Buying a new smartphone is always a joyous event, but often overshadowed by the prospect of a long and tedious setup, as the owner of the device faces the need to re-install dozens of apps, recover Wi-Fi passwords, set alarm clocks and return the usual desktop layout. Fortunately, in the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS, this process is automated as efficiently as possible, allowing the device to be cloned in minutes.
The main tool for data migration is the built-in Mi Mover application, which is pre-installed on the vast majority of modern models Xiaomi, Redmi and other mobile devices. POCO. This tool is able to transfer not only photos and contacts, but also system settings, including call history, SMS-But to make sure that the process is error-free, you have to follow a sequence of steps and take into account a number of technical nuances.
In this article, we will discuss how to properly prepare both devices, which options should be ported and which should be reconfigured for stable operation, and we will also look at alternative synchronization methods through the Mi Cloud service and Google account, which can be useful in specific situations where direct wireless communication is impossible or undesirable.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before starting the transfer procedure, it is critical to ensure the stable state of both smartphones. The battery charge on the old and new device should be at least 50-60%, since the process of active data transmission over Wi-Fi Direct can be quite energy intensive. If the charge is lower, the system can limit the transfer speed or interrupt the operation, which will damage the files.
You also need to check for free space on the receiving device, the amount of memory available should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer, and it is recommended to delete unnecessary cache files or old backups on the new phone in advance to avoid the error "Not enough space" at the most inopportune time.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.The Mi Mover app requires Bluetooth to initially detect devices and establish a handshake, and Wi-Fi is used to transfer the main dataset at high speed.
It is not superfluous to update the Mi Mover app on both smartphones to the latest version through the GetApps store or Google Play. Older versions of the program may contain bugs that prevent the correct transfer of system settings, especially if one device has a new HyperOS shell, and the other – the old MIUI.
Using the Mi Mover app to clone the system
The main way to migrate settings is to use the Mi Mover tool, which is the standard tool, run the app on both smartphones. On the new device that will receive the data, select the role of "I am the recipient" (Receiver). On the old phone from which we will copy, click "I am the sender" (Sender).
After selecting roles on the screen of the new phone will appear QR-Scan it with the camera of the old device, and the devices will create a local Wi-Fi hotspot that the old phone will automatically connect to, and this process doesn't consume Internet traffic, because the connection is directly between the gadgets.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
At the data selection stage, you will open a detailed menu with categories, and you can select System Data to reset alarm settings, wallpaper, Wi-Fi access points and interface settings, and selective transfer of applications, media and documents is available, and once you confirm the selection, you will start a copying process, the progress of which is displayed as a percentage.
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If the process is frozen at 99%, do not panic or interrupt the connection immediately. Often the system completes the background indexing of files. Wait 2-3 minutes before trying to restart the transfer.
It is important to note that some security and biometrics-related system settings (fingerprints, facial data) are not portable for security reasons and must be reconfigured on a new device.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Google account
An alternative, and sometimes more reliable, way to restore settings is cloud sync, which is especially effective if you don't have an old phone on hand when you set up a new one, or if you want to gradually migrate data, using a bundle of Mi Account and Google Accounts.
Sign in to your Mi Account on your new device via the Settings → Mi Account menu. Once logged in, the system will prompt you to recover data from the cloud. It stores desktop settings, blacklist of numbers, browser history and notes. Sync occurs in the background and does not require constant presence of phones nearby.
| Type of data | Mi Cloud | Google Account | Local backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts and calendar | Yes (automatically) | Yes (automatically) | Yes (manually) |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Yes. | Yes (via Google) | Yes. |
| Desktop layout | Yes. | No. | Yes. |
| Application passwords | No. | No. | Yeah (encrypting) |
| Call history/SMS | Yes. | SMS only (partially) | Yes. |
The Google account takes over the recovery of installed apps, passwords saved in the password manager, and photos (via Google Photos).The combination of both cloud services allows you to recreate the user’s digital environment almost in its original form, preserving the continuity of the experience.
Transfer of the desktop layout and interface
One of the most valuable features of the Xiaomi ecosystem is the ability to fully clone the interface’s appearance. Users often spend hours putting weather widgets, clocks and app shortcuts in a convenient order.
Once you’ve completed the migration, you’ll find that the new phone’s app folders, home screen icons, and even All Apps menus are identical to the old device, and that includes the theme settings: If the old phone had a custom theme installed from Themes, the system will prompt you to download and apply it to the new device.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair), its interface settings may not be transferred through the standard Mi Mover.
It also brings control gesture settings, font size, display scale and dark theme, which allows the new smartphone to feel like it’s “own” from the first seconds of use, eliminating the need to get used to the controls again.
Migration of application settings and authorizations
When transferring applications, it is worth taking into account an important nuance: although the APK-Program files are copied, and the data inside them (logins, cache, game progress) are not always transferred, depending on the security policy of the particular application and whether it has its own cloud synchronization.
Banking applications, government services, and secure messengers (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp, bank clients) will require re-authorization. In the case of WhatsApp and Viber, it is critical to make a local backup of chats in the settings of the messenger itself before transfer, since the standard transfer may not affect the message database.
The Problem with Two-Factor Authentication
Social networks such as VKontakte, Odnoklassniki or Instagram usually require you to re-enter your password, but after logging in, they will tighten all your settings and drafts if they are stored on the server. For games, progress will only be maintained if the game is tied to a Google Play Games account, Game Center or developer account.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Despite the fact that the process is fine, sometimes users face difficulties, and one of the common problems is the connection error during the scan. QR-In this case, it is recommended to temporarily disconnect the mobile Internet (4G/5G) on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi, and restart the Mi Mover app.
Another common situation is broken apps after portability: If the icon is there, but the app doesn’t open or crashes, it needs to be removed and downloaded again from the store, which often happens with Google system apps if the new phone has a newer version of Android that is incompatible with the older version of the app.
Critical moment:
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If the transfer has been made with errors, do not try to fix them with endless repetitions, it is better to perform a clean installation of mission-critical applications and configure them manually to avoid conflicts in the future.
It’s also worth remembering that Bluetooth pairing settings (watches, headphones, trackers) are rarely ported correctly. Devices will need to be re-matched in the Bluetooth menu, as encryption keys are often tied to a unique device identifier.