Switching to a new smartphone, especially from another manufacturer, often raises concerns about the loss of accumulated information. Users are afraid that contacts, correspondence in messengers and a photo gallery will remain on the old device.
Modern methods of data migration do not require deep technical knowledge. All processes are automated, and the transfer is carried out over a direct Wi-Fi connection, which guarantees high speed copying of even large amounts of information. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways that will help you fully clone the contents of an old phone to a new Mi or Redmi device.
The focus will be on using the Mi Mover app, which is the standard for the brand’s devices, and we’ll also look at the classic method through a Google account and the nuances of migrating data from iOS if you change platforms. Proper preparation of both gadgets is key to the success of the entire operation.
Preparation of devices before the migration
Before you start the copying process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that are often ignored by users. First of all, check the battery level on both devices. It is desirable that the indicator shows at least 50-60%, since the active operation of communication modules and writing data to the disk consumes significant energy.
Make sure that both devices have wireless modules on. For most transmission methods to work correctly, you will need activated Wi-Fi and enabled Bluetooth for initial device detection. It is also recommended to free up space on the receiving device if it is not new to avoid “Not enough memory” errors in the process.
⚠️ Note: If your old phone has two-factor authentication installed in important banking apps, make sure you have access to the phone. SIM-card or backup codes, as reauthorization may be required during the transfer.
It is worth checking that both smartphones have the latest security update, which minimizes the risk of software conflicts when transferring encrypted data, and if you use a MicroSD card, it is better to temporarily remove it to avoid errors in reading the file system.
Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning
The most effective tool for owners of Xiaomi equipment is the Mi Mover app, which is preinstalled on all new devices of the brand and allows you to transfer almost any type of content: from system settings to the location of icons on the desktop.
The process starts with putting the app on both devices if the old one doesn't, and then you have to choose the role of each gadget, and the new phone will press the "I'm the recipient" button, and the old phone will press the "I'm the sender" button, and then the devices will create their own Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to.
The interface allows you to flexibly customize your data selection, so you can eliminate heavy files or applications that you don't plan to use, and once you confirm your choice, you start copying, and you can see your progress in percentages and megabytes per second.
- 📱 Supports system settings, including Wi-Fi passwords and alarm clocks.
- 📸 Photos and videos are transferred with metadata storage EXIF and folder structures.
- 💬 The history of correspondence in WhatsApp and other messengers is preserved in full.
- 📞 Contacts and call logs are synchronized without duplication of records.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Synchronization through Google account
The classic method, which works on any Android device, regardless of manufacturer, is that the user backs up data in Google Drive cloud storage in advance, and when you log in to an account on a new device, the data is automatically uploaded.
To implement this method on the old phone, you need to go to the settings and find the Google section, where you select "Backup" and click "Start copying", at which point the contacts, calendar, list of installed applications and some system settings will go to the cloud.
When the new Xiaomi is first activated, it will prompt you to restore data from the cloud, just enter your Google account login and password, which is especially convenient because the apps will start downloading automatically in the background without manual intervention.
However, you should consider the limitations of the free Google Disk tariff. If your data exceeds the available space (usually 15 GB), a full copy may not be created, in which case some of the data, such as a photo in full quality, will have to be transferred separately through Google Photos.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
Comparison of data transmission methods
The choice of the method depends on your priorities: speed, data volume or Internet availability, each method has its own technical features and limitations, which should be considered before starting the procedure.
Below is a comparison table that will help you determine the best option for your situation. Pay attention to the speed and types of files supported.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Google Account | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Depends on the Internet. | Very low. |
| Internet required | Not required (locally) | Mandatory. | Not required |
| Data types | All (including settings) | Contacts, applications, photos | Only files. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | High (for large volumes) |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover benefits in speed and autonomy, as it consumes no mobile traffic. The method through Google is good for long-term backup storage, but takes time to download. Bluetooth in 2026 is relevant only for transferring a few documents or contacts.
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Use Mi Mover for your initial move, and leave your Google Account on for background sync of new contacts and photos in the future.
Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi
iOS owners also have an easy way to migrate to Android. Mi Mover has an iPhone version that allows you to transfer basic data without losing quality.
On the iPhone, you need to download the app from the App Store, you need to give permissions to access contacts, photos and media files after launch, and it is important to understand that iOS system settings and purchased applications cannot be transferred to Android due to operating systems differences.
Special attention should be paid to messengers. If you used WhatsApp on your iPhone, when transferring to Android, your correspondence history may not be saved by standard means, this will require using the “Chat Transfer” function inside the WhatsApp application itself when you first install it on a new phone.
- 🍏 Transferred: Contacts, Photos, Video, Calendar.
- 🚫 Not portable: Paid applications, system settings, files in iCloud Drive.
- 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords will have to be re-entered.
- 🎵 Music not protected DRM, successfully copied.
⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone, make sure that Xiaomi has enabled the “Installation from Unknown Sources” function to properly work the Mi Mover auxiliary plugins.
Solving problems in transfer
During the migration process, users may experience various technical failures, the most common problem is the disconnection of the Wi-Fi Direct connection, which can occur due to the energy-saving settings of the old phone, which “falls asleep” and breaks the connection.
To solve this problem, it is recommended to select the “No Limits” mode for the Mi Mover application on the old device in the battery settings, and it is also worth turning off mobile Internet on both devices so that the system does not try to switch to the cellular network.
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, don't rush to interrupt it immediately. Sometimes the system indexes files. However, if the progress is more than 15 minutes, it's better to restart the application and try to choose a smaller amount of data to transfer, breaking the process into stages.
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The stability of data transfer depends on how clean the old phone’s storage is, and fragmented files can slow down the process.
Completion of new device configuration
Once you've successfully completed the data copy, you need to do a final check, go through the main sections: phone book, gallery, messengers, make sure all media files are opened and contacts are displayed correctly.
Some applications, especially banking and enterprise applications, will require separate authorization and biometrics setup, which is normal security practice, and it is also recommended to check the notifications, as the new MIUI or HyperOS shell may have more stringent energy saving settings.
Now your new Xiaomi smartphone is fully ready to go and contains all the important information, and the old device can be ready for sale or transfer by performing a full reset to the factory settings.