How to make a clone of Xiaomi: backup, cloning MIUI and alternative ways

Creating a clone of a Xiaomi smartphone is a task that can have different goals, from backing up data before selling the device to completely transferring the system to another device. However, the concept of a clone is often misunderstood. In this article, we will discuss legal methods of cloning, from standard backup to advanced methods of migration MIUI, and also warn about the risks of unauthorized copying of firmware.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi doesn’t provide official tools for full one-to-one cloning (including IMEI, serial numbers, or account binding), but there are methods to transfer settings, apps, and even system files to another smartphone, and then to analyze each option in detail, taking into account technical nuances and limitations.

What does it mean to make a clone of Xiaomi and why it is necessary?

By “clone” users most often mean:

• 📱 Complete copy of data (contacts, messages, apps, settings) for transfer to the new device.
• 🔄 Cloning firmware MIUI — transferring the system with all customizations to another smartphone (for example, with Redmi Note 10 on the phone) POCO X3).
• 🔐 Duplication of Mi Account Links (Illegal and Impossible Without Hacking).
• 🛠️ Backup for recovery after reset or repair.

Legal scenarios usually boil down to the first two things: For example, when you buy a new Xiaomi smartphone, you can move all settings and applications from the old device in 10-15 minutes, but attempts to clone IMEI or bypass the account lock violate the license agreement and can lead to the locking of the device.

⚠️ Attention: Cloning of serial numbers (IMEI, SN) or bypassing the binding to the Mi Account is considered fraud. Xiaomi can remotely block such a device through activation servers.

If your goal is to simply migrate data, standard Mi Mover or Google Backup tools are sufficient. For advanced users, methods using ADB or custom recaps (TWRP) are available.

Method 1: Standard backup via MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable for transferring data between Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices on one firmware version.

To create a backup copy:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select data to save: contacts, messages, notes, Wi-Fi settings, etc.
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).

To recover on another device:

1. Copy the backup file (with the.mbk extension) to the new smartphone.
2. In the same backup settings, select Restore and specify the file.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Installed applications (only their data) are not portable).
• 🚫 It doesn’t work between different versions. MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 on MIUI 14).
• 🚫 System settings (such as gestures or themes) are not copied).

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If the backup is not restored, check the MIUI version on both devices. If you don't match, use Mi Mover (available in settings when you first turn on a new smartphone).

Method 2: Transfer data via Mi Mover

Mi Mover is the official application from Xiaomi for data migration between devices, it works on the principle of point-to-point (via Wi-Fi Direct) and supports the transfer of:

• 📞 Contacts, messages, call logs.
• 📷 Photos and videos (limited to 5GB per session).
• 🎵 Music and documents.
• 📱 Installed applications (without data if the application does not support backup).

Instructions:

1. Install Mi Mover on both devices (available in Settings → Additional → Mi Mover).
2. On the old smartphone, choose I am the sender, on the new one, I am the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-plug-in.
4. Select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the stability of the connection, on average 10 GB are copied in 20-30 minutes, the main advantage of the method is that it does not require root or unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Note: If the new device already has data, it will be deleted before recovery. backup before using the Mi Mover.

Method 3: Advanced Cloning through TWRP and ADB

For users ready for technical manipulation, the method is available using the custom TWRP recavator and the ADB utility. It allows you to create a complete system image (nandroid backup) and restore it on another device with the same model and version of MIUI.

Requirements:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 📱 Established recaveri TWRP (The version should support your model).
• 💻 Computer with ADB and Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Install TWRP via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
2. Load to the Recovery (Power + Vol Up) and select Backup.
3. Tag the Boot, System, Data, Vendor sections and start the backup.
4. Copy the resulting archive on a PC or other smartphone.
5. On the target device, repeat steps 1–2, then select Restore and specify the backup file.

Warnings:

• 🚨 Not compatible with devices on different chipsets (e.g. Snapdragon vs Mediatek).
• 🚨 May cause a brick (breakdown) when restoring to an incompatible model.
• 🚨 Version requirements MIUI: a difference of no more than one major update (e.g, MIUI 14.0.1 → MIUI 14.0.3).

Unlock the bootloader (instructions at en.miui.com/unlock)

Download TWRP for your model (official website twrp.me)

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC

Backup of important data (in case of failure)

Charge both devices at least 70%

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To automate the process, you can use a script:

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


adb restore backup.ab

But it only copies user data, not system files.

Method 4: Cloning through third-party utilities (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup)

Applications like Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware) allow you to create a copy of the installed applications, their data and some system settings, but they do not clone the firmware itself.

The benefits of Swift Backup:

• 🔄 Stores application data (including games).
• ☁️ Supports cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• 📱 Works on most Xiaomi devices without root (if debugging is enabled) USB).

How to use:

1. Install Swift Backup from Google Play.
2. Connect the device to your PC and allow debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times) → For developers → USB debugging).
3. In the application, select Create a backup and specify the applications.
4. To recover on the new device, repeat steps 1–2 and select Restore.

Swift Backup does not copy MIUI system applications (such as Security or Themes), but saves custom program settings better than standard tools.

Table of comparison of cloning methods

Risks and Limitations of Xiaomi Cloning

Before attempting cloning, consider the following limitations:

1. Mi Account Linking: Even if the system is fully cloned, the new device will require authorization from the original account, bypassing this mechanism violates the user agreement and can lead to blocking.
2. IMEI and serial numbers: Their cloning is illegal in most countries (including Russia) and punishable by fines. Xiaomi can remotely disable a device with a duplicate IMEI.
3. Iron Incompatibility: Transferring the firmware to a device with a different chipset or screen will cause the device to fail (e.g., the camera or sensors will stop functioning).
4. MIUI Updates: A cloned system may refuse to upgrade via OTA due to a model mismatch.

⚠️ Note: If you buy a Xiaomi clone (such as a third-party replica of Redmi), please note: these devices often contain malware, do not receive updates and may be blocked by the carrier due to illegal use of the service. IMEI.

For firmware experiments, we recommend using official devices and methods like TWRP or Fastboot. If the goal is simply to migrate data, Mi Mover or Google Backup will do.

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The only legal way to clone Xiaomi is to transfer data and settings through official tools, and fully copying the system is only possible on identical models and requires technical skills.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cloning