Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a pleasant thrill, but the joy of acquiring it is often overshadowed by the need to transfer all the accumulated information. Users are faced with a huge array of data: contacts, photos, correspondence in messengers, passwords and application settings. The migration process can seem difficult, especially if you need to keep the folder structure and the functionality of banking applications.
Fortunately, Xiaomi has developed its own solution that makes life much easier for the owners of their ecosystem.Mi Mover (Mi Transfer) allows you to transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi in just a few touches, this software is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, which guarantees maximum compatibility and speed of transfer.
Unlike cloud services, which require a stable and fast Internet connection, local transfer works directly between devices, which means that you can move tens of gigabytes of photos and videos in minutes without spending mobile traffic. Below we will discuss all the details of the process, so that the transition to a new device is painless.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before starting the procedure, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that are often ignored by users, which leads to errors. First of all, make sure that both the old and the new smartphone are charged at least 50-60%. The active data transfer process puts a high load on the processor and the Wi-Fi module, which can quickly drain the batteries. If one of the devices goes off in the middle of the process, you risk getting damaged files or malfunctioning applications.
It is also critical to check for free space on the receiving device. The amount of available memory on the new Xiaomi should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer. Go to Settings → Memory and assess the current state. If there is not enough space, you should clear the cache beforehand or transfer some of the media files to your computer or external drive.
Remember to connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network, although Mi Mover does not always have to work, as the application creates a direct connection. However, to activate accounts and check for updates, the Internet will still be required. Make sure that both smartphones are enabled Bluetooth and geolocation, as these modules are used to detect devices and establish a secure communication channel.
Instructions: How to use the Mi Mover app
The main tool for migration is the built-in Mi Mover app. On new Xiaomi models, it is in the Tools folder or available through a search in the settings. If you can't find it, just type the name in the settings search bar. Run the app on both devices. The program interface is minimal and clear, but requires careful choice of the role of each smartphone.
On the old phone that will be copied from the data, you need to select the option “I’m a sender” (I’m a sender) on the new Xiaomi, accordingly, selects the option “I’m a recipient” (I’m a recipient), then on the screen of the new device will appear on the screen of the new device. QR-Scan it with the camera of an old phone, and the devices will create a secure Wi-Fi Direct hotspot that will send the files through.
Once connected, the system will suggest selecting data categories to migrate, you can choose to migrate selectively or copy everything. It is recommended to carefully review the list so as not to carry system debris or temporary files. When you make the choice, click Send and wait for the process to be completed. Do not interrupt the connection or switch to other applications during copying.
- 📱 Data selection: You can transfer contacts, messages, calls, notes, voice recorder, system settings.
- 📸 Media Files: Photos, videos, music and documents are copied while maintaining folder structure.
- 📲 Annexes: Installed APK-files, but data inside applications (cache, logins) may not be saved for security reasons.
- 🔒 Security: Connection is encrypted, data is not transmitted through third-party servers.
What if devices can’t see each other?
If the scan is QR-If you don't have the code, try manually turning on hotspot on one of your devices and connecting to it via your Wi-Fi settings, then start Mi Mover again. Also make sure that both phones allow geolocation for that application.> An alternative and often more reliable way to move data through your Mi Account and cloud is to use the Mi Cloud cloud service, which is ideal if you don’t have both devices on hand at the same time or want to back up in case you lose your phone. Sync through the cloud allows you to save not only files, but also specific system settings, desktop layout and Wi-Fi passwords. To start, log into your Mi Account on your old device through the Settings menu. → Mi Account. Go to Cloud and select Sync». Here you can configure in detail what data will be downloaded to the servers of Xiaomi. After synchronization on the new phone, just enter the same login and password, and the system will prompt you to restore data from the last backup. ⚠️ Note: Free space in the Mi Cloud is limited (usually 5 GB). For large volumes of photos and videos, this may not be enough, in which case it is recommended to use a paid subscription or combine methods: Keep your contacts and settings in the cloud, and transfer your heavy files over Mi Mover, and using the cloud has its advantages over local copying, most importantly independence from the physical state of your old phone. Even if the previous device is broken or lost, you can recover important data on the new device at any time. In addition, cloud sync works in the