How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide with a comparison of all methods

Transfer data between smartphones to Android often turns into a headache: sometimes contacts don’t sync, sometimes photos lose quality, sometimes applications refuse to be restored. WITH Xiaomi Redmi 9 the situation is complicated by the proprietary shell MIUI, which does not always work correctly with standard tools Google. In this article we will analyze 5 proven methods data transfer - from official Mi Mover to manual copying via ADB, taking into account the features of this particular model.

Special attention Let's devote transferring data from phones of other brands (Samsung, Huawei, Honor)to where compatibility problems often arise. We will also reveal the nuances of migrating accounts Google and Mi Accountthat may conflict when turned on for the first time. Redmi 9. If you encounter errors like “Unable to connect to the device” or “Files are not supported,” you will find solutions here.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Charge of both phones - at least 50% (transfer can take up to 1 hour).
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (for cloud methods) or OTG cable (for direct copying).
• 📱 The Redmi 9 must have the latest version installed MIUI (check in Settings → About phone → System update).

1. Official method: Mi Mover from Xiaomi

Mi Mover - proprietary solution from Xiaomi to migrate data between devices to MIUI. The app is preinstalled on Redmi 9 and supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, applications (including their data) and even some system settings. However, there are limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work with phones on Android Go or very outdated versions (below Android 5.0).
• 🔄 On the source device. (from where you are transferring) you need to install Mi Mover from Google Play.
• 📎 The maximum size of transferred data is 4 GB (for larger volumes, use other methods).

How to transfer data via Mi Mover:

1. On Redmi 9 when you turn it on for the first time, select "Data Transfer" (or find the application Mi Mover in the menu).
2. On your old phone, install Mi Mover from Play Market i run it.
3. On Redmi 9 select "I am the sender" (if you are transferring from another Xiaomi) or "I am the recipient" (if from another brand).
4. Scan QR code from the screen Redmi 9 old phone.
5. Select the types of data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

If Mi Mover does not see the device:

⚠️ Attention: Disable Power saving mode i Battery optimization for Mi Mover in the settings of both phones. Also check that data transfer is enabled on your old phone Wi-Fi Direct (in some firmware it is disabled by default).

Disable VPN on both devices|Make sure that your old phone has enough free space (at least 10% of the transferred data)|Check that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (if using wireless mode)|Close all background applications, especially instant messengers and antiviruses-->

2. Transfer via Google Account (for contacts, photos and applications)

Synchronization via Google Account is a universal method that works on any Androiddevices. Suitable for transferring:

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and tags).
• 📅 Calendars and reminders.
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos).
• 📱 Installed applications (list, but not their data!).

Step-by-step guide:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable synchronization for all the ones you need categories.
2. Wait for synchronization to complete (check in Google Photos and Contactsthat all data is loaded).
3. On Redmi 9 When you turn it on for the first time, log in to the same Google Account or add it to Settings → Accounts.
4. Turn on synchronization and wait for the data to load (may take from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the volume).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Google Photos compresses images if you run out of space in the cloud (only 15 GB are free).
• 📱 Applications will be restored, but their data (for example, saved in games) - no (this requires Google Drive or backup within applications).
• 📂 Files (documents, music) are not transferred - only through Google Drive manually.

3. Direct transfer via OTG or USB cable

If you do not have access to Wi-Fi or the data is too large for the cloud, use direct connection via cable. For Redmi 9 suitable:

• 🔌 OTG cable (Micro-USB → USB-C or USB-C → USB-C, depending on the port of the old phone).
• 🖥️ Computer as an intermediary (copying via PC).

Instructions for OTG cable:

1. Connect your old phone to Redmi 9 via OTG cable.
2. On Redmi 9 a notification "USB device is connected" will appear - click on it and select "File transfer».
3. Open Explorer (or Files to MIUI) and copy the desired folders (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.).

