How to restore apps on the new Xiaomi Redmi phone: the complete guide

The transition to the new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always exciting, but the transfer of applications can turn into a headache if you do not know the nuances. Even with the use of standard tools like Mi Cloud or Google Account, users often face problems: Some programs are not restored, data is lost, and settings are reset. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to port applications, from automatic to manual, taking into account the features of the application. MIUI 14/15 The latest updates to Xiaomi services.

We will focus on common bugs: why some applications are not restored through the cloud, how to transfer game data without loss, and what to do if the new Redmi “can’t see” the backup. Also consider alternative methods for those who prefer complete control over the process, for example, through the use of a ADB or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (with reservations about compatibility with modern versions of Android).

Important: Recovery procedure may vary depending on the Redmi model (e.g. Redmi Note). 12 vs Redmi 10C) All the instructions below are tested on devices with MIUI 14.0.5+ Android 13/14.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on an old phone

Before you restore applications on the new Xiaomi Redmi, you need to save data from the old device correctly, a stage that is often missed, and then wonder why some programs “disappeared” or recovered without saved data.

The first rule is to sync everything through official channels. Xiaomi has two main backup tools:

• 🔄 Mi Cloud — cloud storage from Xiaomi (gives 5 GB for free) Stores the list of applications, their data (not for everyone), system settings and SMS.
• ☁️ Google Account – syncs installed apps (from Google Play), contacts, calendar and part of settings.

Both methods should be used in parallel, as they complement each other.

The second thing is manually saving critical data, and some applications (e.g., banking or instant messengers) don't sync through the cloud for security reasons.

• 📁 Backup in the app itself (e.g. WhatsApp: Settings) → chat → Backup copy).
• 💾 Copy folders with data (for example, /Android/data/com.whatsapp/) PC-based.
• 🔐 Write down the usernames/passwords from your accounts in your apps (use a password manager like Bitwarden).

⚠️ Note: If the old phone is locked OEM (Settings → For developers → Unlocking OEM), You need to disable it before you back up your file through Mi Cloud, otherwise some of the data may not be saved.

The third step is to check the space available. A backup in the Mi Cloud can weigh several gigabytes, especially if you're saving photos and videos. Make sure there's enough space on your old phone to create a local copy (if you plan to use this method).

2. Automatic recovery via Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is the easiest way to migrate apps to the new Xiaomi Redmi, but it doesn’t work perfectly.

Step 1: Create a backup on your old phone:

1. Open your Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Enable synchronization for the item Backup of the device.
3. Click Create a Backup and select the data to save (be sure to tick Apps and Application Data).
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data).

Step 2: Recovery on the new Xiaomi Redmi:

1. When you first turn on a new phone, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Mi Account.
2. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device and select the latest copy.
3. Tick the required data (including Applications) and click Restore.

What to do if the applications have not recovered:

• 🔄 Check the version. MIUI: Old and new phones must have compatible firmware versions (the difference is no more than one). 1-2 update).
• 📱 Reboot your new phone after recovery – sometimes apps only appear after a reboot.
• 🔧 Update Mi Cloud to Google Play on both devices.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi system apps (such as Theme or Security) may not recover if a newer version is installed on the new phone. MIUI. You will need to update them manually through GetApps.

Are Mi Accounts Synced on Both Phones?|Is there enough space in the Mi Cloud (at least 1 GB free)?|A fresh backup copy (not older than 3 days)?|Is the lock down? OEM old-phone?-->

3. Restoration through Google Account

If you prefer the Google ecosystem or you have problems with Mi Cloud, you can restore applications through a Google Account, which is less reliable for these applications, but it does a good job with the list of installed programs.

