How to transfer data from your old phone to your new Xiaomi

Buying a new smartphone is always a celebration, but it is inevitably followed by a shifting phase that is awe-inspiring for many. Xiaomi and Redmi’s modern devices offer powerful migration tools to avoid manually rearranging every contact or photo, a process that is much easier than a few years ago, when complex software and wires were required.

You have to choose from a number of available methods, each with its own advantages depending on the state of your old device and the amount of data you have, and the key to success is to properly prepare both devices before starting the procedure, and if you approach this issue systematically, you will be using a new device with an already configured interface in 15-30 minutes.

Don't worry if you've used an iPhone or another Android-based phone before, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem are designed to allow for easy migration, and we'll take a look at the full-time tools, cloud technologies, and manual file copying techniques below.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data is to use the Mi Mover app, which is built into the default MIUI shell, so you don't even have to download anything from the store on the new phone. It creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which ensures high speeds without using Internet traffic.

To start, run the app on both smartphones, select Reciever on the new device, and Sender on the old one. QR-It works consistently, even when you're transferring large amounts of data, like video to a device. 4K or hundreds of gigabytes of photos.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or that Wi-Fi modules are activated to create a direct access point, otherwise the discovery process may take longer.

Once you connect, you'll see a list of data categories that you can copy, you can select only contacts and messages, or you can copy everything, including the layout of the desktop, and the application's algorithm automatically adapts file formats if they differ on different versions of Android.

Importantly, the process can temporarily slow down when you transfer large numbers of small files, which is normal for the file system to behave. Don't interrupt the connection and keep the screens on. Once you're done, you'll receive a notification and all the data will appear in the corresponding folders of the new smartphone.

Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services

If your old phone also runs Android, the most logical step would be to use a Google Account.This is a universal method that stores your contacts, calendar events, notes and even passwords saved in the Chrome browser. When you first activate the new Xiaomi, just type in the same login and password.

In the initial setup process, the system will prompt you to restore data from the Google Drive backup. The recovery engine will automatically download a list of previously installed apps and try to download their current versions from the Play Market. Photos and videos, if you have Google Photos sync enabled, will also pull up to the gallery.

• 📱 Contacts and phone numbers are synced instantly after password is entered.
• 📅 Calendar and reminders are restored in the background.
• 📷 Media files require a separate sync setting in the Google Photos app.

For users who value privacy, the Xiaomi Cloud is worth mentioning. If you used it on the brand's previous device, logging into the Mi Account will bring back all system settings, Wi-Fi hotspots and the location of icons on the desktop. This is especially convenient, since the interface will remain familiar.

Transferring data from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi

iPhone owners needn't despair: the transition to Android has been painless. The Mi Mover app has an iOS version available on the App Store. It allows you to flip contacts, photos, videos and even calendar events.

The process starts with installing the app on your iPhone and connecting both phones to the same Wi-Fi network. On Xiaomi, select import from iOS, and on your iPhone, confirm the connection. The data protocol is stable, but the speed can vary depending on the version of iOS.

⚠️ Note: iMessage messages and apps purchased from the App Store cannot be ported to Android due to the closed Apple ecosystem.

To move large-scale media, you can use a computer as an intermediary, copy photos from your iPhone to your PC, and then transfer them to a new phone, a solution that is often faster than wirelessly transferring thousands of photos over Wi-Fi.

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Before switching to Android, disable iMessage on your iPhone (Settings → Messages), otherwise SMS from other iPhone users may not be coming to your new Android smartphone.

Manual transfer of files through the computer and USB-cable

When wireless methods seem too slow or unreliable, the classic wired method comes to the rescue, and by connecting an old phone to a computer in storage mode (MTP), you get direct access to the file system, which is the best option for transferring folders with music, documents and heavy video archives.

Copy the required directories, such as DCIM/Camera, Download and Music, to your computer’s hard drive. Then plug the new Xiaomi and move the files to the appropriate folders. Android File System allows you to create any folder structure, which gives you complete freedom to organize data.

Special attention should be paid to the Android/media folder, where some applications store their data, such as offline cards or messenger cache. By transferring this data manually, you save time to reload content in the applications.

Remember that when you manually copy.vcf contacts, you can simply import them through the Contacts app. This is a universal format that can be read by any phone or email client, making it ideal for backing up a phone book.

Comparison of data transfer methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each method depending on your situation and technical capabilities.

As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the most comprehensive solution for most users, but if you want to flip a few gigabytes of movies, the computer will do it the fastest, depending on the priorities of speed or convenience.

For small amounts of data, such as multiple Word or PDF documents, you can use Bluetooth or messengers, but for a complete system migration, these methods are not suitable due to low speed and file size limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The most reliable result is a combination of methods: Mi Mover for settings and applications, plus manual copying of heavy media files via a PC to ensure safety.