How to transfer all data from your phone to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with losing your device as with the risk of losing your digital information. Xiaomi owners are in a great position because the Chinese brand’s ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools for migration. The data transfer process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the volume of your media library and the number of applications installed.

Modern synchronization methods avoid manually installing each application and re-entering passwords. MIUI and the new HyperOS have deep integration with Google services and its own Mi Cloud, making the procedure as transparent as possible for the user.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transition to a new smartphone, including using the native Mi Mover application, which is the most effective solution, you will learn how to save folder structure, Wi-Fi passwords and even placement of icons on the desktop.

Preparation of devices for the migration procedure

Before you start active, make sure both devices are ready to go. Charge the old and new smartphone to at least 60-70%, as the process of intensive recording and reading data can quickly consume energy. It is also recommended to connect both devices to a stable Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud services, although local transmission via Mi Mover is not required.

Clean up the memory of your old phone from temporary debris and unnecessary files to speed up the copying process. Check that the new Xiaomi device has enough free space to house all your data. If you are switching from an iPhone or other Android smartphone, make sure the screen is unlocked and doesn't have third-party ad blockers on it that can interrupt the connection.

⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or switch to other heavy applications during the migration, this may cause damage to archives or partial loss of contacts.

Make sure both devices have GPS and Bluetooth enabled, as they are often used to first detect each other’s devices when creating a local access point.

Using the Mi Mover app for Android

The fastest and most reliable way to transfer data from your phone to Xiaomi is to use the proprietary Mi Mover utility, which is pre-installed on all devices of the brand, but if your old smartphone does not have it, the application can be downloaded for free from Google Play or GetApps. The utility creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which provides high speed transfer without using Internet traffic.

Run the app on both smartphones. On the new Xiaomi, select Recipient, and on the old device, Sender. QR-And then you have a code that will appear on the screen of your new phone, and after scanning, the devices will connect, and you can select the categories of data to transfer.

The interface allows you to flexibly configure the sample: you can transfer only contacts and messages, or copy the entire amount of data, including system settings. Mi Mover automatically recognizes compatible applications and tries to move them along with authorization data, if the security policy of a particular application allows.

Importantly, some system applications and secure banking programs cannot be ported automatically for security reasons, and will have to be installed and reconfigured once the primary migration is complete.

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Mi Mover is a native tool that copies data directly over Wi-Fi Direct, ensuring maximum speed and without consuming mobile user traffic.

Transferring data through a Google account

If you’re switching from another Android smartphone, the most logical step is to use a Google Drive backup, which is ideal for those who want to not just copy files, but completely recreate their digital environment on a new device.

To successfully implement this method on an old phone, you need to go to the settings, find the Google section and select Backup. Make sure the switch is activated and the last copy was created recently. Contacts, call history, SMS, list of installed applications and some system settings are saved to the cloud.

On the new phone, when you first set up, type the same email address. The system will suggest selecting a restore point — select the latest date. The download process can take a long time, as apps will be downloaded from the Play Market and photos will be synced through Google Photos.

• 📱 Contacts and calendar are synced instantly after entering a password from your account.
• 📷 Photos and videos take the most time, as they are loaded as needed or in the background.
• 🔑 Passwords saved in Google’s password manager will automatically appear in Chrome browser and system keyboard.

This is especially useful if your old phone is already lost or faulty, but the backup in the cloud is still there, but it is better to use local methods to transfer heavy files, such as 4K video or huge archives of documents.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Xiaomi Account

Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own Mi Cloud service, which is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell.It’s a great alternative or addition to Google’s services.

On an old phone (if it's also Xiaomi), go to the Mi Account settings and turn on sync for the right categories: gallery, voice recorder, notes, browser, calendar and contacts. Data will instantly fly to the cloud. On the new device, just log into the same account, and the information will land in the corresponding applications.

Free storage is limited (usually 5GB), so large photo volumes may require paid subscriptions or selective synchronization, but there is more than enough space for text information, Wi-Fi settings, and blacklists.

Switching from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi

iPhone owners who choose to switch to Xiaomi also don’t have to manually type in every number, and the company has a special mode in the Mi Mover app for iOS devices, which requires installing the app on an iPhone from the App Store.

After launching on your iPhone, select the option “I am the sender” and scan. QR-The system will request permissions to access contacts, photos and calendar., applications and their data (save in games, correspondence in messengers) can not be transferred directly due to the closed iOS operating system.

Photos and videos will be copied in their original quality. Contacts and calendar events will also migrate successfully. iMessage will not be suitable for transferring messages, as they are exclusively tied to the Apple ecosystem. Messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram will require a separate backup procedure within the applications themselves.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from iOS, make sure that the iPhone is allowed to transfer data over the local network for the Mi Mover application, otherwise the process may freeze during the scanning stage.

For users who are critical to data from iOS apps, it is sometimes easier to use cross-platform cloud services such as Telegram (which stores the entire story on the server) or Google Photos (if the iPhone has Google Photos installed and sync enabled).

Solving Common Problems in Transfer

Despite the automation of processes, users may encounter errors, often due to an unstable connection or memory deficit, and if a transfer is interrupted by 90%, don't panic, most likely the last large file is copied.

Check if one of the devices is power-saving, which can aggressively limit the background activity of the Wi-Fi module. VPN-Services that can block local connection between devices.

If you are migrating data from very old Android (versions below 6.0), some modern encryption formats may not be supported by the new Xiaomi, in which case it is recommended to transfer data in parts: first media, then contacts.

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Before starting a large-scale transfer, make a test copy of several photos and contacts to make sure the connection is stable and the correct operation of both devices.

In the case of persistent errors with a particular application, it is better to re-install it on a new phone and log in to your account than to try to force the transfer of old configuration files that may contain errors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)