How it works:

• ☁️ Google keeps a list of installed apps from Google Play, but not their data (except for some games through Google Play Games).
• 🔄 Recovery occurs automatically when you first log in to your account on your new phone.
• ⚙️ Settings for some apps (such as Gmail or Chrome) are synced separately.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Google → Backup and enable Backup to Google Drive.
2. Make sure that the backup list shows Apps and App Settings.
3. On the new Redmi, when you first start, select Copy Data and log in to the same Google Account.
4. After setting up your phone, open Google Play → Library → Installed, where you will see a list of previously installed applications.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not recovering. APK-files not installed from Google Play (for example, via APKMirror).
• 🎮 Game data is only stored if the developer supports Google Play Games (e.g. Clash of Clans or Google Play Games). PUBG Mobile).
• ⚠️ Some applications (such as Telegram or VK) You may need to re-authorize.

Importantly, if you used modified versions of apps on your old phone (like YouTube Vanced or Spotify Mod), they won’t be restored through your Google Account.

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If, after recovering through Google Account, the apps did not appear in Google Play, check if the sync for this account is disabled. → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account and turn on all switches.

4. Manual transfer of applications through APK data

If the automatic methods didn't work, or you want to migrate only certain applications, you can use the manual method, which is suitable for power users and takes a little longer, but gives you complete control over the process.

Method 1: Copying APK data via PC

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Copy the folder. /Android/data/ (a) the data of the applications are stored therein; and APK-file /Android/obb/ (game-file).
3. Install the same apps on the new Redmi from Google Play (this is necessary to create folders with data).
4. Connect your new phone to your PC and replace the contents of folders /Android/data/[name packet]/ copied data.

Method 2: Use ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience working with ADB, You can transfer applications and their data through the command line:

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


adb restore backup.ab

Please note: this method may not work on newer versions. MIUI It also doesn't carry data from some system applications.

Advantages of the manual method:

• 🎯 Choose which apps to transfer.
• 📦 Stores application data that is not synced through the cloud (e.g., Nova Launcher settings).
• 🔧 It works even if you have different Mi or Google accounts on your old and new phone.

⚠️ Note: When manually transferring data through /Android/data/ Some apps (such as messengers) may block access due to Android changes ID. In this case, you will have to re-authorize.

5. Data transfer of games and social networks

Games and social media are a separate story, because they often store data on developers' servers, not locally, and it's important to keep progress or your correspondence history in mind.

For the Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG, Clash Royale, et al.):

• 🎮 Most modern games are linked to a Google Play Games account, Facebook or a developer’s own account (e.g. miHoYo for Genshin Impact).
• 🔄 Before the penos, check in the game settings if your account is tied. If not, do so before switching to a new phone.
• 📱 After installing the game on the new Redmi, log in through the same account - progress will be automatically pulled up.

For social networks (WhatsApp, Telegram, VK):

• 💬 WhatsApp: Backup your Settings → chat → Backup (save to Google Drive) On your new phone, install WhatsApp, log in and restore chats.
• 📎 Telegram: Cloud chats sync automatically, but secret chats and downloaded files will have to be transferred manually (folder) /Telegram/Telegram Images/).
• 👥 VK: log in to a new phone – correspondence and media files will be downloaded from the cloud (if synchronization is enabled).

Features for Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔧 Some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 11) WhatsApp may not see the backup in Google Drive. in this case, copy the file msgstore.db.crypt14 folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ manually.
• 📶 If the games are slowed down after the transfer, check the graphics settings in Game Turbo (Settings) → Special facilities → Game Turbo).

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For games and social networks, the main thing is to link to an account, without which data transfer is impossible, even if you copy all the files manually.

6. Alternative methods: third-party utilities and services

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools that offer more flexibility, but require caution, especially when dealing with system data.

1. Titanium Backup (Root only)

• 🛠️ Allows you to create full backup copies of applications and their data.
• 🔐 Requires root rights that cancels warranty on Xiaomi Redmi.
• ⚠️ On the new versions MIUI It may not work due to SELinux limitations.

2.Swift Backup (without root but with limitations)

• 📱 It works on most Xiaomi devices without root, but doesn’t store all data.
• ☁️ Can upload backups to Google Drive.
• 🚫 Does not tolerate system applications and data of certain games.

