Buying a new Xiaomi Redmi or POCO smartphone is always an exciting moment, but it is often overshadowed by fear of losing accumulated information. Many users delay updating the gadget precisely because of the complexity of the data migration process. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to copy all digital luggage in minutes, if you know the correct algorithm of actions.
There are several proven ways to ensure that your photos, messaging and system settings are safe, and we’ll look at both standard tools from Google and the specialized Mi Mover app created by Xiaomi engineers specifically for these cases, depending on the version of the operating system on the old device and your personal preferences.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are at least 60 percent charged, the process of transferring large amounts of files can be energy intensive, and check the availability of space on the target device to avoid errors at the most critical time.
Preparing devices for synchronization
The first step is to properly prepare both gadgets. On the old phone, you need to delete temporary files and cache so as not to waste time on garbage transfer. On the new Xiaomi Redmi, you should make sure that the current version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS is installed.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to a level of at least 60-70%, to avoid sudden shutdown in the process.
- 📶 Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi module and Bluetooth enabled for local transmission.
- 🗑️ Free up space on the new device by removing unnecessary pre-installed apps if needed.
A critical aspect is logging into the same Google account on both devices, allowing you to sync contacts, notes and calendar before you start the basic transfer procedure. If you use two-factor authentication, pre-arrange your phone number or backup codes for confirmation.
⚠️ Note: Do not start data transfer if one of the devices is power-saving mode. The system can force the connection to break, considering the data transfer as a background process that consumes a charge.
Check the memory status as well. If you plan to flip 100 gigabytes of photos and videos, make sure the new Xiaomi has the appropriate storage. Built-in memory of modern Redmi models is usually large, but it is better to double-check in the Settings → About phone menu.
Use of the Mi Mover app
The most effective tool for migration within the Xiaomi ecosystem is the Mi Mover utility, which is pre-installed on all new smartphones of the brand, but it can also be downloaded from the Play Market to any device with Android version 4.1 and higher, and this application creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between gadgets without consuming Internet traffic.
Run the app on your new phone and select Receiver. On your old device, run the same program and specify it's Sender. QR-code or find the device in the list of available networks. Once you connect, you'll see a list of data categories that are available for copying.
- 📸 Multimedia: Photographs, videos, music and dictaphone recordings are transferred in their original quality.
- 📞 Contacts and communications: SMS, MMS The phone book retains the structure and history of the correspondence.
- ⚙️ System settings: wallpaper, alarm clocks, Wi-Fi network settings and the location of icons on the desktop.
The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data. It is strongly recommended not to interrupt the connection, as this can lead to file corruption. If the transfer is getting stuck at a certain percentage, it is better to cancel the operation, restart both phones and start over.
⚠️ Note: When transferring data via Mi Mover, applications from banks and government agencies may not be copied entirely for security reasons.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Make sure that both devices are on GPS (On Android, without a geolocation permit, the app can't scan the Wi-Fi network to create an access point, and try turning off mobile internet on both smartphones, leaving only the Wi-Fi module. An alternative and often more reliable way to sync through Google Account is to use Google’s cloud services, which is ideal for those who are switching from pure Android or another brand to Xiaomi. When you first activate the new Redmi, the system will prompt you to restore data from a backup created earlier. → Google → Backup. You can manually start saving data here. Make sure the checkmarks are in front of all the important items: contacts, call history, SMS list of applications. Data type Saving Storage Method Contacts Autosynchronization Free Photos and Video Google Photos 15GB (basic) Play Market Apps Not limited Messages Google SMS Drive Enters 15GB Once a new smartphone is enabled, log in to your profile. The system will automatically start loading the list of applications and settings. Photos will appear in the gallery as you download from the cloud, if the "Space Saving" function is enabled. This allows you not to take up the device memory with the original high-resolution files. It is important to understand that recovery via Google may take longer on the first launch, since the phone will download data from the Internet from the computer to the computer with a heavy connection to the network. And in this case, you get the File Manager, or you get the PC connection, and this method requires manual sorting, but it gives you complete control. USB-cable (MTP). Copy the folders. DCIM (Photos and video from the camera, Pictures (screenshots and images from social networks) and Download to the hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and move the files to the appropriate directories. 