How to transfer all the information from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: expert guide

Changing a smartphone, even within a single brand, often elicits mixed feelings: on the one hand, the joy of a new device, on the other, the fear of losing important data. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a good position, as the company has provided several effective ways to migrate. The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, but the result is worth it, because you get a fully customized gadget without having to re-enter passwords or search contacts.

Before you start, you need to decide on the method. The choice depends on the amount of information, the speed of the Internet connection and the availability of a computer. Modern shells MIUI and HyperOS offer built-in tools that make the procedure as automated as possible, minimizing the risk of human error.

In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, from using a proprietary app to manually transferring files, how to keep a photo intact, how to move the icons on your desktop, and what to do if standard methods fail. It takes a few minutes to prepare, but saves hours of time in the future.

Preparing devices for data migration

The success of the operation depends on the proper preparation of both smartphones. First of all, make sure that the old device (source device) and the new (target device) are charged at least 50-60% of the battery. Although the process rarely consumes much power, a power surge or discharge at a critical moment can interrupt the transmission, which will damage the files.

Check for space. The new phone should have more free memory than the total amount of data on the old one. It is also recommended to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version through the Settings → About menu. This ensures that the transmission protocols are compatible.

⚠️ If the old smartphone has a lot of applications from unknown sources, before transferring it is better to remove suspicious ones. APK-files to avoid transferring potential viruses to a clean system of the new device.

For wireless methods, stable Wi-Fi is critical. Make sure both devices are connected to the same network, or use a direct Wi-Fi connection that will create a transfer application. When using a cable, preparation is minimal - you only need a high-quality wire that supports data transfer, not just charging.

• 📱 Charge both smartphones to at least 60% for stable operation.
• 📶 Check your Wi-Fi connection or prepare USB-cable.
• 🗑️ Clean Old Device of Waste and Temporary Files.
• 🔒 Unlock the screens of both phones before the procedure begins.

Don't ignore the cleaning phase. Temporary cache files can take up gigabytes of space and slow down the copying process. Using a built-in cleaner in the Security app will help speed up the work.

Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning

The most reliable and popular way to move everything from shiaomi to shiaomi is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover app (called Data Transfer in some regions), which works at the system level and can copy not only media files, but also settings, Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks and even widgets.

Run the app on both devices. It's usually in the Tools or Services folder. If you can't find it, search the system by typing in "Mi Mover." On the new phone, select "I'm a recipient" and on the old phone, "I'm a sender."

Once the roles are chosen, the devices will start looking for each other. QR-It's important that the old device creates an access point or connects to a new phone point. Don't worry if the Internet goes missing in the browser, which is normal for establishing a direct link.

In the data selection phase, you'll see categories: Messages, Contacts, Call Log, Applications, Photos, Music, etc. The system will automatically count the volume. It's recommended to select all items to get an exact copy of the old interface. The process will go faster if you close the background applications on both gadgets.

Transfer time varies by volume. Copying 64GB of data can take 15 to 40 minutes. Don't leave the app or lock screens during the process. Once completed, the new phone will offer a reboot to apply the settings.

Synchronization through Mi Cloud: Cloud Method

The alternative to direct transfer is to use Mi Cloud cloud storage.This method is ideal if the old phone is already out of hand or damaged, but the data has been stored in the cloud before.Mi Account is the key to your digital life in the brand ecosystem.

On the new device, log in to your account when you first set up or through Settings → Mi Account. The system will offer to restore data from the backup. You can choose a specific backup date. The cloud saves contacts, notes, voice recorder, calendar, and even system settings.

The main disadvantage of the free fare is just 5 GB of space, which is not enough for photos and videos, so you often have to buy additional subscriptions or transfer media files in other ways, but for critical information (contacts, passwords, calendar), this method is the most reliable.

Once you log in, turn on all the sync sliders, the data will start to load in the background, and downloading heavy apps and updates will still require a stable Internet connection.

Manual transfer via computer and USB

For users who prefer full control of the process or have hundreds of gigabytes of data, a PC is the best option, allowing them to transfer files without compression and without depending on the speed of the Wi-Fi router.

Connect your old phone to your computer with a cable. In the notification menu, select the USB mode — File Transfer (MTP). Copy the DCIM (camera photos and videos), Pictures, Download, Music and Documents folders to your computer's hard drive. Create a separate backup folder to keep you from getting confused.

Then plug in a new smartphone. Android folder structure is universal, so you can just drag and drop the copied folders into the internal memory of the new device. Pay special attention to the MIUI → gallery → cloud folder if you've used album sync.

⚠️ Warning: When copying folders manually, do not copy system folders with unclear names or Android service files, this can cause conflicts in the operation of the new phone.

Contacts should be mentioned separately. You should export them in.vcf format rather than pulling them with files. To do this, open the Contacts app, click the menu, select Import/Export Contacts → Export to Internal Memory. Transfer the file to a new phone and open it, the system will prompt you to import all the records.

The good thing about this method is that you can do a data audit, and while the files are on the computer, it makes sense to delete the extra screenshots, duplicate photos and forgotten videos, so as not to clog the memory of the new gadget.

Transfer of applications and account logins

The hardest part of migrating is not the files, it's the state of the applications. APK-Google Account and Mi Account help in part by keeping progress in games and settings of some programs, but not all of them.

Banking apps and instant messengers require a special approach. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber have their own backup mechanisms. WhatsApp is critical to backup Google Drive on an old phone (Settings → Chats → Backup) and restore it to a new one on the first run. Without this, the history of correspondence will not survive.

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For banking applications (Sber, Tinkoff, etc.), data portability is often impossible for security reasons, and be prepared to re-enter them using SMS codes and reconfigure biometrics or FaceID.

Applications that are not installed from Google Play (for example, from Google Play) APK-files or third-party stores may not be migrated correctly through standard means, but are better installed from trusted sources. The Mi Mover app usually tags such programs and tries to transfer their installation files, but once installed on a new phone, they still have to run and configure manually.

Remember to use two-factor authentication, and if you have Google Authenticator or similar apps, you need to move them through the export function (usually this is the case). QR-code in the app settings, otherwise you may lose access to your accounts, and this is a critical point that is often overlooked.

Solving problems and errors in transmission

Even well-established algorithms sometimes fail. One of the common problems is that you have a connection break in the middle of the process. If that happens, don't panic. Most of the time, Mi Mover allows you to continue from the stop or requires you to restart the procedure. The main thing is, don't delete the data on your old phone until you make sure that the new files are in place.

Sometimes the new phone doesn't see the old one. Try temporarily shutting down mobile internet (data transfer) on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi. Also helps is rebooting both smartphones before trying again. Make sure that the screens don't have smart wallpaper or energy-saving themes that can block background work.

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If the wireless method is constantly being broken down on large amounts of data, use a USB-C to USB-C cable (if both phones support) or switch to a PC copying method - this is the most stable option for 100+GB of data.

Memory problems are solved by selective transfer, and if you can't move everything, break it down into steps: contacts and photos, then videos, then apps, and cleaning up the messenger cache on an old phone can also significantly reduce the amount of data you're sending.

In rare cases, the fonts or themes can go after the transfer, and this is treated by resetting the theme to the standard in the Themes app and then restarting it. HyperOS is better at handling migration than older versions of MIUI, so updating the software is the best way to prevent such bugs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)