3. Xiaomi Tool V2 (PC-based)

• 💻 Windows software that allows you to manage firmware and data Xiaomi.
• 📦 Can create full backups (including: /data/app/).
• ⚠️ The risk of “bricking” the phone when used incorrectly.

4. Send Anywhere / Xender

• 📲 Applications for wireless file transfer between phones.
• 📁 Can I pass it? APK-files and folders with data (for example, /Android/obb/).
• 🔗 No root, but you need a stable Wi-Fi network.

⚠️ Note: When using Titanium Backup or Xiaomi Tool V2 on the redmi MIUI 14/15 An anti-rollback can work, which will lock the phone. Before using, check compatibility with your model in the forum. 4PDA.

Recommendations for the choice of method:

• 🔹 If you need a full copy with all the data and you are willing to take a chance – Titanium Backup (power users only).
• 🔹 If you only need to transfer a few applications – Swift Backup or manual copying via PC.
• 🔹 For transmission APK Large files (such as games) - Send Anywhere.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and let's look at some of the most common errors and how to fix them.

1.Apps recovered but not opened

• Reason: Version conflict or lack of necessary permissions.
• Solution: Update the app on Google Play. Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → [name] → Permissions and turn on all necessary. Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Clear the cache).

2. no games or progress are restored

• The reason: Game data is stored on the developer’s servers, not in the phone’s cloud.
• Solution: Sign in to the game through the same account (Google Play Games, Facebook or your own). If the game was not installed from Google Play, download it again from the official source.

3. "Not enough space" error in the recovery

• Reason: There is little space on the new phone or the backup is too large.
• Solution: Delete unnecessary files on the new Redmi (Settings) → Warehouse → Clean up. Restore data piece by piece (e.g., apps first, then media) Use a memory card (if supported).

4. Xiaomi system applications are not restored

• Reason: On the new phone, a different version MIUI, System applications are incompatible.
• Solution: Update your firmware on the new Redmi to the latest version or install the missing apps through GetApps.

5. After recovery, the phone began to brake

• Reason: Background data synchronization or application version conflict.
• Solution: Reboot your phone. Turn off automatic sync in Settings. → Accounts. → Synchronization. Check the load on the processor in Settings → Battery → Battery utilization.

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If photos are missing after recovery through Mi Cloud, check the folder /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/ Sometimes files are saved there, but they're not displayed in the gallery.

8 Optimize the new Xiaomi Redmi after the transfer

Once the apps are restored, the new phone needs to be configured for maximum performance and security.

1. Battery and performance setup

• 🔋 Turn off battery optimization for important applications (such as instant messengers or games): Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications.
• ⚡ Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo (for games).
• 📵 Set up auto-clean memory in Settings → Annexes → Cleaning (it is recommended to disable for frequently used programs).

2. Security and confidentiality

• 🔒 Check the application permissions: Settings → Confidentiality → Permissions: Disable unnecessary permissions (e.g. access to geolocation for games).
• 🛡️ Enable virus scanning in Security (Settings) → Security → Scanning).
• 🔑 Set up blocking of applications for instant messengers and banking programs: Settings → Confidentiality → Application lockdown.

Update and cleanup

• 🔄 Update all apps in Google Play and GetApps.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of system applications: Settings → Warehouse → Cache data.
• 📦 Transfer rarely used apps to a memory card (if supported): Settings → Annexes → [name] → Warehouse → Change.

4. Personalization

• 🎨 Set your favorite theme in the themes (Settings) → Registration → Topics).
• 🔊 Set up a sound profile in Settings → Sound and vibration.
• 📱 Set up control gestures in Settings → Display. → Full screen display (if you switch from buttons to gestures or vice versa).

⚠️ Note: If you have transferred data from a phone of another brand (e.g. Samsung), some Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Camera or Gallery) may not work properly, in which case it is recommended to reset their settings to factory (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Warehouse → Clear the data).

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After transferring applications, be sure to check autostart and background activity settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management. Many programs are limited by default to MIUI, This may result in a lack of notification.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring applications on Xiaomi Redmi