Changing your smartphone, especially the modern model from Xiaomi, often puts users on the need to transfer data. While contacts and photos are usually synchronized automatically through a Google account, the history of correspondence remains local and requires special attention. Many Android device owners face the problem of how to save important dialogues, confirmation codes and memories from the old gadget to appear on the new one.
The process of transferring messages to Android can seem complicated only at first glance. Google’s operating system and the MIUI or HyperOS shell have built-in mechanisms for data migration. However, there are many nuances that depend on the version of the operating system and the presence of root rights. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from cloud synchronization to the use of specialized software.
It's important to understand that standard SMS and multimedia messages (MMS) are stored in a special database of the system. Simply copying files through a Explorer will not help here, because access to system files is limited by security rights. Therefore, to perform the task of transferring SMS, you need to use proven algorithms that correctly export the database and import it to the new device without losing the encoding and dialog structure.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The easiest and most native way for Xiaomi app owners is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for data migration between Xiaomi smartphones, but also works with other Android devices. The main advantage of the method is that it does not require an Internet connection, since it creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices.
To get started, you need to run the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi phone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old one, "I'm the sender." QR-The device will connect to the code or password, and in the data transfer list, you must select "Messages" or "SMS/MMS".
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of correspondence history. If you have thousands of conversations, the process can take from 5 to 20 minutes. It is important not to break the connection and not to disable the screens of devices during the operation. Once the procedure is completed, all messages will appear in the standard Messages app on the new phone in the same form as they were on the old one.
⚠️ Warning: When you transfer a lot of data (more than 10 GB), the phone can get very hot. This is a normal reaction of the Wi-Fi module to intense load, but it is better to remove the protective case for better heat sink.
Sync with Google Drive and the Cloud
Google's ecosystem offers a reliable way to save backups, so if your old phone had Google Drive sync enabled, your SMS history could have been saved automatically, which is ideal when you first set up a new smartphone, when the system itself suggests that you restore data from the cloud.
To check for a copy, go to Google's settings on your old device on the Settings → Google → Backup path. This shows the date of the last copy and the list of applications that have been saved. Make sure the Messages switch is active. If the copy is fresh, when you log in to your Google account on the new Xiaomi, you can restore the correspondence.
What to do if a backup copy is not created?
But there's a big drawback to this method: you can only recover data from Google's cloud-based copy when you're cleanly installed or reset to factory settings. If you're already using a new phone, recovery from the cloud will wipe out your current data, so it's best to plan ahead before the new device is activated.
Applications for SMS Backup & Restore
When embedded tools are unavailable or not working properly, third-party software comes to the rescue, a niche that has been dominated for years by SyncTech’s SMS Backup & Restore, which allows you to create full copies of your XML correspondence that can be easily migrated to any other Android device.
The process is this: install the app on both phones. On the old device, click "Create a copy," select "Messages" and specify the location of the save (local memory or cloud). Once you create the file, transfer it to the new phone in any convenient way (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, cable). On the new device, launch the application, select "Restore" and specify the path to the file.
- 📂 Flexibility: Ability to save copies to multiple locations, including Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
- 🔄 Automation: Set up a schedule to automatically backup each day or week.
- 🔒 Security: Support for password-encrypted backups to protect confidential information.
The feature of the app is that it can be selectively restored, so you can choose to choose a specific dialog or time period rather than restore the entire archive, which is especially useful if you want to find an old text message with a code or address without affecting current correspondence.
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When restoring the XML-The application can request permission to install the file as the default SMS application, which is necessary to correctly write the data to the system database. Once the process is complete, you can return your favorite message application.
Transfers via Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud)
Mi Account holders have access to Xiaomi Cloud, a powerful tool that is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell. Synchronizing messages through Mi Cloud allows you not only to transfer them to a new phone, but also to view the history of correspondence from your computer through the web interface.
To activate the function, go to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud. In the list of synchronized elements, find Messages and turn on the switchboard. The system will suggest combining local data with the cloud. After synchronization on the new phone, just log into the same Mi Account and enable message synchronization.
| Parameter | Google Drive | Xiaomi Cloud | SMS Backup & Restore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | Depends on the Internet. | High (locally) | Depends on the method of transmission |
| Account requirement | Mi Account | Not required | |
| Selective recovery | No (only all at once) | No. | Yes. |
| Support for MMS | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
It is important to note that the amount of free space in Xiaomi Cloud is limited (usually 5 GB), and messages take up space in it. If you have a very long history of correspondence with many attachments, the cloud can quickly fill up, in which case it is advisable to purchase additional space or use local redundancy methods.
Solving problems in the transfer of messages
Despite the algorithms, users sometimes encounter errors. Often the problem lies in the incompatibility of Android versions or the conflict of applications for working with SMS. If messages are not displayed or displayed by "krakozyabr" after transfer, you need to check the encoding and access rights.
One of the common causes of failure is active power saving mode. HyperOS or MIUI system can aggressively restrict the background activity of applications, interrupting the process of transferring large files. Before migrating, it is recommended to temporarily turn off energy savings and close unnecessary background processes.
⚠️ Note: If you use third-party launchers or SMS applications (e.g. Textra, Handcent), standard portability techniques may not work properly. In such cases, it is better to restore the standard Messages application first, import data, and then configure a third-party client.
It is also worth mentioning the problem with MMS-Sometimes images and videos attached to SMS are not transferred with text unless you select the appropriate item in your backup settings. Make sure that the copy settings have a tick against "Multimedia messages".
Alternative methods and transition from iOS
The situation is complicated if you want to send SMS not from Android, but from iPhone. Direct transfer of SMS from iOS to Android is impossible by standard means due to the closed Apple ecosystem. However, there are special tools, such as the application “Move to iOS” (works backwards) or paid programs for PCs that can convert the iMessage base into a format understandable by Android.
For users switching from button phones or older systems (Symbian, Java), the only working option is often to use the phone. SIM-The mediator of the cards, although modern SIM-cards have a small amount of memory and do not store long or multimedia messages, the base text can be saved. SIM", And then on the new Xiaomi - "Copy with the new Xiaomi" SIM".
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The most reliable and quick way for a pair of Xiaomi-to-Xiaomi is the Mi Mover app, which works without the Internet. XML-files through the application SMS Backup & Restore.
In conclusion, regular backup is a habit that saves you from losing important data: set up automatic copy creation in Google Drive or Mi Cloud right now so that when you buy a new Xiaomi smartphone, you do not have to waste time recovering lost information.