How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Android: All ways

Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, often overshadowed by fear of losing important information. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are used to the convenience of the MIUI or HyperOS interface, and switching to a new device requires a competent approach to file migration. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to perform this procedure as quickly as possible and without loss of quality. You do not need to be a technician to successfully copy all your digital assets.

There are several proven methods that cover different use cases: you can use embedded system utilities, cloud storage, or even a wired connection. The choice of the particular method depends on the amount of information transferred and the state of both devices. In this article, we will discuss each of the available options in detail so that you can choose the most suitable one for your situation.

Before starting the active phase of operation, you need to make sure that both smartphones have sufficient battery power. The optimal condition is that there is a charge of at least 50-60% on each of the devices. This is a critical point, since the process of transferring large amounts of data can be energy intensive.

Use of the built-in Mi Mover application

The most efficient and quickest way to migrate is to use the Mi Mover tool, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s devices, which allows data to be transmitted over a local Wi-Fi connection, which provides high speed and does not require mobile traffic consumption.

It starts with running the app on both devices, and on the old smartphone, you choose the sender, and on the new smartphone, the receiver. QR-If you have a code or manual password, you have a direct connection between the gadgets, and then the system will suggest you to select data categories for transferring.

You can select specific file types or mark all available options for full cloning. The algorithm will automatically create a folder structure on the new device that is identical to the old one, which is especially convenient for those who want to get an exact copy of their workspace without unnecessary settings.

  • πŸ“± Contacts and Messages: Complete preservation of correspondence and telephone book history.
  • πŸ“· Multimedia: Photos, videos and music files are transferred in original quality.
  • πŸ“² Appendices: Installed programs are ported with their data (if the security policy allows).
  • βš™οΈ System settings: Alarm clocks, wallpaper and Wi-Fi network settings.
πŸ“Š What kind of data transfer do you prefer?
Mi Mover
Google Account
Third-party annexes
Manual copying on PC

Importantly, some system applications may not be portable due to the limitations of the Android version on the new device, and in such cases, the system will offer to find analogues in the Google Play store.

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M i Mover is the fastest way, as it works directly between devices over Wi-Fi, bypassing Internet channels and servers.

Synchronization through Google Account

An alternative and classic method is to use Google’s cloud sync capabilities, which is ideal if you already have a set up account that you plan to use on your new phone, and it keeps your most important data safe even in the event of a physical breakdown of your old device.

To get started, make sure your old smartphone is synchronizing the right components. Go to your account settings and check the status of your contacts, calendar and notes. The data should be up to date on the company's servers before you start setting up your new gadget.

On the new device, when you first start up, just type in your Google account login and password, and the system automatically prompts you to restore the backup, and you can select a restore point from the list of available dates, which will not only return contacts, but also the list of installed applications.

What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
If the sync process has stopped, try clearing the cache of Google Play services. Go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ All Apps β†’ Google Play Services β†’ Memory β†’ Clear the cache. After that, restart the device and try again.

You should also consider that photos and videos are transmitted over the Internet. If you have a large amount of media in Google Photos, it can take a considerable time to download them when connecting slowly, and you should use a stable Wi-Fi channel to speed up the process.

Transferring data with the Xiaomi cloud

Users deeply integrated into Xiaomi’s ecosystem often use the company’s Mi Cloud, which allows you to create full backups of the system that are stored on the manufacturer’s servers, and logging into your Mi Account on a new device gives you access to all previously stored data.

To create a backup, open your Mi Account settings and select the cloud services section, where you can set up automatic backup creation when you connect to your charger and Wi-Fi, which ensures that data is up to date without your intervention.

When you restore it to a new phone, it will ask you what data to download from the cloud, you can only select contacts and messages to speed up the process, or you can restore a full system snapshot, and the download speed depends on your account data plan and the speed of your Internet connection.

ParameterMi MoverGoogle AccountMi Cloud
Speed.High (locally)Medium (depending on the network)Medium (depending on the network)
Internet requiredNo (wi-fi module only)Yes.Yes.
Data volume15GB free of charge5GB free of charge
Type of dataAll types of filesContacts, applications, photosSystem settings, photo

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If you are using Mi Cloud, make sure that the new device has the same account region as the old one to avoid server access issues.

Use of third-party applications

When standard methods fail for some reason, third-party solutions come to the rescue, apps like Send Anywhere, SHAREit or Clone Phone allow you to transfer files between any Android device, and they often have more flexible file selection settings.

The way these programs work is the same: both devices connect to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point. You pick up files on the same phone and you get the code or you scan. QR-The transmission is on a local channel, which guarantees high speed.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications, be careful with permissions. Some programs may request access to sensitive data that is not needed to transfer files.

The feature of these methods is the ability to selectively transfer "heavy" folders, such as messenger cache or downloads, but system settings and passwords from Wi-Fi in this way can not be transferred, this solution is more suitable for archiving media files.

Manual copying through a computer

The most reliable, though more time-consuming, method is to use a computer as an intermediate storage device, by connecting an old smartphone to a PC via a computer. USB-cable, you access the file system in storage mode, and that allows you to copy the data to the hard drive.

Create a separate folder on your computer and copy all the important directories: DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, Music for audio. Once you've finished copying, turn off your old phone and connect a new one.

Move files from your computer to the internal memory of your new device, keeping the folder structure intact. For photos and videos, the structure isn't that important, but for some applications, file location can make a difference. The good thing about this is that you have a physical copy of the data on your PC.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for manual copying

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If you are using a Windows computer, make sure that the necessary drivers are installed for your smartphone. In most cases, Windows 10 and 11 install them automatically, but sometimes manual intervention through Device Manager is required.

Transfer of the history of messages and messengers

Special attention should be paid to transferring correspondence from messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber. These applications store data in protected memory areas, and a simple copy of files may not work. There is a different algorithm for each messenger.

WhatsApp is best suited to use the built-in backup feature on Google Drive. Go to chat settings, select backup, and click "Create." On the new phone, when you first launch, the app will prompt you to recover your story from the cloud.

For Telegram and Viber, the situation is simpler: the history of correspondence is stored on servers, just log in with a phone number, and all chats will appear automatically, but secret chats and local files may not sync without additional export.

⚠️ Warning: Two-factor authentication in messengers requires access to a phone number or recovery codes. SIM-The card is active and inserted into the phone to which you transfer data.

Some users prefer to do local messenger backups and transfer files manually through the Android/media folder. This is more complicated, but gives full control of the data. The path to the files may vary depending on the version of Android.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I transfer data if the screen of my old phone is broken?
If the sensor is not working, but the image is, you can try to connect USB-mouse-over OTG. If the screen is completely black but the phone is turned on, only a computer connection will help if debugging mode or a trusted device was previously allowed, or the use of cloud services that were synchronized previously.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
Time depends on the method. Mi Mover over 5GHz Wi-Fi takes about 15-20 minutes. It can take several hours through the cloud, depending on the speed of your Internet channel. The fastest copying process on a USB 3.0 cable on a computer is in 5-10 minutes.
Will the data from the old phone disappear after the transfer?
No, any copying method (Mi Mover, cloud, PC) keeps the data on the old device safe and sound. It doesn't automatically delete. If you want to clean the old phone, you have to do it manually through factory reset.
What to do if new applications do not open?
This may be due to incompatibility of Android versions, and if an app has moved from a very old version to a new one, it may not work properly, in which case it is recommended to remove it and download the latest version from the Google Play Store.