Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when it comes to changing ecosystems or brands. For owners of MIUI and HyperOS devices, the data migration process has become as simple as possible thanks to built-in tools. However, if you have previously used devices from other manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei or Pixel, there may be nuances with format compatibility or settings.
Modern methods allow you to copy not only contacts and photos, but also desktop structure, Wi-Fi settings, passwords and even applications. It is important to understand that the choice of the right way depends on the amount of information and version of the operating system on the old device. In this article, we will discuss all the options available in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation and avoid losing valuable files.
Before you start the immediate copying process, you need to do a series of preparatory steps, which will take no more than 10 minutes, but save you from a lot of potential errors in the future, and make sure that both devices are at least 60-70% charged, as intensive data transfer can quickly consume battery power.
The first step is to check the free space on a new Xiaomi device. If you plan to carry a large amount of media, make sure that internal memory is enough. It is also recommended to clear the cache on the old phone by removing temporary files that will only take up space when transferring. This is especially true for instant messengers, which for years accumulate gigabytes of unnecessary garbage.
A critical point is to back up WhatsApp via Google Drive just before you start migrating. Standard portability tools often only copy the application file itself, but not its internal database, unless you use specialized features. Without this simple procedure, you risk losing your entire correspondence history.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 60% or connect them to a power source.
- 📶 Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi enabled (it is advisable to use one 5GHz network).
- 🧹 Clean up storage from temporary files and unnecessary downloads on old Android.
- 🔒 Remember or write down passwords from important accounts, including Google and Mi Account.
Preparation takes a minimum of time, but is the foundation of a successful migration. Skipping the cleaning phase can lead to a copying process that takes several hours instead of the expected 30 minutes.
⚠️ Warning: Do not start the transfer process if one of the devices is power-saving mode.The system can forcibly break the Wi-Fi connection to save charge, which will lead to a migration failure and possible file corruption.
The most efficient and quickest way to migrate is to use the proprietary Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones, and for other Android devices, it can be easily downloaded from Google Play, the main advantage of the method is the ability to transfer data over a direct Wi-Fi connection without using the Internet, which ensures high speed and security.
The process starts with installing the app on the old device, if it is not there. On the new Xiaomi phone, the app is already built into the system and is located in the Tools folder or available through the settings menu. Once launched on both screens, you must accept the user agreement and allow access to the necessary permissions, including contacts, SMS and multimedia.
Next, select the role of the device. On the old phone, click the "I send" button, and on the new Xiaomi, "I accept" button. QR-This is a code that you need to scan with the camera of an old smartphone, and this action automatically creates a secure local area network between the gadgets.
☑️ Checklist of Mi Mover connection
Once the connection is successful, the device interfaces sync up, and you'll see a list of data categories available for transfer. The system will suggest you choose what you want to copy: apps, photos, music, contacts or system settings. You can deselect unnecessary categories to speed up the process, for example, if you plan to download applications again.
Special attention should be paid to the "Apps" section. Mi Mover will try to find analogues in GetApps or Google Play for those programs that are not in the Xiaomi store. If the application is paid, make sure you use the same Google account so you do not buy it again. Free programs will simply install automatically after the data transfer is completed.
The screen will display progress bar and approximate time to end. Don't turn off the screens of the devices and keep them close to each other. Interruption of the process at 90-99% stage may require a repetition of the procedure for certain categories of files, although the integrity of the already copied data is usually maintained.
⚠️ Warning: While Mi Mover is running, don't switch to other apps or lock the screen of your old phone.Some Android shells (such as Samsung or Huawei) can aggressively optimize background processes by breaking the connection.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
For users who prefer cloud technology or do not want to install additional applications, synchronization through Google Account is the ideal solution. This method is native to the Android operating system and ensures the safety of contacts, calendar, notes and passwords. When the new phone is activated, Xiaomi will offer to restore data from the cloud.
To work properly, you need to manually sync your old device. Go to settings, find Accounts or Users and Accounts, select your Google profile, and click Sync. Make sure the ticks are in front of all the important items: Contacts, Calentar, Documents, Application Data.
Special attention should be paid to syncing photos through Google Photos. If you have Autoupload and Sync enabled, all your photos are already in the cloud. On the new Xiaomi, just log in to the same account in the Google Photos app, and the entire gallery will appear automatically. This frees up the internal memory of the new device, since the photos can be stored in compressed or original quality in the cloud.
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Use Google Passwords to automatically save logins and passwords. When you log in to your account on the new Xiaomi, all saved passwords will automatically be pulled into the Chrome browser and system, eliminating the need to enter them again.
Once you log in to your account on your new device, under Settings -> Google -> Data Recovery, you'll see a list of available backups. Select the latest date. The system will suggest restoring your installed app list, Wi-Fi settings, and call history, a process that can take longer than Mi Mover, as it depends on your Internet connection speed.
