How to Transfer Data from Xiaomi to Poco: A Complete Guide

Changing a smartphone, especially within a single-producer ecosystem, is often perceived as a complex and lengthy process. However, the transition from Xiaomi device to Poco, which is essentially a sub-brand of the same company, is as simple as possible by engineers. The MIUI shell or the new HyperOS have built-in tools that allow you to clone the system almost one-to-one. You do not need to be a technician to perform this procedure successfully.

The main challenge for users is not to have no tools, but to choose the right method for a particular situation. Data transfer can be complete, including Wi-Fi passwords and icon location, or selective, when you only need contacts and photos. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available migration methods so that you can choose the best option for yourself.

Before you start, make sure that both devices are at least 60-70% charged. The process of copying large amounts of information, especially through Wi-Fi Direct, can be energy-intensive. Also check for free space on the new Poco device, it should exceed the amount of data on the old Xiaomi.

Preparing devices for migration

The first and most important step is to properly prepare both smartphones. Ignoring this step often leads to errors in the middle of the process or loss of some files. Make sure that both devices are enabled Bluetooth and GPS, as they are used for initial pairing and metadata transfer.

Special attention should be paid to system updates. If the old Xiaomi has a very old version of MIUI, and the new Poco has the latest HyperOS, there may be conflicts of versions of the application for portability. Go to the settings and check for updates along the Settings path → About Phone → MIUI version.

⚠️ Note: Do not start the transfer process if one of the devices is connected to an unstable Wi-Fi network with limited traffic. Local data transfer does not consume the Internet, but may require verification of the account license.

For users who are actively using cloud services, it is recommended to check the sync status in advance. Make sure that your contacts and notes are fully uploaded to Mi Cloud or Google Account. This will create an additional restore point in case the direct transfer method for some reason fails.

Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning

The most efficient and quickest way is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most Xiaomi and Poco devices, but if it's not available, it can be easily downloaded from GetApps. The good thing about this is that it not only transfers files, but also folder structure, alarm settings, alarm clocks, and even the location of apps on the desktop.

Run the app on both devices. On the old phone, select the role "Sender" (Old phone), and on the new Poco - "Receiver" (New phone), the system will suggest creating a Wi-Fi hotspot, on the receiving device will appear. QR-the code or network name to be selected on the sender.

Once you connect, you'll see a list of data categories to migrate, and you can either select everything at once or click on Settings inside the app for a detailed selection.

• 📱 Contacts and communications (SMS/MMS)
• 🖼️ Gallery and video (including hidden albums)
• ⚙️ System settings and calls
• 📲 Applications and their data (for most programs)

It is important to understand that banking applications and some secure programs will not migrate their login details for security reasons, you will have to log in again after the migration is completed, but the folder structure and shortcuts will be preserved.

Comparison of transfer methods: speed and functionality

There are several ways to migrate, and the choice depends on what is more important to you: speed, a full copy of the system or selective transfer.

As the table shows, Mi Mover is the no-choice leader for switching between devices of the same brand. Google Account is good as a backup channel for critical data such as contacts and photos, but it won't keep alarm settings or call history the same.

Using a computer is only advisable if you want to manually sort files before transferring, or if both phones have damage to charging ports that interfere with stable operation.

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To switch to Xiaomi → Poco, always use Mi Mover as your primary method, and Google Account as your backup for contacts and photos.

Transfer through Google Account and Cloud Services

If direct contact between phones is not possible, cloud technology comes to the rescue, a classic method that has worked seamlessly for many years. First, make sure that on the old Xiaomi, your Google account settings enable synchronization of contacts, calendar and app data.

Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and click Sync. After that, all your data will be uploaded to Google servers. On the new Poco, you just need to enter the same paragaph log and password when you first set up or in the account menu.

Google Photos is a special feature, and if you have Autoboot and Sync enabled, your entire library is already available in the cloud. On the new device, just install the app or log in to the gallery, and the photos will appear automatically as needed.

⚠️ Note: When you transfer your Google Account, you don’t transfer Wi-Fi passwords and some interface system settings. You’ll have to manually reconfigure them.

Mi Cloud users can also use the cloud recovery feature, and when you first turn on a new Poco, the system will offer to restore data from the Mi Cloud, which is especially useful if you have used the phone search features or made full backups of the system.

Alternative methods: PC and local backup

For advanced users or with a very large amount of data (for example, 200+ GB of video), you may need to use a computer. Connect the old Xiaomi to the PC in file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the DCIM, Download, MIUI folders to the hard drive.

Then, connect the new Poco and transfer it to the appropriate directories, which is slower but gives you full control of the files, and you can also use the built-in local backup feature:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup Recovery.
2. Create a backup on the internal drive.
3. Copy the backup file you created (located in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder) to your computer.
4. Move it to the new phone in the same folder and perform recovery.

Local backup is especially useful because it preserves the history of calls and SMS without use SIM-However, this method requires free space equal to the amount of data occupied, which is not always possible on new fixed-memory devices.

Possible problems and solutions

The migration process can be difficult to handle, and most often users will experience a message saying “No space is enough” or a connection break, and if Mi Mover is interrupted, try disabling VPNs and antiviruses that can block local connections.

If some apps don’t work after the transfer, try updating them through Google Play Market or GetApps. Sometimes the version of the app on the old phone has been modified or was a beta version, causing conflicts on the new system.

If contacts are transferred but no photos, check where they were saved on the old device. SIM-card or phone memory (not in your account), you need to export them to a file.vcx or import them to a Google account before starting the main transfer.

⚠️ Note: After transferring data, banking applications may require re-binding the device, which is a normal security response, not a port error.

Remember, the process of indexing files on a new phone can take up to several hours, during which time the device can heat up slightly, and the battery will discharge faster than usual, give the system time to complete the background processes.

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After transferring the data, reboot the new smartphone, which will help the system correctly index all files and establish background synchronization.

Completion of the setup and verification of results

Once you have successfully completed the copy, take your time to delete data from your old phone. Use the new Poco as normal for 2-3 days. Make sure all apps work correctly, notifications arrive on time, and photos are displayed in the gallery.

Check the dual tap to turn on the screen, adjust the controls and fingerprints. Sometimes biometrics are not transferred for security reasons and need to be re-registered in the Settings menu. → Passwords and security.

Only when you make sure the new system is fully operational can you start cleaning the old device, and do a full reset on the old Xiaomi so that your personal data does not fall into the wrong hands when you sell or dispose of it.

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Final check of performance of all functions of the new smartphone is mandatory before cleaning the old device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)