Changing your smartphone to a new Xiaomi brand is always a welcome experience, with access to a more powerful processor and an improved camera. However, the owner inevitably faces the question of migrating all accumulated digital life. Using Google’s cloud services is the most reliable and proven way to solve this problem without losing important information.
Unlike local backups, which can be damaged when hardware fails, a cloud profile keeps data safe even in the event of an old device being lost or broken.The recovery process takes time, but the result is worth it, as you get a fully customized gadget in minutes.
Modern versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell are integrated as much as possible with the search giant’s ecosystem, making synchronization almost automatic. You don’t need to be an expert in programming to successfully complete this process, you just need to follow the logic of the system and have a stable Internet connection.
Preparing the old device for synchronization
Before any operations are started, make sure your current device is fully ready for data transfer.The first step is to check whether there is an active Wi-Fi connection, as it can take too long or incur additional costs to transfer large amounts of data over the mobile Internet.
Go to the settings menu and find the account section, and it's important to check which email address is the primary one, and often users have multiple profiles, and it's important to activate sync on the one that's going to be used on the new device.
☑️ Old phone readyness
Once logged in, you need to manually trigger a forced synchronization of all key services, ensuring that the latest changes in contacts or calendar are sent to the server before turning off the old phone, and without this step, you risk losing several important records made just yesterday.
⚠️ Note: If you used local storage for photos and videos, they won’t go to the cloud automatically. Make sure the Google Photos app includes Autoupload and Sync».
Set up a new smartphone Xiaomi at the first launch
When you first turn on the new Xiaomi, the system will prompt you to select a language and connect to a wireless network. This is a critical step, because without the Internet, login to Google Play is impossible.
Then the system will detect backups associated with your account, you will be asked to choose the device from which to recover data, the list may display old phones, tablets or even emulators, so look carefully at the name of the model and the date of the last sync.
As you set up, the system will ask you what data you want to migrate, and you can flexibly manage the process by selecting only the necessary items, such as contacts, calendar events, and installed applications, so you can avoid cluttering the new device with unnecessary debris.
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When setting up a new Xiaomi, select the option to copy applications from the cloud so that the system itself downloads their latest versions, rather than porting old ones. APK-file.
Once the selection is confirmed, the application list will start loading, which can take some time depending on the number of programs and the speed of the Internet connection, and the phone can heat up at that point, which is the normal reaction of the processor to intensive work.
Detailed configuration of contacts and calendar synchronization
The contact book is perhaps the most important item to save when you upgrade to a new device: In the Android ecosystem, the default contacts are saved to the user profile unless you choose another storage, and you can check this in the contacts app through the account management menu.
For a calendar, the situation is similar: all events created in a standard application are tied to an account, which allows you to see the schedule on any device, whether it is a smartphone, tablet or computer through a browser, synchronization occurs in the background almost instantly.
If you use third-party services to maintain your schedule, such as Enterprise Exchange or Outlook, you can add them to your system, and you can select to add a new Enterprise Account in your account settings and enter the data provided by the administrator.
| Type of data | Speed of renewal | Required volume | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Instantly. | Minimum | High-pitched |
| Calendar | Changes to | Minimum | High-pitched |
| Photos | Wi-Fi. | High-pitched | Medium. |
| Passwords. | Instantly. | Minimum | critical |
Importantly, duplicate contacts can occur if you have previously used a SIM card as your primary storage, and Xiaomi’s system will suggest combining duplicate entries after completing the initial setup, which will help to clean up the phone book.
Transfer photos and media files via Google Photos
Media files take up the lion’s share of memory of any modern smartphone, and their transfer requires a special approach. Google Photos provides unlimited (in compressed quality) or limited (in the original) storage, which serves as a great bridge between devices.
To make sure all your pictures are saved, open the app on your old phone and check the backup status. This is usually displayed in the top right corner of the interface. If you see a message that the copy is complete, you can be calm about your files.
On the new device, just log in to the same account, and your entire photo gallery will appear in the app, and the images will be downloaded as needed, taking up minimal space on the internal drive until you decide to save a specific photo for offline access.
⚠️ Note: folders from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) by default may not sync. Go to the autoload settings and activate sync for folders WhatsApp Images and Telegram.
There is a nuance to the quality of the images you save: If you choose the “Original Quality” mode, these files will take up space in your Google Drive, which is limited to 15 GB for free accounts. The “Save Space” mode allows you to store photos without volume restrictions, but with a little compression.
Recovery of passwords and application data
One of the most convenient features of the Android ecosystem is synchronizing saved passwords through Google Password Manager. When you log in to your account on a new phone, the system automatically prompts you to substitute saved logins and passwords for sites and applications.
Many applications can also be recovered from the cloud, and games, social media, and instant messengers often use cloud-based saves to progress and communicate, but it’s worth remembering that banking and security-related applications will require re-authorization and biometrics customization.
Why aren’t all apps restored?
For instant messengers like WhatsApp, the recovery process can be different. Often you need a separate backup in Google Drive, created inside the instant messenger app itself, rather than a shared system copy. Make sure you backup the chats in advance.
When you first log in to your Chrome browser on a new device, all your tabs, browsing history, and bookmarks will be instantly accessible, creating a continuity effect, allowing you to continue from where you left off on the old gadget.
Solving Common Problems in Migration
Although the process is fine, there can be some disruptions, and a common problem is desynchronization, where the data on the server and the device are different, in which case it helps to delete the account from the phone settings and re-add with full synchronization.
Another problem is the lack of cloud storage, where if the 15GB limit is exhausted, new photos and files will stop downloading, and the system will constantly remind you of this, demanding to vacate space or purchase a subscription.
Server connectivity problems can occur due to unstable internet or blockages, and in such cases, it is recommended to use a reliable home Wi-Fi connection or a proven mobile network with a good signal.
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The main rule of successful transfer is to wait for full synchronization on the old device before you start configuring the new one.
If you encounter an account login error on a new device, Google may have triggered a security that suspected suspicious activity, and you will need to confirm your login via a notification on your old phone or enter a code from an SMS.
Completion of configuration and system optimization
Once all the data is uploaded, don't load the new phone with heavy tasks at once. Give the system time to index the files and optimize the applications in the background. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
Check the key features: call someone, take a test photo, open a few sites, make sure the notifications are correct and the alarms are set, and only after that check can the migration be considered successful.
Be sure to set up new security features like face unlock or fingerprint, as biometrics are not transferred between devices for security reasons.This will take a couple of minutes, but will ensure your data is protected.