📁 folder DCIM: Here are stored all original photos and videos taken on camera. 🎵 Music folder: audio recordings and ringtones downloaded by the user. 📄 Documents folder: important PDF files, presentations and documents from office applications. If the cable is not available, you can use the Wi-Fi sharing function in the standard Explorer app on Xiaomi. Run a server on one device and connect to it from another via a browser or file manager. The transfer speed will depend on the power of the router or access point created. ⚠️ Note: When manually copying through a computer, do not break the folder structure of system applications (for example, folders with the names of com.android packages...) to avoid conflicts in the operation of programs. This method is particularly useful for transferring large files that can break through long-term synchronization via the cloud or Mi Mover. 10-20 Gigabytes make the process more manageable. 💡Use the cable. USB-C on USB-C For maximum speed, both phones support the standard. USB 3.0. This will accelerate copying through the PC several times. Migration of data messengers deserve special attention messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber. Their correspondence history is often stored locally or in specific cloud storages not directly connected to Google Drive in full. For WhatsApp, for example, you need to back up inside the application itself before you go. In WhatsApp settings, select Chats → Backup Chats and click “Create a copy.” Make sure that Google Drive is selected. Once you install the application on a new phone and enter the same number, the system will offer to restore the message history from the found backup. Telegram works differently: here the entire story is stored on the servers. Just enter the phone number and confirmation code, and all chats (except for instant secret devices) will appear. WhatsApp Nuances Method Google Drive (within the app) Needs the same number and Google Telegram account Server synchronization Secret chats are not saved Viber Google Drive / Viber Backup Requires manual triggering of Signal Backup Local file / Transfer Needs QR-For Viber, the procedure is similar to WhatsApp: go to Settings → Account → Backup Viber. Once you install the app on your new device, you will be offered a recovery file when you register. If you use two-factor authentication in messengers, make sure you remember the password or have access to it. SIM-map. 💡The history of correspondence in messengers is not automatically transferred along with the system. Be sure to back up inside each application before resetting the old phone. During the transfer process, users may encounter various technical difficulties, often the problem lies in the incompatibility of Android versions or aggressive energy savings that “kill” background transmission processes. Understanding the reasons allows you to quickly fix the problem. If the data rate has dropped to zero, try to turn off mobile Internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi. Sometimes the phone tries to download updates and transfer files simultaneously, which creates a conflict of channels. Also helps to reboot the Wi-Fi module. 🚫 Not enough space error: Clear the app cache or remove some heavy videos before starting. 📶 Breaking the connection: Bring the devices closer together or eliminate metal obstacles between them. 🔒 Lock screen: do not allow the screen to turn off on the transmitting device, set a timeout to "Never" during the process. In rare cases, you may need to reset your network settings. Go to Settings → Connection and sharing → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth, which will return network settings to factory values and often solves visibility problems of devices. ⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is interrupted by 99%, don't panic. Check the file system of the new phone - most likely, the data was recorded, but the system did not have time to index it or update the status of completion. For complex cases where standard methods don't work, you can use an intermediate, a computer. Copy data from one phone to a PC and then to a new one. This is longer, but more reliable in damaged memory sectors or software failures. Should you dump an old phone before selling? Yes, I will. After successfully transferring data and checking for it on your new device, complete a full reset on your old phone (Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Resetting) This will delete all your personal data, accounts and passwords, keeping you safe from leaking information. Will passwords from Wi-Fi networks be transferred to your old phone? Yes, if you use a Google account for sync or the Mi Mover app. Passwords from saved Wi-Fi networks, as well as Bluetooth pairs, are usually copied along with system settings. You do not have to re-enter them. What do you do without a temporary storage limit on the mobile phone? If you can not use the mobile phone for free storage capacity on Google Mover 15. Can we interrupt and continue? In the Mi Mover app, the process usually starts anew when interrupted. In Google, sync can resume, but there is a risk of duplicate files. Better to ensure stable conditions and complete the operation the first time. Is it safe to transfer data over public Wi-Fi? Using public networks for Mi Mover is not recommended because of the risk of data interception, although the connection is often encrypted. Better create a hotspot on one of your phones or use a home closed Wi-Fi network.