How to transfer all the information from the old phone to the new Xiaomi

Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment filled with the expectation of familiarity with the powerful hardware and fresh shell MIUI or HyperOS. However, euphoria is quickly replaced by mild stress when the question arises of transferring the accumulated data: contacts, photos, correspondence and application settings. The modern Android ecosystem offers many tools to automate this process, but not all users are aware of the nuances of each of them.

In this article, we will discuss the most effective ways to migrate data that ensure the safety of your digital life.We will look at both the native Mi Mover application, created by Xiaomi engineers specifically for such cases, and classic methods of synchronizing through a Google account.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before you start any copying tools, you need to do basic training on both devices. Make sure that the battery charge on both smartphones is at least 50%, and ideally connect them to the power source, as the process can take considerable time with a large amount of files. It is also critical to check the availability of free space on the new Xiaomi, so that it exceeds the amount of data you plan to transfer from the old device.

⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or block smartphone screens during migration, as this may lead to a connection error and the need to start the procedure again.

Be sure to connect both devices to a stable Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud methods or wireless. For the wired method, you will need a suitable cable (USB-C to USB-C or adapter) that supports data transfer, not just charging. Check that both devices have enabled data transfer in USB settings if you use a cable connection.

Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer

The most effective and native way for owners of Xiaomi equipment is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover application. This tool is designed with the specifics of the MIUI shell and allows you to transfer not only multimedia and contacts, but also system settings, the location of icons on the desktop and even passwords from Wi-Fi networks. For users switching from other Android smartphones, the application is available for download in Google Play, which makes it a universal solution.

Run the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, select the "I'm the receiver" role, and on the old phone, "I'm the sender." QR-If you have a code or manual connection through the Wi-Fi hotspot that the new phone will create, you will see a list of data categories.

⚠️ Note: When you migrate apps from other Android brands, some system data within apps may not be copied due to Android security restrictions requiring re-entry into accounts.

The transfer process is fast, especially if both devices support the 5GHz Wi-Fi standard. Once completed, the new phone will offer to optimize the transferred applications, which may take additional time in the background.

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If you have an old Xiaomi phone with MIUI 12 or lower, upgrade the Mi Mover app to the latest version before you start porting to avoid compatibility issues with the new HyperOS.

Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services

A classic method that works seamlessly on any Android device, including Xiaomi. When you first turn on a new smartphone, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account. If you agree to restore data from the backup, the phone will automatically download your contact list, calendar events, notes, and even call history, if it was stored in the cloud.

To make this method work properly, you need to make sure that the old phone has been synced. Check this in the Settings menu → Accounts → Google. Here you can manually start syncing all points by clicking on three dots in the corner of the screen and selecting Sync. Photos and videos are best saved through Google Photos by enabling Autoboot and Sync.

Transferring data from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi

The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android has previously seemed a difficult process, but the Mi Mover app and Google services have made it much easier. First, you will need to download the “Move to iOS” app (if you are still on the iPhone) or use the import feature on the Xiaomi side. However, the cleanest way is to use cloud services. Upload photos and contacts to your iPhone in Google Photos and Google Contacts respectively.

After that, on the new Xiaomi, you just need to log in to the same Google account. Photos will appear in the gallery automatically, and contacts are synchronized into the phone book. To transfer large-volume video files that do not fit into the cloud, you can use the Lightning to USB-C cable (or adapter) by connecting the iPhone directly to Xiaomi. Android recognizes the iPhone as an external drive or offers to import media files.

⚠️ Note: iMessage messages and iPhone call history can not be transferred to Android due to the closed protocols of Apple, and will not transfer purchased applications from the AppStore – their analogues will have to search again in Google Play.

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Using Google Cloud is the most versatile way to transition from iOS, as it doesn’t depend on the iOS version and iPhone model, requiring only a stable internet connection.

Working with file system and multimedia

Sometimes automated methods can skip certain folders or files, especially if you’ve used third-party file managers or saved data to specific directories. In this case, the manual method comes to the rescue through connecting to a computer or using the built-in File Manager Explorer on Xiaomi. Connect your old phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the DCIM, Download, Documents and Music folders to your hard drive.

Then, plug in the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate internal memory folders, a technique that is particularly relevant for carrying heavy 4K video files that can be downloaded over the cloud for a long time, and manually check the Bluetooth and WhatsApp/Media folder if you haven’t used chat backups.

For users who value order, it is recommended to perform a file audit immediately after transfer. Remove duplicates and system debris that may have migrated from the old device. Use the built-in Cleanup tool in the Security app on Xiaomi to optimize the occupied space.

Solutions and optimization after the transfer

Once the migration is complete, you may find yourself running out of battery faster than usual, due to background file indexing and optimization of apps that have just been installed, give your smartphone 1-2 days to adapt without having to work hard, and check the power saving settings for important applications so that the system doesn’t kill their background processes.

If some apps aren’t working properly, try clearing their cache or reinstalling them from Google Play, as older versions may not be optimized for a new processor or Android version. Pay special attention to banking apps and instant messengers – they often require re-authorization and biometrics (fingerprint or face) setup.

• 📱 Make sure all app icons are displayed correctly and the widgets are working.
• 🔒 Make sure that two-factor authentication is configured on a new number or device.
• 📸 Test the camera and microphone in different applications.
• 📶 Make sure that mobile internet and calls (VoLTE) are working).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)