Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, marking a transition to a higher level of performance and functionality. However, the owner inevitably faces the question of migrating all the accumulated information from contacts and messages to heavy video files and application settings. Modern technology allows you to perform this procedure as quickly and without loss, but the choice of the right method depends on the original operating system of your old device.
The process of transferring data to Xiaomi can be radically different depending on whether you are switching from another Android smartphone or from an iPhone. In the first case, everything will go as smoothly as possible and take a minimum of time, while in the second case, you will need to use cloud services or specific utilities for converting formats. It is important to determine in advance the amount of information transferred, since it directly depends on the choice of tool and waiting time.
There are several proven ways, each with its own advantages and limitations: You can use the built-in Mi Mover app for direct Wi-Fi transmission, sync data through a Google account, or use Mi Cloud storage. Below we will discuss each of these methods in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation and easily start using a new gadget.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The most efficient and quick way to migrate data between smartphones is to use the Mi Mover proprietary tool. This application is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi devices with a MIUI or HyperOS shell and allows you to transfer information directly over the Wi-Fi channel without consuming mobile traffic. The transfer speed with this method is much higher than through Bluetooth or cloud services, which is especially important when transferring large amounts of media.
To get started, you need to run the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi phone, select the "I'm receiving" option, and on the old device, "I'm sending." If the old smartphone doesn't have an app pre-installed, you can download it from Google Play or scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone, after connecting the devices through QR-code or create an access point, the system will prompt you to select data categories for transfer.
⚠️ Warning: During the transfer process, do not lock device screens and keep them close to each other so as not to interrupt the Wi-Fi connection that is created directly between phones.
The application allows you to flexibly configure the sample: you can only transfer contacts, SMS, call history, installed applications, system settings, as well as photos and videos. Mi Mover automatically converts some formats so that they are correctly displayed on the new system, but it is worth considering that the cache of applications and data of banking programs for the sake of security will not be transferred.
Synchronization through Google account
If you’ve used an Android smartphone before, your contacts, calendar, and notes are probably already stored in the Google cloud, a “classic” method that is the most reliable way to restore the basic data structure. When the new Xiaomi is activated, it will prompt you to log into your Google account, and then the contact book and calendar events will start to load in the background.
For photos and videos, the best way to use Google Photos is to make sure that the old device is synced and all the pictures are uploaded to the cloud. On the new phone, just log in to the same account in the Google Photos app, and your entire library will be available instantly, taking up space in the cloud, not in the internal memory of the device. This is especially convenient if the volume of photos exceeds the free space on the new gadget.
As for apps, the Google Play Store will offer to restore the list of previously installed programs. You can choose which ones to download again., the apps themselves are downloaded from the store, but their internal data (for example, progress in games or chats in instant messengers) will only be saved if these applications have their own backup function in Google Drive.
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Before you sign in to your Google account on your new device, make sure that your old phone is fully synced: go to Settings → Accounts → Google and click Sync.
Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi: features of migration
Migration from iOS to Android, particularly Xiaomi, has become much easier with the advent of the “Move to iOS” app and its analogs, but for MIUI users, the most effective is the use of specialized tools or manual data rechecking. The main difficulty is the transfer of iMessage messages and calls, since the storage formats in iOS and Android differ.
To move contacts, calendar and photos, the easiest way to use is the iCloud web version or the iCloud Windows app on your PC. Upload contacts in vCard (.vcf) format and import them to your Google account, which is then synced with Xiaomi. Photos can also be uploaded from iCloud.com and uploaded to Google Photos or copied to a computer and then transferred to your phone via Google Photos. USB-cable.
Apps from the App Store are not available on Google Play, so you’ll have to re-search them. Paid apps bought from Apple will have to be re-purchased on Android if the developer supports a cross-platform subscription. Messengers like WhatsApp require special attention: WhatsApp now has an official feature on WhatsApp itself when you first set up the phone or through a Lightning-to-USB-C cable to transfer your correspondence history from iPhone to Android.
⚠️ Note: When transferring data from your iPhone, make sure that the device has disabled the Apple Two-Factor Authentication feature ID" During the process, if errors occur, or prepare a trust code, as logging in from a new Android device may be considered suspicious activity.
Work with Mi Cloud and Local Backups
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which allows you to create full backups of the system. This is ideal if you move from the old Xiaomi to the new one. You can set up automatic backup creation before selling the old device, including contacts, messages, voice recorder, system settings and even the location of icons on the desktop.
Local backups are created in the phone’s internal memory or on the phone. SD-The path to them usually looks like a map. MIUI/backup/AllBackup. This file can be copied to a computer or a new phone and restored via the Settings menu. → The phone. → Reservation and recovery: This method ensures that your data does not go online and remains under your full control.
For multimedia files, the Mi Cloud provides 5GB of free space. This may not be enough for video, but it is enough for important documents and contacts. Synchronization takes place in the background and requires a stable connection to Wi-Fi. Once you log in to your Mi Account on a new device, all data will automatically "tighten up" to the corresponding applications.
Comparison of data transfer methods
The choice of method depends on your priorities: speed, security or convenience. The table below compares the main ways to migrate data to Xiaomi devices, which will help you make an informed decision.
| Method | Speed. | Internet dependency | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No (local Wi-Fi) | Everything (contacts, photos, apps, settings) |
| Google Account | Medium | Yeah (needs stable) | Contacts, calendar, applications (without data) |
| USB-cable) | Tall. | No. | Files, photos, videos (manual) |
| Mi Cloud | Low/Mediocre | Yes (traffic limit) | Contacts, notes, settings, photos (up to 5 GB) |
WhatsApp's portability nuances
Checklist for transfer preparations
To make sure that the process is smooth, both devices must be properly prepared, and ignoring simple preparation steps can cause a 90 percent interruption or damage to some of the data.
☑️ Preparation of devices
First, check the amount of free memory on the receiving device. If you plan to transfer 100 GB of data and the new phone is only free 50 GB, the process will either not start or end in error, and it is also recommended to update the Mi Mover application and system software on both devices to the latest versions to eliminate software conflicts.
If you use a cable to transfer data over a computer, make sure you use an original or quality cable that supports data transfer, not just charging. Cheap cables often cause unstable connections and low file copying speeds.
Addressing common problems
Sometimes the transfer process can be difficult. For example, the Mi Mover app may not see the second device. In this case, try temporarily turning off mobile Internet (4G/5G) on both phones, leaving only the Wi-Fi modules active. Also helps to reboot the Wi-Fi router if devices try to connect through it, although direct mode is preferable.
Another common problem is space shortage. If you find that memory is filling up in the process, use the File Manager on Xiaomi to quickly remove unnecessary downloads or cache of junk applications. Don't try to interrupt the process by forcibly shutting down, if the progress indicator has stalled - it is better to wait 10-15 minutes, the system can be busy processing a large number of small files.
⚠️ Warning: After transferring data, be sure to check critical applications such as bank clients, which will have to be reauthorized for security reasons, and in some cases untie the old device in the bank’s security settings.
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The fastest and most reliable way to switch to Xiaomi is to use the Mi Mover application in direct Wi-Fi transmission mode, since it does not depend on the speed of the Internet and copies maximum data in its original form.
Completion of setup and verification
After you have finished copying the data, take your time to delete the information from your old phone. For 2-3 days, actively use the new device, checking if all contacts are in place, if photos are opened and if applications are working correctly. Only after making sure that the operation is successful, you can start cleaning or selling the old gadget.
Also, be sure to check notification and permission settings for apps. When migrating to a new version of Android or MIUI, some permissions (Mic access, geolocation) may be reset for privacy purposes, and applications will not work properly until manually configured.