Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, often overshadowed by the need to carry a huge amount of personal information. Xiaomi device owners can breathe a sigh of relief as the ecosystem is set to grow. MIUI And HyperOS provides powerful built-in tools for migration. IT-A specialist to make cloning an old phone, whether it’s a Samsung, Honor or another Android phone.
There are several proven methods, each with its own characteristics and suits different use cases: you can use Google cloud services, a specialized application Mi Mover or perform manual transfer via a computer, the choice of the specific method depends on the amount of data, the speed of the Internet connection and the version of the operating system on the original device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available so you can choose the most convenient for yourself, and we will look at the nuances of working with WhatsApp, high-resolution photos and system settings, which are often lost with standard port.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before running any transfer programs, both smartphones must be properly prepared, a critical step that can cause errors or interruption halfway through the process, and make sure that both devices have at least 60-70% battery charge, as the Wi-Fi modules and processor are running fast.
Both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the old device does not have access to the router, the Mi Mover app can create its own access point, but a stable connection via the router is preferable for large amounts of data. Also check the availability of free space on the new Xiaomi: it should be more than the weight of the portable information.
☑️ Ready for transfer
It is recommended to reboot both smartphones before the procedure, which will clear the RAM and close the background processes that can conflict with the transfer of files. On the old device, you should delete temporary files and cache, so as not to waste time transferring digital debris.
Using the Mi Mover app for rapid cloning
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the native Mi Mover tool, which is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones. If your old device doesn't have one, it can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store or GetApps. The main advantage of the method is the ability to transfer not only files, but also home screen layouts, alarms and system settings.
The process starts with running the app on both devices, and on the new phone you choose the Receiver role, and on the old phone you choose the Sender role. QR-code or manual connection to the created Wi-Fi network, the system will prompt you to select categories of data to copy.
⚠️ Warning: While Mi Mover is running, phone screens may go out, but don't block the devices completely. If the screen goes out and the connection is interrupted, the process will have to start over.
The data transfer speeds over Mi Mover are significantly higher than those over Bluetooth or cloud services, as it uses direct Wi-Fi connection between gadgets. You can choose specific file types: contacts, messages, call logs, apps, images, videos, music and documents. The algorithm will automatically skip system files that are incompatible with the new version of Android.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Synchronization through Google Account
A classic method that works seamlessly on any version of Android. When you first set up a new Xiaomi, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account. If you agree to sync, contacts, notes, calendar events and a list of installed apps from the Play Market will start downloading in the background.
This is ideal for restoring basic functionality to the phone, but it has limitations: photos are only uploaded in compressed quality (unless you buy a Google One tariff), and files inside apps (game cache, logins) are often not saved, and files stored in the phone's memory are not transferred.
To activate full sync before transfer, go to the old phone's settings, look for the Accounts section, and make sure the sliders opposite the right Google services are active. Click Sync to send the data to the cloud just before you change your device.
It's important to understand the difference between backing up a system and simple synchronization. Backup creates a cast of the system state that can be deployed on a new device, returning it exactly to what it was, while synchronization only updates the data in the cloud, making it available from any device when you log in.
Comparison of methods of information transfer
To make it easier for you to navigate your migration patterns, we have a comparative table that will help you choose the best option depending on your priorities: speed, data volume or Internet availability.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No (locally) | Everything (files, settings, applications) |
| Google Account | Medium | Yes. | Contacts, calendar, list of applications |
| USB Cable (PC) | Depends on the cable. | No. | Media files, documents |
| Bluetooth | Very low. | No. | Only contacts and small files |
As you can see from the table, the Mi Mover is the undisputed leader in functionality and speed. USB-The only reason why you need to transfer terabytes of photos and videos is if you need to transfer them over the air for too long. Bluetooth in 2026 is only relevant for transferring a pair of contacts if other methods are not available.
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The combined approach often gives the best result: use Mi Mover for applications and settings, and transfer heavy media files over a cable or cloud if the local network is not running.
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Illo.
Transfer of WhatsApp correspondence and messengers
Special attention should be paid to the migration of messengers, as they store the history of correspondence in secure databases. WhatsApp has a built-in backup function. On an old phone, go to Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and click “Create a backup” in Google Drive.
When you first run WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, after you type in the same phone number, it will prompt you to recover your history from the cloud, which works flawlessly if you use the same Google account. However, if you are switching from iOS to Android or changing a number, the process will be more complicated and require the use of the Chat Transfer feature inside the WhatsApp app itself via the app. QR-code.
⚠️ Note: WhatsApp backup in Google Drive doesn't take up space in your Google storage, but it's not visible in the Drive interface like a regular file.
For other instant messengers like Telegram or Viber, the situation is simpler. Telegram is completely cloud-based: just enter a phone number and all chats will appear instantly. Viber also knows how to make a backup on Google Drive, which you need to activate in the app settings before changing your phone.
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If you have a two-sim phone, temporarily reset it. SIM-card to an old smartphone to receive SMS confirmation code when entering messengers on a new device, if the code did not come automatically.
Manual transfer of files via computer
Sometimes automatic systems fail, or you have to move specific files from hidden folders. USB-You can connect your old phone to your computer, you can choose file transfer mode (MTP) notice-curtain.
Copy DCIM (camera photos and videos), Pictures (screenshots and images from social networks), Download and Music to your PC hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and move these folders to the appropriate internal memory sections. The structure of the folders on Android is standardized, so there should be no problems with displaying media files.
For advanced users, it will be useful to know that you can also transfer data from some applications manually, such as Android/data or obb folders contain game cache and application data. However, in newer versions of Android (11 and above), access to this folder is limited, and copying may require the use of file managers with extended rights or connection via ADB.