Buying a new smartphone is always a joy and a desire to start using it faster, but the process of migrating personal files often turns into a challenge. The owner of the device faces the need to save hundreds of contacts, gigabytes of photos and customize dozens of applications to avoid losing accumulated information. Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have provided several effective tools that allow you to perform this operation automatically without losing quality.
Modern synchronization technologies allow you to complete the procedure in just a few minutes, if you prepare both gadgets for work in advance. Data transfer can be carried out both wirelessly and using a physical connection, which gives the user the freedom to choose the most convenient scenario. In this article, we will discuss each method in detail, paying special attention to the nuances of the company utility and cloud services.
Preparing devices before information migration
Before you run any copying tools, you need to make sure that both smartphones have sufficient battery power. The optimal solution is to connect both devices to a power source or have a charge of at least 60-70%, since the active transfer of large amounts of information consumes significant energy. If the process is interrupted due to discharge, you risk getting damaged files or incomplete installation of applications.
It is also critical to check whether there is free space on the target device where the archive is to be downloaded. The amount of memory available should exceed the size of the data transmitted with a margin of about 10-15% for the correct operation of the system and temporary files. Remember that the MIUI or HyperOS operating system requires space for temporary buffering when decompressing data.
It is recommended to update the system software on both devices to the latest version available in advance, which minimizes the risk of conflict between versions of the transmission protocols and ensures the stability of the wireless modules. You can check for updates in the settings menu by selecting About phone and clicking on the shell version.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the migration process or switch between application windows during transmission.This may cause some contacts or messages to remain on the old device, and the folder structure on the new device will be broken.
Make sure both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, even if you plan to use a cable connection for backup.In some cases, the system may request a Bluetooth connection confirmation before starting the main Wi-Fi Direct file transfer.
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most convenient and popular way to migrate is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all modern smartphones of the brand. This tool allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, photos, music, videos, documents and even installed applications along with their data. The algorithm of the utility is optimized to ensure maximum transfer speed without compressing the original files.
To get started, run the app on both devices. On the new smartphone, select Receiver and Sender, and the old one automatically creates a Wi-Fi hotspot that the second device needs to connect to, and once you connect, you'll see a list of data categories that are available for copying.
Select the necessary items and click the "Send" button. The speed of the process depends on the amount of information and distance between devices, but usually ranges from 10 to 20 MB / s. During operation, the screens may periodically go out to save energy, but the process will continue in the background.
- 📱 Full compatibility: Works between any Android smartphone, as well as iPhone (through installing a separate app).
- 🚀 High speed: Uses a direct Wi-Fi channel without wasting mobile operator traffic.
- 🔄 Structure preservation: Folders and albums are saved in their original form, making navigation easier.
- 🛡️ Security: Data is transferred locally and does not reach third-party servers.
It is worth noting that when migrating from iPhone to Xiaomi, the functionality can be limited only to basic media files and contacts due to the limitations of the iOS operating system, in which case the application acts more like a bridge for basic information, rather than a complete clone of the system.
Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services
A classic method that remains relevant for those who are already deeply integrated into the search giant’s ecosystem, ideal for retrieving contacts, calendar, notes and installed app lists, and when a new smartphone is activated, just type in the same email address and the system will prompt you to restore the backup.
The sync setting process on the old device requires checking the active settings. Go to Settings → Accounts and sync and make sure the switches opposite the right services are activated. Click Sync to force the latest changes to the server.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
For photos and videos, the best way to use Google Photos is to turn on Autoboot and Sync in the app, wait until the process is complete and check if all the images are in the cloud. On the new device, you just need to install the app and log in to the same accat to see the entire gallery.
However, this method has its limitations, which are worth considering: free space in the cloud is limited to 15 GB, and if your archive exceeds this volume, you will either have to buy additional space or choose only the most important files.
Transfer data using a USB cable
If wireless methods seem too slow or unstable, you can use a physical connection. This will require a special USB-C to USB-C adapter cable or using a computer as an intermediate link. Direct connection of two phones with a cable is not supported by all models, but often activates automatically when you start the Mi Mover.
When connected by cable, the system will notify you of the connection type. Select File Transfer (MTP) or Android Auto mode if the choice is offered. The computer will define the device as an external drive, and you will be able to copy the DCIM, Download, Music, and others folders manually.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for wire transfer
Using a PC gives you the added bonus of being able to sort out garbage before you transfer it, so you can delete duplicate photos, old screenshots, and unnecessary downloads to keep your new gadget from clogging up, and this is especially true when you move from a device with more memory to a model with less storage.
After copying files to your computer, connect your new smartphone and transfer the data to the appropriate directories. The folder structure on Android is quite flexible, but for the correct display of the library, it is better to save the original names of the system folders.
Comparison of migration methods: table
To make it easier for you to choose the best method, we have prepared a comparative table of the main characteristics of each method, which will help you to weigh the pros and cons based on your specific situation and the technical condition of the equipment.
| Characteristics | Mi Mover | Google Account | USB/PC cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Depends on the Internet. | Maximum |
| We need the Internet. | No (locally) | Yes (required) | No. |
| Transferring Wi-Fi settings | Yes. | Partially. | No. |
| Complexity of the process | Low (automatically) | Low. | Medium (manual) |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the most balanced solution for most users, combining high speed and simplicity. However, for users changing the platform (for example, with an iPhone), the option with Google or manual copying may be the only possible for some data.
Recovery of applications and passwords
Special attention should be paid to the process of restoring access to accounts in applications, and even if program shortcuts appear on the desktop, most of them will require re-authorization, and this is done for security reasons, and this stage will not be avoided.
It is recommended to remember passwords from key services: social network, online banking, messengers and mailboxes. If you used a password manager (for example, built into Google or a third-party like Bitwarden), make sure that it is synchronized.
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Tip: Before transferring data, make sure that the old phone logs out of all unnecessary devices in important accounts (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) to avoid authorization conflicts.
For instant messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram, there is a separate mechanism for backing up chats. In WhatsApp settings, select Chats → Backup Chats and create a fresh backup in Google Drive. When you install the app on your new phone, it will automatically prompt you to restore your correspondence history.
Banking applications will require re-assignment of the device, which may include a SMS confirmation or a bank call, which is a standard security procedure designed to protect your finances.
Typical problems and ways to solve them
Users may experience a variety of errors during migration, most often due to an unstable connection or memory shortage. If the transmission is stuck at a certain percentage, try to break the connection and start the process again, having previously restarted both smartphones.
Sometimes, apps don’t open or crash right after launch, which may mean that the version of the app on the new phone is incompatible with the data transferred from the old device, in which case it’s better to uninstall the problematic app and download it again from the Google Play store or GetApps.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to discharge quickly or work slowly after the transfer, give it to the phone. 1-2 The system indexes files and optimizes databases in the background, which puts a strain on the processor.
In rare cases, keyboard layout or alarm settings may not be transferred, and these settings are better set again manually, since their recovery often depends on the specific firmware version and application access permissions.
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The most reliable way is to combine Mi Mover for files and applications + manually check critical data (contacts, photos) before handing over the old device to the trade-in.