If the phone is not detected:

⚠️ Attention: On some phones (for example, Samsung) you need to manually enable the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode. To do this, after connecting, pull the notification shade down and select “File transfer" instead of "Charging".

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Speed - up to 40 MB/s (5-10 times faster than over Wi-Fi).
• 📁 Transferred all types files, including system ones (for example, backups Titanium Backup).
• 🔒 There is no dependence on the Internet or cloud services.

4. Transfer via SD card or flash drive

If both phones support SD card (or you have USB flash drive with an adapter OTG), this method will be the most reliable. Suitable for:

• 📸 Photos and videos (folder DCIM).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts.
• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX).
• 🎮 Game saves (if they are stored in /Android/data).

How to transfer data:

1. Insert SD card into the old phone.
2. Copy the necessary folders (DCIM, Pictures, Music etc.) to the card.
3. Remove the card and insert it into Redmi 9.
4. Open Explorer and move the files to the internal memory.

Important nuances:

5. Alternative methods: cloud services and third-party apps

If standard methods do not work, use third-party solutions. Let's consider 3 proven options:

1. Google Drive / Dropbox / Yandex Drive

• 📁 Upload files to the cloud from your old phone.
• 📥 Download them to Redmi 9 via a browser or application.
• ⚠️ Free space is limited (15 GB 2. Smart Switch (for Samsung owners) for transfer. Google Drive, 2 GB in Dropbox).

2. Smart Switch (for Samsung owners)

• 📱 Install Samsung Smart Switch to both phones.
• 🔄 Connect via Wi-Fi or cable and select the data to transfer.
• ⚠️ On Redmi 9 you may need to enable the mode USB debugging (Settings → About phone → MIUI version - press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).

3. CLONEit (universal solution)

• 📲 Install CLONEit on both devices.
• 🔗 Connect via Wi-Fi and select data categories.
• ✅ Supports transfer SMS, call logs and even Wi-Fi passwords.

Comparison methods:

6. Transferring data from phones of other brands (Samsung, Huawei, Honor)

When migrating from devices Samsung, Huawei or Honor to Xiaomi Redmi 9 problems often arise due to differences in shells (One UI, EMUI vs MIUI). Here's how to avoid them:

With Samsung (One UI):

• 📱 Use Smart Switch, but Redmi 9 enable USB Debugging first.
• 🔧 If Smart Switch does not work, export contacts to a file .vcf via Contacts → Settings → Export and transfer it to Redmi 9.

With Huawei/Honor (EMUI):

• 📁 Use Huawei Backup to create a backup copy, then extract it to your PC and transfer the files to Redmi 9.
• 🔒 To transfer applications, use APK Extractor (will extract APK-files) + Titanium Backup (for data, requires root).

General recommendations:

• 🔄 Before transferring, disable battery optimization for transfer applications (Settings → Applications → Permissions → Battery optimization).
• 📡 If you use Wi-Fi Direct, make sure that it is turned on on both phones Developer mode disabled Adaptive Wi-Fi.

7. Manual transfer via ADB (for advanced users)

If you need to transfer system settings, application data or hidden filesthat are not copied using standard methods, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires command line skills, but gives full control over the process.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed ADB drivers.
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Enabled Debugging USB on both phones.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your old phone to the PC and run the command to create a backup:

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

   Explanations:
   • -apk — backup APKapplication files.
   • -obb — enable game data.
   • -shared — backup files on SD card.
   • -all — all applications.

adb restore backup.ab

Limitations ADB Backup:

• 🚫 Not all applications support backup (for example, WhatsApp blocks access to your data).
• 🔒 Restore is only possible to the same version Android (or newer).
• ⚠️ The backup copy does not include SMS and call logs on newer versions Android.

To transfer SMS and contacts via ADB use separate commands:

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db

⚠️ Attention: These commands require root access! Without them, you will get an error Permission denied. On non-rooted devices, use specialized applications like SMS Backup & Restore.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring data to Xiaomi Redmi 9