How to clone Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Changing your smartphone is always stressful because you fear losing important photos, contacts, or settings for your apps. Xiaomi ecosystem owners are in a better position because they have built a powerful native migration tool into the MIUI and HyperOS shell. The cloning process takes 10 to 30 minutes and does not require a computer or a stable Internet connection, since the transmission is over a direct Wi-Fi channel between devices.

Unlike cloud backups, which can take a long time to load and not save the folder structure, local cloning creates an exact digital copy of your old device. You get a new phone with the same icons, passwords from Wi-Fi and even a widget on the desktop, which is especially true when moving to models with a larger screen size, where it is important to keep the ergonomics of use.

Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are charged at least 50% so that the process does not stop at a critical stage, and it is also worth freeing up space on the new smartphone, since the amount of cloned data will be almost identical to the occupied space on the old gadget.

Preparing devices for data migration

Successful cloning depends on the proper preparation of both smartphones. First of all, you need to make sure that both devices are enabled Bluetooth module and geolocation, as they are used for the initial handshake and detection of devices on the network. If the old phone has custom firmware or a heavily modified version of Android, the work of the standard tool can be unstable.

Remove temporary files and cache of applications that you do not plan to port, which will speed up the data analysis process and reduce transfer time, and on a new device, if it was already in use, it is better to perform a full reset to factory settings to avoid application version conflicts and duplicate system libraries.

⚠️ Note: Do not connect smartphones to your computer through USB This can block the data ports and interrupt the connection between the devices.

While Mi Mover is compatible with most Android versions, it is advisable that both phones have up-to-date security updates, which ensures that encrypted data, such as saved passwords in Google Password Manager or access keys to banking applications, is correctly transferred.

Using the Mi Mover application for portability

The main tool for cloning is the Mi Mover application, which is built into the system by default on the Tools path. → If it is not available on an old device (for example, on devices of other brands), it must be downloaded from Google Play or installed. APK-On new Xiaomi phones, the app can suggest starting migration immediately when you first turn on.

Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old phone, "I'm the sender." QR-code or connect through device search, and once you've established the connection, you'll see a data selection screen where you can customize in detail what exactly will be cloned.

• 📱 Contacts and Messages: Transfers the entire phone book, call history and SMS/MMS correspondence.
• 📸 Gallery and Media: Copies photos, videos, audio recordings and screenshots in original quality.
• ⚙️ System settings: includes Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks, notes and voice recordings.
• 📦 Annexes: establishes: APK-files, but the data inside them may require separate login.

The Mi Mover allows you to select only system applications or all installed by the user. When cloning heavy cache games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG), the process can take considerable time, so it is better to leave them selectively transferring if space on the new device is limited.

Alternative Cloning Methods Through Mi Cloud

If both phones cannot be physically accessed at the same time, or if one of the devices is damaged, you can use the Mi Cloud service, which requires a stable Internet connection and free space in the cloud storage. 5 GB is available to the user for free, but this may not be enough for full cloning.

To back up your old device, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup. Here you can choose to sync your gallery, contacts, voice recorder and notes. Once synced, the data will be uploaded to Xiaomi servers, from where it can be downloaded to the new phone by logging into the same Mi Account.

The advantage of using the cloud is that it works in the background, you can set up high-quality sync photos and they will appear on the new device automatically after you log in to your account, but for full cloning of the system, including placing icons, this method is less effective than direct connection.

Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi

iPhone owners who choose to switch to Xiaomi can also use the Mi Mover app available in the App Store, a process similar to that of installing an app on an iPhone, allowing access to contacts and photos, and then scanning it. QR-The code from the screen of the new Android smartphone, however, there are important limitations associated with the closure of iOS.

You can successfully transfer contacts, calendar events, photos and videos from your iPhone, unfortunately, you can transfer installed apps, their data, call history and video. SMS-Messages are technically impossible due to Apple's security restrictions, and you will have to re-download and log in to apps from Google Play.

• 🍏 Photos and videos: transferred in original quality.
• 📞 Contacts: Imported into Android Phone Book.
• 🎵 Music: Files without protection DRM transfer to the music player.
• 🚫 Applications: Requires manual reinstallation.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone, make sure that Xiaomi enabled file transfer over the phone MTP, if you are using a cable connection, although wireless method via Wi-Fi Direct is preferable and works more stable.

Once the migration from the iPhone is complete, it is recommended to check the formatting of contacts. Sometimes numbers can be saved in an international format or with extra characters, which will require manual editing or using the Contacts app to combine takes.

Solving Typical Problems in Cloning

During the cloning process, users may experience a progress bar freeze or a “failed to connect” error, most often due to one of the smartphones entering power saving mode and breaking the Wi-Fi connection, and to avoid this, the battery settings for the Mi Mover app should set “No restrictions” mode.

Another common problem is space shortage, where the system can miscalculate the amount of data if the new phone already has system updates or pre-installed apps, in which case the process will stop at 90-95%, the solution being one: to make room on the receiving device before starting, or to choose to selectively transfer, eliminating heavy video files.

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If the process is stuck in the Data Analysis phase, try restarting both smartphones and disabling VPNs or proxy servers that may block a local connection.

If apps don't open after porting, they may not be compatible with the new version of Android or require an update to Google Play Services components. Go to the app store and update all programs. Banking apps may need to re-assign the device due to a change in phone ID.

Completion of migration and initial setup

Once the progress indicator reaches 100%, don't be in a hurry to turn the devices off immediately. Give the system 2-3 minutes to finalize file indexing and set shortcuts. The new phone can reboot itself to apply system settings. This is normal behavior, indicating deep data integration.

Check the basic functions of calling, internet, camera immediately after activation. Pay special attention to messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram. For WhatsApp, when transferring from Android to Android via Mi Mover, the correspondence history is saved automatically. However, to guarantee, it is recommended to make a local backup inside the messenger itself before cloning.

• 🔐 Check your Google and Mi accounts.
• 📱 Make sure that SIM-map defined and working 4G/5G.
• 🎨 Check the theme and fonts.
• 🔔 Set up notifications for important applications.

Now your new Xiaomi is fully ready to go.The old device can be ready for sale by performing a full data reset.Make sure you log out of all accounts and remove the device from the trusted list in Google's security settings and banking apps.

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Full cloning via Mi Mover saves up to 90% of the time to set up a new smartphone, while maintaining the user’s familiar digital environment.