Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with buying a new device as with the fear of losing accumulated information. Xiaomi Mi8 owners who decide to move to the OnePlus ecosystem often face the question of compatibility of the shells MIUI and OxygenOS (or ColorOS). Fortunately, modern Android smartphones offer many ways to migrate, but not all of them work equally effectively when changing the brand.
The process of transferring data from Xiaomi to OnePlus requires careful preparation, as file storage architecture and system settings can vary. It is critical to understand that just flipping files is not enough – you need to keep the structure of applications and passwords. In this article, we will discuss the most reliable methods that ensure that your new gadget will become an exact copy of the old one, but with improved performance.
Don't rely on a single method, because different types of data (contacts, media files, application installations) are better transmitted by different tools. We'll look at both the built-in system and third-party utilities so you can choose the best option for your situation.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start any manipulation, you need to make sure that both devices are ready for active work. Charge the Xiaomi Mi8 and the new OnePlus to a minimum of 60-70%, as the process of transferring large amounts of data can significantly consume energy. Connection stability is a key success factor, so make sure that both smartphones are in the zone of confident Wi-Fi reception or ready to create a direct access point.
Clean up the cache on your old device and delete unnecessary files to speed up the transfer process. Although current compression algorithms work quickly, extra gigabytes of garbage will only increase the latency. Mi8.
☑️ Ready for transfer
It is also important to update the system software on both devices to the latest available versions. Xiaomi and OnePlus regularly release patches that improve the stability of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules, which directly affects the transfer speed. Android versions below 8.0 may not support some modern transfer protocols, so updating is a must-have step.
Use the Clone Phone (Oppo/OnePlus) app
The most effective regular tool for switching to OnePlus devices is the Clone Phone app (formerly known as Clone Phone for Oppo), designed specifically for migrating from any Android smartphone, including Xiaomi, and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, photos, music and even some system settings.
The process starts with installing the app on both phones. On OnePlus, it's often preinstalled in the Tools folder, and on Xiaomi Mi8, you need to download it from the Google Play Store. Once you start, select "This is a new phone" on the new device, and on the old one, "This is an old phone."
⚠️ Note: When using Clone Phone on Xiaomi, you may need to manually allow access to multiple system permissions. If the app closes, check your power saving settings MIUI Remove background activity restrictions.
Connecting devices occurs through QR-code. Mi8 It scans the code displayed on the OnePlus screen, and then creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between the gadgets, which provides a high transfer rate that does not depend on the quality of your home router. You will be able to select specific types of data to copy, which is handy if you don’t need old ones, for example. SMS.
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If the process is frozen at 99%, try to disable the screen lock on the Xiaomi Mi8 and allow the application to work in the background without restrictions.
Migration through Google Account and Cloud Services
The most reliable, though not the fastest, way is to use Google cloud sync, which is ideal for saving contacts, calendar, notes and passwords. Make sure that all the necessary items are synchronized in the Google account settings on the Xiaomi Mi8.
For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best option. Download the app to Mi8, log in to your account and enable Autoboot and Sync. Wait until the process is complete, and then all your photos will appear in the new OnePlus gallery immediately after you sign in to the same account.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | Speed. | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Instantly. | Tall. |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Depends on the Internet. | Very high. |
| Annexes | Google Play | Medium | Tall. |
| Files. | Google Drive | Low. | Medium |
When you first set up OnePlus, simply enter your Google account details. The system will prompt you to restore the list of installed apps and their data (if application developers support backup in Google Drive), which is a basic level of data protection that every Android user should have set up.
Wire connection and Mi Mover
Xiaomi owners are used to the handy Mi Mover app, but it doesn't work on OnePlus. However, you can use it to create a local backup on the Mi8 and then try to recover data, although cross-brand compatibility is limited here. Direct cable is more effective if you have a USB-C to USB-C adapter.
By connecting phones with a cable, OnePlus can recognize Xiaomi as external storage, in which case you can manually copy DCIM, Download and Documents folders. This is the best way to transfer heavy 4K video files that take a long time to load over Wi-Fi.
⚠️ Note: Not all cables USB-C Support data transfer, many are only for charging.Use the original cable from OnePlus or a certified counterpart with support USB 3.0/3.1.
When manually copying via cable, pay attention to the folder structure. MIUI can store voice recorder data or conversation records into specific directories that are not always visible to the standard OxygenOS file manager. In such cases, a third-party file manager, such as Files by Google or Solid Explorer, may be required.
Transfer of WhatsApp messages and messengers
The migration of WhatsApp correspondence requires special attention, as this application stores the history locally or in the cloud tied to a specific account. On Xiaomi Mi8, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and create a fresh copy in Google Drive.
When WhatsApp first runs on OnePlus, after entering the same phone number, the app will find a backup in Google Drive and prompt you to restore your message history, a standard and most secure way to ensure the integrity of media files inside chats.
What to do if the backup is not available?
For Telegram and V, the situation is simpler: these messengers store history in the cloud. Just install an app on OnePlus, enter your phone number and confirmation code. All secret chats on Telegram are not portable, since they are tied to a specific device, which is worth remembering in advance.
Application Solutions and Compatibility
After transferring the data, you may find that some applications with Xiaomi are not working correctly on OnePlus, due to differences in optimization for MIUI and OxygenOS. In such cases, it is recommended to remove the problematic application and re-download its latest version from Google Play.
Pay special attention to access rights. OnePlus has a strict permission system, so after the migration, re-check whether applications have access to the microphone, camera and geolocation, which often causes malfunctions in the operation of navigators or voice recorders.
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Completely reinstalling mission-critical applications after data transfer is the best guarantee of their stable operation on the new system.
If you've used specific MIUI themes or fonts, they won't migrate to OnePlus, you'll have to re-configure your visual style through the Theme Store, and that includes system sounds that you'll have to re-choose in the Sound and Vibration settings.