Buying a new smartphone always elicits a surge of enthusiasm, but that ecstasy often overshadows the need to carry over years of information. owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices are in a prime position, as the MIUI ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools for migration.
The process of data transfer has become much easier with the advent of cloud technologies and high-speed local connections. Modern algorithms allow you to clone the system almost one-to-one, even keeping icons on the desktop. However, there are nuances that depend on the version of the operating system and the type of files being ported.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the migration options available, from using the specialized Mi Mover app to classic backup methods through Google Account, learn how to avoid losing contacts, photos and passwords, and what pitfalls can be encountered when switching from Android to other manufacturers.
Preparing devices for the migration process
Before running any port tool, both devices must be carefully prepared. Ignoring this stage often leads to interruption of data transmission or errors in the application after migration. Make sure that both devices have a battery level above 50%, or better connect them to a power source.
The critical point is to check the available space on the receiving device. If you plan to transfer 100 GB of data and the new phone is only 80 GB free, the process will fail. It is also recommended to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version through the Settings → About phone menu.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to transfer data if one of the devices is in power saving mode. The system may restrict background activity, which will lead to a freeze in the process of copying large files.
To ensure that migration tools work smoothly, you need to enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices. Even if the transmission is on a local channel, these modules are used to initially detect and shake hands with devices. Disable VPNs and third-party antiviruses that can block the network connection.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning
The most efficient and quick way to transfer all the data to the new Xiaomi phone is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on the system and does not require additional components from the Play Market. It can transfer not only multimedia, but also system settings, passwords from Wi-Fi and folder structure.
Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old phone, "I'm the sender." QR-code or find the device through search. After connecting, select data categories to transfer: contacts, messages, calls, applications, system settings, images, videos and music.
The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the quality of the wireless connection. During operation, the screens of the devices may turn off, but do not block them completely if the process stops. The application automatically creates a folder structure on the new device that is identical to the old one.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
It's important to note that some banking applications and secure messengers may not be portable entirely for security reasons, but you'll have to log in again, but the history of correspondence in standard applications is usually preserved.
| Type of data | Transmission speed | It keeps the structure. | Requires authorization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts and SMS | Instantly. | Yes. | No. |
| Annexes (APK) | Tall. | Yes. | Partially. |
| Photos and videos | Medium/Low | Yes. | No. |
| System settings | Instantly. | Yes. | No. |
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
If you don't have an old device on hand or you're switching from iOS, the main tool is Google Account, which is ideal for saving contacts, calendar, notes and installed app lists. When you first activate a new phone, just type in your username and password, and the system will prompt you to restore data from the backup.
For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best option. Make sure your old device has high-quality or original sync enabled. Once downloaded to your new phone, just open the app and your entire gallery will be available in its original form.
Xiaomi device owners can also use Mi Cloud, which is a cloud storage deeply integrated into the shell. MIUI And you can synchronize voice recordings, screenshots, themes, and even open tabs on the Mi Browser browser. → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.
Keep in mind that free cloud space is limited, and if your archive is over 15GB, you may need to add space or select random synchronization, and local copying to your computer is a more reliable option.
Transferring data from iPhone and other Android smartphones
Switching from iOS to Xiaomi requires the use of a special application “Move to iOS” on the Apple side or the import function in Mi Mover on the Android side. iPhone must download the Mi Mover app from the AppStore. QR-code and data selection.
When migrating from other Android smartphones (Samsung, Huawei, Honor), the algorithm of actions does not change, the main difference may be in the format of some files or the inability to transfer proprietary settings of a particular manufacturer, for example, the themes and fonts of third-party shells will not work on MIUI.
Pay special attention to the transfer of messengers. WhatsApp and Telegram have their own backup mechanisms. For WhatsApp on Android, create a local copy or a copy in Google Drive on the old phone, and on the new one, select recovery from the found copy when you install the application.
⚠️ Note: When transferring WhatsApp chats from iPhone to Android via cable or Mi Molder, the story may not be completely transferred without using paid third-party utilities, as the backup structures of iOS and Android differ.
For users switching from notebook phones or very old models, often the only option is to transfer contacts through the phone. SIM-card or export to.vcf. The file can be transferred via Bluetooth or saved to a memory card.
Manual copying via USB and computer
The most reliable, though time-consuming, method is to manually copy through a PC. Connect your old phone to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the DCIM (photo and video), Music, Download and Documents folders to your hard drive.
Then, connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories, which ensures that the original quality of media files does not suffer from compression by cloud services, and allows you to clean the archive of debris before downloading to a new device.
For contacts and calendars, export to.vcf via Contacts. This universal format opens on any device. Just transfer the file to a new phone and click on it, the system will prompt you to import all the records.
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When you manually copy, create separate folders for each type of data on your computer so you don't get confused when you migrate to a new device, which saves you time sorting.
Remember to check the hidden folders and folders of specific applications at the root of internal memory. Some programs, such as messengers or navigators, can store the cache of cards and downloaded files there.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
A common problem is that you interrupt the connection during the transmission of large amounts of data. 99%, Don't rush to interrupt him. 10-15 If the error repeats, try to transfer data in smaller portions, such as only photos, then only applications.
Another nuance is the incompatibility of Android versions: When you switch from a very old version (like Android 6) to a new one (Android 13/14), some old apps may not install automatically.
If contacts are not displayed correctly or duplicated after transfer, go to the contact settings and select the option “Combine duplicates” or “Clear contacts”. Also check which account (SIM, Phone, Google) displays the entries in the filter.
⚠️ Warning: After data migration, be sure to change passwords from important accounts if you suspect that there may be traces of malware on the old device.
If software fails completely, you always have to reset your new phone to the factory settings and repeat the procedure from scratch, and sometimes a clean installation without transferring system debris works more stable.
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The perfect migration is a combination of methods: Mi Mover for apps and settings, Google Photos for media, and manually checking important documents.