background, automatically updating data when you change. Migration through Google Account and third-party services Google Ecosystem is standard for Android, and ignore it when changing your phone is not worth it. Most users already store their contacts, mail and calendars in Google account. When you first set up the new Xiaomi, you just need to enter the Gmail address, and the phone will automatically pull up all the stored data. This also applies to purchased applications in the Play Market and game progress, if they support Google Play Games. For photos and videos, it is best to use Google Photos. If you have a new phone log in, you have enough to sync and access to your new device. This frees up space on the device and ensures that memories are safe even if the gadget is physically broken. Third-party services such as Yandex.Disk or Dropbox can also act as an intermediary. However, they require pre-loading files, which consumes traffic. Messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram have their own built-in backup mechanisms. WhatsApp, for example, can back up Google Drive on an old phone and restore it when you install the application on a new one. Transfer method Speed Dependence on the Internet What carries Mi Mover High (up to 40 MB / s) Not required All (files, applications, settings) Mi Cloud Medium (depends on the network) Necessarily Contacts, photos, settings of the Google Account Average necessarily Contacts, calendar, Bluetooth applications Very low Not required Only contacts and small files Portability features WhatsApp and Viber Messengers often become the most problematic area when changing phones. Simply copying your application files via Mi Mover may not be enough to save your correspondence history, as message databases are often encrypted with a specific device. For WhatsApp on Android, the most reliable way is to create a local backup or copy on Google Drive.In WhatsApp settings on your old phone, go to Chats → Backup of chats. Click Backup and wait until it’s done. Make sure the copy is created on Google Drive, which is linked to your account. On the new Xiaomi, WhatsApp will offer to restore the message history from the detected backup when it first launches. It's important to use the same phone number and the same Google account. Viber is similar, but with nuances. Viber also uses Google Drive for backup. → Settings → Account → Backup Viber. Once you have a copy on your new device when you register your number, the app will prompt you to restore the data. If you use two-factor authentication, make sure you remember. PIN-code or access the number to receive SMS. 📊 WhatsAppTelegramViber I don't use messengers Solve problems and errors during transfer Despite the debugging process, users may experience technical failures. One of the frequent problems is interrupting the Wi-Fi Direct connection while Mi Mover is running. This may be due to the system's energy-saving algorithms that try to "sleep" when the screen is off, so to avoid this, keep the screens of both phones on and set the brightness to maximum, and also turn off the power saving mode during the transmission. Another common problem is the “Not enough space” error, even when there is free space, which may be due to fragmentation of the file system or the features of the file system of the new device, in which case try to transfer data in parts: Contacts and photos first, then apps. Also helps to clean the cache of the Mi Mover application through the application management menu. ⚠️ Note: When you migrate banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) and fingerprint-approved applications, you will have to re-authenticate and configure biometrics. This is normal Android security behavior that cannot be circumvented software. If the process is held at a certain percentage (for example, 99%), Don't rush to restart your phone. 10-15 Often the system completes background indexing or file integrity checks, and a forced reboot at this point can damage the contact database or gallery. 💡The most common cause of errors is an unstable connection or power saving mode. Keep screens active and devices close together. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Will Wi-Fi and app passwords be saved after transfer? Wi-Fi passwords will be saved if you use Mi Mover or sync through Mi Account. Passwords saved in Google Password Manager will also automatically tighten up when you log in. However, passwords inside individual applications (such as login to social networks) will most often have to be re-entered for security reasons. Can you interrupt the transfer process and continue later? Renewal function in Mi Mover is unstable. If the process is blocked, the process will be critically recharged before the battery is selected. Yes, Mi Mover can carry the layout of icons and widgets on the desktop, as well as wallpaper. MIUI Or other screen resolution, some widgets might not fit properly or get bundled up, requiring manual editing. What if the Mi Mover doesn't fit on an old phone? If the old Android smartphone (not Xiaomi) does not have a built-in Mi Mover, it can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or scanned. QR-The code that will appear on the new Xiaomi when the app launches. There is a separate version of the Mi Mover app in the App Store for the iPhone, but the functionality there is limited. Do I need to reset the new phone to the factory settings before porting? No, it is not necessary. Mi Mover can work on an already configured phone. However, if you want to get the cleanest possible system without duplicate files from previous setup attempts, a reset can be helpful, but in most cases it is not necessary.