How to transfer all data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Changing your smartphone to a new Xiaomi model is always a welcome experience, with better performance and better camera. However, the owner inevitably faces the issue of migrating digital baggage: thousands of photos, important contacts, correspondence and app settings. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers built-in, high-performance tools that allow you to clone the contents of an old device to a new one in minutes without losing a single byte.

Unlike manually installing programs or using cloud services with traffic restrictions, native transfer methods work at a deep system level, they can move not only media files, but also the placement of icons on the desktop, Wi-Fi passwords and even browser history. The fastest way is to use Wi-Fi Direct technology through the Mi Mover application, which requires no Internet connection and provides transfer speeds of up to 40 MB / s.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available ways to migrate data, from the official tool from developers to backup through a Google account, learn how to avoid common errors, why transfers can sometimes be interrupted and how to properly prepare both smartphones for the procedure so that it goes as smoothly and safely as possible for your information.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before starting the cloning process, you need to perform a number of preparatory actions that are often ignored by users, which leads to failures. First, make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50-60% of the battery, as active operation of communication modules and writing data to the disk significantly increase power consumption. Second, check the availability of free space on the new device: it must exceed the amount of data on the old phone by at least 10-15% for the correct operation of the file system.

While Xiaomi’s tools are highly compatible, transferring data from a very old version of MIUI (e.g. 10 or 11) to the latest HyperOS may require additional time to convert application databases.

It is also important to check the status of wireless communication modules. Since the main method of data transfer is based on creating a local network, make sure that the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules are functioning correctly. If the old phone is on power saving mode, it is better to turn it off so that the system does not interrupt the background file transfer process.

Keep in mind that connectivity stability is critical. If you plan to transmit more than 100GB of data, it is best to do the procedure in a place with minimal radio interference, away from working microwaves or high-power routers that can create noise in the 2.4GHz range.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick transfer

The most effective and recommended method is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem and allows you to transfer data directly over the Wi-Fi Direct channel, bypassing external networks. To start, open the application on both devices; on the new phone, select the Recipient role, and on the old one, Sender.

After choosing the roles, the devices will start searching for each other. QR-Important: don't connect to your normal home Wi-Fi network, the app will create its own access point. The old phone must connect to the network created by the new device, which provides a high level of security and maximum speed.

• 📱 Select the data type to transfer: contacts, messages, call log, system settings, images, video, audio, documents and installed applications.
• 🔒 Confirm the connection on both screens if you request pairing or entering a security code.
• ⏳ Wait for the process to end: Transfer time depends on the amount of data, but is usually between 10 and 40 minutes for the average user.

You can see the progress bar and the approximate time to complete as you go about it, and interrupting the process at this point is not desirable, although Mi Mover can restart the boot, but it can take longer to restart than a single full transfer, and the new device will automatically install the applications and unpack the data when it is completed.

Transferring data through Google Account and Cloud Services

An alternative, but slower, way is to sync through cloud services, ideal if you don't have both phones on hand at the same time, or if you just bought a device and the old one has already been sold or lost, the main tool here is Google One and standard contact and calendar synchronization.

To implement this method on an old phone, you need to go to Google settings and run a full backup, which will save the list of applications, Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings to the cloud. When the new Xiaomi is activated, you just need to enter the same account, and the system will prompt you to restore data from the last copy.

⚠️ Attention: Free space on Google is limited to 15GB. If your backup exceeds this limit, the process may be interrupted or not include photos in original quality. Large amounts of data require a Google One subscription or use of Mi Cloud.

And you should also mention Mi Cloud, which is that if you've been using Xiaomi's cloud services, your contacts, notes, voice recordings, and gallery might already be there. You just have to log into your Mi Account on a new device, and the data will be automatically connected, which is especially convenient for users who change devices frequently.

The speed of data recovery over the Internet depends on the speed of your connection. downloading hundreds gigabytes can take several hours, and some applications of the banking sector or corporate customers may not recover through the cloud due to security reasons and require manual configuration.

Comparison of transmission methods: characteristics table

To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have compiled a comparative table of basic migration methods, each with its own advantages depending on the specific situation and the technical condition of the devices.

As the table shows, Mi Mover is the undisputed leader in functionality and speed for Xiaomi bundle on Xiaomi. Cloud methods are good as an add-on or insurance, but not as the main channel for migrating heavy content. Local copying on PC should only be used in extreme cases when wireless methods do not work.

Transfer WhatsApp, Viber and other messengers

The migration of messengers deserves special attention, as they store correspondence and media files in secure databases that are not always correctly copied by common methods. For WhatsApp and Viber on Xiaomi devices, it is best to use built-in backup functions inside the applications themselves before starting a general transfer.

In WhatsApp settings, go to Chats → Chat Backup and click Backup. Make sure the copy is created in Google Drive. Once you transfer the basic data to the new phone, when you first start WhatsApp, the app will automatically detect the backup and prompt you to restore your message history.

• 📸 For Viber, the procedure is similar: settings → account → Backup Viber. Remember, you need the same phone number and Google account to recover.
• 🔐 Secret chats in Telegram and some other applications are not saved in the cloud for privacy reasons, their transfer is possible only if both devices are available and the export function is used within the application.
• 📂 Files received in instant messengers are often in separate folders. Mi Mover usually correctly determines the paths to the end of the system. /Android/media/com.whatsapp similar directories, but it is better to double check the presence of media after the transfer.

⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication in messengers may require code input from SMS or waiting for a timer (7 days for WhatsApp in some cases) if you try to log in from a new device too often.Be prepared to confirm your phone number.

If you use corporate versions of messengers or specialized clients for work, consult with the company. IT-Some corporate security policies prohibit data porting to personal devices or require the app to be reinstalled from scratch through MDM-profile.

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Tip: Before transferring, clear the messenger cache in the storage settings. This will remove temporary files that are not needed, and speed up the backup process, reducing the final size of the archive.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Despite the fact that processes are fine, users may encounter difficulties, and one of the most common problems is interruption of the connection while Mi Mover is running, which often happens if one of the phones turns on the lock screen or the system tries to optimize the power consumption of background processes.

To avoid this, both devices will set the “Do Not Turn Off” or maximum latency settings in the screen settings, and the battery settings for the Mi Mover app will select “No Limits” mode, which will instruct the system not to “sleep” the transmission process even if the screen goes out.

Another common situation is that apps are installed but not opened or crashed, which may be due to incompatible Android versions or data conflict, in which case it helps to clear the cache of a particular application on a new device or completely reinstall it from the GetApps store or Google Play.

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The main cause of port failures is aggressive battery optimization, and be sure to allow the transfer application to run in the background without restrictions.

If a process has been stuck on a certain percentage (e.g., 99%) for a long time, don't rush to interrupt it. The system can complete file indexing or setup system libraries. Waiting 15-20 minutes often solves the problem better than restarting it, which has to start over.

What to do after a successful transfer

Once all the data is on your new smartphone, the work doesn't end. First, check the integrity of the files: open a few photos from different dates, launch heavy apps, check contacts. Make sure that photos are synced in Google Photos or Mi Cloud resume.

You need to update all the apps through the store, you copy the versions of the programs installed on the old phone that may be outdated, you need to update them to ensure stable operation and close known security vulnerabilities, and you should also double-check the notification settings, as in the new version of the shell they could be reset.

Finally, if you are planning to sell or give away your old phone, make sure to complete a factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset). Before doing so, make sure that all important data is successfully transferred and working on the new device, ensuring that your personal information does not fall into the wrong hands.