How to transfer data from one Xiaomi to another

Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyous event, but it can cloud the prospect of a long and tedious setup. Every owner is faced with the question of how to quickly and without loss transfer data from one Xiaomi to another, preserving the entire structure of folders, passwords and correspondence. Fortunately, the ecosystem of MIUI and HyperOS offers built-in tools that make this process as automated and secure as possible.

There are several proven migration methods, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of information and the speed of the Internet connection: you can use the proprietary Mi Mover app, Google cloud services or Mi Cloud, as well as classic wired connection. The choice of the particular method depends on how deep you want to dive into the system settings and whether you are willing to wait for gigabytes to download via Wi-Fi.

In this article, we will take a look at each algorithm, focusing on the nuances that are often overlooked, how to properly prepare both devices, which file formats are transferred automatically and which require manual intervention, and understanding these processes will help you avoid losing important contacts or photos when changing your gadget.

Preparation of devices before the migration

Before you run any port tool, make sure both smartphones are ready to go. Charge both Xiaomi devices to a minimum of 60-70%, as the process can be energy-intensive, especially if wireless data is used. Also make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, even if you plan to use a cable, as the system can request confirmation via Bluetooth protocol.

It is important to check whether there is space on a new smartphone. The amount of memory available should exceed the size of the data you plan to transfer. If the old device is occupied by 100 GB, and the new one is free only 64 GB, the process will end in error or only selective files will be transferred.

⚠️ Warning: Do not start the transfer process if one of the devices is power-saving mode. This can cause the connection to break at the most critical time, which will require a repeat of the procedure.

Be sure to sign in to your Google account on both devices.This not only syncs contacts and calendar, but also allows you to automatically restore the list of previously installed apps from the Play Market. Without Google authorization, many of the system features of the new smartphone will remain unavailable.

Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer

The most efficient and quickest way, developed specifically for Xiaomi and Redmi owners, is the built-in Mi Mover app, which creates a direct access point between two devices by transferring data over a local Wi-Fi Direct channel, which provides high speed without using Internet traffic, and you can find it in the Tools folder or search in the settings.

Run the app on both smartphones. Select Recipient on the new device and Sender on the old one. QR-And then you have a code that will appear on the screen of the new phone, and then you'll see the devices connect, and you'll see a list of categories to transfer.

You can selectively point out what you need to copy: contacts, messages, call logs, apps, photos, videos, music, and even system settings, which is especially handy if you don’t want to transfer junk files or cache of old apps.

• 📲 Contacts and messages are transferred in full, saving the history of correspondence in the standard application. SMS.
• 📸 Media files (photos and videos) are copied in original quality without compression.
• 📱 Applications are re-installed, but their data (logins, game progress) is only saved if the application supports cloud synchronization.

The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data. During the transfer, do not turn off the screens of the devices and keep them close to each other.

Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services

If you don't have both phones on hand at the same time, or if you prefer cloud computing, Google sync is the best solution, ideal for restoring the basic structure of your phone: contacts, notes, calendars, and installed lists.

On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switches opposite Contacts, Calendar, Notes and Drive are active. Press the Sync button to make sure all data has gone to the cloud. On the new device, just log in to the same account3unt when you first set up.

For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best service to use. Install the app, turn on autoload and wait until the process is over. This will allow you to access your entire media gallery immediately after you sign in to your account on the new Xiaomi without taking up the device’s memory with physical files if you select Saving Space mode.

⚠️ Note: Google sync does not transfer files in the Download folder and data within applications that do not use cloud storage (for example, progress in offline games).

Transferring data with Mi Cloud

Xiaomi smartphone owners have access to their own cloud storage Mi Cloud, which is deeply integrated into the shell MIUI. This method is convenient because it allows you to create full backups of the system, including the location of icons on the desktop and specific interface settings.

To create a backup on your old device, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. You can select Backup here and specify what data to save. Once you complete the process on your new phone, just log into your Mi Account and select Restore from Backup.

The feature of this method is the ability to transfer even system settings and alarms. However, free storage is limited (usually 5 GB), so for large volumes of photos and videos you will have to buy space or use selective synchronization of only important data.

• ☁️ Automation: You can set up automatic backup creation every night when connecting to Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 Security: Data is encrypted and only accessible to the Mi Account holder.
• 📱 Universality: Suitable for data transfer even if the old phone is broken but turns on (via i.mi.com web version).

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Use the “Advanced Backup” feature in Mi Cloud to save not only data, but also the placement of widgets on the desktop, which will save time on setting up a new interface.

Manual transfer via computer and USB-cable

For those who prefer full control of files or don’t trust the clouds, there is a time-tested method of copying via PC: Connect the old Xiaomi to your computer, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the USB connection notification.

Copy the required folders (DCIM, Pictures, Music, Download, MIUI) to your computer’s hard drive. Then disable the old phone, plug in the new one, and transfer the files to the appropriate directories.This method ensures that you get exact copies of files without any compression or structure change.

Pay special attention to hidden folders and configuration files of some applications if they are stored in shared memory. However, simply copying a folder with application data (for example, Android/data/com.example.game) is often not enough – without superuser rights (Root), the system may not recognize these files after transfer.

⚠️ Note: When manually copying through USB Never remove the cable during the writing process, which can cause logical errors in the file system and loss of some data on the new device.

After copying media files, it is recommended to start the Gallery app on the new phone and give it time to index, otherwise the photos may not appear immediately, although they will already be physically in memory.

Problem Solving and Frequent Errors

Even with automated tools, there may be disruptions, and Mi Mover users often see devices but can't start transferring, and 90 percent of the time, the problem is with antivirus or power saving settings that block local networking.

Another common mistake is the incompatibility of Android versions. If you move from a very old Android 6.0 to the latest Android 14, some system applications may not migrate correctly, in such cases it is better to use cloud synchronization of contacts and photos, and install the applications again.

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If the wireless transfer is permanently interrupted, try the Hot Replacement method: start the transfer, and if it freezes by 99%, just interrupt it and start again – progress is often saved, and the second pass is completed successfully.

Don’t forget that banking apps and some instant messengers (like WhatsApp or Telegram) require special attention. For WhatsApp, be sure to make a local backup of chats inside the app itself before you switch, as the standard Xiaomi data port may not cover the messenger’s correspondence history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)