Changing your smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to switching to a new Xiaomi model. The most difficult step is often not unpacking the gadget, but having to manually transfer hundreds of contacts, photos and app settings. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to automate this process, making it fast and safe for the user.
One of the most reliable tools for this task is the Phone Clone app, which is designed specifically for the Android ecosystem, allowing you to create a direct wireless connection between the old and the new device. Unlike cloud backups, the method works locally, which greatly speeds up the transfer of large amounts of information.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the nuances of working with Phone Clone on MIUI and HyperOS devices. You will learn how to properly prepare your gadgets, avoid common errors and make sure that no important file is lost during migration. Follow the step-by-step instructions to make your new smartphone work as usual immediately after turning on.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before starting the procedure, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that ensure the stability of the connection. Phone Clone requires that both devices be charged at least 50%, as the process can be energy intensive. Also make sure that the old phone is closed all heavy applications that can consume CPU resources.
It's important to check the operating system version. On Xiaomi devices, the cloning feature is built into the shell, but on third-party Android smartphones, you may need to install a separate installation. Make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, even if the transfer is through the access point.
⚠️ Warning: If the old device has a power saving mode, turn it off. Aggressive battery optimization can break the connection at the most critical moment.
Check for space. The amount of free memory on the new Xiaomi should exceed the size of the data you plan to transfer. If internal memory is not enough, some of the files can be temporarily moved to a microSD card, if the model allows.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Installation and launch of the Phone Clone application
On Xiaomi’s new smartphones, the app is already preinstalled, called “Mi Mover” or simply “Cloning,” and can be found in the Tools folder or through a search in the settings. On an older device, if it’s not Xiaomi, you’ll need to download a similar app from Google Play or an official apk file from the manufacturer’s website.
Once the program is launched, a welcome window will appear on both screens requesting permissions. Phone Clone requires permission to access contacts, gallery and system settings. Without all the permissions requested, full data portability will not be possible.
The interface suggests that you choose the role of the device: "This is a new phone" or "This is an old phone." This setting is critical, because it determines which device will create the access point and which will connect to it. A mistake at this stage will lead to the fact that the gadgets will simply not find each other.
For users who are used to third-party solutions, it is important to note that the native MIUI application is more stable than third-party counterparts, and it is better optimized for working with system partitions and interface settings.
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If you can’t find the app on your old phone, use it. QR-code displayed on the screen of the new Xiaomi for quick installer download.
Connection process and establishment of a communication channel
The most important step is to establish communication between gadgets. On the new Xiaomi, select the option “Get data” and then the screen will appear on the screen. QR-The old device must scan this code through a camera inside the Phone Clone app.
Once scanned, the system will prompt the phone to confirm the connection on both screens, at which point the old phone will create a secure Wi-Fi network to which the new device will connect, and the password for the connection is generated automatically and does not require manual input.
Connection speeds depend on supported Wi-Fi standards. If both devices support a 5GHz band, the transmission will go much faster. In some cases, the system may suggest using a USB Type-C cable for an even more stable connection.
What to do if QR-code is not readable?
It is important not to switch between apps while waiting for a connection. Android can limit background activity, which will lead to a connection timeout. Keep screens on until the data lists are fully synchronized.
Selection of data categories for transfer
Once the link is set, Phone Clone will offer you to select data types to migrate, grouping information into categories: contacts, messages, call log, applications, images, videos and system settings, and selecting by ticking boxes against the desired points.
The app will try to find analogues of installed programs in Google Play or GetApps. However, banking applications and some messengers (such as WhatsApp) may require separate authorization or manual transfer of the backup of chats.
For multimedia files, you can select specific folders, which is useful if you don't want to migrate the entire gallery, but only certain albums, and the system will show you the approximate weight of the data selected and the transfer time.
- 📞 Contacts and Calls: Instantly Transfer Phone Book and Call History.
- 💬 Communications: Conservation SMS and MMS correspondence in original format.
- 📸 Multimedia: Photos, video and audio recordings are transferred without loss of quality.
- ⚙️ Settings: Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks and desktop design.
Don’t pick all the items at once if you’re planning a clean installation, leave only the essentials to keep the system debris from the old device.
Technical limitations and format compatibility
Despite the versatility of the Phone Clone, there are technical limitations: some system settings are specific to the Android version or the manufacturer’s shell and cannot be ported to Xiaomi.
App versions also play a role.If an older phone has a very old version of Android installed, some modern apps may not automatically install on the new Xiaomi with the current OS.
| Type of data | Transfer status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Complete. | Imported to Google Account |
| Photo/Video | Complete. | Album structure maintained |
| Annexes | Partial | Re-entry into accounts is required |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Complete. | Only for saved networks |
| Game data | Depends. | Requires a binding to the cloud of the game |
Encrypted data may require you to enter a password to unlock the screen of an old device, an Android security measure that prevents unauthorized access to personal information.
Completion of the process and initial setup
Once the selection is confirmed, the direct data transfer begins, the progress bar and the current transfer rate will be displayed on the screen, at which time the screens of the devices may go out, but you cannot interrupt the process or close the Phone Clone application.
Once you have finished copying, the new Xiaomi will offer a reboot or immediately start installing applications in the background. Icons of ported programs can be displayed with a download symbol.
Be sure to check the integrity of the data. Open the gallery, make sure the photos are in place. Go to contacts and check the numbers. Pay special attention to messengers - Telegram and Viber will pull up the history of correspondence from the cloud, and WhatsApp may need to restore from local copy if it was moved.
⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the Phone Clone app from your old phone immediately after transfer. Leave it for a couple of days in case you remember forgotten files or need to re-synchronize.
The final step is to set up biometrics and your Mi Account, so if you've been transferring Wi-Fi passwords, your phone will automatically connect to known networks, allowing you to sync your cloud data immediately.
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After the data migration, be sure to manually check the operation of mission-critical applications such as bank clients and two-factor authentication.
Solution and troubleshooting
The migration process can be technically challenging, and users often experience a connection breakdown during the transfer of large files, which can be caused by an unstable Wi-Fi signal or an antivirus intervention.
If the transfer is 99 percent dead, try not to interrupt the process immediately. Sometimes the system takes time to index the file. If the progress is unchanged for more than 15 minutes, you can try restarting both devices and starting the process again by selecting only the remaining categories of data.
File format compatibility issues are solved by updating the Phone Clone app to the latest version, and older versions may have had bugs that interfere with the new Android 13/14 file systems.
- 🔋 Battery discharge: Connect devices to chargers during the process.
For advanced users, the mode of logging errors in the developer menu is available, but in most cases, standard diagnostic tools built into MIUI are enough.