How to quickly transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi

Buying a new smartphone from a Chinese manufacturer is always a thrill, but often overshadowed by the prospect of a long setup: you will not just activate the device, but recreate the familiar digital environment that has been formed over the years. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem provides powerful built-in tools that allow you to clone the contents of an old device in minutes.

The migration process can be done in several ways, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of information and the speed of the Internet connection. Local transfer via Wi-Fi Direct is the fastest method, which does not require traffic consumption.

In this article, we will take a look at all the current techniques, including the use of a specialized application Mi Mover. You will learn about the intricacies of password transfer, call history and even the placement of icons on the desktop. Proper preparation of both devices ensures that the new gadget will become an exact copy of the old one, retaining all your personal settings.

Preparing devices for data synchronization

Before you start any migration tool, you need to make sure that both smartphones are in good condition and ready for active operation. Battery charge on both devices should be at least 50-60%, as the process of creating and receiving backups consumes a significant amount of energy. If at a critical moment one of the devices runs out, the process will have to start again, which can take a long time.

You should also check for free space on the receiving device. The amount of available memory should exceed the size of the data you plan to transfer; it is recommended to delete unnecessary files in advance or move them to your computer to avoid recording errors. Android requires free space not only for the files themselves, but also for temporary buffers when unpacking archives.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Even if you don't use the internet, these technologies are essential to detect each other's devices and create a direct link.

Be sure to check the operating system version. Although portability tools are usually compatible with different versions of Android, having both devices on current firmware minimizes the risk of bugs. Update system-level apps through the GetApps store or Play Market to the latest available version.

Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning

The most effective and preferred way for Xiaomi owners is to use the native Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed and optimized for MIUI and HyperOS shells. It allows you to transfer not only media files, but also system settings, which makes it indispensable when switching to a new model.

To get started, open the app on both smartphones. On the old device, select the role of "Sender" (Old phone), and on the new one, "Receiver" (New phone). QR-code or connect via Bluetooth search. Once you have established the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for porting.

You can select items: contacts, messages, call history, notes, voice recorder, apps and their data. Special attention should be paid to the item "System settings", which copies your Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks and interface configuration. Press the "Send" button to start the process.

• 🚀 The data transfer speed reaches 40 MB/s, which is much faster than standard Bluetooth.
• 🔒 Encrypting the connection ensures the security of personal data during transmission.
• 📱 Support for data transfer between devices with different versions MIUI (9-14).
• 🔄 Ability to resume transmission in case of communication interruption without loss of progress.

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn off smartphone screens or switch to other apps during the active transfer phase.This may cause connection breakage and the need for re-authorization.

Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services

If you don’t have a direct connection on hand or want to create an additional backup, cloud services are a great solution. Google’s ecosystem allows you to save contacts, calendar, Keep notes, and even photos (via Google Photos) in perpetual storage, especially if you plan to use a new phone as your main working tool.

To activate sync, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Make sure the switch opposite your Google account is activated. Click on the sync button to send all changes to the server immediately. On the new device, just enter the same login and password when you first set up, and the data will load automatically.

Mi Account holders can also use Mi Cloud, a service that is particularly useful for storing specific shell data such as themes, wallpaper, voice recorders and screenshots, and is limited in free storage, but sufficient for critical files such as contacts and messages.

Using the cloud requires a stable Internet connection. With a large amount of photos, the initial download process on a new device can take several hours. It is recommended to connect the smartphone to the Wi-Fi network and charger at night.

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To speed up syncing of Google Photos, turn on the “Storage saver” mode, which compresses images without any visible loss of quality, saving space in the cloud.

Transfer of applications and their data

One of the most challenging tasks is to transfer not only the apps themselves, but also progress in games or settings within programs. APK-Files are re-used, but they don't save logins and cache. This is where the built-in backup functions come in. MIUI.

When using Mi Mover or creating a local backup in the Settings menu → Advanced settings → Backup and restore, you can choose the option “App Data” which will create an archive containing the state of the programs. However, it is worth considering that banking applications and some messengers (for example, WhatsApp with its encryption) may require a separate recovery procedure.

For instant messengers, it’s better to use their built-in features. On WhatsApp, back up your chats in Google Drive on your old phone, and on a new one, just confirm the recovery when you first start. On Telegram, all data is stored on the server, so just log in.

• 📲 Banking applications will require re-association of the device and entering passwords.
• 🔐 Two-factor authentication must be configured in advance to avoid losing access.
• 💾 Cash cards in navigators is better to download again via Wi-Fi on a new device.

Some heavy games may not transfer cache (OBB files) through standard means, in which case, after installing the game on a new phone, run it with Wi-Fi connected - most modern gaming platforms will download the missing files themselves.

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For full cloning of the system state (including passwords and layout), the Mi Mover method is the leader in efficiency.

Working with Multimedia and File System

Photos, videos and documents take up the lion's share of the memory of a modern smartphone. When moving to the new Xiaomi, it is important to keep the folder structure to easily navigate files. Direct copying through Mi Mover preserves the original directory structure, including DCIM, Download and Pictures folders.

If you use a microSD card, the process is much easier: just remove the card from the old device and paste it into the new one. The system automatically recognizes media files. However, if the old card was locked or encrypted, the new phone may require formatting, which will lead to data loss.

For users accustomed to order, it is recommended to perform a file revision after the transfer. Duplicates of photos that may have formed as a result of multiple synchronizations can be found and deleted using the built-in Cleanup tool in the security menu.

⚠️ Note: When transferring large volumes of video (4K) Make sure that the new phone’s file system supports exFAT, otherwise files larger than 4GB may not be written correctly.

Also worth checking is the settings of the gallery: newer versions of MIUI have a Hidden Album feature, the contents of which are not automatically transferred for security reasons, but must be exported manually before migrating.

Solving Common Problems in Migration

Despite the fact that processes are fine, there can be some disruptions, a common problem being a freeze during the Preparation phase or a sudden disconnection, most of which is due to aggressive energy savings that kill the background transmission process.

If the transmission is interrupted, don't panic. Current algorithms allow you to continue from the break point if you start the Mi Mover again. If the process starts again, try turning off mobile Internet on both phones, leaving only Wi-Fi, this will eliminate network conflicts.

In the rare cases where the new phone doesn’t see the old one, resetting the network settings on one of the devices helps, and check if one of the smartphones is on Guest mode or multiplayer mode, which may restrict access to files.

After all the procedures are completed, it is recommended to restart the new smartphone, which will allow the system to correctly index all new files, update the contact databases and apply all the system settings. For the first few hours, the phone can run slower than usual - this is a normal process of background optimization.