Buying a new smartphone from Xiaomi always evokes mixed feelings: on the one hand, the joy of owning a modern device, on the other – a slight panic before the need to transfer accumulated information. The process of migrating data today is as automated as possible, but has its own nuances depending on which operating system was on the old gadget. Modern shells MIUI and HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools that allow you to copy almost all the contents of memory in minutes without loss of quality.
In this article, we will take a look at all the synchronization options available, from Mi Mover’s proprietary application to classic cloud backup methods, how to properly prepare both devices, which file formats are portable without errors, and what to do if the process is stuck in the middle, and training will save you from having to manually configure each setting anew.
It is worth noting that the data transfer rate depends on the chosen method and the state of the Wi-Fi modules of both smartphones. A wired connection or the creation of a local access point provides a stable communication channel that will not be interrupted when an incoming call. Let’s look Step-by-step, how to make the transition to Xiaomi as comfortable and fast as possible.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before any copying procedure is initiated, it is critical to ensure that both devices have a stable power supply. The process of transmitting large amounts of information, especially high-resolution photos and videos, can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, which significantly consumes battery power. Make sure that both devices have a charge level of at least 50-60%, and ideally connect them to power sources throughout the operation.
The second important step is to check the space on the target device: the new Xiaomi smartphone should have enough internal memory to accommodate all the files from the old device. If you plan to carry heavy video archives or games, estimate the amount of space occupied in the storage settings in advance.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the data transfer process by turning off the screen or running heavy applications in the background.This can cause file damage or a complete stop of the procedure, which will have to start again.
You also need to make sure that both smartphones are enabled wireless modules. Most modern port gates require active Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. On some Xiaomi models, the system will offer to enable the necessary services, but it is better to check their presence in the notification curtain in advance. In addition, it is recommended to turn off the power saving mode, which can limit the background activity of network interfaces.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Use of the Mi Mover app
The most effective and preferred way for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem is to use the Mi Mover utility, which is pre-installed on all modern smartphones of the brand and optimized for working with the shells MIUI and HyperOS. Its main advantage is the ability to transfer not only media files, but also system settings, the location of icons on the desktop, as well as data from some applications.
To get started, run the app on a new device and select the “I’m getting” (or “New phone”) role. On an older smartphone, if it’s also Xiaomi, the procedure is similar. If you are switching from a device from another manufacturer, you will need to download the installation file apk utility on the old gadget. QR-device-search codes.
The connection is made through the creation of a local wireless network, which provides high transmission speeds without using Internet traffic. 20-40 MB/s, which is much faster than standard Bluetooth transmission. QR-When using your new phone, select the types of data to copy: contacts, messages, calls, multimedia, documents and installed applications.
- 📱 Complete copy of the folder structure and gallery albums.
- 📲 Transfer of application apk files (requires re-installation in a new location).
- 🔒 Saving Wi-Fi passwords and system interface settings.
- 🔄 Automatic Type Recognition of Old Device (Android/iOS).
It is important to understand that some secure applications (bank clients, government services) cannot be ported along with authorization data for security reasons. You will have to re-enter these accounts and undergo identification procedures, but contact lists and call history are stored completely.
What if Mi Mover can't see an old phone?
Synchronization through Google account
The classic method that remains relevant for any Android device: If you’ve used a Google smartphone before, most of your digital life is already stored in the cloud. When a new Xiaomi is activated, it will prompt you to sign in to an existing account or create a new one, which is ideal for transferring contacts, notes, calendars and photos.
Google Photos is used for photos and videos. Make sure that the old device has Autoboot and Sync enabled in the app. After that, all the pictures will appear in the gallery of the new phone immediately after you log in, and it's not only a transfer method, but also a reliable way to back up data when you lose your device.
Calendar contacts and events are synced automatically when you add an account to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Here you can choose which data to pull from the cloud, and this method is especially convenient because it does not require both phones to be physically present next to you — you just need to have access to the Internet.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | Speed. | Internet dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Instantly. | Required. |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Depends on the channel. | Required (Wi-Fi) |
| Annexes | Google Play Store | Medium | Required. |
| Passwords. | Google Password Manager | Instantly. | Required. |
However, the cloud method has limits on free storage capacity: Google's base rate provides 15GB, which is shared between mail, drive and photos. If your archive exceeds this limit, you'll either have to have extra space or use selective synchronization.
Transferring over the Mi Cloud
Xiaomi device owners have access to their own cloud storage, Mi Cloud. It's a great alternative to Google services, especially for users who are deeply integrated into the brand ecosystem. Mi Cloud allows you to synchronize contacts, messages (SMS/MMS), call history, notes, voice recorder and even desktop settings.
To use this method, sign in to your Mi Account on your old device (if it is from Xiaomi) or install the Mi Cloud app on any Android. Enable synchronization of the desired data categories and wait for the download to be completed. On the new smartphone, just log in to the same account, and the data will “fly” automatically.
The Mi Cloud feature is the ability to create full system backups that are stored separately from files, which is convenient when switching to a new model, as it allows you to restore an exact copy of the workspace, including wallpaper and widgets. Free user is provided with 5 GB of space, which is enough for contacts and documents, but may not be enough for a photo archive.
Synchronization via Mi Cloud is often more stable in regions with unstable access to Google servers, and it is the only way to transfer specific data, such as recordings in the original format and the themes of the design.
💡
Use the Advanced Cloud feature in the Mi Cloud settings to free up space on your device. The original photos will be deleted from your phone, but will remain in the cloud in full resolution, and only thumbnails will remain on the device.
Manual copying via PC or wire
For users who prefer full control of the process, or if you need to transfer hundreds of gigabytes of data, the best choice is to connect to a computer, which is also called “cold” transfer, since it does not depend on wireless network speeds and cloud constraints.
Connect your old smartphone to your computer through USB-cable and select file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the folders. DCIM (Photos and videos, Download, Documents and others to your hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and move the files to the appropriate directories. This method guarantees 100% preservation of metadata and file structure.
Alternatively, you can use a USB Type-C to Type-C adapter (if both smartphones support OTG). By connecting the devices directly, you can use the built-in file manager to copy data. In MIUI, when you connect an external drive or another phone, the system will offer options, including copying files.
- 💾 Ideal for transferring files larger than 50GB.
- 🔌 No need to connect to the Internet and have accounts.
- 🗂 Stores the original folder structure and file creation dates.
- ⚡ Speed is limited only by capacity. USB-port.
When you manually copy, it’s important to remember to move hidden folders if they store important application data, and remember that the applications themselves (.apk) are not installed this way – you only copy the installation files that you have to manually run.
⚠️ Warning: When copying via PC, be sure to use an original or certified cable. Cheap "charging only" cables won't transmit data and the computer won't see the device, leading to wasted time to look for a malfunction.
💡
Manual copying via PC is the only way to securely transfer large video archives without compression and loss of quality, and without depending on the speed of the Internet connection.