Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a pleasant thrill, but the process of transferring all the accumulated information can seem complicated.Sharing data to Xiaomi has become much easier thanks to the built-in tools and cloud services that developers have implemented in the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS. You do not need to be a technical specialist to quickly and safely transfer contacts, photos, messages and even app placement from the old device.
In this guide, we will look at all the current migration methods, from automatic scripts to manual copying through your computer. Regardless of which device you go from — Android, iPhone or “button” phone — you will find a working way.
Smartphones allow digital life to be synchronized in minutes, wireless technology and local Wi-Fi make it fast, but require attention to detail, and let's take a step-by-step look at how to make the transition as comfortable as possible.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data to Xiaomi is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all modern smartphones of the brand and allows you to create a direct connection between devices without using the Internet. The transfer speed in this case is limited only by the Wi-Fi capabilities of your gadgets, which ensures high performance even when working with heavy video files.
To get started, you need to open the app on both devices, and on the new phone you select the option "I am the recipient," and on the old one, "I am the sender." Scanning. QR-The code instantly creates a secure access point, and then the copying process begins, and this solution is ideal for those who want to clone the system one-to-one, preserving the folder structure.
- 📱 Full copy: Transfers contacts, messages, call history, notes and dictaphone records.
- 🖼️ Media files: Automatically copies all photos and videos from the gallery in their original quality.
- 📲 Annexes: Installing APK-Program files, although data within some banking applications may require separate login.
- ⚙️ System settings: Stores alarm clock settings, wallpaper and Wi-Fi network settings.
Importantly, when you transfer large amounts of data (over 50 GB), the process can take up to an hour. Mi Mover automatically breaks files into packets, which minimizes the risk of errors when the connection is interrupted, the application will suggest to continue from the stop rather than start over.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services
If you are switching from another Android smartphone, the most reliable way to save contacts and calendar is to sync through Google Account.This method does not require both devices at hand. Just enter the username and password on the new Xiaomi, and the entire address book will appear in Contacts automatically.
For photos and documents, you should use Google Photos or Google Drive. By uploading media to the cloud on an old device, you can access it from any gadget. However, you should consider that free space is limited to 15 GB, so for large archives, this method may require a paid subscription or selective download.
⚠️ Warning: Before you sign in to a Google account on a new device, make sure that two-factor authorization is enabled, which will prevent security from blocking your account when you try to log in from a stranger. IP-address.
Xiaomi ecosystem users can also use Mi Cloud, which allows you to create full backups of the system, including the location of icons on the desktop. Recovery from Mi Cloud occurs immediately after the initial setup of the phone, making the process “out of the box” as smooth as possible.
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Use Google Photos in High Quality mode to upload an unlimited number of photos without losing any visible quality on your smartphone screen.
Switching from iPhone: how to transfer data to Xiaomi
iPhone owners who choose to switch to Xiaomi will need a little more attention as operating systems differ.The Mi Mover app is available on the App Store, but its functionality for iOS is limited.It mainly allows you to transfer contacts, photos and videos. iMessage messages and apps from the App Store are technically impossible to transfer.
For contacts, the easiest way to sync is through iCloud. Go to your iPhone settings, select iCloud and make sure the Contacts slider is on. Then go to iCloud.com on your computer, export the contacts in vCard format and import them to your Google account, which is then synced to the new phone.
In terms of multimedia, using Google Photos on iPhone is the most convenient solution. Once you have finished uploading all your albums to the cloud, just install this app on Xiaomi and all your photo chronicles will be available. For transferring large files (movies, archives), it is better to temporarily use your computer as an intermediary.
Why not all apps are ported from iPhone?
Manual file transfer via computer (USB)
When wireless methods seem too slow or unstable, good old-fashioned cable transmission comes to the rescue, which provides maximum speed and reliability, eliminating any loss of data packets. USB-cable and computer with drivers installed (usually Windows installs them automatically).
Connect your old phone to your PC, copy DCIM (photo and video), Download and Documents folders to your hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and move the files to the appropriate directories, a technique that is particularly relevant for porting WhatsApp folders that cloud services sometimes misrepresent.
When connecting your phone to your computer, make sure to select the USB File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain. In Charge Only mode, your computer will not see the device's internal memory. MacOS users will need to install additional software, such as Android File Transfer or OpenMTP.
| Method | Speed. | Data types | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | All types | Low. |
| Google Account | Medium | Contacts, Calendar | Low. |
| USB Cable | Very high. | Files, Photos, Videos | Medium |
| Bluetooth | Low. | Contacts, Files | Tall. |
Transferring the history of WhatsApp correspondence and messengers
Special attention should be paid to the issue of preserving the history of correspondence on WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber. If Telegram stores the entire history on its servers and just enter a phone number, WhatsApp requires creating a local or cloud backup. On Android, this is done through the Settings menu → Chats → Backup chats.
When you first launch WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the app will detect a backup in Google Drive or local storage and prompt you to restore data. It is critical to use the same phone number and Google account as on the old device, without which recovery from the cloud will be impossible.
For Viber, the process is similar: back up your old phone, wait until the boot is finished, then restore it to a new one. ↔ Android for WhatsApp is now only available through official migration tools when you first set up your phone or paid third-party utilities.
⚠️ Note: WhatsApp backups in Google Drive don't take up space in your Google storage, but they don't show up in the Google Drive interface.Don't try to find the backup file manually - it's not there in direct access.
Typical errors and problem solving in transmission
Even with automatic tools, there can be disruptions, and users often experience a problem when data transfers to Xiaomi are cut off in the middle, often due to the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which can put the transmission process to sleep if the screen goes out.
Another common mistake is the lack of space: Before you start migrating, make sure that the amount of free memory on the new device exceeds the amount of data on the old one. If there is not enough space, the system will offer selective transfer, but it is better to immediately clear the cache or delete unnecessary files.
- 🔋 Screen not going out: While transferring via Mi Mover, keep the screens of both phones on or set the screen timeout to Never».
- 📶 Stable Wi-Fi: Make sure both devices are connected to the same 5GHz network if you use a router for maximum speed.
- 🔒 Permissions: Read requests for file permission carefully – without them, the application will not be able to copy data.
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, try restarting both devices and starting over. In rare cases, cleaning the Mi Mover app cache through the Settings menu → Apps → All Apps → Mi Mover → Memory → Clear helps.
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The most common cause of failure is a screen that goes out during transmission. Turn off autolock during data migration.