Buying a new Redmi or POCO smartphone is always a joyous occasion, but it is often overshadowed by the need to transfer a huge amount of information from an old device. Users face thousands of contacts, gigabytes of photos, correspondence in messengers and application settings that need to be saved. Fortunately, Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools that allow you to clone data in just a few touches, minimizing the risk of information loss.
The migration process can vary depending on the operating system of your previous gadget. If you move from another Android smartphone, the procedure will be as smooth and fast as possible, since the structure of the file systems is identical. iPhone owners also do not need to worry, since the developers of MIUI and HyperOS have provided special algorithms for working with iOS. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from cloud services to local copying by cable.
Before you start active, make sure that both devices have sufficient battery power, preferably more than 50%.Sharp voltage spikes or discharge at a critical moment can lead to file damage or system software failure. Preparation takes only a couple of minutes, but saves from hours of troubleshooting in the future.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and quick way to transfer data from your phone to your Xiaomi phone is to use the native Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all modern devices of the brand and optimized to transfer large amounts of information over a local Wi-Fi channel without consuming mobile traffic. Transfer speeds can reach tens of megabytes per second, which allows you to copy 100 GB of data in just a few minutes.
To get started, open the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, click the "I'm a recipient" button and on the old one, "I'm a sender." The system automatically creates an access point or prompts you to scan. QR-Once you have established the connection, you will see a detailed menu of categories: contacts, messages, images, video, audio, documents and even installed applications.
It is important to note that when porting applications, some may require re-authorization for security purposes, and it is worth considering that the cache of some heavy games may not automatically transfer and will have to be downloaded over Wi-Fi.
- 📱 Supports data transfer between Android and iOS devices with minimal restrictions.
- ⚡ Uses a direct Wi-Fi connection, which provides faster speeds than Bluetooth.
- 🔒 No Internet connection, all data is transferred locally between gadgets.
- 📂 Keeps the folder and album structure in the gallery, making navigation easier.
⚠️ Warning: While Mi Mover is running, the screens of the devices may go out to save power, but don't block them completely. If the process is interrupted due to locking, the transmission will have to start again.
Once the copy is complete, the system will report the successfully transferred files. If some items fail to be copied, the application will indicate the reason, for example, format incompatibility or lack of access rights on the old device. In most cases, restarting the process for specific categories solves the problem.
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
An alternative and classic method is sync through a Google account, which is ideal if the old phone is already unavailable, broken or lost, but you remember the login details. When you first set up the new Xiaomi Redmi, the system will prompt you to enter a login and password to Google, then automatically tighten contacts, calendar events, notes and a list of installed applications.
For photos and videos, the best way to use Google Photos is to use it. If you have autoloaded your photos on your old device, all your photos are already in the cloud. Just install the Google Photos app on your new phone and log in to the same account. All media files will appear in the gallery, taking up the minimum space on the internal drive thanks to the Save Space feature.
But there are limitations to this method: 15GB of free backup space may not be enough if you’ve been actively shooting high-resolution videos, so you’ll either have to buy a Google One subscription or selectively sync only important albums.
What if two-factor authentication blocks the entry?
If you’ve used Xiaomi smartphones before, your contacts, voice recordings and screenshots may already be saved there. To activate, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and turn on the necessary sync points, which will create an additional copy of the data independent of Google servers.
Transferring data from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi Redmi
The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android used to be a complex process, but now it is as simple as possible.The Mi Mover app has a special version for iOS, which you need to download from the App Store on your iPhone. QR-code.
When migrating from iOS to Xiaomi, contacts, photos, videos and calendar events are available for copying. iMessage messages cannot be transferred due to the closed Apple protocol, but WhatsApp correspondence history can be saved by using the backup function inside the messenger itself before switching.
The key is that apps purchased from the App Store don’t automatically portable.You’ll have to re-download their counterparts from the Google Play Market. Many popular services have versions for both platforms, but some iOS exclusives may not be available.
- 🍎 Contacts and calendar synced without loss of formatting.
- 📸 Photos are transferred in original quality if the appropriate condition is selected.
- 🔑 Passwords saved in iCloud keychain will have to be re-entered or exported manually.
- 📵 Communications SMS and MMS Not portable to Android devices.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your iPhone is allowed to use the local network for the Mi Mover app. The request will appear on the first run and the connection will not be established without permission.
Once the migration is complete, it is recommended to check the gallery. Sometimes live photos from the iPhone can be converted into static images or short video files on Android. This is the usual behavior of the system, since the HEIC format and the specifics of live photos are processed differently.
Local backup and port over PC
For users who prefer full control of their data, or who lack stable Wi-Fi, computer copying is also a good option if you want to transfer specific file formats or system logs, and you need a USB cable and access to both phones' file systems.
Connect your old phone to your computer and select file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the required folders (DCIM, Download, Documents, Music) to your PC hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi Redmi and move the files to the appropriate directories. This method ensures that the data is not compressed or changed during the transfer.
The built-in local backup MIUI allows you to create a full cast of the system. To use it, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup. Backup, select the data you want and save it. After that, the backup file (usually located in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder) can be transferred to the new phone and reset from it.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for transfer via PC
It takes longer and requires manual file sorting, but it is the only reliable option if both phones have damaged Wi-Fi modules or other hardware malfunctions that interfere with wireless transmission.
Comparison of data transfer methods
To make it easier for you to choose the best way, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each method depending on your specific situation and the technical condition of the devices.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No. | Everything (contacts, photos, apps, settings) |
| Google Account | Medium (depending on the network) | Yes. | Contacts, apps, photos (Google Photos) |
| Computer (USB) | Tall. | No. | Files (photos, videos, documents) |
| Bluetooth | Low. | No. | Only individual small files |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the undisputed leader in functionality and speed for Xiaomi device owners. It combines ease of use and deep access to the system. Cloud methods are good as a backup option or for initial configuration of contacts.
💡
Tip: Before starting a mass transfer, remove unnecessary files, screenshots and duplicate photos from your old phone, which will speed up the process and save space on the new device.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Despite the fact that processes are fine, there are sometimes failures. Often users complain that the process hangs on a certain percentage or the application crashes. Most of the time it is due to unstable connection or energy saving. Try to turn off the screensaver and prevent the system from "sleeping" the Mi Mover application in the background.
Another common problem is the lack of space on the new device. Before starting the procedure, be sure to check the free space. If there is not enough memory, the system can interrupt the copying halfway, which will damage part of the data, in which case it is better to move the most important thing first, and the rest to be loaded later.
If you encounter a “failed to recover” error, try restarting both smartphones and repeating the procedure. Also make sure that both devices have current versions of the Mi Mover app installed. Older versions may not work properly with the new HyperOS file system.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the recording process by force (by removing the battery or by hard reset) if the phone is getting stuck, which may damage the data partition and require a complete reset to factory settings (Wipe Data).
💡
The key to successful transfer is a stable connection and sufficient battery life. Don't save time on preparation, so as not to lose data.