It is important to understand the differences in approach. If Mi Mover copies files physically, then Google Account restores structure and links to data. For example, music purchased from Google Play Music (if the account is old) will be restored in the library, but the files will need to be downloaded separately, and contacts are restored instantly, since they are stored in text format on the servers of the corporation.
| Comparison parameter | Mi Mover | Google Account | Manual copying (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | High (local Wi-Fi) | Depends on the Internet. | Medium (depending on cable) |
| Internet is required | No. | Yes (required) | No. |
| Transferring Wi-Fi settings | Yes (passwords and networks) | Yes (over reserve) | No. |
| Transfer of the desktop layout | Partially (icons) | No. | No. |
The comparison table shows that Mi Mover is best suited for a full one-to-one migration.However, if you change your phone frequently or want to have insurance in case of losing your device, regular syncing with Google is a must-have hygiene procedure for any Android user.
Samsung device owners often face the issue of data portability, as the Korean giant has its own powerful ecosystem of Samsung Cloud and Smart Switch. Fortunately, the transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is going pretty smoothly, but there are nuances with the transfer of notes and voice recordings that can be blocked. DRM-protection or specific format.
Samsung users are advised to export notes to PDF or text file format before migrating if they are critical.The standard Mi Mover can read Samsung Notes databases, but in rare cases manual intervention may be required.It is also worth disabling the "Steal Protection" feature on the old device before the process begins so that it does not block the transfer of system files.
If you are switching from Huawei or Honor, things can be more complicated because of the lack of Google services on older models of these brands, in which case Mi Mover is almost the only reliable way to migrate contacts and media files, and the applications will have to be downloaded again, as the package architecture may differ, especially if we are talking about EMUI system utilities.
⚠️ Note: When switching from custom shells (e.g. older versions) MIUI on the Chinese version or ColorOS, some system ringtones and wallpapers may not be portable, as they are part of the firmware, not user files.
One of the most difficult tasks when changing your phone is to transfer messages in instant messengers. WhatsApp uses its own backup system, tied to Google Drive. To save your message history, on your old phone, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and click on “Backup.” Make sure the process is successful and you see the current date.
On the new Xiaomi, install WhatsApp from Google Play or GetApps. When you first launch, the app will find a backup in Google Drive and prompt you to restore the history. This stage is critical: if you miss the offer to restore data on the first install, you will not be able to do this later without completely removing and re-installing the application.
Telegram is much easier, because it stores all of its correspondence and media history (except secret chats) on its servers. Just install the app and log in to your account by phone number. All chats, channels and groups will appear instantly. Secret chats are tied to the device and cannot be ported — this is a feature of the security protocol encryption.
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The main secret of successful WhatsApp transfer is not to configure the messenger as “new”, but to wait for the recovery screen from the cloud at the first authorization.
For Viber, the procedure is similar to WhatsApp: you need to create a local or cloud copy. In Viber’s settings, select Account -> Backup Viber. Once installed on a new phone, Viber will find the backup file in the device’s memory or in Google Drive and prompt it to recover. Note that restoring media (photos and videos from chats) may take additional time in the background.
Sometimes automatic methods fail, and the only way out is to manually copy through a computer, which is also suitable for carrying very heavy files, such as: 4K-Videos or huge archives of documents that can be transmitted over the air for long periods of time. USB and computer with Windows or macOS operating system.
Connect your old phone to your computer and select File Transfer Mode (MTP) in the notification. Copy the DCIM (photo and video), Download (download) and Documents folders to your PC hard drive. Then plug in the new Xiaomi and copy those folders to the root of your internal memory or to your microSD card, if installed.
Structure of folders for manual copying:
/DCIM/Camera (Camera photo)
/DCIM/Screenshots (Screenshots)
/Pictures (Images from Apps)
/Music (Music)
/Download (Files from the browser)Contacts can be manually transferred via vCard (.vcf). On your old phone, open the Contacts app, select Import/Export, and select Export to Storage. Send the file to your Telegram (Favorites) or mail, and on your new phone, just open the file, and the system will suggest importing all the entries into the phone book.
After successfully migrating data, the new phone requires the right setup for optimal performance. First check for system updates. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and press the Verification button. Newer versions often contain bug fixes that may have occurred when data migrated from older versions of Android.
It is also recommended to check the biometrics. When transferring data, fingerprints and facial data are not transferred for security purposes - they must be scanned again. Go to Settings → Passwords and security and set up facial unlock or fingerprint for the new owner.
Don’t forget to set up notifications. The MIUI and HyperOS shells are known for aggressive battery saving that can block notifications from messengers. Go to the Security → Battery app and set the mode for important applications (WhatsApp, Telegram, Mail) to the No Limits position, which ensures that you don’t miss important messages.
How to speed up the work of the new Xiaomi after the transfer?
In conclusion, the process of transferring data from Android to Xiaomi has become as transparent and clear as possible: using Mi Mover in conjunction with Google backup provides almost complete migration of the digital user profile, the main thing is to take your time, follow the instructions on the screen and not interrupt the data transfer process.
Now your new smartphone is fully ready to go, keeping all the important memories and settings.Properly setting up notifications and checking for updates in the first days of use will help avoid typical issues and ensure the device stays stable in the long run.