How to transfer information from the old phone to the new Xiaomi: the complete guide

Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, but it inevitably involves the need to transfer a huge amount of accumulated data. Contacts, photos, correspondence in messengers and installed applications – all this must be carefully moved to move to the new shell MIUI or HyperOS was as painless as possible. Modern technology allows you to make this process automated, but there are many nuances that depend on the operating system of your previous device.

In this article, we will take a look at all the sync options available, from the Mi Mover app to Google’s cloud services, how to save folder structure, migrate Wi-Fi passwords, and keep important notes in check. Preparing properly before you start will save you hours of time and save you from potential system configuration errors.

Whether you have an iPhone, a clean Android device, or even a button phone, there is a solution for every case, and the key is to take your time and follow the instructions steps consistently so that no byte of information is lost when migrating to a new device.

Preparation of devices for the data migration procedure

Before you start the immediate copying process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that will ensure the stability of the connection. First of all, make sure that both the old and new Xiaomi smartphones are charged at least 60-70%. The process of transferring large amounts of data, especially through Wi-Fi Direct, can be energy intensive, and suddenly turning off one of the devices will interrupt the operation.

The second critical step is to check for free space, so the amount of memory you have available on your new device should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer, and if the old phone is 100 GB and the new phone is only 80 GB free, the process will end up in error or not all files will be copied.

⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulations are initiated, it is strongly recommended to back up critical data to an external medium or to the cloud, even if you plan to use automated tools.

It’s also worth checking the operating system version. While current transfer protocols are generally compatible, having up-to-date Android updates on both devices minimizes the risk of conflict when transferring specific system settings or passwords from Wi-Fi networks.

Using the Mi Mover app for Android

The most efficient and quickest way for users to switch from another Android smartphone is to use the Mi Mover branded tool, which is designed by Xiaomi engineers specifically for migration and allows you to transfer data over a direct Wi-Fi connection without using Internet traffic, which ensures high speed.

To get started, you need to install the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, it is often already built in and is in the Tools folder or available through settings. On the old phone, you need to download it from Google Play. Once you start the app on the new device, select the role of “I am the receiver” and on the old one, “I am the sender”.

The devices will find each other through scanning. QR-Once you've established the connection, you'll see a detailed data selection menu, where you can tick contacts, messages, call history, images, videos, audio files, documents and even installed applications along with their data.

The thing about Mi Mover is that it creates an exact replica of the folder structure. If you're used to a particular file order, the new phone will keep that environment. Once you select categories, click send and wait until you're done without turning off your smartphone screens.

Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi: features of iOS

Migration from iOS to Android has traditionally been considered difficult, but with the advent of improved versions of Mi Mover and Google services, this process has become much easier. However, it is important to understand the limitations: the system settings of iOS and App Store applications can not be directly transferred to the Android ecosystem.

To start, you'll need to download the Move to iOS app (if you're still on your iPhone) or use Mi Mover on the Android side by selecting the iPhone mode. The main channel is to create a temporary Wi-Fi network, and you can stream contacts, messages, photos and videos through it.

Those programs that have versions for Android can be re-downloaded from the Google Play Store, but their internal progression (if it is not stored in the developer cloud) will be lost. Paid applications purchased from the App Store will have to be purchased again, since licenses do not overlap between stores.

⚠️ Note: Photos and videos from iPhone can be transmitted in original format HEIC, Not all Android players read by default, but it is recommended that you select the "Compatibility" option before transferring your iPhone settings or convert files after transferring them.

Once the basic transfer is complete, it is recommended to manually configure iCloud sync for contacts and calendar by logging into your Apple ID via a browser on the new Xiaomi to make sure no record is lost during the database conversion process.

Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services

The most reliable method, independent of the availability of cable or the stability of a direct connection between phones, is sync through Google Account.This method is ideal if the old phone is already damaged or unavailable, but you know your credentials.

When the new Xiaomi is first enabled, it will prompt you to log in to a Google account, which will automatically download contacts, calendar events, Google Keep notes, and photos from Google Photos, depending on the speed of the Internet and the amount of data.

It's important to check what data was synced on the old device, go to your Google account settings on your old phone and make sure the switches opposite Contact, Calendar and other points are active, and then the data is guaranteed to appear in the cloud.

Xiaomi ecosystem users also have their own Mi Cloud service available, and if you used it on the brand’s previous device, just log in to your Mi Account to restore backups of system settings, voice recorder and gallery.

Manual file transfer via PC and cable

When it comes to transferring heavy media files, such as video to 4K Or archives with games, wireless methods can be too slow. USB-The cable to the personal computer remains the gold standard of reliability.

Connect your old phone to your PC, select the USB File Transfer (MTP) mode. Copy the required folders (usually DCIM, Pictures, Download, Music) to your computer's hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and move the data to the appropriate internal memory directories.

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When manually copying, create folders with exactly the same names as on the old device so that applications (such as messengers or players) automatically find their files and do not require reconfiguration of paths.

This method also allows you to do digital cleaning, so while the files are on your computer, you can sort out the unnecessary, delete duplicate photos, and organize the folder structure in a logical way before downloading to a new gadget.

Remember that when you manually copy, your Wi-Fi system settings and passwords are not portable. You will have to re-enter them or use the scanning function. QR-network code, if available in the interface MIUI.

Transfer of messages and call history

SMS messages and call logs are data that you often forget to save, but that you may need at the most inopportune time. Android standard tools don’t always explicitly suggest saving it when you first set up if you missed the appropriate step.

For a full backup SMS is best to use specialized applications, such as SMS Backup and Restore. They're creating. XML-A file with all the correspondence that can be transferred to a new phone and deployed there, restoring the chronology of messages, this is especially true for users who store confirmation codes or important business correspondence in SMS.

Xiaomi call history is often synced through Google Contacts. Check the Phone app for log syncs. If so, the latest calls will automatically be logged in after you log in to your new device.

⚠️ Note: When transferring SMS via third-party apps, make sure you restore them before installing the main messengers (Viber, WhatsApp) to avoid database conflicts and loss of notifications.

If you use Mi Mover, make sure that the data you are sending is ticked against Messages and Call Log, and the app will process the databases and integrate them into the new phone’s system.

Recovery of data from backup

The final step is always to check the integrity of the data, and once you've recycled the information, don't rush to delete it from the old device. Do an audit: open the gallery, check for all the albums, run the apps, make sure the contacts are displayed correctly, not duplicated.

The built-in Security app on Xiaomi has a Backup and Restore section, where you can create a local copy of an already configured new phone, which will allow in the future, in the event of a reset, to quickly return the device to working state with all passwords and icons.

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The full transfer cycle is considered complete only after checking the operability of key applications and the availability of all media files on the new device.

If you find missing files, don't panic. Often, photos can be in the Google Photos cloud in the Archives or Recycle Bin, and contacts in hidden groups. Careful verification of all sources will help put the data puzzle together.