Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when you upgrade to a Xiaomi device with its MIUI or HyperOS shell. Many users are afraid of losing important contacts, photos or app settings, but the Chinese manufacturer’s modern tools make migration as easy and safe as possible.
In this article, we will go through all the steps from backing up an old device to fine-tuning a new device, and learn about the Mi Mover tool that is built into the system, and how to transfer data even from an iPhone. We will not use complex technical terms without explanation, so that the instructions are clear to every owner.
Don’t rush to set up your biometrics or link your bank cards until the main transfer process is complete. Android requires a sequence of actions to ensure that all services work correctly. If you follow the steps below, the transition will go smoothly and all your data will remain intact.
Preparing an Old Smartphone for Migration
Before any manipulations are initiated, make sure that the original device is fully ready to transmit information. First, check the battery level on both phones – it should be at least 60%. The process can take a long time, and a sudden power outage will damage files or interrupt synchronization.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to transmit data over an unstable Wi-Fi connection or when a poor cellular signal is signaled.Stop the data stream may cause some files (especially videos and archives) to become corrupted and stop opening.
Be sure to perform a garbage file storage cleanup if you plan to move all the contents.Temporary cache files and remnants of deleted applications will only increase the procedure time without benefit.Use the built-in Security → Cleanup tool to make room.
Make sure your old phone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, and these are the modules that make it possible to create a local network between devices to quickly transfer data without using Internet traffic, and make sure that the screen doesn’t go out too quickly by setting the screen timeout to 5 or 10 minutes in the settings.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Registration and setting up Mi Account
At the heart of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the Mi Account, which is not just a mailbox, but the key to all services: cloud storage, device search, contact sync and theme, and if you just bought a phone, registration is a must for full-time use of the device.
When you first turn on a new device, the system will prompt you to sign in to an existing account or create a new one. Enter your data carefully, as this is the account that will be linked to your GetApps purchases and Mi Cloud settings. Don't ignore this step, otherwise you risk losing the ability to remotely lock your phone in the event of theft.
Once you log in, activate key data sync. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync and make sure that the sliders opposite Contacts, Messages, Notes and Gallery are active, which will create a backup in the cloud that will be insurance against a local port failure.
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Use two-factor authentication for Mi Account, which will protect your personal data and photos in the cloud even in the event of a password leak.
It is important to understand the difference between on-premises and cloud-based transfers: Local (via Wi-Fi Direct) is faster for larger volumes, and cloud is convenient for reconnecting if an old phone is already lost or sold, a combination of both methods yielding the best result.
Use of the Mi Mover app
The most efficient way to move is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones. If you switch from another Android smartphone, you will need to download the app from Google Play or scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone.
Run the app on both devices. Select Receiver on the new phone and Sender on the old one. The app automatically finds the device via Bluetooth and prompts you to connect. Once the pair is confirmed, the screen will show up. QR-scan.
After the connection, select the data types to transfer. You can copy:
- 📱 Contacts, call log and SMS-message
- 📸 Photos, video and audio files from the gallery
- 📲 Applications and their data (not for all programs)
- ⚙️ System settings, alarm clocks and notes
Transfer speeds depend on the amount of data and the distance between devices. Keep your phones close by and don't switch to other apps during the process. For large volumes (over 50 GB), the process can take up to 40-60 minutes.
Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi
And the iOS owners don't have to worry, either. Mi Mover has an iPhone version available in the App Store. It's the same procedure: download the app on your iPhone, scan it. QR-code from the new Xiaomi and select the data. However, there are important limitations that you need to know about in advance.
You can successfully transfer contacts, photos, videos and calendar events from your iPhone. Unfortunately, the iOS architecture does not allow you to transfer the apps themselves and their data (save in games, correspondence) directly to Android. You will have to re-download social networks and instant messengers from the GetApps store or Google Play.
⚠️ Note: Messages from iMessage and WhatsApp correspondence are not automatically transferred via Mi Mover from iPhone. For WhatsApp, use the built-in chat export function inside the WhatsApp app itself before installing it on your new phone.
To transfer passwords and Safari bookmarks, it is best to install Chrome or Yandex browser on your iPhone in advance and enable sync, then when you sign in to your Google account on the new Xiaomi, all your bookmarks and saved passwords will be automatically pulled up.
Working with WhatsApp and messengers
Messengers require special attention, as they store their correspondence history locally or in their clouds. WhatsApp on Android devices has become easier: when you install the application on a new phone, it will offer to restore the history from a backup copy of Google Drive. Make sure that the old phone has a fresh copy on the WhatsApp settings (Chats → Chat Backup).
If you use Telegram, you don't have to worry. It's completely cloud-based. Just enter your phone number and confirmation code, and all your chats, channels and media files (except secret chats) will appear on the new device instantly.
Viber and Signal also need to back up on an old device (usually Google Drive) and then select Restore when you first run on a new one.
| messenger | Transfer method | We need Google Drive. | Media Transferred |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backup copy | Yes (for Android) | Yes (if included) | |
| Telegram | Cloud synchronization | No. | Yes (downloaded as you watch) |
| Viber | Backup copy | Yes. | Yes. |
| Signal | Backup copy | Yes (local or cloud) | Yes. |
What if WhatsApp doesn’t see a backup?
Final setup and security
Once you've successfully moved data and installed applications, you're in the final setup phase. NFC and set up Google Pay (or similar ones available in your region, such as Mir Pay). → Connections and sharing → NFC.
Be sure to set up biometric protection. Xiaomi offers facial recognition and a fingerprint scanner (in-screen or side, depending on the model) Not only is it convenient to unlock, but it is also necessary for confirming payments and logging into banking applications.
Don't forget to check for system updates. New phones may come with a version of the software released months ago. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI/HyperOS version and click "Check Updates." Fresh patches often contain important security and stability improvements.
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The full relocation cycle takes on average 1-2 Including updates and biometrics setup, don't neglect the final phase of software updates.
Finally, delete data from your old device if you plan to sell or give it away. Complete a factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) by making sure that all data is working successfully on the new gadget.