Buying a new smartphone from Xiaomi is always a pleasant event, but it is often overshadowed by the need to transfer a huge amount of information from the old device. Users want the process to go quickly, without losing contacts, photos and correspondence history in instant messengers. Fortunately, the ecosystem of MIUI and HyperOS offers built-in and third-party tools that allow you to clone the device in almost automatic mode.
There are several proven synchronization methods: using the proprietary Mi Mover application, recovering from the Mi Cloud, manually transferring via a computer or creating a local backup. The choice of the specific method depends on the amount of data transferred, the availability of a stable Wi-Fi connection and the operating system version on both gadgets. Next, we will analyze each option in detail so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before running any cloning software tool, you need to do basic training on both smartphones. Make sure that the old and new device battery is at least 50-60%, as active file transfer over Wi-Fi or cable can significantly consume energy.
An important step is to free up space on a new gadget if it has already been in short-term use. Uninstall unnecessary system applications or demos if they take up a critical amount of memory. Check if the Wi-Fi module is on, as most transfer methods create a local network between devices for high-speed transmission.
If you plan to port data from banking applications or Google Pay (Wallet), make sure you remember passwords from accounts. After transferring to a new device, many banking applications will require re-authorization or confirmation via SMS for security purposes.
☑️ Checklist before transfer
Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer
The most effective and official way is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, applications, system settings, as well as multimedia files.
To get started, open the app on both smartphones. On the old device, select the role of Sender, and on the new one, Receiver. QR-If you have a code or a manual password connection, you'll start analyzing the data, and you can select specific categories of files to transfer or copy everything at once.
What if Mi Mover doesn’t find the device?
The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data and the distance between the gadgets. It is recommended to keep the devices close to each other and not lock the screen during the process, so that the system does not interrupt the connection to save energy.
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When carrying large amounts of video (4K), the process can take up to 30-40 minutes, so it’s best to perform the procedure overnight or when the phone isn’t urgently needed.
Synchronization through the cloud service Mi Cloud
An alternative to local porting is the use of cloud storage Mi Cloud.This method is convenient in that the data is stored remotely and can be restored at any time, even if the old phone is already sold or lost.
On your old smartphone, go to your account settings and select "Mi Cloud." Activate sync for the desired categories: Gallery, Contacts, Notes, Recorder, etc. Wait for the data to be downloaded to the server, which can be tracked in the status bar or in the cloud menu.
On the new device, just log in to the same Mi Account, and the system automatically prompts you to restore data from the cloud when you first set up, which is especially useful for restoring folder structure and system settings, which are often lost when you manually copy.
- 📱 Contacts and calendars are synchronized almost instantly.
- 🖼️ Photos and videos require stable Wi-Fi connection and download time.
- ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, desktop layout) are restored automatically.
Backup to PC and Recovery
For users who prefer full control over their data or do not have fast internet, a computer is ideal. You can create a complete backup of the system or individual memory sections using a file manager or specialized software.
Connect your old phone to your computer through USB-cable and select file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the folders. DCIM, Pictures, Download and Music to your hard drive. You can use the built-in backup feature for deeper copying. MIUI.
Settings → About Phone → Reservation and Recovery → PC ReservationOnce you have created a backup file (usually with the extension.bak or located in a special MIUI folder), connect the new phone and transfer this file to a similar directory.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No. | Everything (including the appendices) |
| Mi Cloud | Medium | Yes. | Contacts, photos, settings |
| USB + PC | Depends on the cable. | No. | Files, media, backups. |
| Bluetooth | Very low. | No. | Just contacts, files. |
Transferring the history of correspondence WhatsApp and Telegram
Messengers are worth a special attention, as they often store their correspondence history locally or in their clouds, ignoring system backups. WhatsApp needs to back up chats through Google Drive or locally in the phone’s memory before switching to a new device.
When you first install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the app will detect a local copy or prompt you to restore data from Google Drive. It is important to use the same phone number and Google account as on the old device.
⚠️ Two-factor authentication on WhatsApp may require input PIN-If you forget it, the recovery can be blocked for 7 days.
In the case of Telegram, the situation is simpler: all chats (except secret ones) are stored on the messenger servers. Just enter the phone number and confirmation code, as the whole story will download automatically. Secret chats are tied to a specific device and cannot be transferred.
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For WhatsApp, it’s critical to backup just before you change your phone, otherwise new messages can overwrite old backups in the cloud.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Users may encounter various difficulties in migrating, a common problem being the interruption of the Wi-Fi Direct connection in the Mi Mover app, which may be due to interference in the air or aggressive energy saving.
If the transmission is stuck at a certain percentage, try turning off mobile internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi. Also helps to reboot both smartphones before trying again. Make sure the new device does not turn on Do Not Disturb mode or severe background activity restrictions.
- 📉 Slow speed: Make sure the devices are close (up to 1 meter) and there are no metal barriers between them.
- ❌ “Not enough space” error: Check that there is more space on the new phone than the weight of the data on the old one.
- 🔄 Cyclical Reboot: If the phone goes into reboot after the backup is restored, try to restore only data, without system settings.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the database writing process by forced restarting.This can cause file system damage and loss of all contacts.