatibility errors are possible.

💡

ADB is the only way to migrate data from applications that don’t support cloud backup (such as some banking programs or emulators).

Method 5: Third-party applications for transferring applications

If you don't like standard tools, you can use third-party tools that offer more flexibility, but require caution — some programs may contain ads or collect data.

Top.-3 checked transfer applications:

• 📲 Clone App – creates copies of applications with data (useful for duplicate messengers).
• 🔄 App Backup & Restore — saves APK and data to separate files.
• The 📦 Titanium Backup (requires root) is the most powerful full-back tool.

Examples of App Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on your old phone.
2. Select the programs you want and click Backup.
3. Transfer backup files to your new phone (via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct or USB).
4. Install App Backup & Restore on your new device and recover the data.

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party software, never save backups to cloud services (e.g. Google Drive or Dropbox) without encryption. APK files and application data may contain sensitive information (logins, passwords) that is easy to extract from the archive.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often have problems migrating applications, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

Another common problem is the loss of licenses for paid apps, and if you bought software on Google Play, it's automatically linked to your account and it'll regrow, but if you installed APKs from third-party sources or bought keys outside of the Play Market, you'll have to:

• 🔑 Save license files (usually found in /sdcard/Android/obb).
• 📧 Find purchase letters and activation keys.
• 🔄 Contact developer support to transfer the license.

8 Additional Tips for Successful Transfer

To make the process of changing the phone as smooth as possible, use these recommendations:

• 📋 Make a list of mission-critical applications in advance. You can check installed programs in Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• 🔒 Manually export data to the most important applications (e.g. WhatsApp allows you to create backup chats in Google Drive).
• 📡 Use high-speed connectivity to transfer data. When you move over Wi-Fi Direct or MIUI Cloud, slow internet can interrupt the process.
• ⏳ Schedule time: full data transfer can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours (depending on volume).

If you transfer data from Xiaomi to a device of another brand (such as Samsung or Realme), standard methods (MIUI Cloud) will not work.

• Use Google Account to transfer the list of applications.
• Use ADB or Titanium Backup (if root is available).
• For individual applications (such as WhatsApp), use the built-in export/import features.

💡

If you buy a new Xiaomi from an official store (like the Mi Store), ask a consultant to help with data transfer right in the cabin. they have special tools for quick migration, including branded Mi Mover cables (work only between Xiaomi devices).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions