How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone always brings mixed feelings: on the one hand, the joy of owning a powerful device, on the other – the fear of a long setup process. Many users postpone the transition for fear of losing important contacts, correspondence history or precious photos. However, modern technology has made migration so simple that the entire process takes from 15 to 40 minutes, regardless of the amount of information.

There are several proven synchronization methods, each with its own advantages depending on your situation: you can use the Mi Mover app, Google cloud services, or manually copy through your computer, depending on the version of Android on the old device and the availability of a stable Wi-Fi connection.

In this article, we will discuss each method in detail so that you can choose the best option. We will look at the nuances of porting not only media files, but also system settings, passwords and application data. Proper preparation at the initial stage will avoid loss of information and save you time.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before you start the transfer process, make sure both smartphones are ready to go. Charge both devices to a minimum of 60-70%, as active transmission of large amounts of data can significantly consume battery power. Also make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, even if you plan to use a cable connection, as some protocols use them for detection.

Free up space on the new Xiaomi if it already has redundant files. Although the phone is usually empty when you first set up, checking for free space is a good habit. Delete temporary files or unnecessary apps so that the migration can be made without overflow errors.

• 🔋 Charge both smartphones to levels above 60% to avoid sudden shutdown.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or make sure you have a stable mobile internet connection.
• 🧹 Clear the cache and delete unnecessary files on your old phone to speed up the process.
• 🔒 Backup important data just in case before any operations start.

An important step is to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version. Manufacturers often release patches that improve connection stability and data transfer speed. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and check for updates.

Use of the Mi Mover app

The most efficient and quickest way to transfer is to use the Mi Mover tool, which is designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem, and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, calls, notes, photos, music, videos and even installed applications, and it works on the basis of creating a local Wi-Fi network, which provides high speed transfer without using Internet traffic.

On a new Xiaomi smartphone, the app is often preinstalled in the Tools folder. If it's not available, download it from Google Play or GetApps. On the old device, you also need to install this program. Once you start, select the role of the device: on the new phone, click "I am the receiver" and on the old one, "I am the sender."

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The Mi Mover app creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, so transfer speeds can reach 20-40 MB/s, which is much faster than Bluetooth.

Then the devices will find each other. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone, the camera of the old device. Once you set up the connection, select the data categories to transfer. You can choose everything at once or manually mark only the desired folders, for example, only the gallery and contacts.

• 📲 Install the Mi Mover app on both smartphones from the official store.
• 🔄 Select the device role: "Sender" on the old and "Receiver" on the new.
• 📡 Wait for the connection via Wi-Fi Direct and scan QR-code.
• 📂 Select data types to copy and click the "Send" button".

The process can take time depending on the amount of data: Do not switch to other applications or lock device screens during transmission, so as not to break the connection. Once completed, a report of successfully transferred files will appear on the new phone.

Synchronization through Google Account

A classic method that is perfect for porting contacts, calendars, notes and passwords. If you navigate from any Android device, your Google profile already contains most of the important information. When the new Xiaomi is activated, the system will suggest that you recover data from the cloud.

To sync successfully, make sure that the old phone has autoload enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google and check if the ticks are right in front of the right items: Contacts, Calendar, Chrome, Drive. If the ticks are ticked, the data is already in the cloud.

On the new smartphone, when you initially set up, enter the same email address. The system will automatically prompt you to restore the backup of applications and their data. Note that this method will not transfer photos in full resolution unless you bought an extended Google One tariff, since standard storage is limited to 15 GB.

• ☁️ Make sure your old device has sync enabled in Google settings.
• 📧 Enter the same email when you first set up your new Xiaomi smartphone.
• 📲 Allow recovery of applications and their settings from the cloud.
• 🔐 Chrome passwords and data will also be automatically pulled after logging in.

Manual transfer via computer

For users who prefer full control over files, or when transferring a huge amount of data (e.g. 100 files)+ GB video, the best way to do this is to use a PC, which is not dependent on the speed of the Wi-Fi router or the stability of the wireless protocols. USB-cable and computer with Windows or macOS operating system.

Connect your old phone to your computer and select file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the required folders (DCIM, Pictures, Download, Music) to your hard drive. Then plug in the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories. The folder structure on Android is universal, so the files will fall into place automatically.

Use this method if wireless transmission is interrupted or unstable. The cable connection guarantees data integrity. After copying, check several files on the new device to make sure they are readable.

Transfer of messages and call history

With text messages SMS And the problem is more complicated, because Google doesn't sync that data by default in a user-friendly way, and here again comes the Mi Mover app, which can port it. SMS and a log of calls from almost any Android-smartphone.

If you use a different method, you can use third-party utilities, such as SMS Backup & Restore. Install the app on both phones, back up on the old one, save the file to Google Drive or transfer via Bluetooth, and then restore it to the new Xiaomi.

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Mi Mover is the only full-time tool that is guaranteed to transfer SMS and call history without root rights and complex manipulations.

For messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, the procedure is separate. WhatsApp needs to go to Settings → Chats → Backup and create it in Google Drive. When you install the application on a new phone, it will itself suggest restoring your correspondence history from the cloud.

Solving problems in transfer

The migration process can be complicated by technicalities, often by the fact that users are stuck at 99% or devices cannot see each other, and in most cases, the problem is energy saving, and MIUI or HyperOS can aggressively limit background processes to save battery life.

If the transmission is interrupted, don't panic. Check if one of the devices is on "Flight" or power saving. Also make sure that both phones have an open transmission app and the screens don't go out. Sometimes it helps to reboot both smartphones before you try again.

⚠️ Note: When transferring data via Mi Mover, do not block device screens. Some versions of Android stop transferring data when you go to sleep, which can cause file damage.

Another common problem is space shortage. Always make sure that the new Xiaomi has more space than the weight of the data on the old phone before you start. If memory is critically low, move the data in parts: first photos, then apps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)